Text-Book of Comparative Anatomy

Abstract

THIS volume of Dr. Lang's text-book treats of the Mollusca, Echinodermata, and Enteropneusta. To the first group of animals 283 pages are devoted, and to the latter two 319. The complete and systematic manner in which the structure and relations of the different families and orders described in this work are dealt with, renders each of the three chapters, into which the book is divided, a valuable monograph. Regarding the phylogeny of the Enteropneusta, Dr. Lang states that they “are not closely related to any single large division of the animal kingdom”; his treatment of them in this volume is sufficient evidence that he is not inclined to attach much weight to their supposed affinities with the Chordata. In a short notice it is quite impossible to give any idea of the interesting way in which the book is written. The English translation is all that could be desired; the illustrations are excellent. The arrangement of the subject-matter has been carefully thought out, and reference to any subject is assisted by the use of different kinds of type in the text. A long classified list of the important literature is given at the end of each chapter.

Text-Book of Comparative Anatomy.

By Dr. Arnold Lang. Translated into English by Henry M. and Matilda Bernard. Part ii. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1896.)