25 NOVEMBER 1893, Page 26

The Amphioxus and its Development. By Dr. B. Hatschek. Translated

by James Tuckey. (Sonnenschein.)—The Amphioxus lanceolatus is the representative, and the only representative, of the very lowest sub-class of all the fishes ; in Fact, it is a fish of the most elementary type. It is widely spread, but the exhaustive study of its development was pursued by Dr. Hatschek in the lake of Pentane, near the village of Faro, on the Straits of Messina. The amphioxus of Faro differs from the Neapolitan amphioxus slightly. This monograph is a good instance of the work of a specialist who devotes himself for months, perhaps years, to the study of a single species. Such work must be its own reward, for it is doubtful if anything revolutionary is likely to be the result of so much study. The book is illustrated.