The Marriage of Near Kin. By A. H. Huth. Second
edition, revised. (Longmans.)—Mr. Ruth's researches are directed towards ascertaining to what extent, if at all, kinship, or nearness of common ancestry, tends to injure the offspring. Direct obser- vation is impossible, and experiment is difficult and uncertain, since the influence of environment is only very partially known and cannot be eliminated. Induction from statistics is the sole available method, and statistics are proverbially difficult to deal with even when accurate, which is but seldom the case. To statistics, indeed, both those who agree with Mr. Huth and those who differ from him, and who rejoice in the strange name of " Parasyngeniasts," equally appeal. Mr. Huth states his inquiry as twofold,—firstly, whether related unions are per se injurious to the offspring ; secondly, whether they are so through intensifica- tion of hereditary taints. To the latter aspect only he seems to think statistics applicable ; but manifestly statistics, if applicable at all, are applicable to both, negatively in the first instance, positively in the second. The inquiry, however, is properly con- fined to the second, and Mr. Huth comes to a conclusion which is not a merely negative one. He not only believes that statistics do not prove related unions to be injurious, but he avers that such unions in the organic world are the reverse, and, further, he throws discredit upon the proposition that crossing is beneficial. These three conclusions are supported by ample learning; and an exhaustive bibliography, greatly increased in the present edition, furnishes a complete repertory of materials for those who care to pursue the investigation in support of or in opposition to the author's own views. The practical outcome of Mr. Ruth's re- searches is that in his opinion first cousins may marry.
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