British Science Biographies Natural History. By Professor Nicholson. (W. and
R. Chambers, London and Edinburgh.)—This volume is a short history of the progress of the science of natural history, given in the form of short biographies of the leading workers, who, from Aristotle to Darwin, have, step by step, gathered the vast number of facts, and reared from them the great science. A history
written on this principle is undoubtedly more interesting than it would be otherwise, and instructive because it continually alternates the different divisions of the subject, showing, also, how often the investigator advances in front of his age, and how slow the popular idea is to seize on any great truth. The author has, of necessity, had to keep within the limits of a moderate-sized volume, and yet has not in any way cramped his treatment of the subject. His style is clear and simple, yet not without a certain ornament. His summary of Darwin and his great theory is written with terseness and force, and closes a volume which is sure to become highly popular.
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