Essai de Paléontologie Philosophique: Ouvrage faisant suite aux Enchaînements du Monde Animal dans les Temps Géologiques

Abstract

THE present volume forms a supplement to Prof. Gaudry's well-known series of semi-popular treatises on Palæontology, entitled “Enchaînements du Monde Animal dans les Temps Géologiques.” In it the author has summed up most of the evidence brought forward in his previous volumes, and attempts to deduce from it a general outline of the course of the evolution of the animal kingdom from the dawn of life to the present day. Like so many French scientific writers, Prof. Gaudry possesses in an eminent degree the power of presenting the facts of his science to the general reader in a lucid and attractive manner: in this respect the book leaves nothing to be desired. If however, its arguments be examined, there is less cause for satisfaction, many of them being illogical, and giving evidence of strong bias on the part of the author. Moreover, the neglect of much of the recent literature of the subjects discussed is greatly to be regretted.