would have us believe that the Dark Continent was the birthplace and the centre of dispersal not only of the majority of the modern larger mammals of the Old World, but likewise of many of those of the western hemisphere.

The question will probably be asked by readers of this article whether there is any trustworthy text-book in which they could find fuller descriptions of the wonderful extinct mammals to which I have had occasion to allude. To this I must reply that, owing to the comparatively recent date at which the extinct Eocene mammals of Upper Egypt were discovered, there is no work of this nature in which they are noticed; and reference must accordingly be made to the original memoirs in which they are described, three of which are quoted in the list at the commencement of the article.

The work standing second in our list is, in the main, a translation of the late Professor Karl von Zittel's invaluable Grundzüge der Palæontologie,' which is an abbreviation of the equally well-known 'Handbuch' by the same author. The translation and editing of the English edition have been undertaken by the well-known American paleontologist Dr C. R. Eastman, with the assistance of the author and a number of specialists.

As we learn in the preface to the first volume, it was at first intended to bring out a literal translation of the original work. But palæontology is a constantly progressive science; and, as it was doubtless found that many portions of the original work were more or less out of date, it was resolved, with the assent of Professor Zittel, that a large portion of the translation of the first volume (which is devoted to the invertebrates) should be remodelled, enlarged, and brought as nearly as possible up to date. As a matter of fact, only the chapters on the Protozoa and Coelenterata have been left in anything like their original condition; while those on the Molluscoidea, Mollusca, and trilobites have been entirely rewritten.

As being somewhat more akin to the subject of the present article, a rather fuller notice may be given of the second volume, which includes all the vertebrates with the exception of mammals. In this volume we are told in the preface that, while the translation has been carried

out on the same general plan as in its predecessor, with considerable enlargement where necessary, yet, on the whole, the original text has been more closely followed, the classification departing only in a few minor particulars from that adopted in the 'Grundzüge.' Indeed, the chapters on fishes and amphibians are almost in the nature of a literal translation; and it is only in the sections treating of reptiles and birds that we encounter, and then only in places, a marked departure from the original text. In this more conservative spirit we are sure the editor has been well advised.

In securing the services of Dr Smith Woodward of the British Museum, the most eminent authority on the fossil members of that group, for the revision of the fishes, the editor has been specially fortunate. As an example of the manner in which Dr Woodward has discharged his task, we may cite the case of the so-called Paleozoic lamprey, which is left practically as incerta sedis; the wisdom of this being demonstrated by the result of recent investigations.

The amphibian section was revised by Dr E. C. Case, a well-known American authority, who also assisted in the translation of the chapters devoted to the reptiles. In connexion with the latter, the editor deplores the untimely death of the late Professor G. Baur. His place has, however, been filled, so far as possible, by Messrs Hatcher, Osborn, and Williston, whose names are a sufficient guarantee for the manner in which their portions of the great task has been carried out. Birds fell to the lot of Mr F. A. Lucas.

While we cannot refrain from deploring the great changes from the plan of the original made in the first volume, we shall be only expressing the opinion of all palæontologists in emphasising the value and importance of this English edition of the most famous palæontological work that has ever been published. And we shall look forward to welcoming the third and final volume of what must long remain one of the most valuable textbooks of its kind in our language.

R. LYDEKKER.

Art. VIII.-THE COMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

1. Addresses and Presidential Messages of Theodore Roosevelt, 1902-4. With an introduction by H. C. Lodge. New York: Putnam, 1904.

2. Greater America. By A. R. Colquhoun. New York : Harper, 1904.

3. Organised Labour. By John Mitchell. Philadelphia: American Book and Bible House, 1903.

4. The Social Unrest.

Macmillan, 1903.

By J. G. Brooks.

New York:

5. Protection in the United States. By A. M. Low. London: King, 1904.

IN the Presidential campaign the Republicans have the prestige of office and the advantage of unified organisation. Such disagreements in regard to policy as may exist have, for the present, been settled behind closed doors. They claim that their tenure of power has conferred upon the country at home a new policy in regard to the preservation and reclamation of public lands, more effective regulation of the trusts, and reorganisation of the army and of the militia; abroad, the settlement of the Alaskan boundary dispute, the strengthening of the Monroe doctrine, the establishment of the Cuban Republic, the establishment of civil government in the Philippines, arrangements for an isthmian canal, and successful policy in regard to China.

As for the Democrats, it was eight years ago that their Radical western wing captured the party organisation; and in a fit of frenzied enthusiasm the Democrats declared for free silver. Ever since that time the Democratic leaders, who, for the most part, took up the silver cry simply as a political expedient, have, in their desire for office, endeavoured to shelve this issue. Now the Democratic leaders desire such a reconstruction as will unite the Democrats of the south and west with the Conservative element of the north and east.

Ex-Senator Hill, who stands for political expediency rather than for political principles, has, in the management of the campaign which led to the nomination of Mr Parker, endeavoured to avoid anything which might

atform of the New York Demoontained no reference to the money -dunal Convention it was contended, reath, that the credit of settling the rained to a Democratic president who the renewal of the Sherman Law, y question had been set at rest by the sing the money supply. Even the ment that the increase in the money veze matter from the arena of political sidered dangerous to political hary, all reference to the matter was tform, on the ground that it was not Spaign. While the statement of Mr semination, that he regarded the gold > established, and would act accordingly wear his own position and strengthens

eastern wing of the party, the object ss as Mr Williams, the Democratic leader c. of Sepresentatives, said, to make a platform, monetary standard was concerned, upon an J. Bryan could have stood, upon which eviand could have stood.'

real question for the Democrats was how Therefore, compromise on compromise is the

Democratic platform. The money question ed in order to hold the western wing. The - proposition was dropped to hold the eastern Bryan, who, apparently unaware of his failing the Democratic organisation, had opposed the ceof Mr Parker on the ground that the platform on name was brought forward by the New York YANN Would prevent his nomination unless the sie party decided to attempt a confidence game public,' found the necessities of party regulation to his publicly expressed opinion.

be the campaign of 1900 the Democrats alleged that ialism was the 'paramount issue'; and they were cted. But the action of Bryan in forcing a free silver k into the platform prevented the electorate from ng a clear expression of opinion on the question of perialism. In the present campaign the Democrats have again taken a stand against Imperialism. They

endeavour to distinguish between the Imperialism which aims at the acquisition of non-contiguous territory 'incapable of being governed upon American laws, under the American constitution,' and Expansion which aims at obtaining contiguous territory capable of being organised as states. But this is a distinction which the popular mind does not make. The silence of the Democratic platform of New York on this question showed a belief, on the part of the astute politicians who framed it, that a campaign on this issue would not be popular. In fact, so far as the eastern states are concerned, there is no widespread objection to the present status of the Philippines. Apart from the trans-Mississippi West, the other sections of the country are on the whole favourable to this phase of Republican foreign policy. The grounds upon which support is given vary. Some believe in Imperialism because of the opportunities for commercial expansion that it is assumed to give; others welcome anything which will increase the foreign prestige of the United States; there are others again, who desiring the ultimate independence of the Philippines, feel that a steadfast pursuit of the present policy is necessary to that end.

In the Philippines the Republicans have been feeling their way. The tariff policy which has been applied is anomalous. Sufficient attention has not been paid to the colonial experiences of other nations. In this respect also, as Bagehot said, the United States tries over again the old experiments. As Mr Colquhoun points out in his excellent work on Greater America' (p. 110), there has been too much dependence on American civilisation,' and too much reference to general phrases, with an insufficient appreciation, in some quarters, of the difference in governmental aptitude between the Filipinos and the people of the United States. But, for all this, in the short time since the occupation, much has been done to improve the condition of the people. Probably, from the standpoint of selfish trade interest, it would have been better had the United States retained Manila, with a surrounding belt of territory, as a place of trade, leaving the remainder of the country to the Filipinos. But the march of events has prevented this; and now the American people has to face the profitless yet inspiring task of governing and protecting the Filipinos from themselves. The civilising