Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-08-26
LITERARY NOTES.
ANTS. BEES AND wASPs. Record Of Observa-
tons on the Habits Of the Social Hymenoptera. By
Sir JOHN LUBBOCK. New York: d. Appleton Co.
Washington: F. B. Mohun.


tons On the Habits OF the Social Hymeneptera; b.
Sir yoHH LUBBOCK. New York: D. Appleton b Co.
washington: f. b. Mohun.
Until one has read this book it is hard to
understand how scientific treatise or record
can be as entertaining as romance; after that
It is all plain enough 1t is not only interesting,
but Of great value. It can be read understand
ingly by a child, and is at the same time.worthy
the closest attention of the Intelligent adult
As narrative OF curious observations it Is fas-
chatting, while the light 1t throws upon insect
life is instructive in high degree. Most inter-
esting were some of the authors experiments,
especially with ants; and his conclusions, were
they reached by mind less logical and anaiyt-
ical would seem to be almost beyond accept
ance. He finds, he tells u.s. among the differ
ent species of ants different conditions of life,
having curious analogy with the earlier stages
OF human progress. Some species live on the
products OF the chase, hunt singly, live In
woods and wilds, in small communities. and
conduct their battles by single cOmbats like
HOmeric heroes; others represent a higher type
OF social life, have some skill In architecture,
have dOmestcated certain species of aphides,
live in large communities, and are gradually ex
terminating the hunting species; then there are
the harvesting ants, which have enormous
granaries, and keep them well supplied He
asks if ants are moral and accountable beings,
and is sure that they have desires, passions and
caprices. They show individual differences, and
with them hatred is stronger passion than
affection, although ''ants of the same nest
never quarrel" He thinks they possess ''some-
thing approaching to languages" finds that
disposed to think that they perceive sounds
which we cannot hear" Finally he says:
ut is impossible not to ask ourselves how far
are ants automatons; how far are they conscious
beings? When we see an ant-hill tenanted by
thousands OF industrious Inhabitants, excavating
chambers forming fnnnnla
guarding their home gathering food, feeding
the young, tending their domestic animals
each one fulfilling it's duties industriously and
without confusiOn.-it is difficult altogether to
observations tend to confirm the opinion that
their mental powers differ from those of men.
not SC much In kind as in degree" The authors
experiments with bees and wasps were less ex-
haustive than those relating to ants, and the
chapters in regard to them are therefore less in
terestng, but they too are well worth reading,
by young and old alike. The volume, which
constitutes the 42d of AppletOn's international
Scientific Series" is profusely Illustrated.
TWO HARD CASES. Sketches from Physicians
Hoa s nn Co. SoD %asSu NJ No.
hun.
This little volume will attract considerable local
attention, as well on account of its contents as
Its author, who will be recognized as the Super
intendent Of the Government Hospital for the
Insane, at st. Elizabeth, near this city. The
first twentY-eight pages are devoted to an inter-
esting case of insanity, which came under Dr.
GOdding's charge while Superintendent Of the
Massachusetts Lunatic Hospital at Taunton.
The remainder OF the book, comprising some
two hundred and twenty odd pages, is wholly
given up to the Guiteau case, which the Doctor
presents in what he mOdestly calls ''Outlnes for
psychological study" Independent of it's in
terest to experts and professional men as the
M IN &n1yn hyrn -
knowledged ability, large experience and wide
observation, 1t possesses substantial value for
laymen who may or may not agree with his
conclusions, from the fact that it is one of the
most succinct and clear accounts of the famous
trial yet laid before the public In any form
While the matter is still fresh in everybody's
mind this feature of the book will probably not
be appreciated at its full value, but as time
wears on and many Of the facts come to be for
gotten altogether or indistinctly remembered it's
permanent worth will be generally recognized.
IN H THE H HARBoR: gLT1MA THuLEaPAar II. By
ton. Mifiin Co. Washington: F. B. Mohun.
Ultima Thule! Utmost Isle!
Here in thy harbors for a while
Welower our sails; q while we rest
From the unending, endless quest"
Such is the motto, fifty chosen. for this appro-
priately named little volume, to which melan-
choy interest attaches from the fact that it con-
pen and also all Ofthe imprinted poems left at his
death except two sonnets, reserved for his biOgs
raphy, and dramatic poem, entitled Michael
Angelo" to be published later. OF the literary
quality OF the volume, OF course nothing need be
said IN detail. Suffice it that some Of the best
and most characteristic of the authors work is
to be found on its pages, and scattered through
the book everywhere are to be seen the delicate
sentiment, fine fancy and exquisite grace
which marked all his poetical efforts. The value
n loof of fhn Do< S,F
heightened by steel plate portrait and fac-simile
Of his autograph.
THE PROPHETS OF ISRAEL. Their Place in His
tory to the close Of the Eighth Century B G. By W.
Co. Washington: f. B. Mohun. fr'0''''
We have here the eight famous lectures de-
livered in Edinburg and Glasgow last winter by
DIR. Smith, under the censure OF the Church
Courts OF Scotland, the history Of which affair
has become part of the religious history of the
times They have subjected their author to
much and severe criticism at the hands of the
so-called orthodox people OF many lands, but
these critics have SO far found 1t easier to
denounce him than to overthrow the cOnclu-
s1Ons at which he has arrived. Few persons
perhaps will agree with Dr. Robertson fully on
all points, but all must admit that he is an ac-
cOmplished biblical scholar, who writes with
great earnestness, vigOr and clearness; and they
must, we think, cOncede, furthermore, that the
book is valuable contribution to the populari-
cation of what might be called the scientific side
Of religious IDEAS and one that deserves the
thoughtful consideration of all who would
study the bible in the light of modern research
and criticism.
NATURAL RELIGION. By the author of 'sEcce
Homo" Boston: Roberts Brothers. Washington:
JAS. j. Chapman.
Prof. Seeley gives here the substance of
number Of papers contributed to MacMillan's
Magazine at irregular Intervals during period
running from 1875 to 1878, REVISED and corrected
somewhat, together with about half as much
more matter. entirely new. The book is written
In no controversial spirit or dogmatic style, but
with the purpose OF finding, if possible, some
common ground upon which those holding diff
ferent views on what may be called non-essen-
tial points can stand and work together Those
who have read his previous work will be pretty
sure to read this, and they will find in it the
same freshness Of thought moderation of tone
and admirable style which characterized the
other, and which went 80 far to win for it the
wide and deserved attention it received when 1t
appeared.
NATIONAL RELIGIONS AND UNIVERSAL RELI-
CiIONS. By A. KUENEN, LII. D., DID, lrhe Hib-
bert Lectures, 1882 New York: Charles Serb
ners Sons. Washington: w. Ballantyne Son.