Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-09

regius professor of natural history.
Aberdeen University; Joint authors
OF The Evolution of Sex. etc.
New York: Henry Holt & Co.
n T the beginning OF this study
~ these authors employ the &C
"a counts OF explorers, biologists
and biologists In support of the
theory of evolution as a uni
versal process. This plan. permitting the
free use OF concrete example and relative
ly simple illustration. fits admirably the
general appeal for which this study is
designed. 1t visualizes the process OF
evolution and spreads out the drama Of 1t.
. very important point for the unscientific
reader. 10 whom this series OF books is
especially addressed. In graphic manner
the authors gather up evolution as
great series of achievements Among its
later accomplishments are the body. the
brain, sex-an endless vista of growth
and possibility. The final extension of
the theory to the social outlook. to science
IN relation to education. industry. life in
its composite aspect is the most novel
phase of this study Of evolution. The
manner in which the authors have placed
this scientific theory at the level of gen.
eral understanding, without the sacrifice
Of single essential. is a substantial trfb
ute to the breadth and adaptability Of
their knowledge.
MODERN GEOGRAPHY. BY Marion I.
Newhigin. n. Sc. Gondon). editor
of the Scottish Geographical Maya
zine. New York: Henry Holt & Co.
In the year 1870 both Humboldt and
Ritter died. the one a great traveller and
man OF science, the other a great teacher
whose theme was the earth as the field
Of mans activity. In the same year
Charles Darwin published the Origin of
Species in statement of the theory of evo-
luton. From this triple influence on the
subject of geography this author takes
the year 1850 as the beginning of modern
geography. the time when 1t began to
emerge from the matrfx of mere facts in
which II was imprisoned and to take on
the unity Of organized science Consider
ing the earth in the single aspect of its
relation to man. the author makes au-
thoritatfve and brilliant example of the
present scientific conception of geography.
The making Of contours through slow
alterations of uplift and erosion the ef
fects of climate on this changing sur
and the principles controlling its develop
ment and distribution. the various rela
lions of plant to animal life. are the
foundation themes that trace this story
~ earth growth toward Availability.
brief examination of the European races
in their origin and differentiations is
followed by a most interesting study of
the localiZation of industry and the rise
Of towns on the basis of the distribu-
ton OF minerals within the earth. This
clear and orderly sequence of geographic
knowledge Is of equal value to general
reader and special student.
THE HARVESTER. BY Gene stratton
Porter. author of "a Girl OF the
IimberIost' etc Illustrations by
W. L. Jacobs. New York: Double
day, Page & Co.
Mrs. Porter has made an idy1Iic love
story OF 1.-The Harvester" with new and
charming threads and patterns in the
age-oid fabric of young love. She has
done even better than this. in the creation
81 a man. fine and robust in body and
spirit. Notwithstanding the superb quail
ity of this double achievement, 1t is en-
tirely obvious that the real passion of the
authors heart is for neither man nor
love episode. but for the all out of doors
instead. the growing things of garden
and field. So she makes her harvester
a medicine man. who transfers healing
plants and simples to his own plot. where
he tends them, and gathers them for the
Arrangement OF the aches and pains of
the country folks. And the reader goes
along in delight with this medicine man,
domain and gathering in some Of the
buoyancy OF his own outstanding life
II is a beautiful book I'm every respect
whether 1t be classified as one thing or
the other. as romance of two hearts or
that of the fields and woods.
THE BOY'S STORY OF ZEBULON NJ.
PIKE. Edited by Mary Gay Hum
Charles Scribner's Sons. Washing
ton: Brentano's.
The distinctive quality of this fine book
for boys comes from putting into their
hands the personal diary of the explorer
himself. Zebulon Pike appeals strongly
to the imagination. He was young. He
was a good soldier He was a daring
and Interchangeable traveller I'm the wild
and dangerous reaches of what hun
dred years ago was vaguely gathered up
as the Louisiana purchase. He was
wise. as this quality counts IN important
enterprises. He was, as a rule spurred
TO action by the higher group of motives
compelling admiration and stirring in
others similar desire. BY these
powers and virtues he achieved grandly
and achievement is. of itself, inspira ton.
To turn the intimacy Of this character
over TO readers by means OF his own
records of experience is much like face
to-face recital. moving one vividly back
to the scenes of his adventure The sue
cess OF this volume is in no small part
due 70 the discrimination and skill of
the editor of Zebulon Pixies diary
Selecting from these vouminous reports
the essentials of authentic history and
picturesque biography, arranging these
now and then converting diary into i'm
personal narrative. Miss Humphreys
Yields the mass into a brilliant story OF
personal adventure and achievement
MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKENS. BY
Kate Douglas wiggin. author Of
"Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm"
etc Boston: Houghton Mifiin Com
pany.
Kate Douglas Wtggfn has a new book
out-one that sounds very much like her
best one. So much has already been said
so strong a hold on the hearts of read
ers, that analysis is futile, absorption in
evitable. Enough to say that family
~ real boys and girls, with just such
a mother every one dreams about In
their laughable-and cryable-shifts and
nakeshifts at time of great stress, gives
this unique woman one of the best chances
for the use Of her literary skill and
the play of her winning personality
Buoyant grace. sterling sense sympathy
and keen humor are the founda tons of
this as of all her FORMER stories. To
laugh, In the reading of this story, till
the tears flow and then. amazed, to find
them real, is also repetition, the thing
this charming write
THE INDIAN hook. BY William
John Hopkins. sauthor of THE
Clammer" etc. Boston: Houghton
Mifiin Company.