The Central Nervous System of Vertebrates

THIS interesting monograph appears in Dr. J. W. Spengel's “Ergebnisse und Fortschritte der Zoologie.” It gives an excellent account of the structure and mechanism of the central nervous system founded on morphological and physiological facts, as these have been laboriously collected by the most modern methods by which the nervous elements have been examined. The author deals with the plan of reflex mechanisms, he describes the architecture and localisation of the central ganglia and nerve-roots, and his illustrations are drawn from morphological studies of the simpler types. One of the most important sections is No. vii., in which he discusses the functions of the great divisions of the nervous system. Nowhere have we seen a better discussion of the relations and functions of the cerebellum, or a more lucid account of the remarkable deep connections of the auditory nerves. The author has evidently received illumination from the researches and constructive criticism of Sherrington, while, as indicated by a good bibliography, he is acquainted with the literature of this vast subject. The work is a valuable contribution to human and comparative neurology.The Central Nervous System of Vertebrates.By J. B. Johnston. Pp. 170. (Jena: G. Fischer, 1909.)