This represents a series of lectures given at the University of Helsingfors, tracing the relationships of the study of life to the cultural aspects of civilization in general. The work is divided into three parts, according to chronological divisions, and includes excellent descriptions of the beginning of modern medicine. As is necessary in all history, movements of thought and of action are related to the lives of great leaders. These are brought into the history of biology largely, however, in relationship to their accomplishments rather than by means of simple biographic statements. The book has value as a reference work, since it is supplemented by a fine bibliography and an excellent index. It is a good reference for students, but, because of its comprehensive character, a rather difficult work for general reading. The type, which is small and somewhat too compact, with a wide column on the page, makes continuous