To see an English translation of this book is like meeting again an old acquaintance, for it was very familiar in pre-war days. It is, as its title

indicates, a descriptive account of love-life in animals and men. The book itself is hard to characterise because of its peculiar qualities. It is a very long and discursive work written in a highly personal and quasi-poetical, often sentimental fashion. It has enjoyed a considerable vogue in Germany in the past quarter of a century, but we doubt whether the style in which it is couched will commend itself much to English taste. The style itself detracts greatly from its scientific value and it is rather a book to obtain pleasant enjoyment from by meandering through in leisure hours in holiday time. The translation would appear to be very adequate.