He could also be playing 3e (pg 244) and not 3.5 (pg 270)
the 3e version is as follows
Reincarnate
Transmutation
Level: Drd 4
Components: V, S, DF
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Touch
Target: Dead creature touched
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: None (see text)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
With this spell, the character brings back a dead creature in another body, provided death occurred no more than 1 week before the casting of the spell and the subject’s soul is free and willing to return. If the subject’s soul is not willing to return, the spell does not work; therefore, subjects who want to return receive no saving throw. Since the dead creature is returning in a new body, all physical ills and afflictions are repaired. The magic of the spell creates an entirely new young adult body for the soul to inhabit from the natural elements at hand. This process requires 1 hour to complete. When the body is ready, the subject is reincarnated.
A character reincarnated recalls the majority of his former life and form. The character retains his or her Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores, as well as any class abilities or skills formerly possessed. The character’s class, base attack bonus, base save bonuses, and hit points are unchanged. Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores depend partly on the new body. First eliminate the character’s racial adjustments (since the character is no longer of his or her previous race) and then apply the adjustments found below. The character’s level is reduced by 1. (If the character was 1st level, his or her new Constitution score is reduced by 1.)
It’s quite possible for the change in the character’s ability scores to make it difficult for the character to pursue his or her previous character class.
The new incarnation is determined on the following table or by DM choice.
d% Incarnation Str Dex Con
-- ----------- --- --- ---
01–03 Badger +4 +8 +4
04–09 Bear, black +8 +2 +4
10–13 Bear, brown +15 +2 +8
14–17 Boar +4 0 +6
18–25 Centaur +8 +4 +4
26–28 Dryad 0 +4 0
29–32 Eagle 0 +4 +2
33–42 Elf 0 +2 –2
43–46 Gnome –2 0 +2
47–48 Hawk –4 +6 0
49–58 Halfling –2 +2 0
59–78 Human 0 0 0
79–80 Leopard +6 +8 +4
81–82 Owl –4 +6 0
83–86 Pixie –4 +8 0
87–90 Satyr 0 +2 +2
91–96 Wolf +2 +4 +4
97–99 Wolverine +10 +8 +8
100 Other ? ? ? (DM’s choice)
Some bodies may make it impossible for the reincarnated character to use some of his or her class abilities. The reincarnated character does gain any powers or abilities associated with his new form.
A humanoid reincarnated into an animal body can speak the languages it formerly knew and is a magical beast.A wish spell can restore a reincarnated character to his or her original form.
3.5e version as follows
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/reincarnate.htm
