tinuation of the important communications by Prof. Marsh, of Vale College, in regard to the results of his expedition to the Rocky Mountains during the past year. In addition to a number of new fossil mammals allied to the woodchuck, the gopher, the squirrel, the dog, and the fox, he presents a notice of sundry new species of birds from the Tertiaries of the West. Among these is an extinct species of eagle of large size, a turkey, and an owl.-In the search for new regions of exploration and discovery, it is not a little surprising to be assured that, taking the West Indies as a group, we know almost as little of their natural history as we do of that of Central Africa, especially of the islands east and south of the Greater Antilles. Thanks to the labours of Dr. Gundlach, and Prof. Poey in Cuba, of Dr. Bryant in the Bahamas, of Mr. March and Mr. Gosse in Jamaica, of Mr. A. E. Younglove in Hayti, of Dr. Bryant, Mr. Swift, and Mr. Latimer in Porto Rico, of Mr. Swift in St. Thomas, of Mr. Galody in Antigua, of Mr. Julien in Sombrero, and of Mr. Newton in Santa Cruz, we have a fair knowledge of the birds of the islands mentioned; but of Anguilla, St. Martin, Barbuda, Nevis, Montserrat, and Grenada we know nothing; and of St. Bartholomew, St. John, Saba, and Barbadoes, next to nothing. Dominica, Martinique, and Guadaloupe have been more or less explored by English and French naturalists, although with no very complete result. We are glad to see that the Zoological Society of London is printing a paper by Dr. Sclater upon a collection of the birds of Santa Lucia, sent to the Society by Mr. De Voeux, in which twenty-five species are enumerated, and among them three entirely peculiar to the island, one of them, a species of oriole, being hitherto undescribed. To such of our readers as have a spirit of enterprise, and are desirous of visiting a region which is sure to reward them with rich and undescribed treasures in natural history, we earnestly recommend the smaller West India islands, to which a trip can be made, especially in the winter season, with little or no risk to life or health, and with ample promise of satisfactory results.We have before us the annual report of the trustees of the Museum of Comparative Zoology in Cambridge, for the year 1870, containing interesting communications from Prof. Agassiz, as the director, and his corps of able assistants. We are glad to learn that the temporary indisposition of the director (now happily past) has not crippled the efficiency of the establishment, and that so much progress has been made in arranging the immense stock of specimens that has been gathered within the walls of the museum from all quarters of the globe. The addition of a number of trained European naturalists, as Dr. Steindachner, Dr. Maack, Dr. Hagen, &c., has given great strength to the scientific corps, and has enabled Prof. Agassiz to do much toward realising the magnificent plan that he has proposed, for the permanent arrangement and utilisation of the collection. We have referred, in a previous article upon American explorations into the fauna of the deep seas, to the proposed work, during the current season, of Mr. J. F. Whiteaves, the accomplished secretary and curator of the Natural History Society of Montreal; and we now give a more detailed account of his expected movements. This gentleman has been in America for several years, bringing with him an excellent record as a zoological investigator. Soon after his arrival in this country, he associated himself with the Montreal Society of Natural History, and has since that time been working sedulously in its interest. In 1867 he spent a fortnight in Gaspé Bay, where he prosecuted an extended system of dredging, and revisited the same region in 1869, extending his labours to the Gulf, between Cape Rozier lighthouse and Shiphead. Large numbers of marine invertebrates were collected by him, among them two species of shell new to America; but no dredging was prosecuted at a greater depth than sixty fathoms. The object of his expedition of the present year is to carry on work in deeper water, and for this purpose he expected to start in the schooner La Canadienne on the 5th of July, to cruise along the north shores of the Gulf as far as Anticosti, or beyond. He goes prepared to prosecute his labours in the deep sea (two to three hundred fathoms) on each side of that island; and from his experience in such researches, and the information derived from the later American and English deep-sea explorations, we have reason to hope for many important discoveries. The cultivation of the natural and physical sciences has not been prosecuted with much success, as far as the announcement of new facts is concerned, by the Spanish-American races of the New World, although in nearly every State there is a society devoted more or less to such objects. Of late years, however, an increasing degree of vitality has manifested itself in these organisations, and there is reason to believe that in time they may be of

considerable value. The most prominent institutions of the kind at present are in Mexico, namely, the Geographical and Statistical Society and the Society of Natural History; both of them publishing Transactions which embody much information in their pages. The Royal Economical Society of Havana has published a bulletin of its proceedings, although devoted more to historical than scientific subjects. The most active society in Havana, however, is the " Royal Academy of Medical and Physical and Natural Sciences." Of this Dr. Gutierrez is President; Don Francisco de Sauvalle, Vice-President; Dr. Antonio Mestre, Secretary-General; Don José F. de Castro, Corresponding Secretary; Dr. Felipe Rodriguez, Assistant-Secretary; Dr. Ramon L. Miranda, Treasurer; and Dr. Juan Calixto Oxamend, Librarian-all holding their offices until 1873. Institutions in Brazil, Buenos Ayres, and Chili also exhibit a commendable degree of activity.

Prof. C. F. Hartt, of Cornell University, has lately issued a circular announcing his intention of starting on a fourth expedition of scientific research to Brazil. This gentleman has been long and favourably known for his efforts in regard to the exploration of that portion of South America, having made his first journey in 1865 as one of the attachés of the Thayer expedition under Prof. Agassiz. In 1867 he made a second journey alone to the Brazilian coast, taking Bahia as his centre, and covering an extensive area around that point, including a trip to the Abrolhos Islands. These two expeditions included a large part of the coast from Rio to Pernambuco, a district of about one thousand miles. A third visit was made in 1870 to the valley of the Amazon, to clear up certain points at issue between himself and Prof. Agassiz in regard to the geology of that country. The funds for this expedition were furnished in part by a friend of science, whose name he is not permitted to give, with a contribution by Colonel Edward Morgan of one thousand dollars, and by Prof. Goldwin Smith of five hundred, besides small sums from other parties. Assistance was rendered by the Brazilian authorities in furnishing a small steamer with a suitable amount of coal. The collections made on this expedition were very extensive, and embraced objects of all kinds, including ethnology and anthropology. The fourth expedition, now contemplated, is intended to complete the survey of the eastern part of the Amazonian Valley, especially in its zoological relationships, and further to investigate the Indian mounds of Marajo, and to collect data in reference to the languages of the people of the country. The sum estimated as necessary for this expedition is four thou sand dollars, of which five hundred have already been contributed by Harvard University; and we trust that the friends of science who may have the means at their command will not fail to respond to the appeal of Prof. Hartt by furnishing pecuniary assistance, either without conditions or with the understanding that a certain portion of the collection is to be supplied to the contributors in return. It is understood that Messrs. Osgood and Co., of Boston, have engaged a series of articles upon the expedition, to be published in Every Saturday, and afterwards to be

collected in book form.

The Hydrographic Office of the Bureau of Navigation of the United States has lately published a monogram upon the Marshall group of islands in the North Pacific. This group consists of two chains of islands, lying nearly parallel with each other, and running north-west and south-west from lat. 11° 50′ N. to 4° 30' N., and from long, 167° E. to 173° E., covering an area of over 350 by 400 miles in extent, and very little known to navi gators, the information hitherto on record being considered very unreliable. The eastern chain is known as the Radack, and the western as the Ralick, each numbering from fifteen to eighteen groups of low coralline islands, the greater number of which are fully formed atolls-that is lagoons of greater or less extent-with deep water and anchorages, surrounded by a chain of reefs, connecting islands, with one or more passages through the reefs into the lagoons, most of which are navigable for large vessels, besides which there are numerous boat passages. The earliest discovery of this archipelago is said to have been by Laévédra, in 1529; and the next visit made to them was by Anson, in 1742. Since then the islands have been touched at by different navigators at various times, although until the appearance of the report just referred to but little definite information had been brought together of the archipelago as a group. A missionary establishment was started on one of these islands in 1857, which continues to be successful to the present time. The inhabitants numbered, at the latest accounts, 10,000. They are expert navigators, and perform journeys throughout the group. They are dark, with straight hair, and are said to be intelligent and hospitable.—Mr,

transformation, which Falingeura virgo undergoes before its final metamorphosis. These intermediate and imperfect metamorphoses are less scarce and exceptional than was supposedM. Ledillat, who is a very learned Arabic scholar, as well as a very good astronomer, sent a paper to support his previous assumption relative to the immense number of Arabic word. which are to be found in the French language. His views will be supported by every Frenchman acquainted with the Arabi language, and there are a good many owing to the occupation of Algiers, and all these Arabic etymologies were omitted syste

SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES PARIS

Academie des Sciences, July 24.-No elections took place, but the members were rather numerous, as a secret committee is to take place at the close of the public sitting to discuss the merits of candidates. The secret committee was rather long, and a lively conversation took place. M. Lacaze-Duthiers was presented at the head of the list. After him came M. Gervais, and on the third line MM. Dareste and Alphonse Milne-Edwards. Each of these four gentlemen has respectable qualifications. M. A. MilneEdwards is the son of M. Milne-Edwards, the great naturalist, who is chief of the section where the vacancy is to be filled up. -In the public sitting, M. Chasles gave a new series of theorems, which are to be demonstrated; but as they belong to a certain family of properties, and arranged seriatim, the very enunciation of them is more than half of the work to be done. These theorems are sixty in number, and are styled Properties of geometrical curves relating to their harmonic axes," but none of them are of primary importance.-An observation was sent to M. Leverrier with respect to the great bolide of the 18th July, which was seen at La Guerche (Cher). Its course was from € Cygni to a Pegasi. No track but a great quantity of light, first white and afterwards red; local time 11h. 5m., duration 3". -Details were given by M. Sainte-Claire Deville of a bolide seen on the night of 17th and 18th March. A bolide was seen also in Italy by P. Denza at Moncalieri, but the accounts do not agree. It is supposed that P. Denza saw another bolide, which is not much to be wondered at, as the 18th of March is considered to be favourable for the appearance of large meteors, and P. Denza says he saw many of them on that very night when there was no moon.-P. Secchi sends a new letter "On solar protuberances and the relations between faculæ and spots; the communication cannot be condensed.-M. Delaunay presented a new volume of the "Aunales de l'Observatoire National," the twenty-third of the collection, and full of observations. The Academy appointed a committee for the Bordin prize, which will be given for the best memoir on the Comparison of the Natural Productions of South Africa, South America, and South Australia, as well as intermediate lands. The programme was very cleverly drawn up, and answers most admirably to the controversies on the "Origin of Species." The election was contested, and MM. Milne-Edwards, Brongniart, Elie de Beaumont, Quatrefages, and Decaisnes, were appointed. The report will be written with great care. An invitation was addressed to the Academy by the International Congress, which will meet at Antwerp on the 22nd August; no formal answer is given to it.-M. Berthelot, who for some time had not published any report in the Comptes Rendus, attempted to give a very clever explanation of the immense explosive force of some organised compounds derived from nitric acid. that there is an intimate union between nitric acid and the organic inatter upon which the acid has acted. But the action takes place with scarcely any heat being produced. The heat is kept in reserve within the molecules of the explosive body for future action. His theoretic views are supported by calorimetrical experiments. Thus an equivalent of nitric acid being employed in the manufacture of nitro-benzine, gives only 4,300 calorics, and in the fabrication of nitric ether 6,000 calorics. Nitric ether being inexplosible, the greater explosibility of nitrobenzine can be explained by the 1,700 calorics.-M. Milne Edwards presented, in the name of M. Joly, a paper on a

He says

An electro-magnetic machine on a new plan for exciting con. tinuous currents was exhibited on the 17th by M. Gramme, who was highly praised by M. Jamin. M. Bazin raised a claim for the priority of the invention, and a paper placed by him in the hands of the perpetual secretary in the sitting of the 10th July was opened. The description given by him is similar. But the construction of M. Gramme's machine was certainly in full operation by that time.-We learn with much concern that M. Saigey, a very clever philosopher and mathematician, who had contributed many very valuable papers to the Comptes rendus, and to several scientific periodicals, and who was the author of many interesting books on scientific matters, died from actual want during the Communist insurrection. He was found dead in his room on the 19th of May, after having been left unassisted during more than three days. M. Saigey was a genuine free thinker and a Republican by heart. He was expelled from the Normal School when twenty-four years old, under the Bourbons, in consequence of his liberal opinions. He remained true to his colours during his whole life, had never a single appointment from the State, and died of starvation when seventy-four years old.

July 31.-M. Faye in the chair.-M. Lacazes-Duthiers was elected a member by a large majority to fill the room of M. Longet. The new academician is a very accurate observer, who inaugurated his scientific career by discovering the extraordinary reproductive system of corals by the inspection of corals living on the Algerine sea coasts. Every year he has spent his summers at some sea-side station in order to enlarge his knowledge of inferior organisms. He will be a very useful member.-The election for a free member will take place on August 7. M. Belgrand, a meteorologist and an engineer, will very likely be returned. Some opposition is expected, although according to every probability it will not be successful.-A letter from M. Janssen was read with respect to the observation of the next total eclipse, but the discussion was postponed till after the next meeting of the Section of Astronomy, which intends to propose an expedition.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 1871

THE STATE AND THE INDIVIDUAL

TWO

WO opposite views may be held as to the relation which ought to subsist between the Individual and the governing power of the State-views which, in their extreme form, may be expressed thus-the Paternal, in which the State does everything for the Individual, and the Independent, in which he is left to shift for himself in every respect, except protection from actual aggression by foreign or domestic foes. On the one hand, we are told that it is the duty of the State to have a paternal care over the morals and the welfare of its citizens; on the other hand, that the province of the Government is simply the protection of his person and his goods. To a certain extent both views are correct. The true function of the Executive Government may be laid down as the protection of the individual citizen, and of everything that belongs to him, against adverse influences that are not under his own control. A man's morals are his own concern, and the law has no right to interfere with them or to regulate them, any more than it has to interfere with his religion, provided that in carrying out his views of morality he in no way interferes with his neighbour's welfare or comfort. Then at once the injured party has the right of appeal to the assistance of the law to check his neighbour's aggressive morality or immorality.

Now the evils which a man may suffer from causes not within his own control are of two kinds-evils from his fellow-man, and evils from the forces of nature. Every Government acknowledges the right of its citizens to claim protection at its hands from the physical violence of others, whether foreigners or fellow-citizens. The whole of our military, naval, and police forces, and our criminal courts, form but a gigantic and enormously expensive machinery for securing this end. In the same manner our civil law-courts are designed as a security against the attacks of a man on his neighbour's pocket. But there are many other ways in which one man may suffer from another's misconduct, of which the State takes very little account, besides actually having his pocket picked.

To one of these we have recently alluded, in speaking of the loss of health which may be endured from one's neighbour's uncleanliness, or otherwise unwholesome mode of life. But, to refer more especially to pecuniary loss; if I wish to buy an article of a man, and send him the money, and he neglects to send me his merchandise, while pocketing my money, I have my remedy against him, if I can catch him, by a civil suit or criminal prosecution. If, however, he does send me something in exchange for my cash, but something that he knows perfectly well is not worth half the money, I am equally swindled; but my remedy against the cleverer rogue is extremely difficult, if I have any remedy at all.

A striking instance of the necessity for legislation in this respect is furnished by a report recently presented to the Royal Agricultural Society. The Agricultural Society employs a consulting chemist, the eminent Dr. Voelcker, whose business it is to analyse manures, feeding stuffs, and other materials sent to him by members of the society.

VOL. IV.

The committee who have charge of this matter report that "they have to call the attention of the Council to the great number of inferior and adulterated manures and feeding stuffs sold to agriculturists, but that they hope that the determination of the Council to publish these reports will eventually do much to check such fraudulent transactions." Accordingly, here we have published analyses of manures, &c., in some cases with the names of the manufacturers or vendors attached, and including such items as the following:-"Carbonate and sulphate of lime, 48'77 per cent." "sand, 29'60 per cent ;" alkaline salts, chiefly sulphate of soda, 44'61 per cent. ;" "a mere trace of ammonia, no phosphates whatever, a worthless mixture of green vitriol, crude sulphate of soda, gypsum, and sand, sold as the 'British Economical Manure,'" &c., &c. ; many of these manures being warranted to contain a fixed proportion of organic matter, or sold as pure unadulterated phosphates. An oil-cake was found, on microscopic examination, to contain the husks of castor-oil beans, and to be totally unfit for feeding purposes; and this had already caused serious illness among the stock of several farmers.

So little dependence can be placed on the assistance of our complicated legal provisions in cases of this kind, that the only remedy suggested by the Agricultural Society is the publication of the names of the fraudulent manufacturers. Indeed, in one instance, the Society itself had to appear as defendant in an action for libel, and to pay nominal damages, while, at the same time, it was complimented by the judge on the benefit it was conferring on the community! Surely Justice was in this instance very blind.

There is no doubt that this publication, like the elaborate series of reports on the adulteration of articles of food published some years ago in the Lancet, will have exceedingly beneficial results, and high praise is due to the society for undertaking the work. But why should work of this kind devolve on any society or private journal ? Why should individuals or private bodies be subject to the annoyance incidental to undertaking such a crusade? If it is the duty of the State to prosecute a man who picks my pocket in one way, why is it not the duty of the State to prosecute the man who picks my pocket in another way? The difficulties in procuring the necessary evidence might be greater, but would not be insurmountable. If it were impossible to summon in such cases a jury of experts to try the matter, any jury composed of men of business of ordinary intelligence would know how to value such evidence from a man of Dr. Voelcker's credit and experience, as that an artificial manure sold at 51. 5s. per ton "would be dear at 27. per ton ;" that the "British Economical Manure" is "utterly worthless ;" or that an oil-cake is "totally unfit for feeding purposes." If there is another side of the question, let us hear it; but as the evidence stands before us, there could be no difficulty in convicting these manufacturers of deliberate swindling.

Let us now turn to the cases in which a man suffers injury from the forces of nature beyond his own control. Here, again, there are certain principles acknowledged by the State; or rather, long precedent has sanctioned the application of principles in certain fixed directions, and in those only. No one will dispute that the Government is exercising its legitimate functions in building harbours of

R

refuge at great expense, in instituting a series of astronomical observations, and issuing an elaborate series of charts for the protection of mariners against the unavoidable risks and dangers of a seafaring life. The extent to which pure Science should be assisted by the State is still one of the grave questions for discussion of the day. But when

MACNAMARA ON CHOLERA

A Treatise on Asiatic Cholera. By C. Macnamara, Surgeon to the Calcutta Ophthalmic Hospital. Pp. 557. (London: Churchill, 1870.)

matters, few people seem to think that the State has any rightful authority here. Except the mariner, the farmer's welfare is more dependent on his knowledge of natural phenomena than that of any other class of the community. Who can calculate the enormously increased material gain to the country, were we able, from any series of meteorological observations, to predict with moderate certainty the weather for a week? Since the first dawn of agriculture, crops have been ravaged by insect enemies "the palmer-worm, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar," have been the farmer's foes for the past three thousand years; and at the present day very little more is known of the causes of, or the remedies for, these plagues than in the days of Israel in Egypt. Our apples, our turnips, our hops, our vines, our potatoes, to say nothing of our gooseberries and our roses, are subject every few years to all but absolute destruction, and we are content to sit by idle, and to trust that next year will be a good year because this year has been a bad year. The continued existence among the farmers of some parts of England, of sparrow clubs, notwithstanding what has been written about the benefit conferred on the crops by these birds, is a standing evidence of the dense impenetrable ignorance in which the mass of our population is steeped.

In other countries they manage matters differently. Few can doubt that a laborious series of investigations as to the causes of and the best means of preventing the potato blight or the turnip-fly, aided by the light of the most recent discoveries in biology, such as M. Pasteur has conducted in the case of the silkworm disease in France, would be productive of most important results. We have before us the "Third Annual Report on the noxious, beneficial, and other Insects of the State of Missouri, made to the State Board of Agriculture, pursuant to an appropriation for this purpose from the Legislature of the State, by Charles V. Riley, State Entomologist." The report contains descriptions, with woodcuts, of the most pestilent insects of the State, of their mode of propagation, and of the result of experiments in different methods for their destruction; and others of the American States have annually granted sums of money for similar purposes, money which we cannot doubt has fructified hundredfold for the benefit of the thrifty western farmers. Central Government of the United States publishes "Monthly Reports of the Department of Agriculture," containing an immense mass of information as to the progress of agriculture at home and abroad, the rearing of cattle, market prices, meteorological observations for the month, scientific notes, and innumerable subjects of interest and practical value to the farmer. Is it not worth consideration whether we might not spend a little of the public money that is now wasted in perfectly useless nonscientific experiments, to forward practical researches which have for their chief object the benefit of large classes of our fellow subjects, and the increase of the prosperity of the country at large?

The

strides than the scientific knowledge of Cholera. Here we have another large book devoted to the history of one disease, containing a digest of past information regarding the history, theories, and treatment of Cholera, and leaving us at the end with another theory of the disease, which is supposed to include the main practical facts in a useful form.

Discussions on professional matters are beyond our sphere, but as the subject of Mr. Macnamara's book is one of great public interest, especially at the present time, it may not be out of place to glance at it very briefly. from the scientific aspect of some of the questions dealt with by the author. The historical part of the work consists of statements and opinions of different writers of the most opposite kind. It is scarcely too much to say that these describe Cholera to be unquestionably contagious and as unquestionably non-contagious; that it is importable by ships and not importable; that its progress can be arrested by quarantine and that quarantine is a useless precaution; that it is communicable by clothing and that it is not so communicable; that it does and does not attack people living under the same unhealthy conditions; and that it can be cured by certain methods of treatment and that it can't be so cured. And then to crown the whole, we have theories of the disease which are as contradictory to each other as the facts. It appears to as that when we are confronted with evidence such as this, we can only arrive at one of two conclusions, either that the observations were one-sided and the logic wofully defective, or that there were reasons for the apparent contradictions requiring careful scientific study. Mr. Macnamara's own views about Cholera may be briefly summarised as follows :

1. That the cause of Asiatic Cholera "is invariably a portion of the fomes of a person suffering from the disease." 2. That this must be in what is called the "vibrionic stage" of decomposition. 3. That it must be swallowed. 4. That it causes changes in the intestinal epithelium similar to its own, and that the epithelium is as it were washed off by the efflux of serous matter and passes away in the discharges. 5. That the organic cause of Cholera may be preserved dry for years. 6. That water is the most common medium of its diffusion, but that it may be carried and may act in foul air; and, lastly, the author says, "with the exception of the specific Cholera-infecting matter, I entirely ignore all other causes or combination of causes as capable of producing this disease." This last position, which is left unproved, is, indeed, the foundation of the theory. The theory is much the same as that put forward by Dr. Snow, Dr. Budd, Dr. Farr, and others, with a theoretical addition from another quarter as to the manner in which the poison acts.

The first remark which we would make is, that it there exists a Cholera germ, matter, Cholerine, or whatever else it may be called, its existence can be proved.

But the supposed pathological action of the matter, if it exists, may be considered as disposed of by Dr. Lewis's Report on the Scientific Inquiry into Cholera in India, in which he tells us "that the flakes and corpuscles in rice-water stools do not consist of epithelium or its débris." There being no corpus delictum, “Cholera infecting matter" cannot act in the way supposed. The whole structure falls to pieces whenever the light of scientific observation is brought to bear on it. We are thus left to deal with the other half of the theory, namely, the "Cholera germ, which is supposed by some to be of fungoid nature. But when we look for proof of its existence, we find only inference. The "fungoid" bodies which, by another modification of this theory, were supposed to be the agents in removing the epithelium, have been shown by Dr. Lewis to differ in nothing from similar bodies in healthy discharges, so that this fungoid theory has stood the test of observation no more than the "vibrionic" theory.

Instead of supplying the place of fact by inference or theory, would it not be better once for all to discard both, and try another method of arriving at truth regarding epidemic diseases? We agree with Prof. Tyndall as to the importance of physical research in such questions. Its methods are precise and rigorous, and by taking no cognizance of what is unproved, it may eventually do much in reconciling all the diversities of medical observation, and in opening out entirely new fields of investigation. Under the Government of India a most important scientific inquiry into Cholera is now being carried on in that country; and to all appearance the time is at hand when the most competent scientific men in Europe will have opportunities enough of dealing with the subject. Let the inquiry be strictly scientific. Let us refuse absolutely to admit anything of which we have not scientific proof, and we shall at least be able to divide between the known and the unknown.

Notwithstanding these criticisms on scientific points, Mr. Macnamara has written an interesting book which will well repay perusal. Amongst other things, he gives an account of the various practical sanitary proceedings which have been in use for mitigating attacks of Cholera.

Setting aside all theories about their action, it is satisfactory to know that with temperance in diet, attention to clothing, pure water for drinking and cooking purposes, and rigid cleanliness of towns, houses, and persons, as well as in ships, there is little to fear from Cholera epidemics. There is no theory needed to help us to understand these things. They simply require to be done. Volumes of instruction will not make the duty of doing them plainer than it is. These are, moreover, the things which are especially required for India, and we heartily second Mr. Macnamara's appeal to Lord Mayo, and to present scientific Minister for India with which he concludes his work:-" The question for the consideration of the Government, is nothing less than this: Shall Cholera be allowed by our mismanagement or neglect to become permanently localised throughout the civilised world. It is to the cond.tion of the inhabitants of the Gangetic valley that our attention and efforts must be primarily directed, if Asiatic Cholera is ever to be effectually controlled by human agency."

our

OUR BOOK SHELF

Papers on the Great Pyramid. By St. John Vincent Day, CE, F.R.S.E., &c. (Edinburgh Edmonston and Douglas, 1870.)

The Great Pyramid of Fizeh: the Plan and Cbject of its Construction. (Cincinnati: R. Clarke and Co., 1871.) THE investigation of the history and origin of the Pyramids, and the attempt to arrive at the truths that are hidden in these, the greatest monuments of antiquity, is undoubtedly of the first importance, but must nevertheless be entered upon with caution. There is a danger about such a study which few seem to escape, a danger of being enslaved by some theory which becomes absolute master of the man who originated it, which makes him see everything through a false medium, and in support of which he perverts facts in the most marvellous manner. Mr. Day, the author of the "Papers on the Great Pyramid," has avoided the danger to this extent, that he brings forward no new theory of his own, but places his entire faith in Prof. Piazzi Smyth, the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, to whom this volume is dedicated. The papers are three in number; the first is a critical examiof Egypt," and would not have been written, the author nation of Sir Henry James's "Notes on the Great Pyramid tells us, had not Sir Henry himself opened and continued a correspondence with him on the subject, and had not he felt "the promptings of duty to expose fallacies so authoritatively flung into the midst of mankind." The two other papers are entitled, "The Measurements of the Great Pyramid recorded in history,” and “An examination into the condition and works of mankind from the Creation to the building of the Great Pyramid." More than half of the entire volume is occupied by the first paper, and in it Mr. Day examines in the most minute manner every one of the eight "notes" he undertakes to controvert. He has succeeded in showing that Sir Henry James has been, to say the least, careless in his assertions, and even in his arithmetic, considering how positive his statements were. The general impression left upon the mind of the reader is that until the measurements of the pyramid have been ascertained without a shadow of doubt, no man has a right to base upon them positive assertions as to standards of length. Notwithstanding defects in his mode of treatment of the subject which it is hardly within our province to criticise, the book recommends itself to those who are interested in the Great Pyramid controversy, as it is evidently the result of careful study.

We also wish to notice in this place a small pamphlet on the Pyramid of Jizeh, which has come to us from across the Atlantic. The author does not profess intimate acquaintance with his subject, but acknowledging that such suggestions must be made with much reserve, points out certain relations he has discovered between the measurements of the pyramids and "time, extension, and earth space." They are certainly ingenious, but hardly, we think, much more. As illustrating what was said about the danger of indulging in such speculations, the author concludes by abruptly exclaiming that the fact of the English inch and English foot running" in such admirable rhythm with time and pyramid measure," may be a link of connection between the Anglo-Saxon and Hebrew races. Then plunging still deeper into this dangerous line of thought, he says, were the blind eyes opened, it is quite po-sible that here in this new world of ours one would sudde ly come to the realisation that he was dwelling in the midst of the teeming multitudes of Israel; terminating their emigration in a land long promised, long reserved; under government of a commonwealth restored; free from every taint of caste condition, or of kingly rule." Although this pamphlet seems distinguished more by ingenuity than by any real value, it possesses the merit of being short, and is written with a reserve proper when dealing with such a subject.

R. B. D.