28 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



account for facts that would not otherwise Lave 

 been explained. Viewed in this light, every 

 Natural History anecdote assumes a greater im- 

 portance, as forming an additional item in the study 

 of the comparative psychology of the lower animals. 

 A work on the latter subject is much required, and 

 will some day be written ; but we question whether 

 observation has yet accumulated sufficient material. 

 We hardly need say that Dr. Carpenter's book in- 



dealing with the mental and the physical in their 

 mutual relationships. In a great measure we may 

 regard this thoughtful and well-written book as a 

 " Manual of the Senses," whilst the latter part is 

 devoted to a philosophical treatment and general 

 comparison of the whole subject. The author 

 adopts a dynamical theory as the true foundation of 

 philosophy. In the short space at our disposal, we 

 can only notice this valuable and carefully written 



work, and refer our readers 

 to it for a fuller satisfaction. 

 Dr. Ross's essay "On 

 Protoplasm " (London : 

 Hardwicke) is boldy specu- 

 lative, and loyally Huxleyan. 

 It is an examination of Dr. 

 James Hutchinson Sterling's 

 criticism of Huxley's views, 

 and the latter philosopher 

 cannot complain of the lack 

 of a sincere disciple. Dr. 

 Ross is a hard hitter, and 

 has the power of marshalling 

 his facts in clear and telling 

 order ; and though he has 

 chosen to measure swords 

 with one of the most skilled 

 debaters of the present day, 

 Dr. Sterling will find him a 

 foeman worthy of his steel. 

 We regard this essay as a 

 very valuable addition to 

 the literature of the subject 

 here discussed. With these 

 words of brief comment on 

 the books above-named, we 

 leave them with our friends 

 for further examination and 

 study. 



NEWS FROM THE 

 " CHALLENGER." 



Fig. 17. Cattleya Trianice, one of the most easily-grown Orchids. 



eludes all the newest views and speculations, not 

 excepting those of Dr. Ferrier. We have enjoyed 

 its perusal with zest, and heartily commend it to 

 the notice of our readers. 



Books on this and kindred subjects have multi- 

 plied since Darwin's work on " The Emotions " was 

 published. One of the latest is on " The Physics 

 and Physiology of the Senses " (London : Henry S. 

 King & Co.), by R. S. Wyld, F.R.S.E. It covers 

 much of the same ground as Dr. Carpenter's work, 



PROF. WYVILLE 

 THOMSON, the chief 

 of the Scientific Staff on 

 board the Challenger, has 

 forwarded a paper to the 

 Royal Society, of which the following, relating to the 

 physical nature of the ocean-bed, is a part. He 

 says :— During our southern cruise the sounding- 

 lead brought up five absolutely distinct kinds of 

 sea-bottom, without taking into account the rock and 

 detritus of shallow soundings in the neighbourhood 

 of laud. Our first two soundings in 98 and 150 

 fathoms, on the 17th and ISth of December, were in 

 the region of the Agulhas current. These sound- 

 ings would have been naturally logged " greenish 



