LITERARY NOTICES. 



55 



has had one birthplace, and only one, the 

 second and third chapters discuss the 

 means by which dispersal has been effected, 

 and what bearing the surface-changes of 

 the earth have had on distribution. They 

 are of great interest, and admirable exam- 

 ples of the efficiency of scientific induction 

 when applied by able hands to the solution 

 of perplexing problems. 



The principles upon which zoological 

 regions should be formed are next consid- 

 ered, and the reasons given which led the 

 author to adopt, with little change, the di- 

 visions proposed by Mr. P. L. Sclater in 

 1857, which maps the globe into six great 

 primary regions, the Paliearctic, Ethiopian, 

 Oriental, Australian, Neotropical, and Ne- 

 arctic. 



Zoological classification receives, as of 

 course it should, due consideration. Mr. 

 Wallace attempts no reconciliation of the 

 disputed points of classification, but selects 

 and tabulates for his uses a few of the best- 

 known classes. As the title-page indicates, 

 the relation and distribution of extinct 

 faunas have an important place. The re- 

 cent lectures of Prof. Huxley are too fresh 

 in the minds of our readers for it to be 

 necessary to emphasize the value of the 

 study of fossil forms in connection with the 

 general doctrine of evolution. In the 

 hands of Mr. Wallace its application to the 

 question of distribution is full of suggestion 

 and interest. We may add that, in this 

 connection, due acknowledgment is made 

 of the successful and important labors of 

 American paleontologists. 



In Parts IV. and V. are treated, first, 

 the forms of life as seen in the different 

 zoological regions, their differences and 

 resemblances being pointed out ; with, last- 

 ly, a systematic, tabular arrangement of 

 the families of the animals considered, and 

 sketches of their geographical distribution. 

 The value and interest of these volumes are 

 enhanced by a series of twenty plates 

 showing the physical aspect and special 

 zoological character of the different sub- 

 regions, and by a set of excellent maps on 

 which are shown the outlines of the regions 

 and sub-regions, the belts of altitude, the 

 forests, pastures, deserts, and snow-lines, to- 

 gether with the contours of the beds of the 

 great oceans as determined by the most re- 

 cent soundings. 



Further Notes on "Inclusions" in Gems, 

 etc. By Isaac Lea. Philadelphia : 

 Collins. 



Continuing a communication made in 

 1869 to the Philadelphia Academy of Sci- 

 ences, Dr. Lea, in this pamphlet, gives the 

 results of further examination of the crys- 

 tals and cavities to be found in gems and 

 minerals. His special researches are illus- 

 trated by a plate in which are represented 

 cavities of all shapes, with and without 

 fluid contents, crystals of various shapes 

 and maculations in corundum, sapphire of 

 different shades, zircon, moonstone, emerald, 

 where the cavities contained cubic crystals 

 surrounded by a fluid, and beryl with irregu- 

 lar imperfections. The microscopic study 

 of gems must possess great interest to any 

 one whose opportunities allow it. 



Essays on Mind, Matter, Forces, Theol- 

 ogy, etc. By Charles E. Townsend. 

 New York : Charles P. Somerby. Pp. 

 404. Price, $2. 



The papers which make up this book 

 originally appeared in the Phrenological 

 Journal and other publications, and em- 

 brace discussions on subjects relating to 

 physics, astronomy, biology, social science, 

 religion, etc. "The essays are chiefly in- 

 tended to uphold the theory of the stabil- 

 ity of matter and forces, and the perpetuity 

 of all minds, as material forces, on a new 

 basis of reasoning, in opposition to the 

 many present vague theories of spirit-minds. 

 Also, as opposed to the assumed origin of 

 matter from nothing, and its inevitable ex- 

 tinguishment in time not mere change of 

 form and action, but utter annihilation being 

 claimed by some." The author vehemently 

 opposes the " debasing, stagnant theology 

 of over eighteen centuries," deprecates the 

 " folly of Biblical cant," and believes that 

 the " Christian religion is an old-times crude 

 theology and false cosmogony, that ought 

 to be replaced by a more rational and enno- 

 bling conception and worship of an infinitely 

 intelligent great First Cause, who is known 

 to us through his creations, and thus in- 

 ferred attributes of infinite goodness, wis- 

 dom, and power." 



Various theories are presented in regard 

 to different subjects, which are not wonder- 

 ful so much for their novelty as for the 

 obscure manner in which they are stated. 



