REVIEWS 339 



introductory chapters are not too long, but the latter half of the book could 

 be expanded with advantage. The first three chapters deal with man's place 

 in nature, the possible antiquity of man, and with the evolution theory. The 

 exposition of evolution leaves little to be desired, and would prove equally 

 valuable in a textbook of zoology. The last three chapters deal with the 

 application of evolutionary theory to mankind, with speculations on the 

 original homeland, and with the classification of existing races. The author's 

 description of anthropological classification is clear and instructive. Mr. Roy 

 is perhaps least strong on geological subjects. He fails to point out that 

 Wallace's story of the relations of Africa to Eurasia has been upset by recent 

 discoveries, and he is in error in stating that there are monkeys known from 

 the Eocene of North America and Europe. The proof-reading has been 

 careless, and there are numerous slips. A cephalic index cannot be "70 ram." 

 (p. 32) ; and though Pithecanthropus was a remarkable animal, it can scarcely 

 have been possible to weigh him in " kilometres " (p. 32). And India lies 

 west, not east, of Burma (p. 109). 



It is most gratifying to find lectures of this high standard being delivered 

 by an Indian in an Indian University, and we shall look for rapid progress in 

 the new school of ethnology in Patna University. A. G. T. 



MISCELLANEOUS 



The Science of Everyday Life. By Edgar F. Van Buskirk and Edith 

 Lilian Smith. [Pp. vi + 416, with 203 illustrations.] (London : 

 Constable & Co. Price 7s. net.) 



This is an American textbook for what is known as the Intermediate Schoo 1 

 Period, and the intention of the authors is an exceedingly good one, namely, 

 to teach science not from the purely academic point of view, where the 

 instruction is of greatest service to those few of the pupils who are training 

 to become speciaUsts on the scientific side, but from the everyday point 

 of view, and therefore for the majority of the pupils in the schools. 



The authors claim that first of all courses in science should afford culture, 

 and that this involves an intelligent understanding of the most common 

 occurrences in daily Hfe. Secondly, they consider that courses in science 

 should train pupils to do with intelligent understanding and economy such 

 tasks as are most likely to be theirs in life. With those practical views the 

 subject is divided into five groups : the air and how we use it, water and 

 how we use it, foods and how we use them. The remainder concerns man's 

 control of the forces of nature, and deals with protection, homes and clothing 

 (Group 4), and Group 5, the work of the world, under which are included 

 work with machines, communication, transportation, and life. 



In each chapter, besides descriptive matter dealing with the chief scien- 

 tific principles involved, there are numerous problems and so-called individual 

 projects to extend the w^ork for individual pupils. In addition, at the end 

 of each chapter, there is a list of books bearing on the subject. 



English teachers will do well to study this book. It will at least widen 

 their views as to the scope and methods of science teaching in the schools. 

 The cost of the book may in these daj'^s make it impossible to use it as a 

 regular school book, but a few copies in each class-room would, we feel sure, 

 be very useful. 



W. C. B. 



An Introduction to Applied Geography. By Alexander Stevens, M.A., B.Sc. 

 [Pp. X -f 309, with 123 maps and diagrams.] (London : Blackie & Son. 

 Price 65. net.) 



This book is intended to provide a foundation of practical geographical 

 knowledge for navigators, land surveyors, mining engineers and prospectors. 



