176 The Ottawa Naturalist. . [Mar. 



ing topics are all admirably treated. The importance of inhibi- 

 tion is revealed, and the most recent views on fatigue, sleep, and 

 nerve restoration, set forth. Professor Fraser Harris's views 

 on sleep attracted wide attention, when he delivered his remark- 

 able Midland Institute lecture, in Birmingham, some years ago. 

 It is here shown that sleep results normally from a kind of poison- 

 ing of the brain cells, decreased brain circulation, and diminished 

 sensation. Sleep may be prevented by too energetic brain 

 circulation, excessive mental occupation, etc., and the para- 

 graphs are most valuable upon the causes of "insomnia, " that 

 dread calamit}'', which is well-nigh the worst of human ills. The 

 author gives some curious examples of sleep under difficult 

 circumstances, but these are even surpassed by the recorded 

 instance of a naval captain during the last attack on Rangoon 

 (in the Indian Mutiny), when, worn out by constant overstrain, 

 he fell into a deep sleep on deck, and slept for two hours though 

 he lay within a yard of one of the largest guns, which was being 

 energetically fired the whole time. The author does not shrink 

 from postulating a "nerve force" as a scientific fact, in spite 

 of its psychological and metaphysical dangers, and he declares 

 that our nervous system is " dynamogenic." The tremendous 

 muscular power of maniacs, must be attributed to abnormal 

 production of such nerve force. In Chap. IX on " Nervousness" 

 Dr. Harris describes the Nissl granules. In the cell rested and 

 fresh the granules are well-formed, but in overworked cells they 

 become irregular and indistinct, hence they must be the physico- 

 chemical basis of nerve energy. Gland cells are similarly cram- 

 med with minute granules in the rested condition, but are 

 deficient in granules after active glandular secretion. High 

 phosphorus (lecithin) is beneficial for nerves in a starved, fatigued 

 condition, and fatty food, under proper conditions, is valuable. 

 The pages on fussiness, irritability or "bad temper," neuras- 

 thenia and other troubles are scientifically described. Bodily 

 health and nerve health are vitally connected, and the power 

 of inhibition is a supreme blessing, this power of control being 

 the expression of nerve vigour, it is "Knowing when and where 

 to stop, when not to act and not to speak." 



A useful glossary of terms, and a brief bibliography of 

 "nerve" books, and a very concise index complete a model 

 guide upon a subject of universal interest. Professor Harris is, 

 we notice, the onlv Canadian author who has written a book 

 for this "Home University" Series, which the London "Daily 

 Telegraph" affirms gives "the world's learning in little." 



E. E. P. 



