1 9°3 The Field Naturalist $ Library 263 



one of three courses. They may prefer to take the opinion of an 

 anonymous writer to that of Darwin ; they may compare Darwin's ex- 

 periments with their own observations ; or, thirdly, and best of all, they 

 may experiment and observe for themselves, and in the light of all that 

 science now teaches — much of it the direct result of Darwin's marvel- 

 lous genius for patient observation — they may draw their own coti- 

 clusions and compare them with his. 



Analytical Psychology. By Lightmer Witmer. Ginn & Co. 

 Price 7s. 



This work of over 200 pages is intended to instruct in the Science 

 of Experimental Psychology the mental student in general and those 

 preparing for the teaching profession in particular. Unfortunately the 

 Normal Colleges of Britain pursue this subject on what has been 

 satirised as The-look-and-say Method, i.e. look at the text-book and 

 find the answer to the given question. Naturally the "authority" 

 studied waxed in years, but never grew old ; and made room for better 

 men only after the revolutionary process brought about by the death 

 of a college lecturer or the fiat of some captious H.M.I. Possibly 

 (we have our doubts) Mr Winner's book may do something inside our 

 Normal Colleges and Universities to assist the pioneer work done by 

 Professor James in the field of Experimental Psychology. The educa- 

 tion of a teacher is impossible without such a course. 



The outside public must be vastly benefited by this text-book, and 

 we have no doubt that among the teachers, who read it, and we 

 strongly recommend all to do so, there will arise many who will own 

 to its putting them on the lines of observation for themselves. The 

 book will certainly break down much of the ingrained habit of mere 

 book-learning, but will do more : it will show how to construct a 

 sound fabric in place of the card house destroyed. Crammers will 

 pass this book as of no use to them : it certainly is not suited for 

 cramming. The experiments are simple, and the necessary apparatus 

 cheap ; on this account the delights of the study are open to all. 



To one who has had any experience of the difficulties of teaching 

 reading, writing, spelling, and drawing to children, the first hundred 

 pages will go a long way towards creating a sympathetic understanding 

 of the natural reasons for the difficulties raised by his pupils. When 

 adults discover that the sense of sight in themselves can be juggled 

 with by the appearance of letters, words, lines, and figures, a better 

 appreciation of the laborious work of the teachers will be attained. 



The diagrams and charts are numerous and efficient for their 

 purpose, and the value of the work is enhanced by the fact that it is 

 constructed from a course of practice with Normal College students in 

 America. We do not agree with the author in all his conclusions. 

 That " the contraction and expansion of the pupil are not under 

 voluntary or even conscious control," is, in our opinion, contrary to 

 experience. We admit the truth of the statement as limited to child- 

 hood before the subject has experimental knowledge with which to 



