REVIEWS. 307 



A Brief Account of the Galeodidoe, by H, M. Bernard, M.A. ; The Cell- 

 Membrane, by J. Reynolds Green, Sc.D., F.R.S. ; The Coagulation of the 

 Blood (Part 3), by W. D. Halliburton, M.D., F.R.S. ; On the Relation 

 between the Form and the Metabolism of the Cell, by Max Verworn, Ph.D. ; 

 Appendix ; and Review of Books. 



Is THE Earth a Planet ? A study in Physical and Mathe- 

 matical Geography. By C. Robertson, M.D., M.R.S.G.S. 8vo, pp. viii. — 81. 

 (Edinburgh : St. Giles' Printing Co. London : E. Stock. 1897.) Price 2/-. 



In the preface to this remarkable book the author tells us that "during a 

 long residence in India his attention was frequently directed to the area of ver- 

 tical solar rays, and, from facts then observed, he was led to entertain grave 

 doubts regarding the truth of the conventional theory of an immense solar 

 magnitude. Further study showed that the only theory which could give any 

 intelligible explanation of the facts observed was, that the actual size of the 

 sun must correspond to the area of vertical solar rays, which, in itself, seemed 

 reasonable enough, although it had never occurred to anyone. A prolonged 

 study of this subject in all its bearings further convinced me that no rational or 

 intelligible explanation of geographical facts could be given under the Coper- 

 nican theory that the earth is a planet." 



He acknowledges that the earth revolves on its own axis, but that, with the 

 exception of this motion, it is stationary in the centre of the universe, and that 

 the sun, whatever be its distance, which he says is immaterial so far as his 

 argument goes, is only 32 miles in diameter. 



With respect to the diameter of the sun^ he says : "The apparent diameter 

 of the sun, as we see it, when measured on the sphere of the heavens by means 

 of a sextant, will be found to be about 32'. . . Now the question to be 

 discussed is whether this apparent diameter of about 32' of arc represents a 

 real diameter of over 800,000 miles, or, whether it merely represents a real 

 diameter of about 32 geographical miles. The former is the view arrived at by 

 astronomers of the 17th century, and continued to the present day ; the latter 

 is, I believe, the view indicated by geographical facts." 



We cannot, of course, quote many of the arguments of the author, nor 

 would it be fair to do so ; we will, therefore, content ourselves by making one 

 short extract from the last paragraph of Chapter V. : — " It has, therefore, been 

 shown that the theory advanced in Chapter HI., namely, that the apparent 

 diameter of the sun — about 32/ of arc — represents a real diameter of about 

 32 geographical miles, is in perfect agreement with all geographical facts 

 observed in the phenomena of the seasons, and is also in harmony with the 

 fundamental definitions as well as with the practice of nautical astronomy." 



We wonder if the author can, according to his theory, explain an annular 

 eclipse of the sun. The italics in the above notice are ours. 



Great Britain and her Queen. By Anne E. Keeling. 

 Second edition, revised and enlarged. Crown 8vo, pp. xi. — 244. (London: 

 Chas. H. Kelly. 1897.) Price 2/- 



In this nicely illustrated little book we have an interesting account of the 

 chief national events which have occurred during the reign of Her Most Gra- 

 cious Majesty the Qaeen. There are upwards of 100 illustrations. 



Among the Dark-Haired Race in the Flowery Land. By 

 Samuel B. Drake. Cr. 8vo, pp. 158. (London : The Religious Tract Society. 

 1897.) Price 2/- 



An interesting account is here given of some of the social conditions amid 

 which missionary work is being pursued in China, showing the difficulties 



