136 Analyses of Books. Fes. 
lower in different parts of the coast of Great Britain at present 
than formerly. But this change can be very well accounted 
for by local causes, which, in most cases, are sufficiently 
obvious. The author has not taken into his consideration many 
examples that might be adduced even upon our own coast of the 
land gaining on the sea. If the surface of the ocean had really 
risen, no one instance of that kind could possibly exist. . 
X. Geological Remarks on the Cartlone Craig. By Dr. 
Macnight.—This is a vast chasm in the sandstone near Lanark, 
and constitutes a most beautiful piece of scenery. Dr. Mac- 
night, who seems to have entered most thoroughly into the 
spirit of the Wernerian geognosy, is of opinion that this chasm 
has been formed by the subsidence of a portion of the sandstone 
rock. 
XI. Account of the Irish Testacea. By Thomas Brown, Esq. 
F.L.S. M.W.S. M.K.S.—This catalogue contains 239 species, of 
which about 12 appear to be new. It seems to be drawn up 
with much ability by a gentleman very well acquainted with the 
branch of natural history to which he has devoted his attention. 
Capt. Brown considers Ireland as richer in shells than either 
England or Scotland. The catalogues of Irish sea shells, he 
says, is imperfect, in consequence of his residing while im Ireland 
at a distance from the coast. 
XII. Remarks respecting the Causes of Organization. By 
Dr. Barclay.—The author was led to the observations in this 
paper from perusing a description of a monstrous foetus, by the 
late Dr. Sandifort, Professor of Physic, Anatomy, and Surgery, 
in the University of Leyden. This fcetus wanted all the bones 
of the cranium, except those which constitute the base. Instead 
of a brain it had a soft substance, differing from that organ in 
form, magnitude, and colour. Dr. Sandifort was of opinion that 
the bram had once existed in this and similar monsters, and that 
it had afterwards disappeared in consequence of some accidenta 
injury. But Dr. Barclay conceives that we have no evidence for 
this : and that in many cases, as where the head, the head and 
neck, the head, neck, and shoulders, or the intestines, are want- 
ing altogether, no such supposition can be formed. Living 
beings, he says, originate-from certain liquids secreted in the 
organs of the parents. Something in these liquids (that is, the 
Ltving principle) begins the formation of appropriate organs, and 
by these organs, when once formed, the connexion between the 
living principle and the external world is maintained. 
The subject of a living principle is the most difficult depart- 
ment in science. Much has been written upon the subject, and 
many opinions, sufficiently whimsical and ndiculous, have been 
advanced respecting it, but little or no real progress has been 
made in the discussion. The opinions of modern physiologists 
differ from those of their predecessors ; but they do not seem to 
be supported by better evidence. It is not difficult, therefore, 
