784 



MATURE 



in the text discuss the possibility of Halley's comet 

 being seen at its return in 1910, so that we can only 

 conclude that it 'is not new. The l)ook is intended 

 for those who are unacquainted with astronomy, and 

 in the early chapters is traced the method by which 

 the ancients, unassisted by telescopes or measuring 

 apparatus, may have gleaned their notions of astro- 

 nomy. The plan is not original, but is well thought out, 

 and suggests one of the most desirable methods of 

 obtaining an insight into the geometry of the earth's 

 surface. Later, the sun and planets are described as 

 they are seen in a telescope, and the plan becomes that 

 of ordinary descriptive astronomy. One of the authors 

 is chiefly responsible for the discussion of the influence 

 of sun-spots on the earth's magnetism, but we do not 

 find the argument convincing, and additional facts have 

 been brought to light that are not mentioned. In the 

 concluding section reference is made to the stellar 

 universe, but the more recent facts connected with its 

 structure and dimensions are necessarily excluded, 



(4) When so many authors are eager to put the facts 

 of descriptive astronomy before an English public, 

 there does not seem room for a translation. But Dr. 

 Nordmann's work deserves a welcome reception, for 

 it differs in some essential points from the ordinary 

 popular treatise. His object, he tells us, is " to relate 

 some of the marvels which the heavens have revealed 

 to us lately. I shall speak not to instruct or amuse, 

 but to produce thoughts, and even dreams, if I can." 

 He bids us to expect neither the commonplaces of 

 numerical detail nor the inane vapourings evoked by 

 the study of the skies. Nevertheless, we are allowed to 

 study the sun, though the magnetic and electric in- 

 fluences it exerts are insisted upon more than the 

 grosser and obvious service of a centre of attraction, 

 or the dispenser of light and heat. Similarly, the 

 question of the habitability of the planets acquires 

 more interest than the puzzling red spot on Jupiter, or 

 the canals of Mars, which latter are distinctly pro- 

 nounced a mirage. Thence we proceed to the stars, 

 and are taught how to measure the distance that 

 separates them from us. A most instructive study, 

 clear and logical, is given of the theories of star drift, 

 of island universes, giant and dwarf stars, and the 

 general views that obtain of the stellar cosmos. But 

 our author must indulge in a final paradox. He finds 

 it in the rotation of the earth. He furnishes a dozen 

 " proofs " that the earth turns on its axis and fearlessly 

 faces the consequences of accumulation. The con- 

 clusion drawn is : that the earth turns and the earth 

 does not turn are, kinematically speaking, equally true. 

 "It is simply more convenient to suppose that the 

 earth turns." But these be difficuldes that cannot be 

 explained in a small space. 



NO. 2822, VOL. 112] 



A^ 



Oceanography. 



Founders of Oceanography and their Work : an 

 dtution to the Science oj the Sea. By Sir Will 

 Herdman. Pp. xii + 340 + 29 plates. (Lond< 

 Arnold and Co., 1923.) 21s. net. 



T the meeting of the British Association in I.i>»i- 

 pool last September, it was mentioned that a 

 new book on oceanography, by Sir William Ht r 

 had just been published. To the circle of i. ....... 



workers this was something of an event, and now that 

 the volume is before us we see that our anticipations 

 concerning it are realised in full. In the preface — a 

 section eminently worthy of attention in itself, and by 

 no means to be skipped — we are informed that the book 

 is based upon a course of about twenty public lectures 

 given in 1919-20, while Sir William held, for the first 

 year, the newly established chair of oceanograr " 

 the University of Liverpool. Thb at once 1 

 the structure of the book and the arrangement 

 subject matter, which differs from that of the orainary 

 text-book. The author's opening words are, "This 

 is not a text-book of Oceanography," and he proceeds 

 to express his doubts as to whether the time is yet come 

 in oceanography to write " the comprehensive text- 

 book drawing conclusions from various branches of 

 science — ranging from astronomy to biology." In this 

 the author is probably right, quite apart from the fact 

 that there is scarcely a man at the moment who could 

 do it satisfactorily. 



Sir William Herdman's book may best be character- 

 ised as a series of oceanographical essays, more or less 

 independent one of another, and dealing with persons 

 and themes, for the most part those in which the 

 author is himself specially interested, or in regard to 

 which he possesses first-hand knowledge. 



The book contains seventeen chapters and an 

 appendix. Of these, the first six or seven are devoted 

 to some of the leading lights of oceanography, their hfe 

 and work, especially Edward Forbes, Wyville Thomson . 

 John Murray, Alexander Agassiz, Prince Albert of 

 Monaco, and Dr. Anton Dohm. The last ten chapters 

 deal with various oceanographical subjects, namely, 

 hydrography, ocean currents (the Gulf Stream), sub- 

 marine deposits, coral reefs and islands, luminescence in 

 the sea, plankton — its nature, investigation, variations, 

 and problems — applied oceanography, the sea-fisheries, 

 and food -matters in the sea. 



In these many and diverse fields the author proves 

 himself an admirable guide — one who understands the 

 art of making the subject interesting to his readers. 

 The book is one of great freshness and charm, much of 

 which is due to the impress of the author's personality ; 

 it bears throughout the mark of his own keen interest 



