54 



DISCOVERY 



We cannot say that this book is easy reading, but that 

 is not the author's fault. The detailed structure cf the 

 atom of reality cannot apparently be satisfactorily 

 explained by simple images nor described in little words 

 of one syllable. Rutherford's atom, Planck's quantum 

 theory, Einstein's relativity principle, have all been 

 blended with Dr. Bohr's own ideas and postulates to set 

 forth the picture of the atom. It can never be simple 

 to our humble intelligence, but, though complex, it 

 " rings true " and explains the properties of the atcm 

 known from experiments as no other picture yet con- 

 ceived can. 



(c) This is the most complete account of Bessel func- 

 tions in English, and, written as it has been by one who 

 has done distinguished original work in it, it should be 

 the standard work for many years. It is primarily for 

 the " pure " mathematician, but it contains also a collec- 

 tion of results which will be of increasing value to the 

 number of mathematicians and physici.sts who encounter 

 Bessel functions in the course of their researches. It is 

 not a book that could be easily filmed ! 



{d) Prof. Fritz Reiche's book on the quantum theory 

 is an excellent compilation for the student. It appears 

 to be a translation of one of the German Viewcg series, 

 most of which are good. This one certainly is. Prof. 

 Rciche begins at the beginning, which is Planck's first 

 work in 1900, and brings the record down to 1920. In 

 135 pages he succeeds in giving the gist of the main body 

 of work. Full references to, and notes on, original 

 papers are given ; indeed these occupy a quarter of the 

 whole book, and their incluiion enhances the value of the 

 record. The student who is interested in and can under- 

 stand this subject is lucky to have such a compilation 

 as this at so Idw a price. The translation is good. 

 It might have been better if some of Dr. Reiche's more 

 enthusiastic expressions had been toned down in transla- 

 tion. And we should have preferred the proper names 

 in the book not to be printed in italics. They give us 

 the idea that the author is whispering something we 

 must keep secret. A. S. R. 



Symbiosis v. Cancer. By H. Reinheimer. (Headley 

 Brothers, 5s.) 



We have long been accustomed to the voice of the 

 critic who tells us that all morality is based on expediency, 

 who looks upon systems of ethics as variations on the 

 theme " Honesty is the best policy." To such a critic, 

 the argument that a moral law is obviously of service 

 to the individual or to the community satisfactorily 

 robs it of any spiritual quality. It is at least refreshing 

 to find this author ascribing, by a reverse process of argu- 

 ment, a spiritual value to expediency. " Nature, red 

 in tooth and claw," was the poet's comment on the theory 

 of evolution, which laid such emphasis on the factor of 

 combat and competition in moulding the features of 

 living things. Mr. Reinheimer looks the other way — 

 he sees the genius of mutual accommodation as the great 

 creative power. This emphasis is certainly a salutary 

 influence on a traditional and one-sided view of evolu- 



tionary factors. Many examples of mutual help betweeni 

 plants and animals — such as the association between 

 water-plants and developing frog's spawn, and their 

 exchange of gases, are quoted, and strikingly bear cut 

 the author's bias in favour of co-operation. 



Mr. Reinheimer stresses, as has been said, the 

 almost mystical value of systems of mutual help among: 

 living creatures. It would be easy to be witty at the 

 expense of the virtuous lichen — a harmony between two 

 forms of plant life which shows symbiosis tD perfection — 

 and to recall W. S. Gilbert's " Nst too French French 

 bean." The question, however, is perhaps not quite 

 so simply to be disposed of, and it is for philosophers to 

 say where virtue and moral values begin and end. 



The title of the book is in some respects misleading- 

 It is not a contribution to cancer research, but a reply 

 to critics and a fresh gospel of s^onbiosis, or " living 

 together." The most obvious thing about a malignant 

 growth is that it consists of cells at enmity with the 

 body politic. An example is quoted, where cells from 

 an apparently normal portion of a malignant growth 

 grew, in a test-tube, to malignant cells, when away, as 

 the author would have it, from the restraining influence 

 of the rest of the body. No pathologist would venture 

 to assert that the cells in question were ever any than 

 true cancer cells ; in fact, there is often nothing but their 

 irresponsible behav'iour to distinguish them from nor- 

 mality. The body's restraining influence, therefore, is 

 not in question. 



But the cancer problem occupies only a small portion 

 of the book ; where it is discussed the same anthrcpo- 

 morphic attitude forces the writer to speak of " nobler 

 parts of a cell," and to introduce such phrases as " licen- 

 tiousness must be penalised." After all, the ethics of 

 the case are clear. Cancer cells are undoubtedly felons. 

 Our task is not to pass judgment, but to seek cause and 

 remedy, whereof we read little in this small book, re- 

 freshingly out of the groove though it be. R. J. V. P. 



Outwitting Our Nerves. By Josephine A. Jackson, 

 M.D., and Helen M. S.^lisbury. (Kegan Paul 

 7s. 6rf.) 



A breezy and encouraging discourse an nerves (addressed 

 to those who suffer from them) by authors of vigorous 

 personality. The book contains a superficial but, as far 

 as it goes, accurate account of the Freudian principles 

 without excluding the work of the other schools, and if 

 it serves no other purpose, at least it may help the neurotic 

 to realise that his condition is not incurable. The 

 authors' emphatic and ccllcquial style may prove lefs 

 acceptable to the English than to the American reader, 

 but the book contains much sound sense and useful 

 advice. 



Juvenile Delinquency. By Henry Goddard. (Kegan 

 Paul, 3s. bd.) 



A short account of the work of the Ohio Bureau cf 

 Juvenile Research, too slight to have much scientific value 

 or more than local interest. 



