172 
NATURE 
[ DECEMBER 24, 1896 
Huge cylinders inside the temples, turned by the priests, 
or rows of barrel-like cylinders along their outer walls, 
turned by a push of the hand of people passing in the 
street, or cylinders turned by water or wind, are common 
objects, and have never failed to attract the attention of 
travellers in that country. Such a traveller was Mr. 
William Simpson, who spent the hot seasons of 1860 
and 1861 in the Himalayas, and in both years passed 
over the boundary into Thibet. He made sketches of 
the praying-wheels he came across, visited the temples, 
and watched the priests at their devotions endlessly 
turning the huge cylinders ; he also bought one of the 
small hand-cylinders, and learned the proper method of 
using it. On his return to this country he collected 
what information he could, and, although in 1867 he 
wrote a magazine article on praying-wheels, his interest 
in the subject did not cease, for he continued his read- 
ing, the results of which are embodied in the book 
before us. 
As its title suggests, Mr. Simpson has not confined 
himself to the Buddhist praying-wheel, but has extended 
his range of study to include the symbolism of the wheel 
in general which occurs in varied forms in different 
systems of religion, and has also touched on the circular 
movements and dances to be met with in the customs 
and ritual of many races. A glance at his index to 
book-references will show that Mr. Simpson has con- 
sulted a large number of very various works, from which 
he quotes passages which seem to bear on the wheel 
as a symbol, or on circular movements, and we gather 
that the principal contention or thesis that he seeks to 
establish is that the Buddhist praying-wheel, along with 
all forms of the wheel in symbolic art, has a solar origin, 
and that circular movements and dances which turn 
from right to left, are to be interpreted as symbolical of 
the apparent motion of the sun. 
It has long been recognised that with primitive races 
sun-worship is a.most important factor in ritual and 
belief ; but that all symbolic wheels and circular dances 
can be referred to a solar origin in the wholesale manner 
our author appears to suggest, is a theory that most 
students of mythology will regard with some suspicion. 
Perhaps one of the most fundamental axioms of the 
modern science of folk-lore is contained in the strict line 
of distinction it draws between the beliefs of primitive 
and undeveloped races, and those of nations that for 
many centuries have enjoyed a highly-developed civilisa- 
tion with an organised priesthood, and have been sub- 
jected to the various influences exerted by their own 
literature and the literatures of other nations with whoni 
they may have come in contact. It has been abundantly 
proved that in two or three generations the influence of 
literature on a nation can work a complete revolution in 
its beliefs and superstitions ; so that in tracing the origin 
and development of its rites and symbols, a completely 
different method of investigation and standard of judg- 
ment must be adopted to those employed in the case of 
less developed and more primitive races. The weakness 
of Mr. Simpson’s theory, therefore, appears to us to lie 
in the fact that he does not lay sufficient emphasis on 
this fundamental principle. He has, in fact, approached 
his subject rather from the outside, to some extent 
neglecting—in the case of ancient and _highly-cultured 
NO. 1417, VOL. 55 | 
races—the infinite number of influences that have been 
at work to mould the form their beliefs subsequently 
assumed. It must be added, however, in fairness to the 
author, that he himself does not regard his theory as 
more than a tentative suggestion, and that he considers 
his book rather in the light of a collection of material : 
and as such it will, no doubt, be of considerable service 
to those who are interested in the subject. In conclusion, 
a word of praise should be given to the excellent illustra- 
tions scattered through the book, many of which have 
been reproduced from the author’s own drawings. 
OUR BOOK SHELF. 
Physiography for Beginners. By A. T. Simmons, B.Sc., 
A.R.C.S. Pp. vill + 344. (London: Macmillan and 
Co., 1896.) 
As an introductory science it is, perhaps, but natural that 
the scope of physiography should be somewhat nebulous 
and liable to occasional modifications ; but after its long 
existence as a separate subject for the examinations of 
the Department of Science and Art, one would have 
expected it to have assumed fairly-defined boundaries. 
Nevertheless, although important alterations in the 
syllabus were made only a year ago, still more sweeping 
changes have been introduced during the present year. 
We learn from the official statement, that the syllabus 
“has now been so framed that it is, particularly in the 
elementary stage, a real introduction to the various 
branches of physical science... . One object of this 
revision has been to adapt it for pupil teachers who may 
be called upon to give object-lessons in their future 
Cabeer., 
To meet the demand which has doubtless been created 
by the recent changes, is the object of the book under 
notice. It may be stated at once that the book covers 
the syllabus in the most complete and _ satisfactory 
manner, and we have no hesitation in saying that 
teachers will find it to adequately meet their require- 
ments as a class-book. The descriptions are clear and 
not too long, and great pains have evidently been taken 
to ensure accuracy in every section. One of the best 
features is the great prominence given, for the first time 
we believe, to experimental illustrations of the subject, 
all those suggested in the syllabus having been in- 
corporated, and others added to make a total of 216, all 
of which require but simple appliances. These, however, 
will absorb a certain amount of time ; and, to economise a 
little, there is a summary at the end of each chapter 
which may well take the place of the notes which are 
frequently dictated to classes. Sets of questions to test 
the progress of the students are also included. The 
book is very generously illustrated, and although some of 
the figures are not new, they all admirably serve their 
immediate purposes. A complete list of the apparatus 
and materials required for carrying out the experimental 
work would form a very useful appendix to the book. 
The Metric System of Weights and Measures compared 
with the Imperial System. By Prof. W. H. Wagstaff, 
M.A. Pp. vi+121. (London: Whittaker and Co., 
1896.) 
ANYTHING that educates the public in the advantages 
of the metric system, and exhibits the cumbrous nature 
of the “weights and measures,” preserved by British 
insularity to the detriment of British commerce, claims 
the commendation of men of science. For this reason 
we think Prof. Wagstaff has acted wisely in reprinting 
the four lectures on the metric system delivered at 
Gresham College a yearago. The resulting little volume 
contains a good general account of the metric system, 
and one which will excite interest in the subject. The 
best way to the introduction of the system is to instruct 
people in it; for as soon as a wide knowledge of metric 
