578 
librium are discussed in full; the processes and 
the nature of the conduction of excitation; the 
conception of specific irritability, and the refrac- 
tory period and its relation to fatigue; the inter- 
ference of excitations, and finally the processes of 
depression. 
In spite of the inherent interest of the subject, 
and although some of the discussions are very 
interesting, the book as a whole is somewhat dis- 
appointing. The disappointment is due partly to 
the fact that there is really but little new material, 
the matter having been for the most part pre- 
viously published at length in readily accessible 
journals, and partly to the fact that a number 
of the conclusions reached are simply deductions 
drawn from pure hypotheses. Further, although 
Prof. Verworn in his preface states that he utilises 
the results obtained by other observers, the truth 
is that but little attention or criticism is devoted 
to the work of other investigators, and he makes 
but little reply to the criticisms which have been 
levelled at his own work. 
The translation has been very well carried out 
by Frau Prof. Verworn, with the assistance of 
Dr. Lodholz, of the University of Pennsylvania. 
Unfortunately no index has been _ provided, 
although as a kind of compensation the contents 
of each chapter have been given in some detail. 
(2) This small book contains rather a curious 
and, in its way, interesting collection of observa- 
tions (the author states that he has made more 
than 25,000) on the pulse rate, the blood pressure, 
and the superficial (skin) and deep (rectal) tem- 
peratures of the body under various conditions of 
heat and cold. It is to be regretted that the 
author confines himself solely to his own observa- 
tions, which seem to have been carried out largely 
upon himself, and does not refer at all to the fairly 
abundant available literature on the subject. 
Although the conditions of his experiments are 
not ideal, some of his data on the pulse rate are 
exceedingly interesting. The book is well illus- 
trated with charts. 
OUR BOOKSHELF. 
The Use of 
Lands. By Gerald O. Case. 
Engineering, August 22 and September 12, 
1913.) Pp. 36. (London: St. Bride’s Press, 
Ltdi, 1913.)>"Rricéj2s- net, 
Tue author has done good service by bringing 
together in this handy booklet the scattered in- 
formation contained in various books and papers | 
dealing with the part played by vegetation in the 
reclamation of tidal lands. A large part of this 
is drawn from the remarkable observations made 
by Prof. F.- W. Oliver during his long-continued 
NO. 2308, VOL. 92] 
NAT bs 
Vegetation for Reclaiming Tidal | 
(Reprinted from — 
a 
' 
Peer 22, 1914 
work on the physiography and plant ecology of 
maritime regions, especially at Erquy, in Brittany, 
and at Blakeney Point, in Norfoll, with reference 
to the stabilisation of drifting sand and shingle 
by means of vegetation. As these and other 
observations summarised in this booklet clearly 
show, there are large areas of foreshore in this 
country which might profitably be planted with 
suitable vegetation and subsequently reclaimed 
from the sea. The author has taken pains to 
avoid excessive use of botanical terms used in 
ecology, but it is to be feared that some of the 
terms he does use will prove somewhat puzzling 
to non-botanical readers, especially as some of 
them are used rather carelessly—*‘ halophyte”’ and 
“halophytic,” for instance, appear disguised as 
“hallophyte ” and “hallophitic.’ Be G: 
Guide to Astronomy. (Third edition.) 
H. Periam Hawkins) 92ers 
|  (Lendon: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent 
and Co., Ltd.) Price 1s. 6d- net. 
Ix this little book Mrs. Hawkins brings together 
a very useful amount of infermation which is 
admirably suited to be serviceable as a general 
source oc! reference to these not well acquainted 
with astronomical terms. The information is 
arranged alphabetically, and under each heading 
is a brief explanation or description. The catch- 
words are printed in heavy type, so that they are 
at once conspicuous when turning over the leaves. 
The text has been brought well up to date, and an 
appendix gives, among other information, a list — 
of useful astronomical books. 
| The A.B.C. 
By Mrs. 
The Purpose of Education. An Examination of 
the Education Problem in the Light of recent 
psychological Research. By St. G. L. Fox Pitt. 
Pp. ix+83. (Cambridge University. Press, 
1913.) Price 2s. 6d. net. 
Tue sub-title of this small volume sufficiently de- 
scribes its purpose. Experimental psychology is 
extending year by year our knowledge of the 
working of the human mind, and the attempt is 
made here to apply the results of recent psycho-_ 
logical research to the solution of educational diffi- 
culties. The book may be commended to ordinary 
readers interested in education but unacquainted 
with psycholegy. 
Experience Teaches. Some Advice to Youths, 
and incidentally to Young \Vomen, as to their 
Careers in Life, with Notes on various social 
and commercial Problems. By Ivon Trinda. 
| Pp. xi+19q4. (London: Simpkin, Marshall, 
| Hamilton, Kent and Co., Ltd., 1914.) Price- 
| 48. net in leather, 2s. 6d. net in cloth. q 
| It may be doubted if many young people read 
| books of advice as to conduct, and probably this 
, chatty volume will prove of most assistance to 
' parents and teachers whose duty it often is to offer 
| words of warning. The advice is given here under 
the headings : school and what to learn, business, 
| married life, recreation, and things in general. 
