Aug. 17, 1871] 
But the supposed pathological action of the matter, if 
it exists, may be considered as disposed of by Dr. Lewis’s 
Report on the Scientific Inquiry into Cholera in India, in 
which he tellsus “thatthe flakes and corpusclesin rice-water 
stools do not consist of epithelium or its @é3vzs.” There 
being no corpus delictum, “ Cholera infecting matter” can- 
not act in the way supposed. The whole structure falls to 
pieces whenever the light of scientific observation is 
brought to bear on it. Weare thus left to deal with the 
other half of the theory, namely, the “ Cholera germ,” 
which is supposed by some to be of fungoid nature. But 
when we look for proof of its existence, we find only 
inference. The “fungo'd” bodies which, by another 
modification of this theory, were supposed to be the 
agents in removing the epithelium, have been shown 
by Dr. Lewis to differ in nothing from similar bodies in 
healthy discharges, so that this fungoid theory has stood 
the test of observation no more than the “ vibrionic” 
theory. 
Instead of supplying the place of fact by inference or 
theory, would it not be better once for all to discard both, 
and try another method of arriving at truth regarding 
epidemic diseases? We agree with Prof. Tyndall as to 
the importance of physical research in such questions. 
Its methods are precise and rigorous, and by taking no 
cognizance of what is unproved, it may eventually do much 
in reconciling all the diversities” of medical observation, 
and in opening out entirely new fields of investigation. 
Under the Government of India a most important scien- 
tific inquiry into Cholera is now being carried on in that 
country ; and to all appearance the time is at hand when 
the most competent scientific men in Europe will have 
opportunities enough of dealing with the subject. Let the 
inquiry be strictly scientific. Let us refuse absolutely to 
admit anything of which we have not scientific proof, and 
we shall at least be able to divide between the known 
and the unknown, 
Notwithstanding these criticisms on scientific points, 
Mr. Macnamara has written an interesting book which 
will well repay perusal. Amongst other things, he gives 
an account of the various practical sanitary proceed- 
ings which have been in use for mitigating attacks of 
Cholera. 
Sctting aside all theories about their action, it is satis- 
factory to know that with temperance in diet, attention to 
clothing, pure water for drinking and cooking purposes, 
and rigid cleanliness of towns, houses, and persons, as 
well as in ships, there is little to fear from Cholera epi- 
demics. There is no theory needed to help us to under- 
stand these things. They simply require to be done. 
Volumes of instruction will not make the duty of doing 
them plainer than it is. These are, moreover, the things 
which are especially required for India, and we heartily 
second Mr. Macnamara’s appeal to Lord Mayo, and to 
our present scientific Minister for India with which he 
concludes his work :—‘‘ The question for the consideration 
of the Government, is nothing less than this: Shall 
Cholera be allowed by our mismanagement or neglect to 
become permanenily localised threughout the civilised 
world. Itisto the condition of the inhabitants of the 
Gangetic valley that our attention and efforts must be 
primarily directed, if Asiatic Cholera is ever to be effec- 
tually controlled by human agency.” 
NATURE 

393 
OUR BOOK SHELF 
Papers on the Great Pyramid. By St. John Vincent Day, 
CE, F.R.S.E., &c. (Edinburgh: Edmonston and 
Douglas, 1870.) 
The Great Pyramid of Fizeh: the Plan and Chject of its 
Construction. (Cincinnati: R, Clarke and Co., 1871.) 
THE investigation of the history and origin of the 
Pyramids, and the attempt to arrive at the truths that are 
hidden in these, the greatest monuments of antiquity, is 
undoubtedly of the first impcrtance, but must neverthe- 
less be entered upon with caution, There is a danger 
about such a study which few seem to escape, a danger of 
being enslaved by some theory which becomes absolute 
master of the man who originated it, which makes him 
see everything through a false medium, and in support of 
which he perverts facts in the most marvellous manner. 
Mr, Day, the author of the “Papers on the Great 
Pyramid,” has avoided the danger to this extent, that he 
brings forward no new theory of his own, but places his 
entire faith in Prof, Piazzi Smyth, the Astronomer Royal 
for Scotland, to whom this volume is dedicated. The 
papers are three in number ; the first is a critical exami- 
nation of Sir Henry James’s “‘ Notes on the Great Pyramid 
of Egypt,” and would not have been written, the author 
tells us, had not Sir Henry himself opened and continued 
a correspondence with him on the subject, and had not 
he felt “the promptings of duty to expose fallacies so 
authoritatively flung into the midst of mankind.” The 
two other papers are entitled, “‘ The Measurements of the 
Great Pyramid recorded in history,” and ‘‘ An examina- 
tion into the condition and works of mankind from the 
Creation to the building of the Great Pyramid.” More 
than half of the entire volume is occupied by the first 
paper, and in it Mr, Day examines in the most minute 
manner every one of the eight “notes” he undertakes to 
controvert. He has succeeded in showing that Sir Henry 
James has been, to siy the least, careless in his asser- 
tions, and even in his arithmetic, considering how positive 
his statements were. The genral impression left upon 
the mind of the reader is that until the measurements of 
the pyramid have been ascertained without a shadow of 
doubt, no man has aright to base upon them positive asser- 
tions as to standards of length. Notwithstanding defects 
in his mode of treatment of the subject which it is hardly 
within our province to criticise, the book recommends 
itself to those who are interested in the Great Pyramid 
controversy, asit is evidently the result of careful study. 
Wealso wish to notice in this place asmall pamphlet on 
the Pyramid of Jizeh, which has come to us from across 
the Atlantic. The author does not profess intimate 
acquaintance with his subject, but acknowledging that such 
suggestions must be made with much reserve, points out 
certain relations he has discovered between the measure- 
ments of ihe pyramids and “time, extension, and earth 
space.” They are certainly ingenious, but hardly, wethink, 
much more. As illustrattng what was said about the 
danger of indulging in such speculations, the author con- 
cludes by abruptly exclaiming that the fact of the English 
inch and English foot running “ in such admirable rhythm 
with time and pyramid measure,” may be a link of con- 
nection between the Anglo-Saxon and Hebrew races, 
Then plunging still deeper into this dangerous line of 
thought, he says, “ were the blind eyes opened, it is quite 
possible that here in this new world of ours one would 
suddeily come to the realisation that he was dwelling in 
the midst of the teeming multitudes of Israel; termi- 
nating their emigration in a land long promised, long re- 
served ; under government of a commonwealth restored ; 
free from every taint of caste condition, or of kingly rule.” 
Although this pamphlet seems distinguished more by 
ingenuity than by any real value, it possesses the merit of 
being short, and is written with a reserve proper when 
dealing with such a subject, R, B, D, 
