422 
NATURE 
[ Sept. 28, 1871 

perhaps the most suggestive portion of this original work. 
In short, the experimental method is adopted in every 
chapter ; and it is thus that the inquirer after truth is 
taught, step by step, to appeal to the fountain source for 
most, if not all, information concerning “the wonder and 
mystery of Nature.” 
There is, however, a very marked disproportion in the 
amount of space allotted to each subject. Machines 
occupy only sixteen pages—probably the feeblest chapter 
in the book ; while Crystallography extends over as many 
as thirteen pages. We think also that too much attention 
(relatively, at least) has been paid to Electricity and Mag- 
netism. Pure and simple observation, even of natural phe- 
nomena, cannot properly be said te educate the mind, un- 
less the reasoning faculties are called into play ; and such 
subjects as Electricity, Botany, and Crystallography, if made 
an essential portion of school training, would doubtless tend 
to bring the whole question of science-teaching into disre- 
pute. The only experiments that should be performed 
in the laboratory are such as will bring to light a scientific 
fact ; and it should be remembered that a fact is scientific 
only in so far as it is interconnected with other facts. The 
more intimate this interconnection is, the better suited is 
the fact for elementary education ; because it gives rise 
to a greater amount of rational explanation, and tends, 
by reaction, to imprint upon the mind knowledge already 
acquired. Professor Hinrichs does not appear to us to 
attach sufficient importance to these views ; his work has 
therefore a disjointed aspect, and is wanting in large 
general ideas which should be cautiously introduced at 
proper intervals for the purpose of increasing the scope of 
the pupil’s understanding. We agree with him that the 
quantitative study of such subjects as the Law of Gravi- 
tation should be postponed to the last year of the school 
course ; but its qualitative study might be carried on with 
great advantage at a much earlier period ; for previous 
familiarity with such theoretical views as are capable of 
some sort of experimental proof will make a student 
anxious to examine the subject quantitatively at the 
earliest opportunity. For these reasons we regret to 
find certain, points omitted in the present volume, such 
as the Laws of Motion, which are so admirably adapted, 
not only for experimental verification, but as a means of 
explaining the principles of scientific induction. Still, 
if Prof. Hinrichs has not discovered every gem, he has 
nevertheless succeeded in pointing out the right path of 
discovery, along which he has acted on the whole as a 
faithful and thoroughly painstaking guide. 
The idea of the “ School Laboratory” is also a very ad- 
mirable one. It is, in fact, a monthly magazine, the aim 
of which is to inculcate the system of experimental work 
upon which Prof. Hinrichs so strongly insists; to give 
examples of methods and results ; and to aid both teacher 
and pupil. 
We trust that the efforts of this able reformer of science- 
teaching will be amply seconded ; and we believe that these 
Elements will be found of great service to every con- 
scientious teacher, who will be able to glean from them 
many valuable suggestions both as to method and treat- 
ment ; and we recommend them especially, because a 
widely-spread knowledge of a work of this kind will tend 

very much towards the introduction of experimental 
science into the curriculum of our schools, 
OUR BOOK SHELF 
Phrenology, and how to use ttin Analysing Character. 
Nicholas Morgan, 
(Gon 1871.) 
THE appearance of a book of this kind from time to 
time shows what a deep hold phrenology took upon the 
popular mind. Had it not been so, we should have 
neither writers nor readers of works upon ‘‘ The Science 
of Phrenology,” now that almost the whole foundations of 
the system have been shown to be either untrue or based 
upon misconceptions. The present work is illustrated by 
numerous portraits and other engravings, and several of 
the former are remarkably truthful representations of 
living or recently-living celebrities; though we doubt whe- 
ther the accompanying analyses of character will prove as 
agreeable to the originals as they are destined to be 
edifying to the public. 
The Dependence of Life on Decomposition. By Henry 
Freke, M.D., T.C.D., &c., Professor of the Practice of 
Physic and Lecturer on Chemical Medicine in Steven’s 
Hospital Medical College. (London : Triibner and Co.) 
THIS is a pamphlet of a controversial character, which 
would not prove interesting to the general reader. Dr. 
Freke’s views were originally published in 1848 in a work 
“On Organisation.” They are peculiar in many respects, 
but contain the germs of some important biological truths. 
The following passage (p. 28) may serve as an example :— 
“ Why, with an adequate supply of food, are we not able 
to work our brains, muscles, &c., for an zxdefinite period, 
like a steam-engine with an adequate supply of steam ? 
Because the tissues are disintegrated, and require nutri- 
tive repair. If the animal tissues did wzo¢ undergo dis- 
integration during the active discharge of their functions, 
why should not the animal, like the vegetable, continue to 
increase in dimensions during the entire period of its 
organic existence? It is because the organic tissues 
developed by the vegetable do of undergo disintegration 
when their construction has been completed, that the 
vegetable continues to grow and increase in dimensions 
during its entire life. Such is not the case with the 
animal, and that for this reason, namely, when the con- 
struction of the animal tissues, brain, muscle, &c., is com- 
pleted, those tissues undergo disorganisation while dis- 
charging their functions.” 
The Estuary of the Forth and adjoining Districts viewed 
Geologically. By David Milne Home, of Wedderburn. 
(Edinburgh : Edmonston and Douglas.) 
Mr. MILNE HOME’s name has long been known in con- 
nection with Scottish geology. His memoir on the Coal- 
fields of the Lothians was for many years the only trust- 
worthy geological account of those areas. In addition to 
this he has from time to time communicated to various 
scientific journals a number of papers chiefly on subjects 
relating to glacial geology. In this present volume he 
returns to these subjects, and gives us a description 
of the superficial formations of the basin of the 
Forth, together with what he considers to be the most 
feasible explanation of the somewhat intricate details he 
brings before his readers. He treats first of the form and 
physical features of the Estuary and the districts adjoin- 
ing ; secondly, of the formation or origin of the Estuary ; 
and, thirdly, of the superficial deposits met with in the area 
described. He conceives that the faults which intersect 
the strata along both sides of the Firth, and which not 
only have the same general bearing as the Estuary, but 
are also for the most part downthrows to south, in Fife- 
shire, Clackmannan, &c., and, in the Lothians, downthrows 
to north, have formed the deep trough or valley of the 
Forth—the depression caused by this series of step-faults 
having reached at least 2,000 feet. “Along the lines of 
these slips great precipices, or cliffs, were formed, several 
hundred feet in height, which, under the action of the sea 
By 
(London: Longmans, Green, and 
