NATURE 
THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1902. 
THE ENCYCLOPZDIA BRITANNICA. 
The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Vol. xxvi. Aus.-Chi. 
(Vol. ii. of the tenth edition). Pp. xxii + 763. (Lon- 
don and Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black ; and 
The 7imes, Printing House Square, London, 1902.) 
EVERAL articles of scientific interest are contained 
in this volume, but limitations of space will only 
permit us to refer to a few of them. Among the subjects 
of contributions, in addition to those mentioned below, 
are Balanoglossus, by Dr. A. Willey; George Bentham, 
by Sir William T. Thiselton-Dyer ; Birds, by Dr. H. 
Gadow ; Brachiopoda, by Mr. A. E. Shipley ; Calibra- 
tion and Calorimetry, by Prof. H. L. Callendar ; and the 
Channel Tunnel, by Prof. Boyd Dawkins. There are 
also articles on all geographical divisions having names 
between Austria and Chicacole. 
The subject-matter of the article on “ Bacteriology ” 
has been divided into two sections, general and patho- 
logical, the former of which has been contributed by 
Prof. Marshall Ward. Commencing witha brief intro- 
duction upon the botanical position and affinities of the 
Schizomycetes, their general morphology, structure, 
flagellation and sporulation are then considered, the 
difficulties of classifying them discussed, and an outline 
of Fischers system of classification detailed. The life 
and functions of the various classes of bacteria are next 
dealt with, and a brief, but sufficient, account is given of 
their growth, action of physical agents upon them, and 
of the nitrifying, cellulose, sulphur, pigment, phosphor- 
escent and other forms, of the various fermentations, and 
of symbiosis. The effects of light upon bacteria are 
described, but we are inclined to think that the author 
lays too much stress upon this agent as a factor in the 
bacterial purification of streams, &c.; nor is it at all 
certain that the cure of lupus effected by the “light” 
treatment is due to the bactericidal action of the light 
rays. 
In dealing with the bacteriosis of plants, it is pointed 
out that the evidence of the bacterial invasion of vege- 
table tissues must be accepted with caution and be care- 
fully controlled, as in the majority of instances the 
bacteria are secondary, and have gained access along 
the dead hyphze of an invading fungus or through the 
punctures due to aphides or other insects. 
Not the least interesting and instructive portion of this 
article is the brief discussion of the possible sources of 
energy which contribute to the wonderful activities 
exhibited by these minute organisms. 
The whole of this section, while showing a wide and 
comprehensive grasp of the subject, is a model of con- 
ciseness, and its value is enhanced by several original 
illustrations. 
The pathological section is from the pen of Prof. 
Muir, and, after an historical introduction, the methods 
employed for the study of the bacteria are summarised. 
The general features of infection are then considered, 
and the nature of toxins, disease-production, susceptibility 
and immunity are briefly, but sufficiently, discussed ; 
in fact, we have been unable to note any omission of 
importance. 
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The formation of antitoxin and the nature of the 
antagonism between antitoxin and toxin are next con- 
sidered, and this leads naturally to an exposition of 
Ehrlich’s “ side-chain ” theory, which is clearly described.: 
Lastly, the nature of anti-microbic sera and the phenomena 
of bacteriolysis, of agglutination and of phagocytosis are 
considered, and another admirable survey is concluded 
with a few critical remarks upon natural immunity. 
In the article upon “ Brewing,” by Dr. Schidrowitz, 
the reader is presented with an able summary of modern 
practice in this important industry, and much additional 
information is given, statistical and legal, and upon such 
subjects as the cultivation of barley for malt, malt and 
malting, hops, and malt and hop substitutes. The pro- 
cess of mashing and the changes which ensue, fermenta- 
tion and the practical application of Hansen’s discoveries, 
and brewing with pure cultures are briefly described. 
The article seems to be well up to date; for example, 
Buchner’s yeast-cell extract or “ zymase ” and the theories 
respecting its nature are mentioned. 
Beri-beri, that remarkable disease having the characters 
of a multiple peripheral neuritis, is described by Dr. 
Shadwell, his description, however, being mainly based 
upon Manson’s writings (referred to, by the way, as Sir 
Patrick ; may it be an omen). Ross’s suggestion that 
beri-beri is a form of arsenical poisoning is alluded to, 
but is not considered probable. The micro-organisms of 
Pekelharing and Winkler and of Rost are not mentioned, 
and the absence of fever in the disease does not neces- 
sarily exclude a micro-parasite, as is suggested. 
The article on cancer, also from the pen of Dr. Shad- 
well, deals mainly with the statistical problems presented 
by this dread disease ; the pathological ones, we under- 
stand, will be discussed in another place. With regard 
to the alleged increase of cancer, it is considered that 
“on the whole it must be held that though there has 
probably been some increase, it has not been satis- 
factorily proved and is certainly less than is supposed.” 
IRS de Ie 
The supplementary article on chemistry contributed by 
Prof. Armstrong fills thirty-eight pages and surveys almost 
the whole field of scientific chemistry. The task of 
reviewing the article is such that I have felt inclined to 
shirk it altogether ; for the article proves to be, not so 
much a record of recent advances in chemistry as a mani- 
festo of Prof. Armstrong’s own views on the chief pheno- 
mena and problems of modern chemistry. With these 
views I am entirely out of sympathy. I should be willing 
enough to say why, but I should want nearly as many 
pages to traverse Prof. Armstrong’s statements as he has 
occupied in making them. I can dono more than give 
one or two examples of my meaning. 
At the outset of the article we have a reproduction of 
the table of the elements which Prof. Armstrong recently 
brought before the Royal Society. In this table all atomic 
weights have to be whole numbers, and argon and its 
companions have to form diatomic molecules ; these and 
other things ave to be what they have been demon- 
strated of to be, so far as the most careful, accurate and 
trusted work of a generation of chemists can be said to 
have afforded any demonstration at all. 
One would expect some compensation for this ; but in 
exchange for our most precious experimental data I can 
Oo 
