AUGUST 21, 1902 | 
fully distinguished from abdominal breathing, which is 
stigmatised as an exceedingly vicious process. 
The description of the larynx and its muscles given 
in chapter iv. is very amusing to a person who is only 
acquainted with that organ as usually described. Thus, 
on p. 44, we are gravely told, though certain important 
intrinsic muscles of the larynx have been passed over 
without a word, that 
“The only muscle that remains to be mentioned is the 
epiglottis, which is a thin, leaf-shaped cartilage that covers 
the aperture of the larynx when we eat, so as to prevent 
anything entering the voice-tube when food passes into 
the gullet (cesophagus).” 
Many of the chapters in this novel scientific treatise 
are headed by beautiful quotations, such as 
“ He likened her voice to a string of pearls.” 
“And pure the pearls of matchless beauty they, 
Yet purer still her song, for there was soul therein.” 
It may have been these quotations which suggested the 
statement to the author that song when not improved by 
development of the psychological side is a “pearl of 
value, but a dead jewel for all that.” 
The author deprecates the misunderstanding of psycho- 
logy as it is used in voice-production ; this arises, it is 
stated, from confusing its component parts, which are :— 
(1) Cognition—knowing ; (2) volition—will ; (3) feeling— 
affective states. Certainly there seems to us to be some 
ground for confusion here, especially as the author 
explains the matter no further, but simply leaves it thus. 
In a chapter on deportment we are told that more 
than half the trouble existing around us springs from 
neglect of the diaphragm, and in this chapter also is 
found the remarkable statement that 
“The contraction of the diaphragm flattens the abdomen, 
and invigorates all the various muscles that influence 
the liver and kidneys.” 
A very short chapter follows on “Advice to Singers,” 
and the book then concludes with a recapitulation of 
the views of various authors as to the musical instru- 
ment which the voice most closely resembles. 
B. Moore. 
OUR BOOK SHELF. 
The Principles of Simple Photography. By F. W. 
Sparrow, R.N. Pp. 130. (London: Hazell, Watson 
and Viney, Ltd., 1902.) Price Is. net. 
THERE are now so many guides for beginners in photo- 
graphy that the first question with regard to a new one 
is as to the reason for its production. It is fitting that 
the author, who dates from H.M.S. Royal Oak, Medi- 
terranean, should give a chapter on shipboard photo- 
graphy and hints for work abroad. This is evidently a 
description of the results of experience, and as such is a 
valuable record. It is, however, rather straining matters 
to suggest that differences of exposures of s7x, or even 
twenty, per cent. would make an appreciable difference 
in the result, even if it were possible to obtain plates of 
a uniformity of sensitiveness that would render such 
variations possible. The desirability of carrying plates 
rather than films is insisted on “for several reasons” ; 
they can be obtained at almost any port of call, and on 
the whole are more trustworthy and more easy to work. 
The methods of extemporising a dark room on board 
ship are clearly described, and the apparatus in general 
and water supply are practically considered. 
The other part of the book deals with apparatus, 
NOs I712, VCL. 66] 
NATURE 
389 
plates, exposure, development, printing, picture com- 
position, &c., in very much the old-fashioned way. For 
development, pyro. and ammonia are prescribed, and the 
operation is either “normal,” that is, rapid and risky, 
or ‘‘tentative,” that is, slow, with the gradual addition of 
the accelerator. So long as the author follows the usual 
lines his information is trustworthy and useful, if not quite 
up to date ; but when he departs therefrom he is not always 
a safe guide. The idea that “the perspective of a picture 
depends entirely on the focal length of the lens” is 
erroneous, though perhaps not original. There is con- 
fusion in the statement that a “very high tower with 
parallel sides” will show a convergence towards the top. 
We do not remember any guide to photography before 
this which states that the diaphragm cuts off the light 
that passes through the circumferential portions of the 
lens and thus gives the equivalent of a lens of smaller 
diameter ; or that ‘‘ chemical fog ” (produced by unwise 
development) may be removed by an acidified alum 
clearing bath; that in fixing “the emulsion is eaten 
away from . the plate”; that a perfectly trust- 
worthy method of intensification still remains to be 
discovered ; that when varnishing, if the negative is 
made too warm the film will melt; that in modern 
printing out papers “the emulsion is composed of nitrate 
of silver—replaced by a chloride in toning—which is 
borne on a gelatine solution : hence the term gelatino- 
chloride paper” ; that in many cases “hypo. is used to 
bleach the pulp” of which paper and mounting boards 
are made. Blemishes such as these enforce the opinion 
that, although this is one of the newest elementary 
guides for beginners in photography, it is not one of 
the best. é 
Philosophy of Conduct. By G. T. Ladd. Pp. xxii + 663 
(London : Longmans, Green and Co., 1902.) Price 21s. 
Pror. LAppb’s remarkable industry is once more evinced 
by this bulky and comprehensive work on ethics. The 
general standpoint adopted, which will be already familiar 
to readers of other books by the same author, is that of 
idealist philosophy tempered by a strong interest in the 
facts and methods of psychology and anthropology. 
Prof. Ladd’s latest work, while presenting a fairly com- 
plete survey of the facts of morality from this point of 
view, can hardly be said to add anything fresh to our 
comprehension of the theoretical and practical problems 
raised by the moral life. The author’s arrangement of 
the subject-matter is perhaps adapted to be of service to 
students beginning a course in moral philosophy, though 
the connection he seeks to establish for it with the 
fundamental factors in psychological analysis seems 
forced. He treats first of the psychology of the moral 
life, the nature of the feelings of obligation and appro- 
bation, the origin and meaning of moral personality and 
moral freedom; next of the different types of action 
esteemed as virtuous or right by the moral judgment ; 
and finally of the metaphysical implications of ethics 
and religion as held by believers in a personal absolute 
being. His treatment of the psychology of ethics, 
though largely acceptable to thinkers of all schools, 
suffers from a certain want of thoroughness and tendency 
to dogmatise. This is partly due to his habit of pre- 
supposing the results of his previous works on psycho- 
logy. Now this would be a defensible plan of procedure 
if systematically followed, but it is at least tantalising to 
be offered lengthy disquisitions upon such all-important 
topics as moral freedom and personality, in which all the 
crucial positions are simply taken for granted. Prof. 
Ladd should either have dispensed with discussion at 
all or have made his discussions more thorough. Inci- 
dentally I may remark that the professor shows some 
acrimony in his treatment of opponents, frequently hint- 
ing that their opinions on the ps:chology and meta- 
physics of ethics are morally “dangerous,” and now and 
then descending to the calling of names. There isa 
