172 Reviews—Maurys Physical Geography for Schools. 
shell ‘by the ejection of a fluid into the siphuncle or pipe which 
passes through the chambers,—a few drops suffice to sink animal 
and shell, and vice versa.’ The siphuncle has no connection with the 
air-chambers (which are only the earlier tenements grown too small 
for the animal) ; its real function is to keep the shell alive, no part 
of an animal being dead while the animal is in a healthy state. 
We mention these points to show that no book of the kind, how- 
ever well ‘got up,’ will bear the test ’of time sufficiently well to 
dispense with re-editing. We hope Mr. Damon’s Guide-book may 
be only one of many more that will be written to illustrate the 
Natural History, and especially the Geology, of our coasts. 
PuysIcAL GEOGRAPHY FOR SCHOOLS AND GENERAL Reapers. By 
M. F. Maury, LL.D., &c. London: Lonemans, 1864. 8vo. 
pp- 141. 
rHYHEIS little work is rather intended for schools and young people 
than as an original contribution to science. It places some of 
the peculiar views of the author in a pleasing and prominent light; 
but it is rather desultory, and far from complete. It has an admir- 
able chart of the principal marine currents, including a few other 
physical phenomena, and a second as a frontispiece, whose utility to 
the general reader is less clear, although it no doubt represents to 
the eye the result of a large number of observations. 
In a science like Physical Geography there is much to be taught, 
and there are many departments, each possessed of its own special 
interest and importance. ‘To the geologist almost every department 
is necessary; but looking at the book before us as geologists, we do 
not find that it affords much direct help. Of the mountain-systems, 
their influence, history, and relative value, there is hardly anything 
said; and of river-basins, not much more. Of volcanos and earth- 
quakes there is absolutely nothing. Hydrography and certain de- 
partments of Meteorology are alone discussed. 
Still the book is not without claims to attention in this place. ‘The 
great problems of climate must ever possess deep interest for the 
geologist, for on them must ultimately depend the question as to how 
far the various conditions of the earth indicated by fossil remains are 
capable of being produced without any violent or complete change 
in the physical conditions of the earth as a planet. So vast and 
complete are the differences that now exist between the animal and 
vegetable inhabitants of places in similar latitudes—so varied are 
the conditions of climate where the mean quantity of sun-light and 
sun-heat ought to be identical—that every fact with regard to the 
modification and destruction of races cannot fail to possess deep 
interest; and we know that change of climatal condition and change 
of inhabitants are matters that always go together. 
Capt. Maury or Dr. Maury—we hardly know in what capacity 
to speak of him—has done so much good work in teaching navigators 
how best to direct their ships in crossing the Atlantic, that his 
account of the vibrations of the principal belts of prevalent winds 
