132 REVIEWS. 
Earth Features and their Meaning. An Introduction to Geology for the 
Student and the General Reader. By William Herbert Hobbs. Cloth. 
Pp. Xxx1x-+506. Price $8 net. New York. The Macmillan Company. 
1912. 
This work is illustrated in a manner very suitable to the 
character of the production. There are 24 well chosen plates 
and 493 text figures the majority of which are pen sketches. 
The object of the book, as stated in the preface, is to furnish 
a comprehensive discussion of the ‘‘dominant characteristics of 
the different earth features and the geological processes which 
have been betrayed in the shaping of them,” presented in such a 
manner as to appeal to the student and the general reader. 
This object has been admirably attained. The theoretical dis- 
cussion in relation to earth history, earthquakes, volcanoes, 
weathering, erosion, and glaciation is excellent. The discussion 
on each of these subjects is very extensive, presenting in the 
majority of cases the latest accepted theories with the arguments 
by which the various conclusions were reached. At the close of 
each chapter are given numerous references which are in them- 
_ selves a great additional value to the book. However, in the dis- 
cussion of voleanoes are a few points which are open to criticism. 
A careful examination into the reference given on Taal Volcano 
will show that while quoting the Philippine Journal of 
Science, section A, volume 6, number 2, as a reference the author 
fails to use the information furnished, but nevertheless makes 
statements either absolutely erroneous or grossly exaggerated. 
The following errors on pages 120-121 are noted: Taal did not 
erupt from two vents simultaneously, and text-figure 116 erro- 
neously depicts such a condition. Taal is not 50 miles south of 
Manila but 37. Taal, instead of lying dormant for 150 years, as 
stated, has erupted twice during that time, in 1904 and in 1908. 
The remaining statements, of loss of life on the island, loss 
of life by poisonous gas, and by the great waves are much exag- 
gerated. Only 106 bodies were found on Taal Island. No eyi- 
dence of death by poisonous gas was discovered. These deaths 
were probably caused by suffocation and the breathing of steam. 
The wave mentioned in no case traveled a half mile. In one 
place it advanced about one-fourth of a mile and washed away 
a few poorly-built nipa shacks. Furthermore no mention is made 
of the most significant feature of the eruption as shown by Mr. 
Pratt; that is, that no freshly-formed ash or recently-molten 
rock was thrown out. 
Another point for criticism is in relation to Mayon Volcano, 
page 123. Mayon is discussed as a typical cinder cone. As 
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