526 Scientific Intelligence. 



all the diverse forms of stimulus that impinge upon them."' " A 

 single molecular derangement may thus find manifestations as 

 change of form, alteration of electrical condition, and subjective 

 sensory, variation." 



The author has covered a large range of experimental observa- 

 tions to show that those properties (physiological responses), gen- 

 erally regarded as distinguishing living matter, are capable of 

 analysis into physico-chemical processes. Some of the illustra- 

 tions, as for example the electromotive response of many plants 

 or the responses of metals to diverse influences, are well recog- 

 nized. Where the author attempts, however, to remove the dis- 

 tinction commonly assumed to exist between sensitive and non- 

 sensitive parts by a demonstration of responsive movements, he 

 enters a distinctly controversial field. Thus it is somewhat start- 

 ling to find the distinction between motile and non-motile tissues 

 completely rejected and replaced hy records of the contractile 

 response of animal nerves, analogous to those of muscle. Plant 

 tissues are similarly conceived to be capable of universal' mechani- 

 cal response. New experimental methods are described for the 

 study of such anomalous experiences. A critique of this effort to 

 find " an underlying unity in apparent diversity " must be left to 

 others. l. b. m. 



II. Geology. 



]. New Zealand Geological Survey, J. M. Bell, Director. 

 Bulletin No. 4 (New Series). The Geology of the Coromandel 

 Subdivision, Uauraki, Auckland ; by Colin Fraser assisted by 

 James Henrf Adams. Pp. 148, 32 plates, 11 maps, and 2 sec- 

 tions. Wellington, 1907. — The geological formations of the 

 Coromandel district consist of two series of pre-Triassic rocks, 

 the first, — Tokatea Hill, — made of argillites, grauwackes and inter- 

 stratified basic and acidic lavas; the second, — Moehau, — of thin- 

 bedded argillites without volcanic rocks. The Manaia Hill series, 

 consisting of conglomerates, argillites, etc., has been assigned 

 to the Jurassic period. The three series mentioned constitute a 

 folded complex on which rest conglomerates, sandstones, and 

 coal-bearing shales, followed by marls and limestones constitu- 

 ting the Torehine series, presumably of lower Eocene age. Dur- 

 ing Tertiary times lavas of different types were extruded. 

 Detailed descriptions of the rocks of these different formations 

 are given, accompanied by micro-photographs and analyses. 



A chapter is devoted to the physical geography of the district 

 and considerable information given regarding the fauna, flora, 

 conditions of settlement, etc. 



Mineral veins are treated in a separate chapter, in which is 

 included an account of the history of mining in the region. 



The abundant illustrations are fully up to the high standard of 

 the previous bulletins. h. e. g. 



