590 Scientific Intelligence. 



(S. Hirzel). — The author describes in detail a self-recording 

 anemometer which he designed especially for the study of verti- 

 cal currents of air. This instrument, in conjunction with a 

 Bestelmeyer variometer, was used throughout three free-balloon 

 trips and the assemblage of apparatus gave very satisfactory 

 results. h. s. u. 



9. The Teaching of Physics for Purposes of General Edu- 

 cation ; by C. Riborg Mann. Pp. xxv, 304. New York, 1912 

 (The Macmillan Co.). — One of the liveliest themes of present 

 educational discussion is that of the distinction between voca- 

 tional and cultural work. This volume is the expression of an 

 effort to show how, in the case of physics, the two points of view 

 may be amalgamated into one. The subject-matter is divided 

 into three parts. In the first part the development of the present 

 situation is traced. The second deals with the origin of physics, 

 and the attempt is made to establish the leading characteristics 

 of this branch of science and to define its possibilities as a means 

 of general education. In the third part the purpose of physics 

 teaching is stated, and suggestions are made as to how this 

 object may be attained. The index is immediately preceded by 

 an alphabetical bibliography of the more important and easily 

 accessible journal articles which have appeared during the last six 

 or seven years and which are not mentioned in the main body of 

 the book. The volume is of such pedagogical importance that it 

 should, at least, be consulted by every conscientious teacher of 

 the subject. h. s. it. 



10. Tiber Zerfallprozesse in der Natur ; by C. Engler. Pp. 33. 

 Leipzig, 1911 (S. Hirzel). — This pamphlet is a revised account of 

 an address made by the author on September 25, 1911 before the 

 83d convention of German scientists and physicians held in 

 Karlsruhe. The conclusion finally reached is that, in all proba- 

 bility, the persistence of solar radiation, and therefore the exist- 

 ence and maintenance of all terrestrial life, is made possible by 

 the disintegration of an " endothermic substance " in the sun and 

 not to exothermic processes of combination, as was formerly 

 supposed. h. s. u. 



II. Geology. 



1. The Evolution of the Vertebrates and their Kin; by 

 William Patten. Pp. xxi, 1-486, with 309 illustrations. Phil- 

 adelphia, 1912 (P. Blakiston's Son & Co.). — In this work Pro- 

 fessor Patten sets forth most exhaustively his theory that the 

 vertebrates arose from arachnid-like arthropods, basing his evi- 

 dence upon comparative physiology, anatomy, embryology and 

 paleontology. The essential features of the better known anne- 

 lid theory are included in the arachnid theory, because both 

 arachnids and annelids agree in the fundamental nature of their 

 metameric structure, but, as Patten says, " when standing alone, 

 the annelid theory ceases to be of value as a working hypothe- 



