1883.] Recent Literature. 861 
BREWER ON THE AMERICAN TROTTING-HORSE.’ — Professor 
Brewer treats of the American trotting-horse as a breed in pro- 
cess of formation. Prior to the present century it was the racer 
that was valued; the diaigh Boa was but a slave. Representa- 
tions of horses on Egyptian, Ninevite, Greek and Romar remains 
show no trotting-horses, and the forms of the animals prove that 
their racers could not compare in speed with modern ones. 
With the improvement of roads, more attention was given to 
the horse as a beast of draught, and various causes combined in 
. this country to bring about that love for a ques taa ki 
fashionable to drive one horse before a light carriage. This 
fashion was to a great extent created by the laws against racing 
that were enacted through the puritanic prejudices of the settlers. 
To trot one horse against time was not racing in a technical 
sense. Other causes were improvements in wagons and the in- 
vention of steel springs ; the possession of hickory to make light 
wagons of, and the.necessities of modern travel, 
merican trotting-horse is a cross between the English 
thoroughbred and the common stock of the country, which last 
is a mongrel derived from English, French, Dutch and even 
Swedish and Spanish sources. 
LECTURES TO THE EMPLOYEES OF THE BALTIMORE AND OHIO 
Raitway.? — These clearly-written lectures may be read with 
profit by many others besides those for whom they were specially 
prepared, and among whom, through M. Garrett, the president of 
the road, the printed copies are distributed gratis. In the first, 
“ How Skulls and Backbones are built,” Dr. H. N. Martin ae 
in review the principal nevi o. the protective use 
the vertebrate skeleton; in “ How we Move,” Dr. Sewall explains 
in easy English the kia 1 of nerve aad muscle; ; “ Fermentation” 
is the subject of Dr. Sedgwick; and Dr. Brooks treats of the 
locomotive methods of some invertebrate anim 
Lectures such as these, on scientific Subjects o or on art or his- 
tory, themselves part of social science, would do more, in able 
hands, to close saloons and put down the coarser forms of vice 
than all the repressive measures that can be enacted. What all 
men (and women) need is recreation, and in some shape or other 
Pail will get it. Whoever provides a recreation of higher grade 
that previously indulged in by the class it appeals to, isa 
ee of society. 
! The American hide Sotho Why he is er What he By Professor W. H 
Brewer. Ex. from the re eport gone oree f Agricult stats Also The Erika 
of the American Prottinig Bine er, Jour. “Sci. April, 1883. 
i ? Lectures delivered ah hes Maciek 2 a Baltimore and Ohio Ra mem, by Pro- 
essor H. N. MarTIn and Drs. H. SEWALL, W. T. SEDGWICK and W, K. BROOKS, 
of the Johns Hopkins T mi Baltimore, 1882. 
