Reviews and Notices of Books. 129 
meridian of the earth (Proceedings of the Royal Society, x. 648). 
In the present work, the author has arrived at a different conclu~ 
sion—namely, that the explanation is geological rather than 
geographical ; that the phenomena are due, not to change of the 
outer form of the earth in the neighbourhood of the arc, but to 
a peculiarity in its interior structure; that Kaliana is not re- 
quired to be 7000 feet nearer the centre than it would be in the 
mean ellipse, but that the density of the crust of the earth near 
the middle of the arc is very wide of the mean density. 
This is one of the problems worked out in the clear, concise, 
and comprehensive treatise before us. The basis of the reasoning 
employed in the work is Laplace’s analysis, The author deduces 
the principal properties of Laplace’s functions in a highly satis- 
factory manner. He then proceeds to apply them to attractions 
generally, and concludes with the application of the whole to the 
determination of the figure of the earth. The last division of the 
subject he treats in three chapters. In the first he deduces the 
figure of the earth, considered as a fluid mass; in the second, he 
deduces it on the sole hypothesis of the surface being a surface of 
equilibrium, and nearly spherical; and, in the third, he discusses 
the results of geodetic operations, especially those carried on in 
India. The author has endeavoured to grapple with every dif_i- 
culty connected with the subject. For example, he examines the 
argument adduced by Mr Hopkins, to prove from precession that 
the crust of the earth is not a mere skin, like the rind of an orange, 
covering up a fluid mass, but is at least 1000 miles thick. To 
this conclusion he gives his assent. 
If anything can add to the pleasure with which we welcome 
this little volume, it is the fact that the author dates his preface 
“Calcutta, 1861,” thereby assuring us that it has been written in 
the midst of his labours in that higher field which Archdeacon 
Pratt has so long and so usefully occupied. 
The Past and Present Life of the Globe, being a Sketch of 
the World’s Life System. By Davip Pacs, F.G.S. Black- 
wood & Sons. 1861. 
The discussions which have lately been raised by Darwin’s 
*‘ Origin of Species,” and the discovery of implements of human 
manufacture in the Post Tertiary Drift, from their peculiar bear- 
ing on the origin of our own race, have enlisted the sympathies of 
many who otherwise take little interest in natural history science. 
To such recruits the above little work will be of great value, as 
by its perusal they can master sufficiently well for this purpose 
the leading principles of the complicated and all-embracing science 
NEW SERIES.—VOL. XIV. No. 1.—suLy 1861. R 
