Marcu 14, 1884.] 
final paroxysm of upheaval set in, producing a 
further rise of from three thousand to four 
thousand feet. The faults, which are strictly 
correlated with the varying uplifts of the several 
minor plateaus, again increased their displace- 
ment; and at the same time, or shortly after- 
ward, the volcanic forces resumed their activity, 
producing cones of eruption which still display 
their characteristic form. These, and the 
lavas erupted from them, afford evidence, that, 
though the canon had at the time a considerable 
depth, the greater part of its excavation still 
remained to be affected by that last great effort 
of corrasive action which has only lately come 
to an end. 
It is believed that the elevation of the plateau 
region has now ceased, and that the rivers have 
again nearly reached a base level of erosion. 
Some, at least, of the faults cut the older ba- 
salts; but no evidence has been found, where 
the newer lavas cross them, of any renewed 
movement. The glacial period passed over 
this region without leaving any traces of ice- 
action, manifesting its occurrence merely as a 
pluyial episode, very brief in comparison with 
the stages of the great erosion, but of which 
some effects may nevertheless be traced. 
Such is a very brief and necessarily imperfect 
outline of the train of reasoning in which the 
author follows out:the exceptional processes 
which have acted in the Grand Canon district, 
and eventuated in producing its present remark- 
able features. Very few of the conclusions 
arrived at are open to any question; and, 
though it has been for so short a time known to 
science, it may be considered as one of the 
most fully thought out of geological problems. 
Among the collateral facts illustrated in this 
region are several, which, from their appar- 
ently anomalous character, are of special in- 
terest to the student of dynamical geology. 
Such is the want of coincidence between the 
great faults and points of volcanic eruption, 
the bending-down of the strata along the 
dropped sides of the faults, the connection of 
the latter with the peculiar monoclinal flexures, 
the not uncommon reversal in direction of 
throw in the opposite ends of a single fault, 
and the remarkable observation that the gen- 
eral light dip of the strata is increased notably 
at the bases of the terraces. The last-named 
circumstance the author is disposed to connect, 
though doubtfully, with the theory of plastic 
equilibrium in the earth’s crust, —a theory 
which we believe few geologists will be ready 
to follow so far. 
A notice'of this monograph would be incom- 
plete without special reference to the accom- 
SCIENCE. 33 1 
panying atlas, containing geological maps and 
panoramic views of the district. The latter, 
together with a number of illustrations in the 
volume itself, are from the pencil of Mr. W. 
H. Holmes, and convey a better idea of the 
proportions and intricacy of the physical fea- 
tures than could be accomplished by any word- 
painting, however elaborate. 
If the character of the critic must be main- 
tained in reviewing this work, which in its 
main features demands our praise alone, it 
may be suggested that the ‘ effusive’ style 
adopted in some of the chapters is scarcely in 
keeping with the incomparable dignity of the 
subject, and is not likely to appeal to the 
specialists for whom this class of publication 
is intended. 
THE BACILLUS OF BERIBERI. 
Etiologia e genesis do beriberi. Pelo Dr. J. B. DE 
LacerpDA. Rio de Janeiro, Faro & Lino, 1884- 
Gégoruillustr. 8°. 
Tuis pamphlet gives the results of a medico- 
biological study, carried on in the physiologi- 
cal laboratory of the National museum of Rio 
de Janeiro, on a very obscure disease, which, 
introduced many years ago in Brazil from 
India, carries off annually a large number of 
victims, particularly in the northern provinces 
of the empire. 
Employing the method of Pasteur, and in- 
troducing blood of beriberi patients in meat- 
solution, Dr. Lacerda obtained in numerous 
experiments a microphyte similar in form to 
the bacillus of carbuncle. This organism, 
which reproduces itself by segmentation and 
by spores, was also found in the fresh urine 
and blood of beriberi patients, the spores being 
at times extremely abundant in the blogd. On 
making subcutaneous injections of the liquid 
in which the organisms were cultivated, in rab- 
bits and guinea-pigs, these animals were found 
to succumb in periods of from five to twenty 
days, some of them presenting a true paralysis 
of the posterior members; others, a notable 
weakening of these members, with difficulty of 
locomotion, and loss of cutaneous sensibility. 
Death in many cases was caused by asphyxia, 
the paralysis having extended to the anterior 
members. The cultivated blood of these ani- 
mals reproduced the same microphytes that had 
been obtained from the blood of beriberi pa- 
tients. The microscopic examination of the 
spinal medulla and of the muscles revealed the 
presence of the microphyte and of its spores, 
their abundance in the Ne CaHe being especial- 
ly remarkable. 
