REVIEWS. 
509 
be as cool as the earth, that its particles may be charged with a “ subtle 
force somewhat similar to electricity,” which produces heat and light 
only when entering an atmosphere ; and that the rotation of the sun may 
“in some way ” cause the rotation of the various planets ; that the volcanic 
condition of the moon is caused by its long- continued exposure to the 
sun’s heat, a rather extraordinary assumption ; that the moon may attract 
the waters of the ocean or the atmosphere, and, then, by the “ subtle 
chemistry of nature,” form one for herself, from the materials thus pro- 
cured ; that a dense atmosphere might cause the smouldering volcanoes 
of the moon to “ burst out into fierce flames ;” that comets may be “ the 
agents for gathering up all those gases or used vapours which may be 
thrown off by the sun and planets,” and so on. The writer, again, con- 
founds magnetism and electricity, and thinks the Aurora may be caused 
by the escape of a superabundance of magnetism in the earth, and by 
the rapid passage through the atmosphere of the “ magnetic element,” a 
state of things not recognized by the science of the present day. It is 
attempted to be shown that the present condition of some of the planets 
may be similar to that of the earth in former geological periods. Thus 
he supposes Venus to be at present passing through a glacial epoch, 
although on the earth we find glaciers (and, therefore, icebergs) only in 
connection with- perpetual snow — and the conditions in Venus are against 
the probability of snow being there perpetual. We may remark, in passing, 
that the mammoth is described, perhaps to give a popular idea of it, as 
a “ gigantic bull we think it would have been equally popular, and at 
the same time more strictly scientific, to call it an elephant. 
We might allude to other instances of inaccuracy besides those already 
quoted, but enough has been said to show how necessary it is for scientific 
writers to be guarded in speaking of those branches with which they 
are imperfectly acquainted, and no man can be acquainted with every 
branch of knowledge. But it is far more difficult to eradicate an error 
than to inculcate a truth ; and it is of special importance in books 
intended for the young, that nothing should appear in them which is 
inconsistent with sound science. With these exceptions we can heartily 
commend Captain Drayson’s interesting little volume to our youthful 
readers. 
The last but by no means the least interesting astronomical treatise 
which we have to bring under the notice of our readers is — 
A Survey of the Astronomy of the Ancients. By Sir G. C. Lewis, Bart. 
Parker, Son, & Co. 
HIS book, as its title indicates, is of a totally different character 
to the preceding ones, dealing only with the ancient theories of 
the universe ; and there is one word broadly stamped upon its pages ; 
namely, “ care.” No statement is advanced, no theory confirmed or con- 
tradicted, before every authority has been carefully considered, and an 
unprejudiced judgment arrived at ; and we have seldom seen a treatise 
which bears the marks of such patient research as the one before us. 
