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rOPULAK SCIENCE REVIEW. 
ponent, they all give a somewhat different account of the earth. In some 
the whole of creation was formed — with that which is now fossil and that 
which we see before us — in the six days. Others tell us that the days may be 
regarded as representing ages, differing of course in duration. A third will not 
recognise geology at all, but stick to the original. So it is with the Biblical 
authorities. Very few of those who differ from them take the least trouble in 
the matter. Nor can we see that they are wrong in so doing. It in no way 
affects Christianity what way we look at the commencement of the world in, 
and we can only hope that those who could well reply to works like the present 
will stay their hands, and not keep up the 11 shindy ” which the authors so 
much desire. We are speaking now of the class of works to which the 
present one belongs, and not of itself. In tone it is not ungenerous, while 
in style it is superior to the great mass of such works, and we doubt not the 
author is fully persuaded of the accuracy and intelligence with which he 
has laid down his views. We do not contradict him, but we think he 
would do better in any other line, and we recommend him to make the 
attempt. 
THE LABORATORY GUIDE.* 
W E need only shortly notice this, as it is a second edition of a work by a 
writer now well known to chemical readers. It is especially a work 
intended for agricultural students, and so we cannot criticise it as if it were 
intended for general readers. Were it otherwise, our comments would be more 
severe than they shall be. Intended as it is for agricultural people, it is 
not of so much consequence. It is a curious book, and we have been unable 
to follow it out. It seems to run through the subject differently to what 
other books do, and we find ourselves taken about by it from one point to 
another in a way that we don’t exactly understand. However this may do 
for the agricultural student, we ourselves don’t like it much, and we confess 
that we prefer the ordinary methods of teaching. With these faults the 
book is a good one, and shows that Professor Church is attentive to the 
changes in his science. 
SPON’S ENGINEER’S TABLES, f 
fPIIIS useful little book should have been noticed in an earlier number, 
J- but by some accident it was mislaid. A notice of it now will not, we 
hope, be unavailing, even though it is late. It is almost out of our power 
to givo a full account of the contents, for, though the book is of the smallest 
size, it contains a multitude of things, though very little of each. But 
when we state that it contains the following memoranda, we shall have done 
* u The Laboratory Guide ; a Manual of Practical Chemistry for Colleges 
and Schools, especially arranged for Agricultural Students.” By A. H. 
Church, M. A. ^nd edition. London: Van Voorst. 1870. 
t Spon’s “ Tables and Memoranda for Engineers,” selected and arranged 
by J. T. Hurst. London : E. & F. Spon, 18/0. 
