EE VIEWS. 
95 
ascertain the way in which water freezes. Having taken a glass jar and filled 
it with sea water, he placed a thermometer and specific-gravity bottle in it, 
and exposed the whole to an open temperature of 23° “ As the thermometer 
in the jar fell, the specific-gravity bottle rose higher and higher, showing that 
the water, as it cooled, was contracting and becoming heavier and heavier. 
This went on till the thermometer marked 27°. Then commenced the display 
of the most exquisitely beautiful phenomena : — The fascicles of ice first 
formed at the bottom of the jar, and as fast as they formed they ascended to 
the top Avith great rapidity ; in fact, it was a perfect snow-storm, only it was 
in miniature, and reversed.” We are surprised to hear Dr. Maury speak of 
the coral-polypites as insects : such a state [of zoological ignorance is hardly 
allowable now-a-days. 
An individual who Avrites under the nom de guerre of “A Student,” has inves- 
tigated the relations between the Biblical and Geological accounts of the earth’s 
history, and has arrived at certain pleasing conclusions. The author of the 
“ Physical History of the Earth ” was not only quite incompetent to under- 
take the task of wniting upon Geology, but does not possess the faculty of 
impartially investigating evidence in order to arrive at truth. He argues for 
a foregone conclusion, and does so in such an imperfect manner that even 
those who are biassed toward his vieAvs would be likely, on reading his essay 
carefully, to form very different opinions from those which “A Student” 
endeavours to inculcate. The author’s logic is only equalled by the utter 
insignificance of his production. 
THE UTILIZATION OF MINUTE LIFE.* 
S O much has been already Avritten upon the above subject, that Ave hardly 
thiuk there was any necessity for the publication of a new essay. Stdl, 
as Dr. Phipson has produced, all things considered, a very fair compilation, 
I and his publisher has turned out a nicely-printed and handsome volume, 
we welcome the new book to the field of popular science. On glancing at 
i the title, we expected to find the text devoted to the consideration of almost 
1 microscopic beings ; but we find that by the terms “ minute life,” the Avriter 
intended to convey “ invertebrate life for no rational being could think of 
I calling a lobster or a coral-bed an example of diminutive existence. The 
aim of the work before us is to give an outline sketch of the natural history 
of those invertebrate creatures whose labours form a part of our industrial 
i: resources ; and also to point out in what manner the population of various 
i countries utilize the products of the beings so described. In the latter part 
of his double task. Dr. Phipson has been successful, and has brought together 
in a readable form much that concerns the cultivation of oysters, coral, 
leeches, silk-Avorms, et hoc genus omne. But in regard to the natural history 
j of the various annuals which have come under his consideration. Iris efforts 
, have not been attended Avith such favourable results. To enter at lenofth 
I into this matter Avould occupy more space than we can command, so Ave shall 
“ Tire Utilization of Minute Life ; being Practical Studies on Insects, 
Crustacea, Mollusca, Worms, Polypes, Infusoria, and Sponges.” By Dr. T. L. 
Phipson, F.C.S., &c. Pp. 282. London : Groombridge & Co. 1864. 
