REVIEWS. 
355 
the work is to reconcile science and Scripture; and it is written for the sake 
of the true lovers of science 1 and other truth-loving men, who are in danger 
of being beguiled by the sophisms of an imperfect science.’ And the author 
decides that physical science is the sister and handmaid of Revelation : that 
no lasting- antagonism can exist between them, nor will man lastingly receive 
a religion that requires antagonism. He considers that science has not yet 
advanced far enough to establish perfect accord with revelation, but is 
tending thither ; and when attained, the generalizations of science will no 
longer be doubtful but assured. His aim is to promote that agreement by 
showing the correspondence between truly scientific conclusions and Holy 
Writ ; by exposing hasty generalizations which appear contrary to revela- 
tion, by making it plain that science is knowledge as exact as is possible to 
finite wisdom, and that scientific truths like the spiritual have for ever 
been descending from heaven to man. The author notices that the most 
brilliant scientific work of late years has been amongst the 1 unseen,’ and 
that the connection of all visible things with the invisible is plain enough. 
The multitude of inexplicables, the impossibility of comprehending ultimates, 
and the fact that scientific orthodoxy becomes scientific heresy with the pro- 
gress of induction and observation, together with the vast unknown, all tend 
not only to make the true student of science humble, but also disposed to 
admit powers and energies environing everything and beyond the ken of 
nature. 
The book is full of most accurate scientific statement, and the amount of 
physical, biological, and astronomical learning displayed is very great. No 
uncharitable remarks deface the work, and it is written in a grand style 
which often rises to great eloquence. There is no other book of the kind, 
and it must be most valuable to the preacher who will condescend to instruct 
his hearers on something else than dogma, and to the conscientious theolo- 
gical student. 
LAND AND FRESHWATER SHELLS.* 
M R. RIMMER has published an excellent little treatise upon the Land 
and Freshwater Shells of the British Isles, and one which will, 
doubtless, be found exceedingly useful by many young students. He tells 
us in his preface that he has 1 followed the author of British Conchology in 
the method of arrangement, as well as in the nomenclature which he has 
adopted ;’ and on the same page he acknowledges his indebtedness to the 
author of that work, Dr. Gwyn Jeffreys, so that we can understand the close 
agreement, not only in arrangement and general treatment, but actually in 
the wording of the descriptive parts that prevails between the two books. 
However, the author could hardly have followed a better model, so that 
his readers have certainly no reason to complain. 
* The Land and Freshwater Shells of the British Isles. With Illustra- 
tions of all the Species. By Richard Rimmer, F.L.S. 8vo. London: 
D. Bogue, 1880. 
