78 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Profitable and Ornamental Poidtry, by Hugh Piper. London : Groom- 
bridge, 1871. This is a very good book, and those who care for poultry will 
find it full of valuable information on the subject of the different breeds, 
and upon the rearing, fattening, laying, feeding, and general mode of keeping 
all kinds of fowl, from bantams to guinea-fowl, turkeys, ducks, and geese. 
There are several coloured plates, which are most creditable to the artist. 
Spiritualism and Animal Magnetism , by G. G. Zerffi, Ph.Dr. London : 
Hardwicke, 1871. While we heartily agree with the author in believing 
that spiritualism is a humbug which ought to be put down, we cannot 
accept his doctrine of electric action. It is all very well as an hypothesis, 
but there is not the shadow of a physiological or anatomical proof in its 
favour. His diagram in the commencement is not creditable. It is based 
upon a poor assumption. 
Description of an Electric Telegraph , by Sir Francis Ronalds, F.R.S. 2nd 
edition. Williams and Norgate, 1871. The author shows that so early as 
1816 he had anticipated many of the discoveries since made. It is very 
creditable to him that he should have been so early in the field, but it is a 
pity he did not carry on his researches more fully. 
The Discovery of the Nature of the Spleen — by Dr. H. R. Silvester. Lon- 
don : Churchill, 1870 — we think we have noticed before. The author tries 
to prove that the spleen is the left remnant of the liver. And, in fact, his 
diagram, which completes the intestine by making it come from both sides 
of the stomach, and one of the tubes end in the vermiform appendix, is 
very ingenious. We fear, however, that comparative anatomy is against 
the doctrine, which nevertheless deserves consideration. 
Darwinism — by Chauncev Wright. London: Murray, 1871 — is a very 
clever but short essay, attacking Mr. Mivart’s “ Genesis of Species.” We 
shall notice it more fully in a future number. 
Flint's Fancies and Facts — by Dr. Robinson. London : Longmans, 1871 
— is a pamphlet on a subject which the author sadly wants education in. 
Genesis and Geology — by the Rev. G. Henslow, M.A./F.L.S. — is, though 
short, a very masterly and readable sermon by a thoughtful student of 
development. 
Natural Disease. London : Longmans, 1871. This is a most thoughtful 
pamphlet on the subject of epidemic disease, and especially of small-pox. 
It will well repay perusal, and though it is anonymously, it is neverthe- 
less ably written. 
A Review of Mr. Darwin ' Theory of the Origin of Man — by James B, 
Hunter, M.D. New York : Appleton, 1871 — is a clever and thoughtful 
essay. 
Natural History Transactions of Northumberland and Durham. Vol. IY. 
Part I. Williams and Norgate, 1871. A most valuable work. As good as 
any preceding number. Full of valuable papers on zoology and palaeonto- 
logy, and illustrated by a series of most admirable plates. 
