208 The Photophone . [April, 
aim of which is substantially to identify the functions of the 
two sexes, or if possible even to reverse them. 
Again, Science teaches us that the species is of more im- 
portance than the individual. She shows us that nature in 
seeking to advance the type sacrifices — if there is any truth 
in the do<5trine of natural selection — millions of its com- 
ponents. She bids us mark how animals of varied grades 
can throw off a mutilated limb to preserve the body to which 
it belongs. 
Yet our “ advanced thinkers” seem to hold that the rights 
and interests, even the whims of the individual, however 
temporary, transcend the claims of the community. Nay, 
a heterodox and anti-vivise<5tionist writer has even stated, as 
the characteristic of his school, that it considers the claims 
of the individual as paramount. 
We need scarcely seek for more instances to prove the 
position taken that certain scientific teachings do not accord 
with the principles of the “advanced” social thinkers. We 
see that just as in the old antagonism between Science and 
the Church there is here jealousy, a generally different point 
of view and specific dodtrines hard — even if possible — to re- 
concile. Why should this discord be unattended with re- 
sults similar to those recorded in the middle ages ? I do 
not mean to say that men of science are in any danger of the 
scaffold or the stake, though they may, as in Leipzig, be 
exposed to popular violence. Modern persecution has other 
methods of crushing its vidtims. 
III. THE PHOTOPHONE. 
By J. Munro, C.E. 
S HE last five years have given to the world three extra- 
ordinary inventions, the telephone, the phonograph, 
and the microphone. They are all concerned with 
sound, and are in reality aids to our powers of hearing. The 
telephone enables us to hear sounds, especially the human 
voice, at a great distance ; the phonograph permits us to 
record speech diredtly without the use of letters, and to re- 
produce the original words ; and by the microphone we can 
magnify minute sonorous tremors till they come within the 
range of our hearing. Moreover, they are not only allied in 
