1 88 1 .] Analyses of Books . 677 
of the author’s own observations — his personal evidence. Some 
of the phenomena described are exceedingly remarkable, and the 
explanations proposed by physiologists utterly fail. We com- 
mend this portion especially to the attention of our readers. It 
is interesting to trace the opinions of a confirmed sceptic reluc- 
tantly, as it were, admitting first the facts, and then their 
explanation. On the other hand, it is difficult to conceive of 
such a man, in such a frame of mind, being imposed upon, either 
by his own feelings -which were working in the opposite direc- 
tion — or by jugglery. We regret that we are unable to devote 
more space to this interesting volume. 
Introductory Text-Book of Physical Geography. By the late 
David Page, LL.D., F.G.S. Tenth Edition, revised and 
enlarged by Charles Lapworth, F.G.S., &c. Edinburgh 
and London : W. Blackwood and Sons. 
We were of opinion that the term “ physical geography ” had 
been authoritatively condemned by “ South Kensington,” and its 
use interdicted for the future under appropriate penalties. We 
find, however, Dr. Page and his successor and editor still de- 
clining to lay it aside in favour of the fire-new word “ physio- 
graphy.” As we have often had occasion to remark, when a 
work has passed through many editions the critic finds much of 
his task done to his hand. The author’s definition of physical 
geography, as distinct from descriptive or general geography, is 
very satisfactory. These two phases of earth-lore have, however, 
much in common. Both require, as their starting-point, the 
notion of “ quarters of the globe,” which in political geography 
works — in England at least — so much mischief. It is not too 
much to say that the unity of the British empire would have been 
much more assured, and the resources of the colonies better de- 
veloped, if the latter were described immediately after the home 
kingdoms, instead of being slightly glanced at in different parts 
of the text-books. 
To return from this digression, we find, as the principal 
features of the edition before us, a summary of the main results 
of the Challenger Expedition, an account of British storms, a 
description of the biological regions of the earth, and a short 
sketch of Prof. Huxley’s arrangement of the human races. Of 
this added matter the last-mentioned, or ethnological portion, is 
perhaps the least satisfactory. Thus the “ Caucasian ” race of 
Blumenbach is an ill-assorted group as confounding together the 
two very distinct and antipathetic groups of nations, the Aryan 
or Indo-germanic and the Semitic or Aramean. We must demur 
