Analyses of Books. iog 
British ghost is evidently reviving ! Would that certain other 
features of bygone days, such as the absence of worry and a fair 
share of national prosperity, would follow his example. 
c u- V r ncestr y,°f Birds ” is a fair account of the development 
ot birds from reptiles, though containing little that is novel in 
tact or original in generalisation. It might, indeed, be asked 
whether the reptiles are “ at present a small and dying race ” ? 
The “ Clerk s Tale ” is an instance of life preserved by a hal- 
lucinatmn or an apparition, and contains due reference to the 
Psychical Research Society. 
The Mason College Magazine. Vol. I., No. g. December, 1883. 
Birmingham : Cornish Bros. 
We regret to find that the conductors of this interesting little 
magazine have found it advisable to reduce its yearly issues from 
nine to six. 
Prof. Poynting’s Address delivered at the Mason College takes 
up a note which we hear everywhere with satisfaction, but which, 
so far, leads to nothing. He justly likens the English system of 
teaching and examining “ to the charging of secondary batteries 
which only give back what was put into them, with some inevi- 
table loss of leakage. He thinks that in a true University 
training students should learn how to arrive at results by their 
own methods. This is what every man of sense, unless inte- 
rested in the present system, thinks and says. But we do not 
rise to the emergency, and once for all tear the examination 
system to pieces and trample it under foot. We allow it to go 
on, wasting public money and stereotyping our youth into °‘ene- 
ral incapacity. 
Some remarks on “ Duty ” are, with the exception of one 
sentence of three words, very appropriate. 
‘‘Chemistry in the West Indies ” is interesting, and might 
easily be rendered more so. It is to be hoped that the author 
will continue his contributions. 
In a discussion on “ Popular Narcotics” a medium view was 
adopted. They were pronounced not necessities, but at the 
same time not dangerous poisons. 
Another interesting debate is reported, on the proposition 
“That it is desirable to agitate against the tyranny of fashion.” 
The majority of votes was in the affirmative, though one of the 
speakers committed himself to the sentiment that it is “ well to 
agitate against everything ! ” 
