172 Analyses of Books. [March, 
The suggestions which the author throws out as to the pro 
gressive elevation of the human race are sound in principle. 
But are they likely to be carried into effedt ? Is not the consti- 
tution of modern society such that the survival of the fittest is 
not in any way the survival of the noblest ? The industrial, 
commercial organisation of the present is little, if any, more 
laudable and satisfactory than the military organisation of the 
past. 
The Symposium: Durban Institute Magazine. January, 1884. 
Durban (Natal): Davis and Sons. 
It is odd that this little miscellany should open with a ghost- 
story, — curious enough in its way, but one which thirty years ago 
would have been “ declined with thanks ” by any editor in the 
civilised world. 
“ Snake-Gossip,” by W. Y. Campbell, is an interesting paper. 
The author states that there are in Natal twenty species of vipers 
(venomous serpents ?), three of which are common to Europe, 
one to Australia, and the rest to Asia and Africa. Three of the 
species he describes particularly. The puff-adder, or Ibululu of 
the natives, seems to be identical with the Daboaia Russelli of 
India — a dangerous species. Contrary to the sweeping didtum 
of Charles Waterton, this species on the approach of man does 
not glide away, but holds his ground, and if trodden upon, or 
approached within a few inches, he bites. Old withered grass 
and stony places are his favourite habitat. The smaller puff- 
adder, or Inshlangwane, Echis carinata, is also found among 
tufts of dry grass and the roots of old hedges. The night-adder 
(Enshlangu) is identified by the author with Bungaris fasciatus 
of Fayrer. This serpent is of nodturnal habits, in shape like a 
“ three-square ” file, and is harmless if unmolested. 
The English Illustrated Magazine. London : Macmillan and 
Co. 
Among the articles in the issue before us is one on the Post- 
Office, which suggests to us two of the defedts which still linger 
in our otherwise admirable postal-system. Why should monthly 
and quarterly journals not enjoy the same privileges as news- 
papers, instead of, as at present, being charged with a postage 
