1885. J 
Analyses of Books. 105 
now why may not these be only two other forms of watery 
matter ? It is possible that they may each contain exactly the 
same constituents as water, but have different properties because 
they contain the watery constituents in widely different propor- 
tions.” And the treatise concludes with the words — “ Until we 
know moie it is well to contemplate the possibility of water 
being the only simple in the world, and the original matter of 
the universe.” 
\ et the author, in the passage quoted above, speaks of water 
as having “ constituents,” — identical with those of oxvgen and 
hydrogen, but in different proportions. In a further passage he 
supposes that “ water is formed of some vapour and some ab- 
sorbing solid ” — and yet simple ! Here, then, oxygen and 
hydrogen are set aside in favour of two hypothetical bodies as 
unseen and unproducible as the andronie and thelyke of 
Winterl. 
Water has been subjected to innumerable experiments, but 
nothing save oxygen and hydrogen has ever been obtained from 
it. Hence we may well question the wisdom of “ blundering 
on ” in this direction. By whatever process we decompose 
water the results are qualitatively and quantitatively the same : 
hydrogen and oxygen, free or in combination, are produced ; and 
from such hydrogen and oxygen, in the same proportions, water 
is again obtained. If we set aside this double evidence we rejeCt 
analysis and synthesis as means for ascertaining the composition 
ot any substance. Thus it might be asked, Why may not 
potassium and oxygen be merely other forms of potassic matter ? 
Why may not mercury and oxygen be merely other forms of 
mercuric oxide matter ? In short, we pronounce experimental 
inquiry a sheer impertinence. 
The author’s further reasonings contain much in which we 
can find nothing definite and tangible. If he is ever able to 
produce any experimental fa <51 proving the origin from pure water 
of anything save oxygen and hydrogen, he may rely upon our 
respectful attention. 
First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary 
of the Smithsonian Institution, 1879-80. ByJ. W. Powell, 
Director. Wasington : Government Printing Office. 
The interest taken in ethnology in the United States is a healthy 
feature. Here is a subject totally unconnected with money- 
making, and pursued, if at all, from the pure love of truth. The 
goodly volume before us contains, in addition to the Directors’ 
VOL. VII. (THIRD SERIES). 
K 
