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Analyses of Books » 
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excluded, since we read of the temperature in winter seldom 
falling much below 32 0 F. 
The peninsular part of Florida was probably elevated above 
at the end of the Upper Eocene. During the Middle and Upper 
Tertiary epochs it is probable that Florida was much broader 
than at present, and that the western coast lay 100 — or in some 
places 150 — miles beyond its present position.” 
One of the most interesting geological features, from an eco- 
nomic point of view, is the plentiful occurrence of a soft lime- 
stone, which in some places contains as much as 16 per cent of 
phosphoric acid. 
The Higher Branch of Science or Materialism refuted by Facts. 
By H. J. Browne. A Paper read at the Hall of Science, 
Melbourne, Aug. 15th, 1884, which was written with the 
intention of being read at a meeting of the Royal Society of 
Victoria, but which was declined by the Council of that Con- 
servative Association. Melbourne : W. H. Terry. 
Mr. H. J. Browne is a man with a grievance. When his paper 
was declined he appears to have written to the President of the 
Royal Society requesting that his name might be erased from 
the list of members of the Royal Society, but being good enough 
to promise that “ when the Society becomes less illiberal and in- 
tolerant towards anything that does not accord with received 
theories, I may allow my name to be reinstated, and if so, I shall 
take an opportunity of bringing this episode under the notice of 
the Society.” 
Without any wish to hurt the author’s susceptibilities we must 
say that had he served on the Council of any scientific society he 
would have learnt that in discussing the suitability of any paper 
offered, two questions are raised: Is the subjedt suitable, and is 
it treated in a worthy manner ? Now, in criticising this paper 
the first question we ask is : where is the science ? Mere fadts, 
even if in quantity sufficient to form a shower-bath, do not con- 
stitute science. They require to be co-ordinated. Now, this 
task, so far as we can see, is not even attempted in the work 
before us. Fadls are referred to which it is by no means our 
purpose to call in question. There is abundance of reiterated 
complaint about the obstinate materialists who will not “ conde- 
scend ” to their investigation. The opinions of eminent men in 
favour of Spiritualism are quoted, and there is the banal enumer- 
ation of cases where truths now generally recognised have been 
received with ridicule, persecution, or negledt. But calm re- 
fledtion would tell the author that though truth has often been 
