I 885 .J 
359 
Analyses of Books. 
with hypermetropia, do not yield similar results, because the 
human pupil is too small, and because the bottom of the human 
eye has not so strongly reflecting a surface as that of most 
animals. A distinction was pointed outbetween fluorescent and 
phosphorescent light, — the former disappears as soon as the in- 
cident waves are cut oft, while the latter does not. 
Mr. G. K. Gilbert examines if the rivers of the northern hemi- 
sphere being by the rotation of the earth pressed against their 
right banks, and those of the southern hemisphere against their 
left banks, this pressure can appreciably modify the courses of 
rivers ? 
At the meeting on May 10, 1884, the question “ what is a 
glacier ? ” was discussed in the form of a symposium. It was not 
forgotten that hard and fast lines of demarcation do not prevail 
in nature, but rather gradations of character. 
At a meeting on May 24, Mr. H. H. Bates read a paper on the 
“ Physical Basis of Phenomena.” In summing up he declares 
that “ It is time to get back to Baconian ground, and while using 
for its legitimate purposes the magnificent modern machinery in 
the field of abstract continuity, — extension, motion, duration, — • 
not attempt to conjure with it as a source of objective revelation, 
which no mere machinery can be. A scaffold of n dimensions is 
as useless to the geometer as to the architect.” 
Mr. S. M. Burnett read a paper, entitled “ Are there Separ- 
ate Centres for Light-form and Colour Perception ? ” He 
answers this question in the negative, maintaining that there is 
no white-light sensation which can be revolved into its consti- 
tuent elements of colour sensation, and that the sense of form is 
an expression of the idea of extension as represented by the 
dimensions of the arc of the retina impressed. 
Mr. Washington Matthews sent in a paper bearing the very 
curious title of “ Natural Naturalists,” and bringing to light a 
very curious fact. The author finds that the aborigines of 
America acquire and disseminate information about creatures 
which they do not use. “ I have never failed,” says he, “ to get 
from an Indian a good and satisfactory name for any species of 
mammal, bird, or reptile inhabitating his country; and I have 
found their knowledge of plants equally comprehensive. The 
Indians are in this respect, as a class, “ incomparably superior 
to the average white man, or to the white man who has not 
made geology and botany a subject of study.” 
This evidence shows how much our powers of observation have 
been stunted by the exclusively, or at least mainly literary, 
character of our educational systems. From childhood our atten- 
tion is fixed upon words, written or spoken, and except among 
specialists inobservance has followed. 
