Carpenter^ s Principles of Physiology, VI 
ciples of inductive philosophy which have been and still are too 
much neglected by physiologists. All classes of living beings are 
regarded by him as of equal importance in a scientific view, as fur- 
nishing instancesy by the collection and comparison of which general 
laws may be established. It is thus perceived that what is obscure 
in one is frequently evident in another ; that the life of the simple 
zoophyte may elucidate, if properly observed, the varied phaeno- 
mena presented by man ; and that the functions of the humblest 
plant may be traced as fundamentally the same, though gradually 
becoming more complex, in the ascending scale of the animal as 
well as of the vegetable creation. Such a work, we cannot but 
hope, may contribute to excite and facilitate the study of physiology 
amongst those who make science their pursuit. We need hardly 
point out, that the connexion between these diflferent branches of 
knowledge is daily being rendered more intimate, especially by the 
researches of the geologist and of the organic chemist ; the former 
of whom requires to know those general laws which govern the 
conformation and distribution of organized beings, while the latter 
seeks to elucidate the mysteries of \fital action, by ascertaining the 
extent to which the physical properties of matter are concerned in 
it. One of the most interesting examples of the value of such in- 
quiries which has recently come under our notice, is the discovery 
of M. Poisseuille, that viscid fluids may be propelled through ca- 
pillary tubes with much less effort than water or other liquids of 
aqueous consistence ; and that a solution of gum, gelatin, albumen, 
&c. will pass readily through tubes so small as to resist the passage 
of water, whatever may be the degree of force employed. 
A brief account of the contents of this treatise will serve to dis- 
play its scope and tendency. The author states himself to have 
been led to its production by having “ felt the want of a treatise 
which should give a comprehensive view of the science, embracing 
whatever general principles may be regarded as firmly established, 
and ^illustrating them as fully as could be done within moderate 
limits, yet without distracting the attention by profuseness of de- 
tail.” It commences with an introduction, which presents a ge- 
neral account of the peculiarities of organized bodies, the elementary 
structure of plants and animals, and an outline view of the chief 
natural groups of these kingdoms, intended to facilitate the com- 
prehension of the strictly physiological portion of the work. The 
first book is devoted to general physiology ; and here we are con- 
ducted through a profound but lucid investigation into the nature 
and causes of vital actions, which we particularly recommend to 
the attention of those who have been accustomed to refer to the 
“ vital principle” as an easy solvent for all difficulties. By com- 
paring the phsenomena of vital action with those of the inorganic 
world, the author shows that they are equally reducible to general 
laws which result from [the properties with which matter has been 
endowed by the Creator. Of these properties some manifest them- 
selves under the simple conditions which the ordinary changes in 
the inorganic world supply, and thus perform the actions termed 
