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Notices of Books . 
[January, 
The Solution of the Most Important hitherto Unsolved Problems 
in Nature .* By J. F. Lochner. Coin and Leipsig : E. H. 
Mayer. 
Germany, fruitful as she is in sound scientific research, is not 
very rich in scientific heresies : she produces few attempts to 
set aside at a stroke the labours of our most illustrious philoso- 
phers, and to solve questions which they have found too difficult. 
She has, we believe, no “ Zetetic Astronomy.” no “ Trinology,” 
no “ Origin of Creation.” Some persons may ascribe the ab- 
sence of such intellectual vagaries to a want of independent 
thought and a tendency to accept existing systems without chal- 
lenge. We should rather seek for an explanation in the circum- 
stance that in Germany public opinion does not encourage a man 
in coming forward to enlighten the world on any matter without 
having made it the subjeCf of his thorough and especial study. 
The work before us seems an exception. The author appears 
equally able to deal with unsolved problems in astronomy, phy- 
sics, chemistry, biology, or geology. As a specimen of Herr 
Lochner’s method we will take his reply to the question why the 
surface of our globe “ consists of one-quarter land and nearly 
three-quarters water, while the inverse proportion would be cer- 
tainly more suitable ?” 
To the common view that this excess of water is required to 
supply sufficient moisture for the support of the vegetable world, 
he objects that of the ascending vapours about two-thirds must 
fall back uselessly into the sea from which they have arisen. 
He further contends that “ there are districts where it rains very 
seldom or not at all, and where everything yet flourishes. Here 
the vapours fall down in the night as a strong dew.” But does 
not the author see that an abundant supply of vapour is equally 
needed whether the earth is to be watered by rain, dew, or by 
rivers ? His view as to the use of the ocean is that it constitutes 
a kind of reserve, from which, when the human race becomes 
more numerous, and when even “ this great America ” is over- 
peopled, new islands and even new continents will rise up. 
Now, that islands have risen up and that continents have become 
extended appears to be beyond dispute ; but unfortunately is- 
lands, and even continents, are considered, on equally good 
evidence, to have disappeared. What is worst of all, the lands 
that have been thus lost would seem to have been much more 
valuable and better adapted for the habitation of man than those 
which have been elevated in their stead. Thus Siberia is doubt- 
less a wretched compensation for the continent that is supposed 
to have extended eastwards from Australia. Whether the rela- 
tive proportions of land and water remain unaltered, or whether 
* Die Losung der wichtigsten bis jetzt noch unerklarten Probleme in der 
Natur. 
