416 
Notices of Books . 
[July, 
As the very existence of the press depends on popularity this is 
inevitable, but it none the less throws a great reponsibility on 
those who possess this popularity if they mislead public opinion 
by inaccuracy or suppression of facts. 
In his article on “ Fallacies of Testimony ” Dr. Carpenter, 
quoting Schiller, says, that the “real philosopher” is distinguished 
from the “ trader in knowledge ” by his always loving truth 
better than his system. If our readers will carefully weigh the 
facfts now laid before them, they will be able to decide how far 
Dr. Carpenter himself belongs to the first or to the second of 
these categories. 
Alfred R. Wallace. 
Text-Book of Structural and Physiological Botany. By Otto 
W. Thome. Translated and Edited by Alfred W. Bennett, 
F.L.S. London: Longmans and Co. 
We have here a translation of a German work which has found 
great approbation in its own country, and will probably expe- 
rience an equally favourable reception in England. It embraces 
the whole range of elementary botany, and will prove a safe and 
convenient guide for the student in the earlier part of his career. 
The Editor, however, very judiciously reminds his readers that in 
Natural Science “ the greater and the most useful part of the 
student’s knowledge must always be acquired in the field, or with 
the dissecting knife in hand,” the use of text-books being merely 
to put him in the right track for personal research, and to save 
him from the necessity of re-discovering what others have already 
“ You on your part shall undertake that during the period of the sittings, 
and for one week afterwards, you will neither take, nor cause to be taken, nor 
countenance legal proceedings against him or me. 
“ That if in the end you are satisfied that the slate-writing is produced 
otherwise than by trickery, you shall abstain altogether from further proceed- 
ings against us, and suffer us to remain in England, if we choose to do so, 
unmolested by you. 
“ If, on the other hand, you are not satisfied, you shall be at liberty to pro- 
ceed against us, after the expiration of one week from the conclusion of the 
six or more experiments, if we are still in England. You will observe that 
Slade is willing to go to you without witnesses of his own, and to trust entirely 
to your honour and good faith. 
“ Conscious of his own innocence, he has no malice against you for the past. 
He believes that you were very naturally deceived by appearances, which, to 
one who had not previously verified the phenomena under more satisfa&ory 
conditions, may well have seemed suspicious. 
“ Should we not hear from you within ten days from this date, Slade will 
conclude that you have declined his offer. 
“ I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, 
37, Spui-straat, The Hague, May 7th 1877. 
“ J. Simmons.” 
