LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. 
157 
the Earth, on a Theory of Combination. Illustrated with numerous Wood-cuts, 
&c. By Charles Clay, M.R.C.S.E., Ashton-under-Lyne. London : II. John¬ 
son ; Bands and Co ., Manchester; Davis, Stalybridge. 1889. 8vo. pp. 150. 
The first part of the book contains a geological sketch of the parish of Ashton- 
under-Lyne, with some account of the fossil remains discovered in that district, 
written in a popular manner, and illustrated with wood-cuts, so as to be 
intelligible to all classes of readers. 
The second part is occupied by a theory, partially new, of the earth’s original 
formation. We agree with our author in thinking that the publication of 
even erroneous theories may be productive of benefit; for though they may at 
the outset perplex the student, yet the various differences in the systems of 
geological writers will soon teach him that he must observe and reflect for 
himself, and that he cannot hope for success by attaching himself blindly to any 
one master. 
Mr. Clay appears to be an apologist for Scriptural Geology, which the Rev. 
Professor Powell believes—in accordance also with our own views—to be as 
preposterous in principle as Statutable Geometry. Our author has approached 
his subject with a prejudiced mind, and employs much ingenious sophistry in 
defence of the first chapter of Genesis. To prove that the word “day” in that 
particular chapter is used in a figurative sense, he quotes several passages of the 
Bible where it is evidently and undoubtedly so employed. Now the same word 
is in many languages still often employed figuratively; but we fail to perceive in 
this fact proof that such is always the sense in which it occurs. 
Where an author sets out by showing himself incapable of comprehending, or 
unwilling in any particular case to apply, the most ordinary principles of Logic, 
argument must with him be premature; and, seeing that the readers of The 
Naturalist are already in possession of our views on the subject, it will be 
unnecessary at present to renew the discussion. 
The volume is concluded by various short notices unconnected with any 
particular locality. 
LITERARY INTELLIGENCE. 
Just published, “ First Lmes of Education : a Course of Lectures delivered to 
the Literary and Scientific Institution, Worcester, in the Spring Session of 1839, 
by Edward Astbury Turley, Surgeon, &c. &c.” This excellent volume is based 
on phrenological principles, and well deserves attention at the present time ; but 
