18 
REVIEWS. 
Geology: its Facts and Fictions; or the Modem Theories of Geology, 
contrasted with the Ancient Records of the Creation and the Deluge. 
By W. Elfe Taylor. Houlston and Stoneman, Paternoster-row. 1855. 
This book does not properly come within our province as reviewers, since 
it deals rather with theological than geological questions. The author, by 
his own account, “ was recently led to institute an inquiry into the con¬ 
flicting claims of the Mosaic and geological records,” of which inquiry the 
present work contains the results. Into this inquiry it is not our intention 
to follow Mr. Taylor, because we do not consider him qualified by his 
knowledge as a geologist to even appreciate the weight of geological 
evidence; and we think it is to be regretted that one so badly prepared 
by previous study of geological facts should have ventured into print upon 
so delicate a subject. Mr. Taylor’s knowledge of geology, like his wood- 
cuts, is derived from other men’s books, and he has never prepared himself 
for his self-imposed task by personal observation in the field, nor does he 
appear to be acquainted with the branches of natural history, a knowledge 
of which is requisite in order to pronounce judgment on questions of 
geological science. We are not of those who consider there is any diffi¬ 
culty in reconciling the Mosaic and geological accounts of the creation of 
the world, and cannot, therefore, recommend to our readers what we con¬ 
sider to be a wrong-headed attempt to do so. Mr. Taylor’s book, how¬ 
ever, is not without its good points; his intentions are good; his paper 
and type, and his woodcuts—although not original—are, also, to be com¬ 
mended. 
Experiments on the Dyeing Properties of Lichens. By W. Lander 
Lyndsay, M.D., Assistant Physician, Crichton Royal Institution, Dum¬ 
fries. (From the “ Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal” for October, 
1854.) 
We have in this paper the tabulated results of between 500 and 600 
experiments, made two or three years ago, by Dr. Lyndsay, whose chief 
object in making them was to call attention to the fact, that we possess in 
our own islands lichens capable of furnishing dyes, nearly, if not quite, 
equal in beauty to orchal, cudbear, and litmus. 
This subject, says Dr. Lyndsay, is worthy of being followed out, by the 
manufacturer on the one hand and the chemist on the other. 
1st, on account of its scientific interest; 2nd, with a view of further 
