Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 14.djvu/849

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notion is prevalent that life on shipboard is especially healthy, and the doctors are constantly sending patients to sea for the benefits they are there expected to obtain. That the belief is an error, and the practice a mistaken one, this pamphlet abundantly proves. Indeed, according to the statistics which the author gives, few unhealthier places can be found than one of our modern naval vessels when in active service. This appears to be due mainly to foul air and a superabundance of moisture, both of which, as the writer points out, can be easily avoided by the substitution of a few simple sanitary measures for the stupid routine that now commonly controls in the management of ships.

first of these pamphlets begins with an indictment of the present system of botanical classification, which the author regards as altogether out of harmony with the facts of organic evolution as developed during the last twenty years; and as requiring the introduction of certain important modifications, some of which he outlines. The second pamphlet is a discussion of the classification of the dicotyledons, from the same point of view, namely, that of the evolutionist.

is a technical description of several new species and one new genus of minute fresh-water crustaceans found by the author at different localities in this country. The water-flea (Daphnia) is a familiar example of the group.

have here a report of a Citizens' Committee on the nuisances of New York City, or rather on its "stench-factories"—slaughter-houses, fat-rendering establishments, etc.

is another attempt at establishing harmony between science and the Bible. The author looks on science and the Bible as "complementary revelations," though the latter he regards as of by far the greater importance. Still, he does not by any means require that science should surrender at discretion to its "superior." On the contrary, indeed, not a few of our author's propositions seem to us to imply that the whole body of "revealed truth" is subject to revision and correction by science. The orthodox reader will be shocked when he finds the harmonizer plainly declaring that "the study of mind is now a subject for the physiologist," and that "the soul is neither conscious nor immortal."

papers are reprinted from the "American Journal of Science." We gave an abstract of each of them on their appearance in our contemporary.

is an authority on the subject which he has treated in this too brief paper. It is reprinted from the reprint of the Secretary of the New Hampshire Board of Agriculture.

this paper are set forth many interesting biological facts relating to the gall-making Pemphiginæ. Such facts possess a peculiar importance just at present, on account of the close relationship between these insects and the Phylloxera of the grapevine.

painter and sculptor will find many a valuable hint in this unpretending little essay.