Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 38.djvu/724

724 or of masses of meteoric vapor produced by beat. The heat is brought about by the condensation of meteor-swarms due to gravity, the vapor being finally condensed into a solid globe. That the existing distinction between stars, comets, and nebulae rests on no physical basis; that stars, the temperatures of which are increasing, do not resemble the sun, but consist chiefly of discrete meteoric particles, just as comets do on Schiaparelli's hypothesis; and that the spectra of all cosmical bodies depend upon either the heat of the meteorites produced by collisions, and the average space between the meteorites in the swarm, or, in the case of swarms wholly volatilized, upon the loss by radiation since complete vaporization.

purpose of the author in these books, which constitute part of a series, is to show by examples taken from the negro peoples the subjects of them, how the evolution of religion may proceed. Four peoples have been had in view: the Tshi-speaking peoples of the Gold Coast; the Gaspeaking peoples of the Gold Coast; the Ewe-speaking peoples of the Slave Coast; and the Yoruba-speaking peoples of the Slave Coast. Their languages all belong to one family, indicating, apparently, that they have all sprung from a common stock. They occupy territories on the west coast of Africa contiguous in the order in which they are named, from west to east, and exhibit, on the whole, a gradual advance in civilization, in the same order. The author suggests that the differences in civilization may be due to differences in local conditions and surroundings and in the character of the country, which opens up from the forest regions of the west, where density of population is discouraged and communication is difficult, to the open plains of the Yoruba country. The religious beliefs of the Gaspeaking people resemble those of the Tshis, and are not considered for the present. Those of the Yorubas are reserved for a future volume. The best-known representatives of the Tshi-speaking tribes are perhaps the Fantis and Ashantis. Throughout the vast tract of forest inhabited by them, they live in insignificant villages and hamlets, built in small clearings in the forest, between which communication is kept up by narrow forest paths. Ideas permeate among them but slowly; and notwithstanding an intercourse on the part of the inhabitants of the sea-coast with Europeans, which has existed for more than four hundred years, they are much in the same social and moral condition as they were at the time of the Portuguese discoveries. The Ewespeaking peoples, among whom are the Dahomis, present the ordinary characteristics of the uncivilized negro. In early life they evince a degree of intelligence which, compared with that of the European child, appears precocious, and they acquire knowledge with facility till they arrive at the age of puberty, when the physical nature masters the intellect, and frequently deadens it. Like most inhabitants of the tropics, they have more spontaneity and less application, more intuition and less reasoning power, than the inhabitants of temperate climes. These traits, of both peoples, are ascribed partly to the climate, partly to physical peculiarities, and partly to the social condition and the general sense of insecurity. As a result of all the inimical influences, the energy of all has degenerated into idleness and sensual enjoyment, "and it will take centuries to raise them." Incidentally, in collecting information concerning the religion of these peoples, the author also gathered facts concerning other matters—their laws, government, various customs, proverbs, folk-lore, etc.—and these subjects are also presented, not as in a full record, but to fix a starting-point from which a systematic and more complete study may be made.

present "part" of the final report of the late Prof. Cook contains two papers: A Catalogue of Insects found in New Jersey, by John B. Smith; and a Descriptive Catalogue of Vertebrates, by Julius Nelson. Mr. Smith confesses to having had to encounter many difficulties in preparing his catalogue