Brain-Rest. By J. Leonard Corning, M. D. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Pp. 103. Price, $1.
Dr. Corning's treatment of this important subject consists first of an examination of the nature and phenomena of sleep, and of the relation of the blood-supply to the activity of the brain. Then follow some practical directions in regard to sleeping, and a discussion of the nature of several varieties of insomnia. Finally, some methods of diminishing the cerebral circulation are described, one of them being the "carotid truss," an invention of the author's for lessening the supply of blood through the carotid arteries.
On the Conservation of Solar Energy. By C. William Siemens, F. R. S., D. C. L., etc. With Illustrations. London: Macmillan & Co. Pp. 111. Price, $1.75.
This volume contains Dr. Siemens's Royal Society paper on this subject, the substance of which is included in his article entitled "A New Theory of the Sun," published in the "Monthly" for June, 1882. Other papers are, letters by MM. Faye and Hirn, T. Sterry Hunt, C. A. Young, and others, criticising his theory, and Dr. Siemens's replies to the same. There is also a paper "On Electrical Discharges in Vacuum-Tubes, and their Relation to Solar Physics," being an extract from a presidential address by the author before the British Association. The appendix comprises a paper entitled "On the Electric Furnace," by C. William Siemens and A. K. Huntington; one on "Sunlight and Skylight at High Altitudes," by Captain Abney; "Remarks of Professor Langley on Ceptain Abney's Paper"; and "Dissociation of Attenuated Compound Gases," by Professor Liveing.
A New Theory of the Origin of Species. By Benjamin G. Ferris. New York: Fowler & Wells. Pp.278. Price, $1.50.
The author first examines Darwin's theory, and endeavors to show that the causes it assigns for the production of new species are insufficient. Some of his arguments are based on the non-production of new types in recent time, and on the great changes that the ape of to-day would have to make to develop into the man of to-day. He next discusses the nature of life, and the difference between human and brute life. A chapter is devoted to the question of the existence of a First Cause, which the author is disposed to answer in the affirmative. Finally, he proposes his new theory, which is, that, as "every living organism within historic times has required a receptacle or matrix for its conception, gradual development, and final birth, . . . if species are reproduced by this ordinary process, then it is fair to conclude that they must have originated not by an 'unusual birth,' but by an extraordinary generation—that is, the first members of each new species were produced from a mother of another species by the influence of a "direct creative influx"—i. e., by a sort of miraculous conception.
The American Citizen's Manual. Part II. The Functions of Governments (State and Federal). By Worthington C. Ford. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Pp. 184. Price, $1.
The purpose of this series—to make citizens at large acquainted with the theory, functions, and operations of the State and national governments, and with their rights and duties—is admirable, and the conception of the several books is well adapted to further it. The present volume treats of protection to life and property; the functions of the Federal Government in the matters of war, foreign relations, regulation of commerce, naturalization, post-offices and post-roads, Indians, the public lands, and patent and copyright laws; the functions of the State government in reference to corporations, education, charitable institutions, and immigration; and State finances.
Dr. B. C. Faust's Laws of Health. Edited by Dr. S. Wolffberg. Translated and improved by Herman Kopp. Brooklyn: H. Kopp & Co. Pp. 37. Price, 20 cents.
This work is a collection of more than a hundred and fifty admirable maxims tersely expressed, embodying sound hygienic principles and practical instructions for the preservation of health. Its peculiar merit is the conciseness with which the rules are phrased, whereby they are more sharply stamped upon the memory and borne in mind. The translator has arranged the manual with particular adaptation to its use in the fourth-reader grade of schools and for self-instruction.
