closes with a "Summation of Coincidences" sixty-one in number, which are supposed to support the author's position. From what has been said it will be evident that we doubt the willingness of a cautious person to follow the author in his conclusions; and we must regret that the Smithsonian Institution has given this book the sanction of its high name as a "contribution to knowledge."
Geological Survey of Alabama. Report of Progress for 1874. By Eugene A. Smith, Ph. D., State Geologist.
This Report is the first of a series promised, giving in detail the geology of the State, to be followed by a general summary, with maps, charts, and illustrations. The final report will comprise the physical geography, geology, and paleontology, economic geology, agricultural relations, botany, and zoölogy, and will inaugurate a new era in the industrial progress and development of that State.
In the present Report several counties are considered separately, giving their topography, geology, and mineral resources, with a chemical report, and appendix of altitudes, mining statistics, etc. The Report of Prof Smith is excellent in matter and method.
Catalogue of the Fishes of the East Coast of North America. By Theodore Gill, M. D., Ph. D.
This This is one of the invaluable series of publications issued by the Smithsonian Institution, and is a revision of the catalogue prepared by the author in 1861. In that catalogue the number of species of fishes on our coast, from Greenland to Georgia, was given as 394, but accompanied by the remark that the number might be reduced by further observation. That has been done, and only 351 nominal species are enumerated in this catalogue, notwithstanding fifty species have been added since then.
Our vast extent of coast is divided in the catalogue into geographical areas, with boundaries more or less perfectly defined by the fauna characteristic of each. Thus the Arctic Fauna or realm is confined to the Arctic and Greenland seas. The next in order is called the Syrtensian Fauna, including the coasts of Labrador and Newfoundland. The Acadian Fauna extends thence to Cape Cod, but more southerly in deep water. The Virginian Fauna extends from Cape Cod to Cape Hatteras, and the Carolinian Fauna extends thence to the reefs of Florida.
Prof. Gill has done eminent service in recognizing the great public want of popular names to species of fishes. Throughout the catalogue popular or common names are appended to the scientific ones, and, in many cases, new names have been framed for species having no other distinctive ones. At the close of the catalogue is a very full bibliography of "East Coast Fishes," also an index to the catalogue of both scientific and popular names.
A Manual of Diet in Health and Disease. By Thomas King Chambers, M. D., Oxon. 310 pages, 8vo. Philadelphia: Henry C. Lea, 1875. Price, $2.75.
The aims of this hand-book are purely practical, and therefore it has not been encumbered by the addition of the chemical, botanical, and industrial learning which collects round every article interesting as an eatable. Space has been thus gained for a full discussion of many matters connecting food and drink with the daily current of social life, which the position of the author, as a practising physician, has led him to believe highly important to the present and future of our race. The book is divided into three parts. Part I., "General Dietetics," treats of "Theories of Dietetics;" "On the Choice of Food;" "On the Preparation of Food;" "On Digestion," and "Nutrition." Part II., "Special Dietetics of Health," treats of the "Regimen of Infancy and Motherhood;" "Childhood and Youth;" "Commercial Life;" "Literary and Professional Life;" "Noxious Trades;" "Athletic Training;" "Hints for Healthy Travelers;" "Effects of Climate;" "Starvation, Poverty, and Fasting;" "The Decline of Life;" and "Alcohol." Part III., "Dietetics in Sickness," comprises "Dietetics and Regimen of Acute Fevers;" "Dietetics and Regimen of Certain other Inflammatory States;" "Of Weak Digestion;" "Gout and Rheumatism;" "Gravel, Stone, Albuminuria, and Diabetes;" "Deficient Evacuation;" "Nerve
