New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-22

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. BY ARNOLD GUYor Alto. pp 126
scrbner Armstrong, 4 Co.
The eminent services which have been rem
dered TO the interests of education in this country by
Professor Guyot enhanced in value by tue puDlca
tion OF the present comprehensive volume 1t is not,
however TO be egarded manual for in the
class-rOOm-althOUgh IL is admirably adapted to that
purposebut compact scientific treatise for the III
telgent reader who wishes to form an acquaintance
with the elements OF physical geography. No other
work now before the public perhaps wei suited 10
that object as the present. The author takes broad
and generous view of the subject Under his treatment
1t becomes the science of the earth vast individual
organization 1t cOntempates the material structure
of the globe with its place IN the solar system, its at
mosphere, its land and water, its inconceiv-
able variety of plants ana animals, In its
mutual relations with man. and It's influence
over the development and destiny OF the The work
is divided into several parts, arranged in philosophical
order and proceeding from the position Of the earth in
the universe TO the different which compose the
human family. In regard to the origin Of the
author takes no part in the recent speculatons OF
natrasts on the subject bat assumes the doctrine OF
pr,mve center from which the lowest forms Of human
itv have deyiated The original central race In his
opinion was the White, which had its seat in the tenn
perate zone Of Western Asia the geographical center Of
the Ola World. From the type Of physical perfection
belonging to this race different varieties have proceeded
by nsensibe degrees becoming degenerate with the in
crease of distance from the center until in the
regions OF the globe are found the most degraded and the
most deformed specimens Of the human family. Each
continent according to Professor Guyot, has thus dis
tinct individuality which fits It for a specific function.
Africa represent the fullness OF animal e South Amer
lca the exuberance Ct vegetation Australia the anti
ouated forms Of plants and animals; while Asia,
Europe and America play their peculiar parts in the
life and DEVELOPMENT OF man-The illustrations OF this
volume form an instructive and sngulary attractive
feature They consist Of maps, diagrams and pictorial
sketcbes embodying the principles OF the text and pre-
senting its information in visible form. Great ski is
evinced in their preparation. and while they
are intended primarily for the aid Of the
reader in the acquisition OF permanent knowledge
they add much TO the beauty and interest as wei as
the substantial value Of the work-The style OF ProL
Guyot is simple and perspcuous us force IL never I'M
na.red by the use of artificial embellishments His
choice of language rarely betFays that English IS not his
mother tongue He evinees happy gift Of Illustration,
as well as an unusual power OF expression Ocea-
sioually however he falls into verbal error, as IN the
use Of the nondescript word, dnimGieate, which IS
neither English nor Latin bnt traditional absurdity
with negligent writer's The nfrequent discrepancies OF
statement (s Mont Blanc, 1879 feet hgh' p 80, ana
Mont Blanc 1879 feet high D. Az, which have escaped
the vigilance OF the author do not impair the essenta
unity OF the work. and perhaps unavoidable AMID
such multiplicity OF details.
The Herald of Health has two seasonable
Summer articles, On the Tramp" and "Tent Life In
Hot Weather" The Gfst writer points out the benefits
OF footjouneys and gives plain practical direc
tions by Which they be accomplished 10 advantage
II Will surprise many readers to be informed that city
gentlemen make better pedestrians than residents
In The country NewYork business man often walks
his twelve miles day. without suspicion Of the fact