The Portland daily press., 1881-10-25
Magazine Notices.

Mr.. Spencer opens the November number of
the Popular Science Monthly with an article
on The Industrial Type of Society, the elev-
enth of the series on The Development of Po-
ltical Institutions. It is the eliminating
point of the discussion and sets forth in a
strong light the great fact that social improv-
menst be most rapid, permanent andcomplete,
requires the largest possible freedom Of the in
dividual-a condition only to be reached by
the development of the industrial at the ex-
pense of the coercive pursuits of society. De-
terioration of American Oyster-Beds, by Lieu
tenaDt Francis Winslow, of the United States
Navy, follows next, and is full of useful iE-
formation bearing directly upon one of the
most important problems affecting American
food supply. Volcanoes, their Action and
Distribution, is a profusely illustrated paper
correcting popular errors concerning volcanic
phenomena aud describing the curious
changes of form and behavior that have taken
place since they began to be studied
in several of the most noted volcanoes.
DIR. Oswalds papers on Physical Education
are continued, the special topic in the present
number being Hygienic Precautions.
Those who have read the earlier articles Of
this series will need no urging to follow it out,
and those who have not may save themselves
doctors bills and misery by getting the back
numbers and studying up the sabject from the
beginning A HalfCentury of Science is the
first part of Sir John Lubbock's presidential
address at the last meeting Of the British Asso-
citation for the Advancement of Science, and
deals with the progress of the biological sci
ences since the first meeting of the Association
fifty years ago. The second part, devoted to
similar survey of the physical sciences, will ap-
pear in the December number. People inter-
ested In the constitution Of ''other worlds than
ours" should not fail to read Mr.. Francis Brig
hams article on the discovery of Organic Re-
mains in Meteoric Stones. It is an account Of
the researches OF the eminent German geolo-
gist, DIR. Hahn. with the confrmatory testimo
ny of DR.. Weinland an equally eminent 20
ologist. Sir William Thomson's opening ad-
dress before Section A of the British Associa-
ton on The Available Energy of Nature is Civ
en-; and is followed by a paper on The Dura-
tion Of Human Life, in which the writer, NJ De
| So!aville, after referring to. many noted cases
of longevity of ancient and modern times,
reaches the conclusion that centenarians are
not uncommon, and that, on the whole, the
length of human life is increasing. Anybody
who may be ambitious in this direction will
find it profitable to read the next article, en-
titled Worry, which disagreeable habit, accord
ing to DIR. J. Mortimer Granville, the author,
is far more common shortener Of life than the
so-called overwork we hear SO much about.
There is an article on American Climate and
Character, by &c. Towne, and the body Of
the magazine closes with a sketch of George
j. Brush, Professor Of mineralogy in the
Sheffield Scientific School, and President Of
the American Association for the Advance
ment Of Science. Lack Of space prevents ex-
tended reference to the departments, which,
however, are always filed with large variety
of instructive and useful reading. New York:
d. Appleton & Company.