Science Teachings in Living Nature. By W. H. Watson. (Stanford.)
—Here are five chapters on physiological chemistry and sanitary science. We are told something about the composition of the human body, something about the food of plants, something about the pro- cess of respiration, something about the chemistry of the processes of aninull nutrition ; and then we have a final chapter on disease, death, and decay. Neither in liveliness of style, nor in accuracy of detail, does this small brochure approach Johnston's "Chemistry of Common Life." Some of the mistakes (let the chemist turn to pp. 23, 50, 53, 55, for examples) are probably mere misprints, but for others we cannot thus account. The latter are due to undue reliance upon antiquated analyses, or to imperfect acquaintance with chemical facts and processes. Mr. Watson's astonishing analysis (p. 56) of a soil in which the organic matter of phosphates, the potash, the soda, and the magnesia did not amount together to one-half per cont., while protoxide of iron was present to the extent of nearly 11 per cent., and protoxide of manganese showed 2 per cent., is doubtless unique. As examples of our author's style, let us turn to his "Introduction." Ou page viii. we are told that "chemistry would explain the most things with which we are con- nected." Again (p. ix.), we read, "The rock which darts from beneath its verdant covering." "The brain of the wise, the muscle of the strong, the bone of the skeleton, and the complexion of the beauty are explained by the necessary application of chemical science." (p. x.) It is clear that we must not expect in these pages elegance of expression, or terseness of diction ; nor shall we find that severe accuracy of statement which is, above all things, necessary, in a popular presentation of tire final results of scientific research.
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