Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 25.djvu/726

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
710
THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY.

the other to the evolution of mind in man. The volume now before us, the second published, is an exposition of comparative psychology on the basis of his first volume, and designed to exhibit mental evolution in the lower grades of the animal kingdom. The psychology of man is therefore expressly excluded from the volume before us, and the author offers, as one reason for this exclusion, that human psychology raises a class of questions with which he has no concern in dealing with comparative psychology. Prominent among these he assumes is the fundamental question whether, indeed, the principle of evolution is to be applied to the psychology of man. Although unqualifiedly assumed in his first volume and in the present as fundamentally true, and the sole key of interpretation in the lower sphere of mind, yet the author hesitates in its application to human psychology because Mr. Wallace differs with Mr. Darwin upon this subject. The issue between these great naturalists is, however, to be met and fully considered in the final volume.

Mr. Romanes explains in his introduction that, in treating of "Mental Evolution in Animals," he dismisses a class of inquiries hitherto involved in psychology, but which pertain rather to the philosophy than to the science of the subject. He deals with the science of psychology as distinguished from any theory of knowledge, limiting himself to the study of mind as an object, and of mental modifications simply as phenomena.

We can only briefly indicate the course of inquiry in the volume before us. Beginning with a search in the first chapter for "The Criterion of Mind," he then passes on in successive chapters to "The Structure and Functions of Nerve-Tissue," "The Physical Basis of Mind," "The Root Principles of Mind," "Consciousness," "Sensation," "Pleasures and Pains," "Perception," "Imagination," "Instinct," and this latter subject, which is the most prominent in the discussion, runs on from chapter eleventh to chapter eighteenth. "Reason" and "Animal Emotions" then come in for some consideration, and the volume closes with an appendix of thirty pages, consisting of a posthumous essay on "Instinct," by Mr. Charles Darwin, which was written for his book on "Natural Selection," but not included in it. Mr. Darwin left his psychological manuscripts to Mr. Romanes, to be printed or not as he thought fit, and he has included the essay on "Instinct" in his present disquisition on "Mental Evolution in Animals." It has been objected that Mr. Darwin was no psychologist; that he wrote on the subject long ago, and did not himself see fit to print what he had written; and that, on the whole, it would have been better for Mr. Darwin's reputation, and just as well for the world, if this old essay had not now been issued. But we think that Mr. Romanes was right in printing it. It can not seriously injure Mr. Darwin's reputation; and, if it does not help other people much, it will undoubtedly have interest as a record of the state of Mr. Darwin's mind upon that subject. If not a contribution to "Mental Evolution in Animals," it may possibly help to interpret the mental evolution of man.

The Franco-American Cookery-Book; or, How to live well and wisely Every Day in the Year: containing over Two Thousand Recipes. By Félix J. Déliée, Caterer of the New York Club, ex Chef of the Union and Manhattan Clubs. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Pp. 620. Price, $4.

This considerable volume claims to fill a void in our culinary literature. It presents three hundred and sixty-five different dinner-bills of fare, one for each day in the year, made up with reference to the resources of the changing seasons, and, following each, concise instructions are given how to prepare the various dishes designated. Such a work can not fail to be of service, not only to private families, but to clubs, restaurants, and hotels, and it could hardly have a better passport to general use in this country than the name of the experienced chef which appears upon its title-page. Each bill of fare differs almost entirely from the others, while at the same time the selection is made with strict regard to the products of the season and the supplies afforded by markets in American cities. Each is calculated for eight persons, though the cook or housekeeper may increase or reduce it at will by observing the proportions with care.

It is claimed that every dish described