270 NEW BOOKS. a point of view and a description adequate for clinical practice. The "point of view " shows a decided advance on some good text-books ; but the treatment of it is still hampered with a good deal of traditional baggage. The central concept is the functionally composite character of the nervous system, which is a system of systems, the possible dissociation of systems, and the corresponding dissociation of the parallel mental systems. These latter include the "unconscious mind," to which Dr. MacPherson gives great prominence. One regrets that he should draw so much on a metaphysical work like Von Hartmann's when so much wtll-wrought psychology is available in (say) Janet, or Ribot ; for he is ceitainly led into much that has no direct bearing on the concrete prob- len s of the insanities. Then, in dealing with "association of ideas," one naturally expects an author to have regard to the latest criticism of cate- gories, as presented, for example, in Hoffding or Dr. Stout's Psychology. Th it would have saved the author from speaking of the "contest of ideas " in terms like " it is certain that only one idea can be present in consciousness at a time ; but a struggle between abstractions is absurd and inconceivable" (p. 115). Many similar propositions are open to criticism ; but for practical purposes the chapter is good. On the physical side, Dr. MacPherson emphasises the neuron as the functional unit, which, in its varieties of excitability and blocked resistances, suggests an easy formula for many orders of insanity. The hierarchical character of the nervous system is not forgotten ; but it is not made as prominent as its importance warrants. It is puzzling to see why the book begins with heredity, and the causes of insanity. Here, I think, the author yields needlessly to traditional exposition. He does not take up very decisive ground on the heredity or non-heredity of acquired characters. He emphasises the " transmutation of neuroses " in heredity, so indicating a leaning to Weismann's view. Then as to classification, the author no more than other authors succeeds perfectly in systematising the insanities ; but his excellent exposition of the toxic insanities certainly achieves something of system. His " insanity of the degenerate " is also a justifi- able and well-worked-out section. Had he begun with his exposition of the psycho-physical parallelism lamination, centres, neurons, dissociation he would have been better able to exhibit the " causes of insanity " as operating on a known organisation and so originating the " forms " of insanity. Then he could have classified the clinical insanities to suit the purposes of practice. But, with all deductions, the book remains a solid presentment of the leading facts of alienism on its practical side. W. LESLIE MACKENZIE. Institutes of Education. By S. S. LAURIE. Second Edition. Edinburgh : Oliver & Boyd. Pp. This volume contains in a summarised form the matter of an important section of the author's class lectures. Those who agree with Mr. Sidg- wick's protest against the lecturing system at our universities will welcome the book as a step in the direction of reform. It is to be hoped that the professor's colleagues will soon follow his example : dictation is a somewhat elementary exercise for university students. On the other hand, what is good for the students is not perhaps equally good for the book. It necessarily bears traces of its origin ; and indicates its purpose by a more than usually elaborate arrangement. There are too many divisions and subdivisions for those who have no examination in view. But students will appreciate the careful classification, while general readers will take pleasure in noting the skill with which the writer keeps
