any one of the three elements is omitted, the problem becomes indeterminate. The equation 2x + 3y = 12 can be satisfied by an indefinite number of values of x and y; hence it is indeterminate, but the equation 3x2 − 12 = 0 has only two roots, 2, −2; hence it is determinate. See Diophantine Analysis.
DETERMINISM. The name given to the view that every event in time, psychic as well as physical, has a cause (see Causality), and that the cause being given, the event follows unvaryingly. It is opposed to indifferentism or indeterminism, which maintains that, at least in the phenomenon of the human will, the temporal antecedents do not definitively determine the event. These opposing doctrines have interest only in the sphere of ethics, as determinism is universally admitted to be true of all events except volition. The frankest of indeterminists, Prof. W. James, admits that his doctrine is an advocacy of chance, pure and simple. Others seek to avoid this confession, but with no success. The determination of will by motives could not be questioned were it not thought to carry with it a denial of moral responsibility. But so far is this from being the case that indeterminism on the contrary makes responsibility absurd. See Ethics; Chance; Free Will; Will; and consult the authorities referred to under Ethics; also James, The Will to Believe (Boston, 1897); Fouillée, La liberté et le déterminisme (2d ed., Paris, 1883).
DET′INUE (OF. detinu, from Lat. detinere, from de, back, + tenere, to hold). A personal common-law action for the recovery of specific goods and chattels, wrongfully detained from the claimant, together with damages for their detention and costs of the action. The chattels must be such as can be distinguished from others; the action would not lie where claimant's property, as wheat, was lawfully mixed with other wheat so that it could not be separated. The action is not based on contract, express or implied, but is for the redress of a wrong. The value of the chattel is always alleged in the declaration, and if the chattels have been destroyed, or cannot be returned for any reason, the plaintiff may recover their value. It is immaterial whether the defendant came into possession of the chattels lawfully or wrongfully. It is sufficient if he has no present right to retain them as against the claimant. Thus, if the defendant held goods as a gratuitous bailee, his possession would be lawful until a demand was made by the proper party for their return; but in case of refusal to do so, the claimant might maintain detinue, as the detention would then be unlawful. Demand before suit is not necessary if the original taking was wrongful. Possession of the chattels cannot be obtained until final judgment, and in this respect it is not so desirable as replevin (q.v.), where the plaintiff gets immediate possession. The plaintiff must have a general or special property or interest in the chattels and a right to immediate possession in order to maintain the action. A judgment for the plaintiff was formerly enforced by a special form of execution, called a writ of distringas (q.v.). This form of action has been abolished in England, but is retained in several of the United States. See Common Forms; Common Law; Pleading; Replevin; Trover.
DETMOLD, det′mō̇lt (OHG. Theotmalli, Thiatmalli, people's court). The capital of the German Principality of Lippe and residence of the Prince, situated on the Werre, at the edge of the Teutoburg Forest, about 47 miles southwest of Hanover (Map: Germany, C 3). It consists of an old and a new town, the latter of which is well built, and adorned with many fine public walks and gardens. The chief buildings are the old and new palaces, the Rathaus, and theatre. Its educational institutions include a gymnasium, a manual training school, a deaf and dumb school, and a library of some 70,000 volumes. The industries, which are comparatively unimportant, include the manufacture of buttons, labels, tobacco, and furniture. There are also several breweries. Population, in 1890, 9733; in 1900, 11,971. The sturdy ‘Senner’ race of horses is bred near Detmold. The Externsteine, a much-visited group of rocks, with a grotto and a quaint religious relief, are in the vicinity. About two miles to the southwest of the town, on the Grotenburg, one of the highest points of the Teutoburg Forest, stands the colossal Hermanns-Denkmal, or Arminius Monument, erected in honor of the famous Cheruscan Prince who gained in the neighborhood such a signal victory over the Roman general Varus. Detmold was the scene of a victory won by Charlemagne over the Saxons in 783. In 1011 it was presented by King Henry II. to the bishops of Paderborn, and from them it came to the Lippe family. It received civic rights in 1350.
DETRI′TUS (Lat., a rubbing away, from deterere, to rub away, from de, down + terere, to rub). A general geological term applied to fragmental accumulations formed by the disintegration of rocks. See Erosion.
DE TROBRIAND, de trō̇′brē̇′äN′, Philippe Regis (1816-97). A Franco-American soldier and writer. He was born near Tours, France; was educated in Paris, Rouen, Tours, and Poictiers, and in 1841 emigrated to the United States. He edited and published the Revue du Nouveau Monde in New York from 1849 to 1850, and from 1854 to 1861 was joint editor of the Courrier des Etats-Unis. He entered the Federal army as colonel of the Fifty-fifth New York Volunteers in 1861; took a conspicuous part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg; became a brigadier-general of volunteers in January, 1864; and commanded a division in Grant's campaign against Lee. He was brevetted major-general of volunteers in April, 1865; was appointed colonel of the Thirty-first Infantry in the regular army in 1866; was brevetted brigadier-general of the United States Army in 1867, and afterwards commanded the districts of Dakota, Montana, and Green River. In 1879 he retired from active service. He published Les gentilshommes de l'ouest (1841), and Quatre ans de campagnes à l'armée du Potomac (1867).
DETROIT. The chief city of Michigan, a port of entry, and the county-seat of Wayne County; on the Detroit River, 18 miles from Lake Erie, and seven miles from Lake St. Clair. It is in latitude 42° 19′ N. and longitude 82° 58′ W.; 85 miles east-southeast of Lansing, 285 miles east by north of Chicago, and 251 west by south of Buffalo (Map: Michigan, K 6). The altitude of Detroit is 661 feet; mean annual tem-
