416 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



uses, ptomaines, comparison of thermome- 

 ters, weights and measures, mineral springs 

 of the United States, and vital statistics. 

 The article on mineral springs is by Judson 

 Daland, M. D., and forms an appendix of 

 thirty-two pages. At first sight the volume 

 does not make a favorable impression, for 

 its exterior is severely plain, and it appears 

 to be printed from too small type ; but very 

 little examination is needed to show that 

 the publishers' claims as to good paper, 

 clear print, and binding so that the book 

 will lie open at any page, are well founded. 



Handbook op Geology, for the Use of Ca- 

 nadian Students. By Sir J. William 

 Dawson, C. M. G., LL. D., F. R. S., Prin- 

 cipal of McGill University. Montreal: 

 Dawson Brothers. 1889. Pp. 250. 



This is a practical treatise on geology, 

 well fitted to the needs of those for whom it 

 was written, more than half the volume be- 

 ing devoted to a review of the topography 

 and geology of Canadian territory. It in- 

 cludes the results of the later geological 

 surveys, the observations of Dr. G. M. Daw- 

 son in Manitoba and British Columbia in 

 1886-'87, and also the discoveries in paleon- 

 tology which have changed the chronology 

 of the Blattidce and other species. 



The work is divided into three parts. 

 The first division treats of the constitution 

 of rocks, their classification, the fossils 

 found in them, and their arrangement. In 

 classifying rocks, the distinction made be- 

 tween their origin, chemical nature, and 

 texture is helpful. The second part relates 

 to chronology. The nomenclature adopted 

 by the International Congress is given, and 

 the equivalent terms in use by geologists. 

 The illustrations of the various eras, their 

 fossil plants and animals, are well chosen 

 and complete. The third and longest sec- 

 tion is descriptive of the physical and geo- 

 logical features of the country. This is di- 

 vided into six regions, and examination is 

 made of each. The author does not give 

 much space to the discussion of subjective 

 theories, such as the origin of the metamor- 

 phism of rocks, the plasticity of the earth, 

 and other mooted points ; but refers to au- 

 thors who have treated these subjects at 

 length. Even in regard to the deposit of 

 drift upon the plains by icebergs, he points 

 out " difficulties in the way of the theory of 



glaciation caused by the absence of marine 

 mollusca and other forms of marine life." 

 As the area considered exceeds that of the 

 United States, and representatives of nearly 

 every period from Eozoic to modern times 

 are found within its limits, it is evident that 

 the student who becomes familiar with this 

 rock- structure and history goes forth well 

 equipped as a geologist. Directions are 

 given for slicing rocks and fossils for the 

 microscope, and a description of the tools 

 necessary for the field geologist, with sug- 

 gestions as to the best manner in which he 

 may pursue his work. 



A History of Modern Europe. By C. A. 

 Fyffe, M. A. Vol. Ill, from 1848 to 

 1878. New York : Henry Holt & Co. 

 Pp. 572. Price, $2.50. 



It is an important period which is cov- 

 ered by Mr. Fyffe's third volume, for dur- 

 ing these thirty years many events took place 

 whose influence in European history will be 

 great and lasting. Among these are the 

 creation of the Italian kingdom, the winning 

 of the leading position among the German 

 states by Prussia, and the war between 

 France and Germany in 1870-'71. This 

 period covers the greater part of Bismarck's 

 active career, and includes the years in which 

 Cavour and Disraeli made their fame. Soon 

 after it began, occurred the Crimean War ; 

 the dismemberment of Poland was among 

 its events, and it closes with the war be- 

 tween Russia and Turkey. The work is a 

 record of wars and state-craft, and does not 

 attempt to chronicle the progress of social, 

 commercial, and industrial affairs. The book 

 has large, clear print, topics are indicated 

 by marginal titles, and there is a copious 

 index. 



The Way out of Agnosticism. By Francis 

 E. Abbot, Ph. D. Boston : Little, Brown 

 & Co. Pp. 75. Price, $1. 



This little book is no more than a com- 

 pact introduction to a treatise on scientific 

 religion which Dr. Abbot is preparing. Ag- 

 nosticism, he says, declares that the scien- 

 tific method applies only to phenomena, to 

 the appearances or shows of things, and 

 has no possible application to noumena, or 

 things as they really exist in their internal 

 relations and constitutions. A scientific the- 

 ology, Dr. Abbot maintains, will show that 



