LITERARY NOTICES. 



755 



ditions. This is probably the first attempt 

 to study the subject in so thorough and sys- 

 tematic a manner as was done in the instance 

 given. The observations extended through 

 a period of three years, and fully justify the 

 conclusion that neuralgic conditions have a 

 close and very direct relation to atmospheric 

 states or changes. Precisely what condi- 

 tions of the atmosphere excite neuralgic pain 

 is by no means determined. Dr. Mitchell 

 says, "Either it is the combination (of con- 

 ditions) which works the mischief, or else 

 the're is in times of storms some as yet un- 

 known agency productive of evil." 



A Review of the Birds of Connecticut. 

 By C. Hart Merriam. New Haven : 

 Tuttle, Morehouse & Taylor, 1877. 



This catalogue of 165 pages is from 

 No. 4 of the "Transactions of the Connecti- 

 cut Academy," 1877, and is a valuable ad- 

 dition to the ornithology of New England. 

 We are informed by it that 291 species of 

 birds are found in the State. These are 

 grouped in 47 families. Of these the sci- 

 entific and common names are given, with 

 copious notes on their habits and charac- 

 teristics : 135 species are summer residents, 

 90 species are migratory only. The now 

 familiar English sparrow is found in most 

 parts of the State, and, so far as the author 

 is aware, was first introduced into New 

 England in the fall of 1858. At that time 

 six birds were liberated in a large garden 

 at Portland, Maine. The catalogue contains 

 a list of works relating to New England 

 ornithology, and is thoroughly indexed. 



The Glacial Period in the Southern 

 Hemisphere. By Thomas Belt, F. G. S. 

 London, 1877. 



In this pamphlet Mr. Belt presents many 

 facts to show that extensive glaciation oc- 

 curred in the Southern as well as in the 

 Northern Hemisphere. It occurred in the 

 southern part of Africa and of Australia, 

 extensively in New Zealand and South 

 America. His views in regard to elevation 

 and subsidence of land in glacial times, and 

 the development of ice, filling the beds of 

 Northern and Southern oceans, so that the 

 drainage of continents was arrested, the 

 waters of rivers being "pounded back," 

 probably will not be immediately accepted 

 by practical geologists. 



Poisonous Mushrooms. By J. Ott, M. D. 

 Pp. 5. 



The author's conclusions are that at 

 least one species of mushrooms {Agaricus 

 muscarius) contains a poisonous alkaloid, 

 muscarine, which is probably the poisonous 

 principle of all noxious mushrooms ; and 

 that, in cases of mushroom-poisoning, in 

 addition to the usual treatment emetics, 

 stomach-pump, purgatives, and gallic acid 

 atropine should be administered subcu- 

 taneously. 



Map of the White Mountains of New 

 Hampshire, from Walling's Map of 

 the State. Boston : Publication-Office 

 of H. F. Walling, 1877. 



This map is drawn to a scale of 2- 

 miles to an inch, and comprises the prin- 

 cipal part of the White Mountain region. 

 It gives in detail the routes, principal vil- 

 lages, streams, and elevations, which are 

 indicated by color, and points of special 

 interest accessible to tourists. The topo- 

 graphical features are well defined. As a 

 pocket-guide for travelers the map is in- 

 dispensable. 



The Young Scientist is a monthly mag- 

 azine designed to interest young persons in 

 scientific subjects, and to familiarize them 

 with scientific experiments and habits of 

 thought. But, while it addresses mainly a 

 juvenile audience, the Young Scientist is 

 not in the least puerile, and may be read 

 with no little profit by older heads. We 

 wish it success. New York : Published at 

 176 Broadway. Subscription, fifty cents 

 per year. 



PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED. 



Compendious German-and-English Diction- 

 ary. By William Dwight Whitney. New York: 

 Henry Holt & Co. Pp. 905. $3.50. 



Pottery: How it is made. By G. W. Nichols. 

 With Illustrations. New York : Putnams. Pp. 

 142. $1.25. 



The Boy Engineers. Bv Rev. J. Lukin. Same 

 publishers. Pp. 344. With Illustrations. $.175. 



Transmission ; or, Variation of Character 

 through the Mother. By G. B. Kirby. New 

 York: S.R.Wells. Pp.68. 25 cents. 



Geographical Surveys west of the 100th Me- 

 ridian. Vol. IV., Paleontology. Lieutenant G. 

 W. Wheeler in charge. Washington : Govern- 

 ment Printing-Oflice. Pp. 365 of Letter-press 

 and numerous Lithographic Plates. 



Transactions of the American Fish-Culturists' 

 Association, 1876-"J7. New York: J. M. Davis 

 priut. Pp. 131. 



