148 SOME NEW BOOKS [august 



understand clearly how the system of chemistry, as it now is, arose out of the 

 previous order of things ; and for the general reader, who is not a systematic 

 student, but who possesses a slight acquaintance with the elementary facts of 

 the subject, a survey of the progress of chemistry as a branch of science during 

 the period covered by the lives of those chemists who were young when Queen 

 Victoria came to the throne." This self-imposed task has been admirably 

 accomplished. In brief compass he sets before the reader an easy account of 

 the most striking facts and theories of modern chemistry in their origins and in 

 their final development. Thermochemistry, spectrum analysis, the periodic 

 system of the elements, the synthetic production of dyes, drugs, and explosives, 

 stereochemistry, and the action of ferments, all receive simple and adequate 

 treatment. To both stiident and general reader the book can be warmly 

 recommended. Ch. 



A MUSEUM HANDBOOK. 



The Manchester Museum, Owens College. General Guide to the Natural 

 History Collections. By W. E. Hoyle. 8vo. pp. 78. Manchester 

 Museum, Publication 28, 1899. Price 6d. 



Distinctly a Museum Handbook, in that it guides the visitor, gently but 

 firmly, through the museum from case to case, from minerals and geological 

 phenomena, through the array of fossils stratigraphically disposed, then along 

 the animal collections in the order of their arrangement (not always harmonious 

 with the text-book), and finally through the botanical exhibits. Those who 

 wish for a cut - and - dried classification will find in the form of appendices : 

 "A. List of the principal divisions of the Earth's Crust;" " B. List of the 

 principal divisions of the Animal Kingdom," with a typical example of each 

 class mentioned in the vulgar tongue ; and C. the same for the Vegetable 

 Kingdom. In the monstrously difficult task of writing in simple language an 

 accurate and not uninteresting summary of the Animal Kingdom Mr. Hoyle has 

 achieved as much success as is possible. All the same, why does Mr. Hoyle say 

 (p. 8) that the Devonian Crinoids " were of the type known as Cystids"? The 

 division of the Crinoidea generally (p. 56) into " sea-lilies " and " feather-stars " is 

 due of course to the two volumes of the Challenger Report. It is a book- 

 binder's classification. The account of the Geological divisions is as good as 

 one could hope to find in a score of pages. But the two pages devoted to the 

 Mineralogical and Petrological Collection ought to be multiplied by at least ten, 

 or else omitted. It is a pity they should form an opening to the Guide. The 

 compression of the guide to the Botanical Collection into seven pages may have 

 been enforced ; if so, it is to that cause we will charitably ascribe the appear- 

 ance of such unexplained terms as "saprophytic," " prothallium," " carpellary," 

 " dichotomous," and the sweet little " bulbils." These fancy words are not in 

 the picture with the rest of this excellent handbook. F. A. B. 



THE NOTES OF BIRDS 



The Cries and Call-Notes of Wild Birds. A popular Description of the 

 Notes employed by our commoner British Birds in their Songs and 

 Calls. With Musical Illustrations. By C. A. Witchell, Author of 

 "Evolution of Bird Song," etc. 8vo, pp. xi. + 84. London: L. 

 Upcott Gill, 1899. Price "is. 



One of the greatest charms of field ornithology is supplied by the various 

 cries and songs ixttered by different groups and species of birds. Much 

 attention has been devoted to this subject by our continental confreres, some of 

 whom have excelled in their skill in rendering upon paper the love-notes and 



