REVIEWS 699 



and the sentence beginning "It is sometimes assumed," that the partial equations 

 represent a quasi-mathematical method of arriving at the full equation showing the 

 action of nitric acid on copper and are in no sense meant as a picture of the actual 

 course of the reaction. In this sense the use of the term " simplest assumption," 

 criticised by the reviewer, is entirely justified. 



(2) Contrary to the categorical statement in the review, the effect of nitrous 

 acid in accelerating the action of nitric acid on copper (discovered by Millon) is 

 mentioned in the book in the same section as the extract give?i by the reviewer. 



(3) If the heading of the section had been " Modern Methods of Writing 

 Complicated Equations " there might have been some little excuse for the assump- 

 tion of the reviewer that the partial equations were put forward as representing the 

 actual stages of the reaction. As a matter of fact, the word " Modern " occurs only 

 i?i the review ; the heading in the book is simply " Methods of Writing Compli- 

 cated Equations." 



In view of the above facts " the picture here painted for us " in the review is in 

 very truth " purely imaginary " ; it has no counterpart in the book. 



It is the duty of a reviewer to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the 

 statements of the author in order that no injustice may be done to his work and 

 this is particularly necessary in the case of an unfavourable review. In this primary 

 duty the reviewer has conspicuously failed. George Senter 



[I was aware of the belated reference to nitrous acid to which Dr. Senter calls 

 attention and can only repeat — " not one word is said of the work done by Russell, 

 Veley and others showing the part that is played by nitrous compounds." The 

 reference is made in such a way that the student is none the wiser — in fact, this 

 final paragraph of the section under notice can but serve to muddle him. "An 

 alternative method" is mentioned only to be dismissed; being told that "it is 

 perhaps simplest to assume," etc., having some slight sense of logic in his com- 

 position, the student will of course assimilate the " assumption " and offer it up as 

 fact at the examination for which he is being crammed. 



To teach in such a style is nothing short of a farce : " quasi-mathematical " it 

 may be but it is not chemistry. We must either mend our ways of instructing 

 youth or give up the attempt to teach science ; most that is being taught is worse 

 than useless. We advocate research and praise the researcher but shun him in 

 the text-book. 



I regret the insertion of the word " modern " ; it was the survivor of a paragraph 

 omitted in copying out the article. — H. E. A.] 



The Great Star Map. By H. H. Turner, F.R.S. [Pp. vi + 159.] (London : 

 John Murray, 191 2. Price is. 6d. net.) 



The four articles on the Great Star Map which Prof. Turner contributed to these 

 pages are now reprinted with some additions in the form of a book. The author 

 has remarkable skill in presenting difficult and technical researches in an easily 

 readable form. No one, however unused to astronomical ideas, need fear to find 

 this book too deep for him ; yet it gives an insight into the aims and the practical 

 methods of modern work which it has seldom been attempted to convey to the 

 general reader. The great international project which gives the book its title has 

 had a most profound influence on all branches of astronomical research to which 

 photography has been applied and the subject is one which affords the author an 

 opportunity for many interesting digressions into cognate subjects. Among these 



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