SEPT. 19, 1921 POPULAR BOOKS IN SCIENCE 361 



Water is perhaps the most active of all the agents that are con- 

 tinually modifying the surface of our changeful Earth : 



BoNNEY, T. G. The work of rains and rivers. 144 pp. Cambridge 

 Manuals of Science and Literature. (Cambridge University Press, Eng- 

 land, 1912.) This is practically the only modern book in its field. It can 

 be called neither abstruse nor popular, but is written in fairly simple language 

 suitable for the reader of average education, and is a logical, thorough, and 

 accurate presentation. 



Cornish, Vaughan. Waves of the sea and other water waves. 374 pp. 

 (Open Court Publishing Co., Chicago, 1911.) A well written book in non- 

 technical language, beautifully illustrated, dealing in descriptive form with 

 the size, speed, and action of waves in the sea and in rivers. 



Volcanoes, although they represent only one among dozens of agents 

 that are active in altering the Earth's surface, have always focussed 

 popular attention upon themselves by the amount of noise they can 

 make and the amount of human destruction they can do in a short 



time: 



BoNNEY, T. G. Volcanoes, their structure and significance. 321 pp. 

 (G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1899.) By taking up in narrative style 

 the characteristics of some "live" volcanoes the author leads the reader 

 on to do some thinking and speculating for himself as to the cause of vol- 

 canicity — and there is still much room for study though important additions 

 to our knowledge have been made since this book was written. Nevertheless, 

 the new facts have by no means rendered this excellent work obsolete. 



Russell, Israel C. Volcanoes of North America. 346 pp. (Macmillan 

 Co., New York, 1897.) The author calls his book "a reading lesson for stu- 

 dents of geography and geology" but it is more than that. It is a very read- 

 able account of some of our own volcanic mountains, which are already familiar 

 to most Americans but which gain added interest through comparison with 

 the volcanoes of other countries and through discussion of the agencies which 

 built them. 



No subject in all the range of man's interests is more commonly 

 used in introducing friendly conversation and in maintaining it than 

 the weather. Well-told information about the atmosphere and the 

 causes of meteorological phenomena, such as is contained in the books 

 listed below, cannot fail to add to its interest : 



Harrington, Mark W. Abottt the weather. 246 pp. (D. Appleton 

 and Co., New York, 1899.) Attractively written. Antedates many in- 

 teresting discoveries, but otherwise is one of the best of the popular works on 

 meteorology. 



Dickson, H. N. Climate and weather. 256 pp. (Williams and Norgate, 

 London, 1911.) Brief sketches on special topics, interestingly done. 



Lempfert, R. G. K. Weather science. 94 pp. (T. C. and E. C. Jack, 

 London, 1912.) Chiefly a very brief popular account of weather forecasting. 



Ward, R. de C. Climate, considered especially in relation to Man. Second 

 edition. (G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1918.) The best book on cHmate 

 addressed to the general reader. 



Talman, C. F. Realm of the air. (P. F. Collier and Son, 1921.) Inter- 

 esting, accurate and up-to-date. 



