SEPT. 19, 1921 POPULAR BOOKS IN SCIENCE 365 



Abney, W. de W. Colour measurement and mixture. 207 pp. (Society 

 for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London, 1891.) In spite of the age of 

 this book, the subject is one which has not suffered as much change as most 

 of the branches of physics, and the book, which deals with the principles and 

 measurements underlying color sensation, is well worth reading at the present 

 time. 



Boys, C.V. Soap bubbles: their colours and the forces which mould them. 190 

 pp. (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London, 1920.) This book, 

 written by a man noted for his skill in devising experiments, contains a very 

 interesting account of the properties of soap bubbles, and describes a large 

 number of interesting experiments which may be made with them. (See 

 also his companion book Splash of the drop.) 



SoDDY, Frederick. The interpretation of radium. 284 pp. (G. P. Putnam's 

 Sons, New York, 1912.) A readable non-technical account of the subject 

 by one of the pioneers in this field. 



Mathematics is not ordinarily considered a subject to arouse popular 

 enthusiasm, yet it is full of human interest and is a constantly growing 

 and developing science. The following books will give an insight 

 into its variety and interest : 



CoNANT, Levi Leonard. The number concept, its origin and development. 

 218 pp. (Macmillan Co., New York, 1896.) An interesting and readable 

 account of the probable origin and nature of the concept of number, with a 

 description of number systems, past and present, among different races of 

 mankind. 



Whitehead, A. N. Introduction to mathematics. 256 pp. (Home 

 University Library, Henry Holt and Co., New York, 1911.) A brief survey 

 of the principal topics treated of by mathematics, handled in a popular way. 



YouN'G, John Wesley. Lectures on the fundamental concepts of algebra 

 and geometry. (Macmillan Co., New York, 1911.) An excellent elementary 

 treatment of the subject. 



Shaw, James Byrnie. Lectures on the philosophy of mathematics. 206 pp. 

 (Open Court Publishing Co., Chicago, 1918.) An unexcelled elementary 

 survey of the entire field of mathematics, including content, principles, 

 methods, significance, and nature of mathematics, with references to litera- 

 ture. Although the treatment is popular and readable, a considerable 

 knowledge of mathematics is required for a full appreciation of this work. 



De Morgan, Augustus. On the study and difficulties of mathematics. 

 288 pp. (Open Court Publishing Co., Chicago, 1902.) A classic. 



A wealth of material is at hand in the history of science from which 



the following are selected, though the choice of only a few is difficult : 



LiBBY, Walter. An introduction to the history of science. 288 pp. (Hough- 

 ton Miffiin and Co., Boston, 1917.) Well-written essays on a few selected 

 topics of the history of science. Perhaps the best elementary introduction 

 to the subject. 



Sedgwick, W. T., and Tyler, H. W. A short history of science. 474 

 pp. (Macmillan Co., New York, 1917.) The most comprehensive, if not 

 the most accurate, elementary English book on the subject. 



White, Andrew D. A history of the warfare of science with theology in 

 Christendom. 2 volumes. 415 and 474 pp. (D. Appleton and Co., New 



