Royal Astronomical Society. 229 



c. That nitric and hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid being 

 dissolved in a sufficient quantity of water, can at the common 

 temperature coexist without decomposing each other. 



■ 



XXXVIII. Notices respecting New Boohs. 



Elements of Physics. By C. F. Peschel, Principal of the Royal 

 Military Academy at Dresden. Translated from the German, with 

 notes, by E. West. 3 vols, foolscap octavo. 



THIS is a work of great merit. It contains a condensed account 

 of almost every branch of the extensive subject on which it 

 treats, with the most approved formula?, conveniently arranged, for 

 computing in every department, and it is copiously illustrated with 

 woodcuts. 



The first volume treats of the properties of ponderable bodies, — 

 mass, density, attraction, motion, mechanical and chemical action, &c. ; 

 the construction of machines, the laws of force, the theory of undu- 

 lation, and a multitude of other subjects connected with matter 

 having sensible weight, and all discussed with an ability which leaves 

 little to be desired in a work which, though essentially scientific, is 

 yet decidedly popular. 



We should have been glad to see from the author, or the trans- 

 lator, a chapter on the measurement of heights from the temperature 

 of boiling water, a subject which we think has not received the at- 

 tention which it is entitled to. 



The second and third volumes, that of imponderable bodies — light, 

 heat, electricity, magnetism, &c. ; and here again we trace the hand 

 of a master, who has placed before his readers, in the most lucid 

 order, those branches of science in their modern improved state. 



The work is a little encyclopaedia of physical science, and we 

 heartily recommend it as a work by which the public will benefit. 



XXXIX. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. 



[Continued from p. 144.] 



Ancient Eclipses of the Sun, computed by M. Rumker. 



May 8, 1%/T HEISS, of Cologne, has calculated the particulars 



184G. i.\X» of two eclipses during the Peloponnesian war 



which are mentioned in history, viz. one on August 3, 431 a.c, and 



another on March 21, 424 a.c. 



M. Rumker has given the particulars of four more, in the hope 

 that they may have been noticed by some ancient writer : — 



A.C. Beginning. 



li m s 



418 June 11. 11 43 4 a.m. 



416 Oct. 14. 4 33 a.m. 



411 Jan. 27. 10 7 2 a.m. 



409 June 1. 1 49 5 p.m. 



