REVIEWS. 209 



Pronouncing Handbook of Words often INIispronounced, 



and of words to which a choice of pronunciation is allowed. By Richard 

 Soule and Loomes J. Campbell ; pp. 99. 



Handbook for Water-Drinkers. By G. L. Austin, M.D. ; 

 pp. 48. 



The Stars and the Earth ; or Thoughts on Space, Time, 



and Eternity ; pp. 88. 



Handbook of the Earth. Natural Methods in Geography. 

 By Louisa Parsons Hopkins ; pp. "jS. (Boston, U.S.A. : Lee and Shepard, 

 1884, etc.) 



The above nine little books form an exceedingly useful set of handbooks 

 on a variety of subjects. The subject matter of each is condensed into a very 

 small compass, so that it is by no means unlikely that the unprofessional 

 reader may obtain as much information from them as from a more elaborate 

 technical treatise on the same subject. Our readers will remember that we 

 reviewed four others of the same series in our January part. The size of the 

 pages is 6 by 4 inches. 



Spon's Mechanic's Own Book : a Manual for Handicrafts- 

 men and Amateurs ; pp. XIL — 702. (London : E. and F. N. Spon, 1885.) 



The aim of the Authors of this large and closely printed volume has been 

 to discuss, from an everyday, practical view, the various mechanical trades 

 that deal with the conversion of wood, metals, and stone, into useful articles. 



The method of treatment of each branch is scientific, yet simple. First, 

 the character, variations, and suitability of the^raw material is considered ; 

 then the tools used, and the methods to be adopted for keeping them in proper 

 order. The book forms a complete guide to all ordinary mechanical operations, 

 and will be found useful both to the professional workman and the amateur. 

 It is well illustrated with no less than 1419 engravings; there is also a good 

 index. 



Country Cousins : Short Studies in the Natural History of 



the United States. By Ernest Ingersoll ; pp. 252. (New York ; Harper and 

 Bros., 1884.) 



We are introduced in the work before us to a great number and variety of 

 Birds and Animals. There is also a good paper on Winter Work for Natural- 

 ists ; How a Naturalists' Club should be organised, etc. We have also an 

 account of Professor Agassiz's sea-side laboratory, followed Ijy descriptions of 

 many sea creatures, including the life, trials, and vicissitudes of an Oyster ; 

 Star-fishes, and the mischief they accomplish. The book throughout is most 

 interestingly written, well illustrated, and handsomely bound. 



Jelly-fish, Star-fish, and Sea Urchins. Being a research on 



Primitive Nervous Systems. By G. J. Romanes, IVLA., L.L.D., F. R.S., pp. 

 VHL — 323. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co., 1885.) 



This deeply interesting volume (The Liternational Scientific Series, vol. 

 50) commences with a fine description of the Jelly-fish. The author, who is 

 Zoological Secretary of the Linncean Society, gives us the result of many years 

 spent in the study of the Medusre, etc. The work closes with an account of 

 the Star-Fish and Sea-Urchins. It is an important addition to physiological 

 science, throwing much light upon many hitherto very little considered points 

 of structure, and will well repay the careful perusal of the Naturalist. 



