186 NOTICES OF BOOKS. 



are devoted to the special articles which are grouped together 

 under such headings as Grain, Oil Seeds, Legumes, Nuts, Veget- 

 ables, Spices and so on. This grouping may have some practical 

 utility, but it strikes one as unscientific and leads to the con- 

 stant use of a fairly full index. Each special article is divided 

 into : general and macroscopic details, histology, diagnosis and 

 bibliography. The histology is illustrated by over 600 figures in 

 the text giving the transverse section, surface view of the cell- 

 elements and other minute details which mav enable the analv- 

 tical histologist to name the seeds, roots, barks or other vege- 

 table products, from which the material under examination 

 was prepared. Although several of the special articles deal 

 with vegetable products rarely found on the English market, 

 the major part of the book cannot fail to be of very great service 

 to the microscopic analyst in this country. In addition to the- 

 special bibliographies already referred to, there is a general 

 bibliography and a glossary of technical terms. The labour 

 necessary for the production of such a book must have been 

 very great indeed, and the result reflects great credit on the 

 authors. 



The Pkactical Principles of Plain Photomicrography. By 

 George West, xiv +146 pages, 8 plates, 5 text figures, 

 10 X 7J inches. (George West. Price 45. 6(/. net.) 



The author of this excellent book rightly insists that the 

 beginner should commence with low powers and as he gains 

 experience proceed step by step to the use of the higher powers. 

 The book is not overloaded with detail, but well-chosen adapta- 

 tions are fully described only when they are found suitable 

 for the end in view. One chapter deals with the use of a land- 

 scape camera for taking photomicrographs. More importavjt 

 is the description of the method adopted by the author for 

 dispensing with the camera altogether. Here the author places 

 the source of light with the microscope in a light-proof chamber 

 through a hole in the wall of which the tube of the instrument 

 projects. The plate is placed on an easel in another chamber, 

 the dark room, where the exposure is made and the plate deve- 

 loped. The photographic apparatus is of the simplest form, no 

 camera or dark-slide being used. The practical microscopist could 



