148 SOME NEW BOOKS [AucuUsT 
understand clearly how the system of chemistry, as it now is, arose out of the 
previous order of things; and for the general reader, who is not a systematic 
student, but who possesses a slight acquaintance with the elementary facts of 
the subject, a survey of the progress of chemistry as a branch of science during 
the period covered by the lives of those chemists who were young when Queen 
Victoria came to the throne.” This self-imposed task has been admirably 
accomplished. In brief compass he sets before the reader an easy account of 
the most striking facts and theories of modern chemistry in their origins and in 
their final development. Thermochemistry, spectrum analysis, the periodic 
system of the elements, the synthetic production of dyes, drugs, and explosives, 
stereochemistry, and the action of ferments, all receive simple and adequate 
treatment. To both student and general reader the book can be warmly 
recommended. Cu. 
A MUSEUM HANDBOOK. 
The Manchester Museum, Owens College. General Guide to the Natural 
History Collections. By W. E. Hoye. 8vo. pp. 78. Manchester 
Museum, Publication 28, 1899. Price 6d. 
Distinctly a Museum Handbook, in that it guides the visitor, gently but 
firmly, through the museum from case to case, from minerals and geological 
phenomena, through the array of fossils stratigraphically disposed, then along 
the animal collections in the order of their arrangement (not always harmonious 
with the text-book), and finally through the botanical exhibits. Those who 
wish for a cut-and-dried classification will find in the form of appendices : 
“A. List of the principal divisions of the Earth’s Crust ;” “ B. List of the 
principal divisions of the Animal Kingdom,” with a typical example of each 
class mentioned in the vulgar tongue; and C. the same for the Vegetable 
Kingdom. In the monstrously difficult task of writing in simple language an 
accurate and not uninteresting summary of the Animal Kingdom Mr. Hoyle has 
achieved as much success as is possible. All the same, why does Mr. Hoyle say 
(p. 8) that the Devonian Crinoids “ were of the type known as Cystids”? The 
division of the Crinoidea generally (p. 56) into “ sea-lilies ” and “‘ feather-stars ” is 
due of course to the two volumes of the Challenger Report. It is a book- 
binder’s classification. The account of the Geological divisions is as good as 
one could hope to find in a score of pages. But the two pages devoted to the 
Mineralogical and Petrological Collection ought to be multiplied by at least ten, 
or else omitted. It is a pity they should form an opening to the Guide. The 
compression of the guide to the Botanical Collection into seven pages may have 
been enforced ; if so, it is to that cause we will charitably ascribe the appear- 
ance of such unexplained terms as ‘‘ saprophytic,” ‘ prothallium,” ‘“ carpellary,” 
“dichotomous,” and the sweet little ‘bulbils.” These fancy words are not in 
the picture with the rest of this excellent handbook. F, ASB: 
THE NOTES OF BIRDS 
The Cries and Call-Notes of Wild. Birds. A popular Description of the 
Notes employed by our commoner British Birds in their Songs and 
Calls. With Musical Illustrations. By C. A. WircHeLt, Author of 
“Evolution of Bird Song,” etc. 8vo, pp. xi.+84. London: L. 
Upcott Gill, 1899. Price Is. 
One of the greatest charms of field ornithology is supplied by the various 
cries and songs uttered by different groups and species of birds. Much 
attention has been devoted to this subject by our continental confréres, some of 
whom have excelled in their skill in rendering upon paper the love-notes and 
