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 NEW BOOKS, WITH SHOET NOTICES. 



On Spectrum Analysis as applied to Microscopical Observations : 

 the subject of a Lecture delivered at the South London Microscopical 

 Club. By W. T. Suffolk, F.R.M.S. London: John Browning, 

 Strand, 1873. — It will strike the reader with some astonishment that 

 this book has not been noticed before, but the fact is that it was sent 

 to the Editor's former addi-ess, and was there detained. Hence the 

 delay. There is not of course very much to be said in critique, for 

 the work is extremely elementary in character ; still, in the absence 

 of any cheap essay on spectroscopic operations, the microscopist 

 will find in it all that he requires to make him understand the 

 construction and principles of action of the spectroscope, and to 

 enable him to perform a number of experiments with accuracy. 

 Besides this, it really contains in the series of plates that accompany 

 it, the sj)ectra of most of the substances that have been examined ujj to 

 the date of its publication. It is of course to be regretted that the 

 colours of the spectrum were not in all cases given, but this is a 

 trifling fault to find, the more so when the cheapness of the little 

 volume is concerned. Besides, the frontispiece consists of well- 

 coloui'ed spectra of the sun, of ten of the elements, of one of coal-gas, 

 of one of Sirius, and of one of the nebula. The author first gives a 

 popular account of the peculiarities of spectroscopy, and explains, we 

 think very satisfactorily, what is a puzzle to some people, viz. the 

 peculiarity of the bright lines becoming black ones under certain 

 conditions. His exjilanation of the apparatus is clear also, and is of 

 course confined to micro-spectroscopy; and his account of the different 

 spectra is lucid and to the point. Lastly, he gives a useful list of the 

 several papers which have been contributed on the subject of micro- 

 spectral work to English journals. We have no fault to find with, 

 but a good deal of praise to award to, Mr. Suffolk for his useful little 

 volume. 



On the Origin and Metamorphosis of Trisects. By Sir John Lubbock, 

 Bart., M.P., F.E.S., with numerous illustrations. London : Macmillan 

 and Co. 1874. — Of the many workers on the subject of entomology 

 which we possess in this country, there is none who has a greater 

 right to come forward as one thoroughly qualified to speak on the 

 complex questions relating to the development of insects than Sir John 

 Lubbock. We fancy that many people, even among those with 

 zoological tastes, are not aware how thoroughly qualified is the author 

 of the present treatise for the work he has taken in hand. We think, 

 therefore, that he was quite wise in publishing a list of his j^apers on 

 this subject. And from this list we see that he has vrritten no less 

 than thirty-five valuable memoii's on this subject, many of them being 

 contributions to the Koyal Society of London, and all extending over a 

 period of twenty years. It may be said, then, that whatever the views 

 he expresses, they have not been hastily formed ; and from the nature 

 of his writings, having to do chiefly with the structure and development 

 of insects, they are entitled to every confidence. For ourselves, we 

 must say that we have road the work with a great deal of pleasure. 



