304 



NATURE 



[January 5, 191 1 



the inclusion of some experiments within the range 



of possibility for the student. Forbes' method is 



entirely unsuitable for performance in a school 

 laboratory. 



Die praktischen Schiilerarbeitcn in dcr Physik. By 

 Dr. VV. Leick. Zweite Auflage. Pp. 49. (Leip- 

 zig : Quelle and Meyer, 1910.) Price 0.80 mark. 

 This pamphlet consists of two parts, of which the 

 first and longer is a plea for the further introduction 

 into German schools of laboratory work in practical 

 physics, while the second gives a few selected 

 examples of the kinds of work which the author 

 regards as specially suited for schools. It appears 

 that comparatively few of the German Gymnasien 

 and Realschiden have as yet introduced practical 

 physics into the school curriculum, although there is 

 at the present time a vigorous movement in favour 

 of its compulsory adoption in all higher schools. The 

 author sets forth very clearly the advantages of in- 

 dividual practical work, and discusses at some length 

 the objections that have been raised against laboratory 

 work m schools. 



It is interesting and refreshing to find a German 

 author holding up English educational methods as a 

 model for his countrymen. He is, however, severe on 

 that method of teaching which induces the student, 

 t>r professes to induce the student, on the strength of 

 a few experiments (probably badly performed) to re- 

 gard himself as the discoverer of natural laws. The 

 examples in the second part of the pamphlet illustrate 

 other and better methods of arousing the interest of 

 the pupil, and show that Dr. Leick is a teacher who 

 by his own originality will induce originality in his 

 pupils. There is a fairlv full bibllographv. 



H. E. S. 



(i) Who's Who, 1911. Pp. xxvi + 2246. (London : 

 A. and C. Black.) Price 105. net. 



(2) The Writers' and Artists' Year Book. Pp. viii + 

 132. (London : A. and C. Black.) Price is. net. 



(3) The Englishwoman's Year Book and Directory, 

 iqii. Edited by G. E. Mitton. Pp. xxxiv + 386. 

 (London : A. and C. Black). Price 25. 6d. net. 



The new edition of "Who's Who" (i) shows another 

 annual increase in size, containing eighty-four pages 

 more than the last issue. Due prominence is given 

 to the biographies of men of science, about whom the 

 volume provides many interesting personal facts, as 

 well as details of their professional careers. This 

 work of reference is more than ever indispensable. 



The "Writers' and Artists' Year Book" (2) is a 

 verv useful directory for writers, artists, and photo- 

 graphers. It gives just the information which these 

 workers require. The new tables in the book include 

 cl"bs for authors and artists, and there is an article 

 this year on the law of copyright. 



We agree with the editor of "The Englishwoman's 

 Year Book " (3) that no woman who takes any part 

 in public or social life can afford to be without this 

 volume. The book is now for the first time divided 

 into two parts : one including education, professions, 

 and social life, and the other being mainlv devoted to 

 philanthropic effort. An especially valuable feature is 

 the section giving particulars of scholarships offered 

 ♦■1 women bv the different universities. 



Notes on Physiology. By Dr. Henrv Ashby. Eighth 

 edition. Revised by Hugh T. Ashby. Pp. xxix4-346. 

 (London : Longmans, Green and Co., 19 10.) Price 



Although this little book has seen eight editions, and 

 so has successfullv catered for a certain class of 

 s«-udents, that fact alone must not be taken as evidence 

 that the book is a good one. There is little or no 



NO. 2149, VOL. 85] 



attempt made to keep pace with the advance of 

 modern physiology. Old and incorrect statements are 

 still retained, new work and new ideas are almost alto- 

 gether omitted. The book may perchance still enable 

 the lazy student to scrape through his examination on 

 the minimum of pass marks, but it is only right to warn 

 intending purchasers that to rely on Ashby's notes 

 alone will be like leaning on a broken reed. A cata- 

 logue of the various faults, both of commission and 

 omission, which adorn nearlv every page, might be 

 given, but it would be hardly fair to the readers of 

 Nature to use its columns in this way. These might 

 more suitably appear in periodicals which are mooe 

 widely read by the medical students for whom this 

 book is intended. W. D. H. 



The Stars from Year to Year, ivith Charts for Every 



Month. By H. Periam Hawkins. Pp. 23. Price 



15. net. 

 The Star Calendar for 1911. By H. P. H. Price is. 



net. 

 The Star Almanac for 191 1. By H. Periam Hawkins. 



(Bedford and London : Beds. Times Publishing Co.> 



Ltd.; and London: Simpkin, Marshall and Co., 



Ltd., 1910.) Price 6d. net. 

 O.NCE more we welcome the three annuals prepared 

 by Mrs. H. Periam Hawkins as being among the 

 most useful, low-priced aids to amateur astronomers. 

 "The Stars from Year to Year" is practically th< 

 same as last year, and in some respects this is to be- 

 regretted. For example, turning to " Halley's Comet," 

 we find the latest information is the statement that 

 "according to the latest computations of Messrs. 

 Cowell and Crommelin it will be nearest the sun on 

 April 30, 1910." It seems a pity that in a book, 

 apparently issued for 191 1, some short resume of the 

 facts we learned from the re-apparition of so famous 

 an object is not. given. 



in the "Star Calendar" the date calendar and the 

 lour quotations have been changed, and we would 

 suggest that in future issues the fastening at the 

 centre of the planisphere should be strengthened. The 

 addition of the equator and ecliptic, especially the 

 latter, might also prove useful. 



No handier almanac than the broadsheet prepared 

 by Mrs. Hawkins can be hung in the sanctum or 

 observatory of the amateur. Eclipses, meteor showers, 

 the positions of the planets, &c., are tabulated, and 

 reproductions of the lunar eclipse of April 30, 1905, 

 and Ritchey's Orion nebula are also given. 



W. E. R. 



The Medical Directorv. 1911. Pp. 2168. (London r 



J. and A. Churchill.) Price 14s. net. 

 In addition to full information of the professional 

 qualifications of recognised practitioners, this very 

 complete directory contains all the facts a medical man 

 is likely to expect in such a work of reference. Among 

 the new features of the sixty-seventh issue may be 

 mentioned new lists of coroners and Continental 

 health resorts ; a summary of the law as to crema- 

 tions ; information as to motor-car and petrol rebates; 

 and a numerical summary showing the geographical 

 distribution of the medical profession. 



Philips' Nature Calendar, 19 11. (London : G. Philip 



and Son, Ltd.) Price 6d. net. 

 Notes are given on the characteristic animal and 

 plant life of each month, and on garden operations. 

 There are also notes on general aspects and problems 

 of nature-study, intended to suggest subjects for 

 lessons and observations. The calendar is intended 

 to be hung upon a wall, and it should be of decided 

 service in directing attention to the changing face of 

 animate nature throughout the year. 



