586 



NA TURE 



[October 21, 1897 



charm to this pleasantly written book. The diagram- 

 matic figures are also well executed ; the only one which 

 we notice as not clear is that of a fissure-spring (Fig. 31). 

 A spring issuing from the spot indicated would surely 

 be an overflow from the inclined beds of conglomerate 

 and sandstone. A diagram showing an artesian well 

 might be added in a future edition. 



Students and teachers should bear in mind the advice 

 given by the author, to look not too impatiently for 

 definite and final opinions on vexed questions. Evidence 

 must be weighed and judgment often suspended. As 

 he quaintly puts it, " An open-minded hospitality for 

 new facts is essential to intellectual advance." 



H. B. W. 



AN ANATOMY OF THE HORSE. 

 Topographische-Anatomie des Pfcrdes. By Dr. W. 

 Ellenberger and Dr. H. Baum, of the Veterinary 

 School, Dresden. 3 vols. Pp. 951. (Berlin : Parey, 

 1897.) 



THE first volume of this work contains 271 pages, and 

 appeared in 1894 ; it comprises a description of 

 the anterior and posterior limbs, with some beautifully 

 executed plates, some few in colours. The nomenclature 

 is, for the most part, that used in human and comparative 

 anatomy, so that this book, unlike many other veterinary 

 works on this subject, may be read and appreciated by 

 all who have a knowledge of human anatomy, and who 

 are interested in the anatomy of the horse from a 

 comparative point of view. 



The muscles, blood-vessels, and nerves are well 

 described and depicted in the numerous and excellent 

 illustrations. The names used are generally those of 

 their homologues in the human subject : it may be 

 noticed that the triceps in the fore limb is called 

 a coneus. In the hind limb the rudimentary soleus 

 is delineated, as is also the considerably developed 

 plantaris. The strongly developed internal obturator, 

 which in the horse is in two portions, one part arising 

 in the usual place, the other from the internal surface 

 of the ilium— this latter being often wrongly called 

 pyriformis in this country — is here correctly described 

 and named. A prominent feature in this work is the 

 numerous sectional diagrams (several in each segment 

 of the limbs being given), which the student will find 

 most helpful in assisting him to understand the correct 

 relations of the various structures. The contents of the 

 hoof is dismissed in about ten pages, and the subject 

 well, though not too verbosely, treated ; the text being 

 illustrated by two transverse sections and one side view. 



The second volume, which also appeared in 1894, 

 consists of about 350 pages of well-written text. It 

 treats of the head and neck, and contains sixty-seven 

 diagrams, among which are many transverse and 

 longitudinal sections, as well as some good dissections. 

 The eye, ear, and brain are thoroughly described, the 

 text everywhere suitably illustrated. 



The third volume, which only appeared early this 

 year, contains 330 pages and sixty-six illustrations and 

 diagrams ; it commences with the chest and its relations 

 to the fixed portions of the fore limbs, and the text is illus- 

 trated by a series of transverse sections. The thoracic 

 NO. 1460, VOL. 56] 



viscera are next described, and their relations, both to- 

 the surface and to the great vessels and nerves within 

 the cavity, are well described and illustrated by finely- 

 coloured plates. The abdominal and pelvic cavities 

 are treated on similar lines ; the arrangement of the 

 peritoneum and its relations to the contained viscera 

 is shown by many transverse and longitudinal sections, 

 and the volume is concluded by eight full-page drawings 

 which illustrate in a diagrammetic manner the right and 

 left aspects of the trunk, showing the viscera in their 

 relations to the bones and soft parts. The other plates 

 illustrate the intestinal relations to the abdominal floor,, 

 the internal abdominal rings, and contents, as seen from 

 the front ; and, finally, a front and side view of the horse 

 with surface markings of the various muscles and bony 

 prominences as seen through the skin. 



We have no hesitation in recommending this work to 



all requiring a precise and accurate treatise on the 



j anatomy of the horse, and we feel sure that it will be 



' widely read by all veterinary students possessing a 



knowledge of the German language ; and it will be found 



I useful to the English student, particularly for its numerous 



illustrations and diagrams, which, with some knowledge 



of the subject, can be easily understood without more 



than an ordinary acquaintance with the language. 



OUR BOOK SHELF. 

 First Stage Physiography. By A. M. Davies, A.R.C.S., 



B.Sc, F.G.S. Pp. viii -t- 238. (London : W. B. Clive 



1897.J 

 As the author of this book points out, the scope of 

 physiography has changed very considerably since the 

 word was first introduced. Always intended as an intro- 

 ductory course of science, it has been modified from 

 time to time with the view of better adapting it to the 

 needs of the system of national examinations con- 

 trolled by the Department of Science and Art. Last 

 year the changes were very considerable, and new text- 

 books of the type before us may be regarded as a natural 

 consequence. The first six chapters deal with the sub- 

 ject-matter of Section I. of the revised syllabus, on 

 which a separate examination is now held. While 

 apparently not intended for the use of students taking 

 this section as a distinct subject, this portion of the book 

 may meet the needs of such, providing the detailed 

 syllabus itself is also utilised, and the necessary ex- 

 periments carefully performed. It is, however, sufficiently 

 comprehensive for students taking the ordinary elemen- 

 tary stage, and has the merit, in a subject where so 

 much ground has to be covered, of conciseness without 

 sacrifice of clearness. The treatment of the other well- 

 known branches of the subject follows closely the lines 

 of the official syllabus. Though showing but few new 

 features, the book appears likely to meet the requirements 

 of both teachers and students. 



La Plaque Photographique. Par R. Colson. Pp. 165 -I- iv. 



(Paris: Georges Carre et C. Naud, 1897.) 

 Great is the number of photographers, but how few are 

 those who have any conception of the action of the rays 

 of light on the photographic plate? Every one who 

 dabbles in the "black art" should try to make himself 

 or herself acquainted with some of the rudiments of this 

 side of the subject, for a knowledge of principles helps 

 not only to render the results more perfect, but to add an 

 additional interest to the pursuit of this science. 



The book which we have before us is suita.ble for those 

 even not very advanced in the subject, and is well worth 



