83 



KNOWLEDGE. 



[Apkil 1, 1896. 



desert plants, alpine and arctic plants, maritime and saline 

 plants, phanerogamovis aquatic plants, subterranean struc- 

 tures, climbing stems, and leaves. A wealth of facts with 

 reference to the structural peculiarities of these plants are 

 described and explained from Prof. Ilenslow's point of view. 

 The argument is always ingenious and often convincing, 

 and, though we are not iuflined to accept it in its entirety, 

 we regard it as alYording a strong c-ise against natural 

 selection. Bat whether Prof. Ilenslow's views are accepted 

 or not, we cordially commend his book to all who study 

 the biology of plants. 



lli'porl of the Total Eclipse of the Sun, observed at Mina 

 Bfonccs, Chile, o)i April 16th, 1S93. By J. M. Schaeberle 

 (University of California). Illustrated. The excellent 

 results obtained by Prof. Schaeberle during the total solar 

 eclipse of April, 1893, and the fact that a large number of 

 astronomers are making preparations to observe the eclipse 

 which will happen next August, makes this volume a very 

 valuable one, published at an appropriate time. The 

 volume contains a narrative of the expedition, reports of 

 individual observers, several good illustrations of the 

 corona reproduced from photographs, and a discussion 

 of the results by Prof. Schaeberle. It will be remembered 

 that the attention of the expedition was entirely devoted to 

 the corona, so the discussion is practically limited to 

 coronal structure. In a " Mechanical Theory of the 

 Corona," put forward by Prof. Schaeberle in 1890, it was 

 suggested that all the coronal matter was ejected in 

 streams normal to the sun's surface, and that the various 

 appearances presented by the corona during different 

 eclipses were produced by differences in the terrestrial 

 point of view. This theory has, however, been slightly 

 modified in order to accommodate it to the facts revealed 

 by the photographs of 1893, and Prof. Schaeberle now 

 concludes that " all true stream lines can be made to 

 coincide with elliptical arcs having one focus at the sun's 

 centre, the origin of the streams being, in the main, 

 confined to the spot-zone regions." Contrary to the 

 opinion of many solar physicists, he thinks that neither 

 electricity nor magnetism have anything to do with the 

 arrangenient of coronal matter in the sun's neighbour- 

 hood ; indeed, if all the stream-lines have the foi'm which 

 Prof. Schaeberle describes in the foregoing extract, it is 

 unnecessary to introduce electrical and ma,t,'netic forces to 

 account for them. How far the views will stand the test 

 of future knowledge is not for us to decide, but at any rate 

 they help to direct attention to the structure of the sun's 

 surroundings, and so assist in the advancement of solar 

 physics. 



The Afironautical Annual. Edited by James Means. 

 (Clark & Co., Washington Street, Boston.) One dollar, 

 post free. The general public, as well as literary men, 

 leader writers, and even some scientific people, entertain 

 very vague and erroneous ideas as to the results likely to 

 arise when man has succeeded in navigating the air. 

 To all such we would strongly recommend a careful 

 perusal of Mr. Means' new annual for 189G. In this 

 volume (the second annual) Mr. Means has most indus- 

 triously brought into notice the result of a year's work, 

 and has produced a very instructive and readable book. 

 Under twenty-one separate headings, with sixteen well- 

 executed plates (including an excellent likeness of Mr. 

 Octave Chanute) and numerous woodcuts, the subjects are 

 rendered very clear for the reader. M. Lilienthal con- 

 tributes some novelties in his particular department of 

 flight ; Mr. j\Iaxim treats of the allied subjects of 

 natural and artificial llight ; Mr. Chanute takes up the 

 subject of saihng ilight. Prof. Pickering takes up the 



subject of bird soaring, Mr. Herring dynamic flight, and Mr. 

 Lawrence llotch the relation of the wind to aeronautics. 

 Not the least interesting portions of the book are those in 

 which various kinds of kites are well described and 

 illustrated. Wliile the annual proves that real progi-ess 

 is being made, it also shows that very much remains to 

 be accomplished before iurial (light can be rendered 

 practical ; and those who look up )n it as a mere instru- 

 ment of war will have to wait a vary long tinn. 



SHORT NOTICES. 



The llixfon/ of JIabi/luina. }'•} tlic late George Smith. Edited and 

 l)r.>uj;lit up to date by Rev. A. II. Sayee. (Soeioty for rromotin;; 

 I'liristian Knowledge.) Zf. A valuable liandbook lor f.ludents. 

 It possesses a list of Babylonian kings with their approximate dates, 

 and has a useful index. 



Frail Cliihlren of Ihe Air. By Samuel Hubbard Scudder. (Boston: 

 Houghton, Milllin", & Co.) Illustrated. SI Me. In this book a 

 number of interesting facts in relation to butterdies, and especially 

 American species, are discussed and explained. The book is free from 

 technicalities, and will be valued by all amateur entomologists. 



Popular Iteadini/f: in S.'ieiire. By John Gall, M.A., and David 

 Robertson, M.A. 2nd I'^dition. (Constable.) 4s. A number of 

 subjects of fundamental importance in science are treated of in a 

 fairly popular way in this volume, and we would recommend it to 

 those who wisli to gaiu a general knowledge of important scientific 

 subjects. 



T/ie Climates of t/ie Oeoloffical Past, and their relation to the 

 JSrolitfion of fhf Sun. By Eug. Dubois. (SwanSonnenschcin.) 3s. 6d. 

 This is a translation of a treat;ise in German and an essay in Dutch, 

 purposing to explain the climatic changes of past ages by changes of 

 tlie solar heat. 



Aniiitaire Asfronomique et Mtteorolopique pour 189G. Par Caraille 

 Flammarion. (Paris: Plon, Nourrit.) Illustrated. If. 25e. Contains 

 a description of everv celestial jihenomenon observed during the year 

 1895. 



Mechanics. Hy/lrostatics. By R. T. Glazebrook, M.A., F.R S. 

 (Cambridge University Press.) Is an excellent elementary text-book, 

 and will be found of great use for colleges and schools, since it deals 

 both practically and theoretically with the subject. 



The Koh-i-Nur Diamond. By Edwin W. Strecter. (Bell & Sons.) 

 Illustrated. Contains an interesting description of this celebrated 

 diamond and its history, and also of the Pitt diamond. 



The Stori/ of the Earth in Past Affes. By H. G. Seelcy, F.R.S. 

 (Ncwnes.) Illustrated. Is. This little book, which is a wonderful 

 production for the price, deals pleasantly and plainly with many facts 

 in connection with the earth in the geological pasr. 



Weather and Disease. By Alex. B. MacDowall, MA. (Graphotone 

 Co.) Is a very interesting compilation, illustrating by means of curves 

 the history of the variations of weather and disease in recent years. 

 It will furnish useful data for comparison and study to those interested 

 in the subject. 



Ah Introduction to Chemical Cri/slallographii. By Andreas Fock. 

 Translated from the German and edited by W. J. Pope. Is so arranged 

 that tlie twenty-five brief chapters each elucid.ate a single idea, and 

 Mr. Pope's excellent translation and revision will bring it witliin the 

 reach of university and other students. 



"VVe liavc lately received a number of new catalogues, all excellent 

 in their way, from different makers of scientific instruments. 

 The cliief features in Messrs. Newton's, Messrs. York & Son's, and 

 Messrs. Wilson's catalogues are their gigantic lists of magic-lantern 

 slides, comprising series of almost every subject of scientific interest. 

 Mr. J. II. Steward has issued a pamphlet entitled " How to Assist the 

 Sight," which admirably explains the uses of spectacles and eyeglasses 

 of every kind. Messrs. Ross & Co. have several novelties in their 

 catalogue, amongst which we might mention their new Ec'ijise 

 microscope and new Science lantern, the former a» an excellent cheap 

 microscope and the latter as a very complete and perfect lantern. 

 Messrs. Home & Thornthwaite's astronomical instruments range 

 from the plain and inexpensive to the high class and perfect. Messrs. 

 Banks & Co.'s catalogue contains an excellent list of astronomical 

 instruments suitable for amateurs, and that of Messrs. Steinheil Sohne 

 a number of binoculars and telescopes. Messrs. Thornton-Pickard 

 have also sent ns a catalogue, the illustrations in which prove the 

 efllciency of their shutters. 



