November 23, 1899] 



NATURE 



// 



The sections on actinomycosis and syphilitic disease of 

 joints might be advantageously recast and made some- 

 what fuller, whilst " tensing " as a synonym for " tighten," 

 and " sorbefacient " for " causing resolution " are certainly 

 as ugly as they are unwarranted. 



The book is illustrated by 440 drawings, of which 

 the majority have been executed by Dr. Harvey Gold- 

 smith, some from preparations or drawings in the museum 

 of St. George's Hospital, others from rough sketches 

 made by Mr. Pick himself. The drawings for the most 

 part fulfil their purpose of illustrating the text, but in 

 Fig. 6 the veins appear to be situated external to the 

 skin ; whilst the drawings of the mocmain and lever 

 trusses in Fig. 338 are too diagrammatic to be useful. 



The book has a good index, and concludes with an 

 appendix containing a description of the various methods 

 of amputation. This appendix might have been rendered 

 additionally serviceable by the introduction of a section 

 upon prothetic appliances. D'A. P. 



OUR BOOK SHELF. 

 Elements of Precise Sun 'eying afid Geodesy. By Mans- 

 field Merriman, Professor of Civil Engineering in 

 Lehigh University. Pp. 261. (London : Chapman 

 and Hall, Ltd. New York : Wiley and Sons, 1899.) 



This book will be useful not only to undergraduates 

 attending Prof. Merriman's classes at the well-known 

 Lehigh University, but to all who may be engaged in 

 carrying out accurate or geodetic surveys. It is clearly 

 written, methodically arranged, and well illustrated ; and 

 the problem at the end of each section seems well 

 designed to test the student's knowledge. 



In Chapter i. the laborious method of least squares is 

 explained, and the most important processes for the 

 comparison of observations are described. Chapter ii. 

 deals with precise plane triangulation, the measurement 

 of horizontal angles, the adjustment of the angles of a 

 triangle and the computations. Chapter iii. is devoted 

 to base lines, their measurement and reduction to sea- 

 level. A steel tape, from 300 to 500 feet long, is recom- 

 mended as a convenient apparatus for the measurement 

 of base lines, and instances are given of the excellent 

 results that have been obtained with it in the United 

 States. In its favour are its portability and the moderate 

 cost at which accuracy of measurement can be secured 

 by its use. Chapter iv. contains useful sections on 

 accurate levelling and the adjustment of " a level net." 

 In Chapter v. the field operations necessary for the 

 determination of azimuth, latitude and longitude are well 

 described, and it may be noted that a good sextant is 

 held to be preferable to a transit theodolite for taking 

 altitudes of a star. In Chapter vi. there is a slight 

 sketch of the attempts to determine the form and size 

 of the earth from that of Eratosthenes to the measure- 

 ment of the Lapland and Peruvian arcs by the French 

 Academy. This is followed by sections on the solution 

 of geodetic problems on the supposition, first, that the 

 earth is a sphere, and then, Chapter vii., that it is an 

 oblate spheroid. In the latter case Clarke's elements 

 of the spheroid are used for the calculations. Chapter 

 viii. deals with projections, including the polyconic pro- 

 jection adopted in the United States ; and Chapter ix. is 

 a brief but clear account of the various operations con- 

 nected with the practical work of geodetic triangulation. 

 In Chapter x. there are short discussions on the figure of 

 the earth considered as a spheroid, an ellipsoid, an 

 ovaloid and a geoid ; and in Chapter xi. there are tables 

 sufficient for the solution of the problems given in the 

 volume. 



NO. 1569, VOL. 61] 



Prof Merriman's book contains frequent references to 

 the valuable publications of the United States Coast 

 Survey, which are not always easily accessible, and the 

 American meter is used in the tables and calculations. 

 But this does not lessen its value as a treatise on the 

 elements of precise surveying and geodesy that may be 

 profitably used for instructional purposes in this country. 



C. W. Wilson. 



Experimental Science {Physiography : Section I.). By 

 R. A. Gregory and A. T. Simmons, B.Sc. Pp. viii -f- 

 332. (London : Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1899.) 

 This is one of the school books called into existence by 

 the alterations which have been made by the Depart- 

 ment of Science and Art in the syllabus for elementary 

 physiography. A clear perception of the needs of both 

 pupils and teachers is evident throughout, and the high 

 standard which the authors have set themselves in pre- 

 vious works of a similar character is thoroughly main- 

 tained. The book is so planned that it is well adapted for 

 the new arrangement whereby the subject may be taken 

 in three stages, by candidates for engagement as pupil 

 teachers, and pupil teachers in their first and second years ; 

 and it also includes most of the subjects of the Oxford and 

 Cambridge Junior Local examinations in experimental 

 science. Though treating a considerable range of sub- 

 jects, and keeping examination requirements well in 

 view, the book is by no means sketchy, but indicates 

 very clearly the significance of the progressive series ot 

 experiments described. Many of the experiments are 

 suitable for performance by the pupils themselves. The 

 illustrations are both numerous and good. 



Tito Nenci. I. Bachi da Seta. 3a edizione con note e 

 aggiunte di Francesco Nenci. Con 47 incisioni e 2 

 Tavole. Pp. xii+300. (Milano : Hoepli, 1900.) 

 This is a compact little manual which seems to have 

 first appeared in 1883, and has now arrived at its third 

 edition. The portrait of Prof T. Nenci forms the frontis- 

 piece, and the other plate illustrates the ventilation of a 

 silkworm establishment. The text illustrations are good, 

 seme of them occupying a whole page. The book is 

 divided into seven parts, dealing with the natural history 

 of the silkworm ; the " bacheria,'' or silkworm-breeding 

 establishment ; races and rearing ; diseases of the silk- 

 worm ; degeneracy and regeneration ; outlay ; properties 

 of silk, &c. ; and other silk-producing Lepidoptera. But 

 the book is chiefly intended as a practical manual ; and 

 the last chapter gives little more than the names of a few 

 of the best-known silk-producing Saturniid;e, though the 

 cocoons of two of these are illustrated. W. F. K. 



Types of British Animals. By F. G. Aflalo. Pp. xx -f- 



290. (London : Sands and Co., 1899.) 

 This well-illustrated and very readable addition to the 

 " Library for Young Naturalists " is likely to become a 

 favourite with boys. Technical terms are reduced to 

 a minimum, though room has been found for necessary 

 explanatory paragraphs. The first eight chapters describe 

 types of British quadrupeds and whales, and are followed 

 by eight chapters on birds. After single chapters on 

 British reptiles and amphibians, with six on British 

 fishes, invertebrate life is considered in the concluding 

 six chapters. Spiders and insects are described by Mr. 

 C. S. Colman. The familiar and chatty style which is 

 adopted throughout will be sure to capture a boy's atten- 

 tion, and eventually set him observing for himself. We 

 hope the author's appeal to his readers to burn their 

 catapults may prove successful, but we have our doubts. 

 The eight full-page plates and thirty-one illustrations by 

 Mr. Caldwell not only add to the attractiveness of the 

 volume, but will prove useful in enabling the reader to 

 recognise living specimens. 



