May -2, 1898.] 



KNOWLEDGE 



m 



and final book is a strong argument that we have, amongst 

 the stars, oases not only of diminishing but also of rising 

 temperature, and incidentally that our sun should be in- 

 cluded in the former class. Had the work been confined 

 to the setting forth of these four subjects it would have 

 demanded a very considerable meed of praise, though Sir 

 Norman Lockyer is always too much theory-ridden to be 

 quite a safe guide to the student. A further and serious 

 drawback to the book is that several of the most important 

 diagrams are completely spoiled in the printing. 



The Concise h'nowlethje Astronomy. By Agnes M. Gierke, 

 A. Fowler, and -J. Ellard Ciore. (Hutchinson & Co. 

 London, 1898.) os. A handbook of astronomy from three 

 such writers might well be expected to be one of most 

 unusual excellence, and, as a matter of fact, there can be 

 no question but that they have produced a very useful 

 and interesting volume. And yet, those to whom the 

 deservedly high reputations of Miss Gierke and Mr. Gore 

 are known, will scarcely avoid a feeling of disappointment. 

 This is chieHy due to the untoward conditions under which 

 these two gifted writers have had to work. To Miss Gierke 

 are assigned two sections of the book — a history of 

 astronomy and the section on the solar system. The 

 former has been limited to thirty-six pages and has been 

 marvellously well done within this contracted compass. 

 It is true that it begins only with Hipparchus, omitting 

 absolutely all reference to the astronomies of Chaldea and 

 early Egypt, and the enforced rapidity of its glance gives 

 no opportunity to the author fairly to exercise her research 

 or her grace of style. In the third section, on the solar 

 system, also entrusted to her. Miss Gierke has an ampler 

 space, which she therefore uses to much better effect, but 

 which is yet too confined for her subject. And we notice 

 in not a few instanses that an unfaltering verdict is given 

 on subjects which are still before the court. So doubt, did 

 space permit, the evidence for and against would have been 

 fairly presented. We may mention as illustrations the 

 rotation of Venus and the nature of the zodiacal light. 



Mr. Gore in the fourth section, on the sidereal heavens, 

 has brought together a vast amount of important informa- 

 tion ; but it is simply a reference book, carefully collated, 

 well arranged — not a treatise. 



Mr. Fowler, in section two, on geometrical astronomy 

 and astronomical instruments, deserves unqualified praise, 

 and has handled bis subject in a clear, straightforward, 

 businesslike manner. We may mention the conditions, 

 number, and recurrence of eclipses, the " hunter's " and 

 " harvest " moons, amongst many others as subjects which 

 he has treated with special lucidity. We would only take 

 some exception to the title " Geometrical Astronomy " as 

 applied to his section, as the term so used is a little apart 

 from its ordinary acceptance. 



In conclusion the book is admirably illustrated by five 

 fine plates and a number of clear diagrams. Its faults, 

 which are few, are almost inseparable from the plan of such 

 a handbook ; and as carried out by its three authors the 

 book is most thorough, trustworthy, and complete. 



SHORT NOTICES. 



Phiisiof/raphif fur Advanced Students. Bv A. T. Simmons, B.sc. 

 (Macmillan.) Illustrated, -ts. 6cl. Intended for students preparing 

 for the exaniinations of the Science and Art Department, this book 

 is one of the best which we have seen for that purpose. There are 

 many others in the field written on similar lines, but in this one a 

 large section is devoted to geolosv — a subject which, in the new 

 syllabus, has been considerably modified — and in many other respects 

 the author has contrived to adapt his subject-matter to the latest 

 requirements of that unstable syllabus of physiography which, ever 

 since its first inception, has been undergoing a kind of metamorphosis 



that renders all books on the subject of an ephemeral character. 

 Hence the never-ending procession of them, which, like Banquo's line 

 of kings stretching out to the crack of doom, quickly follow on the 

 heels of each other. 



Slementari/ J'hi/sics, Practical and Theoretical. First Year's 

 Cour.ie. By John G. Kerr, m.a. (Blackie.) Illustrated. Is. 6d. 

 Intended for organized science schools, this book deals with both 

 practical and theoretical physics, and includes mechanics and hydro- 

 statics for first year students. The treatment of the subjects is con- 

 ventional, yet sound. The book will, no doubt, serve as a useful 

 lever for the purpose of lifting students over the stile in those for- 

 midable examinations of the Science and Art Department. 



We have received from Messrs. George Philip & Son a little book 

 entitled '" A Popular Introduction to the Study of the Sun," by George 

 Mackenzie Knight, a very young man, who displays a wonderful 

 insight into that complex subject — cosmography. Mr. Knight is 

 already known as the author of a sliort history of astronomy. The 

 work under notice is written in an eminently popular style, and, as 

 the production of a young man only twenty years of age, it augurs 

 well for the author's future as a man of letters. The book is inscribed 

 to tlie late llr. Ranyard, who took a friendly interest in the youthful 

 astronomer's earlier work. 



Semarkable Comets. By William Thynne Lynn, b.a.. f.b.s. Sixth 

 Edition. (Stanford.) 6d. The present edition of this little brochure 

 is brought up to date. All the n ost remarkable comets from the 

 earliest times up t3 the present day are here described. A list of 

 comets which are expected to return during the next hundred years 

 is inserted at the end of the book. 



The Story of the British Coinage. By Gertrude Burford Bawlings. 

 (Xewnes.) Illustrated. Is. Our author has presented the history 

 of our coinage from the earliest times. Each coin is exactly described, 

 and many of them are figured on both the obverse and reverse sides. 

 Colonial coins also are included, and photographic reproductions 

 given, the whole forming a very complete and handy guide to what 

 may be called British numismatics. 



BOOKS RECEIVED. 



William Moon, LL.D., and his Work for the Blind. By John 

 Rutherford, m.a. (llodder & Stoughton.) Illustrated, os. 



Cantor Lectures on Gutla-Percha. By Dr. Eugene F. A. Obach, 

 F.i.c. (Society of Arts.) 



A Student's Text-Book of Zooloffi/. By Adam Sedgwick, ii.A., 

 F.ES. (Sonnenschein.) IDustrated. 18s. 



With Peari/ near the Pole. Bv Eivind Astrup. Translated bv 

 H. J. Bull. (C. A. Pearson, Ltd.) ' Ulustrated. 10s. 6d. 



The Free- Trade Movement. By G. Armitage - Smith, M.A. 

 (Blackie & Son.) 2s. 6d. 



Viisical Statics. By .Tohn Curwin. \ew Edition. Revised by 

 T. F. Harris, B.sc. (Curwin & Sons.) Illustrated. 3s. 6d. 



A Simple Photographic Guide to the Choice of a Photographic 

 Lens. By T. R. Dallmeycr. (Dallmeyer, Ltd.) Illustrated. 



Elementarg Chemistrg. First fear's Course. By T. A. Cheetham. 

 (Blackie.) Illustrated. Is. 6d. 



Practical Radiography. By A. W. Isenthal and H. Snowden 

 Ward. Revised Edition. (Dawbarn is. Ward.) Hlustrated. 23. 6d. 

 net. 



Notes on Observations. By Svdney Lupton, si .A. (MacmiUan.) 

 3s. 6d. 



Essays on Museums. By Sir William Flower, K.c.B. (Macmillan.) 

 Illustrated. 12s net. 



Radiography and the X Rays. By S. R. Bottone. (Whittaker.) 

 Illustrated. 3s. 



Meteorological and Magnetic Obser cations. (Stonyhurst College 

 Observatory. 1897.) 



The Barometrical Determination of Heights. By F. J. Cordeiro. 

 (Spon.) 43. 6d. 



The Process of Creation Discovered. Bv James Dimbar. (Watts 

 & Co.) 7s. 6d. 



A Text-Book of Botany. By Drs. Strasburger, Jfoll, Schenck, and 

 Schimper. Translated from the German by H. C. Porter, ph.d. 

 (Macmillan.) Illustrated. IS3. net. 



What is Science ' By the Duke of Argyll. (David Douglas.) 



Bibliography of the Metals of the Platinum Group. By Jas. Lewis 

 Howe. (Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections.) 



The MammiU, Reptiles, and Fishes ofFsscr. By Henry Laver. 

 (Simpkin, Marshall, & Co.) Illustrated. 



