December 18, 1902] 



NA TURE 



149 



during past geological periods is traced, and here we 

 have to notice the same freedom from the stereotyped 

 methods and matter of text-books of geology which we 

 have remarked upon in the earlier portions of the work. 

 Subjects like the cause of the formation of concretionary 

 structures in rocks are treated at considerable length 

 and with much skill, though, it must be confessed, with 

 considerable inequality. On the other hand, many 

 important questions which do not happen to have been 

 made the subject of special research by the author are 

 treated in a superficial manner or altogether passed 

 over, there being little obvious connection between the 

 space devoted to various divisions of the subject and 

 their relative importance. 



As a work designed to attract the attention of a general 

 reader and to stimulate the thought of more advanced 

 students, the work is excellent. But it is rather as a 

 supplement to other books on the subject than as an 

 independent treatise that its value is most apparent, for 

 it is wanting in many of those features which are neces- 

 sary in a work which is designed to give a presentation of 

 the present state of geological knowledge. It is unfortunate 

 that the book is not provided with an index. 



The Student's Handbook to the University and Colleges 



of Cambridge. First Edition, Corrected to June 30, 



1902. Pp. 468. (Cambridge : University Press, 1902.) 



Price y- net. 

 In this volume, the editor has brought together in a con- 

 cise form all the more interesting facts and methods of 

 procedure which every student should desire to know as 

 he proceeds to the University of Cambridge as an under- 

 graduate. There are twenty-three chapters in all, and 

 each is devoted to special items. 



After a short and condensed account of the history of 

 each college, with a list of the officials at present in 

 residence, the reader is made acquainted with the con- 

 ditions of admission to any particular college, the period 

 of residence, discipline, and an excellent survey of the 

 average expenditure necessary. 



The next four chapters are devoted to the details of 

 the conditions and value of the entrance scholarships, 

 exhibitions and sizarships, and the various University and 

 college scholarships and prizes, concluding with a general 

 account of the objects for which the several institutions 

 of the University are utilised. 



The handbook then gives useful information on the 

 work of teaching as divided between the University and 

 the different colleges, and then proceeds to bring together 

 all the necessary information for those who are about to 

 qualify for the previous, ordinary B.A. degree, and 

 honours examinations. 



After two brief chapters on advanced study and 

 research and examinations for medical students, detailed 

 information is given on the subjects of the B.A. and 

 superior degrees, diplomas and fellowships, followed by 

 useful chapters for candidates for Holy Orders, for the 

 Civil Service and Army, and for teachers. 



The final chapters show the facilities for the education 

 of women in the University, an account of the more im- 

 portant outside examinations conducted by the Univer- 

 sity, concluding with a description of the object and 

 work of the scholastic agency and the Appointments 

 Board. 



Bacteriological Technique and Special Bacteriology. By 



Thomas Bowhill, F.R.C.V.S. Second Edition. Pp. 



xvi + 324. (Edinburgh : Oliver and Boyd, 1902. J 



Price zis. net. 

 As might have been anticipated, a second edition of Prof. 

 Bowhill's book has been rendered necessary by the rapid 

 sale of the first edition. 



The book is divided into seven parts, as follows : — 

 Part i., principles of bacteriological technique ; part ii., 

 the preparation of nutrient media ; part hi., bpecial 



NO. 1729, VOL. 67] 



bacteriology; part iv., the Hyphomycetes ; part v., the 

 Blastomycetes ; part vi., the Piotozoa ; part vii., diseases 

 due to undetermined infective agents. The illustrations 

 number 136 and they are all of the highest class. In 

 particular, the photomicrographs, executed by ihe author 

 and reproduced by the collotype process, are admirable. 



The author has the advantage of being, not only a bac- 

 teriologist of high repute, but also an acknowledged 

 veterinary expert. I: is not surprising, therefoie, to find 

 that the diseases of microbial origin, which affect the 

 lower animals as well as human beings, are dealt with in 

 a conspicuously able fashion. 



The descriptions of swine fever, swine plague, swine 

 erysipelas, pleuro-pneumonia, contagiosa bovis, broncho- 

 pneumonia bovis, grouse disease, diphtheria and glanders 

 are excellent. 



The author has added much new matter to the text, 

 and the book is thoroughly up to date. 



Part vii., dealing with diseases due to infective 

 agents of undetermined character, is a specially useful 

 article. As regards rinderpest, the author gives a graphic 

 account of the methods adopted during the recent out- 

 break of the disease in South Africa. The methods were 

 as follows : — (1) Koch's original bile method ; (2)glycerin- 

 ated bile method (Edington) ; (3) serum method of 

 Turner and Kolle ; (4) defibrinated blood method. Lucid 

 descriptions are given of the best way of preparing the 

 serum, bile and defibrinated blood. 



The methods of examining air, water, soil, unsound 

 meat and ice cream are insufficiently discussed, and the 

 bacteriological examination of sewage is apparently not 

 considered at all. 



In conclusion, it may be said that no student in 

 veterinary, medical and sanitary science should be with- 

 out a copy of this excellent manual. That the book will 

 enhance the enviable reputation of the author is beyond 

 question. 



Practical Electricity. By J. Hope Belcher. Pp. xi + 

 165. (London : Allman and Son, Ltd., 1902.) Price 

 2 s. 6d. 

 This book is intended to be an elementary manual for a 

 laboratory course in practical electricity. It contains 

 instructions for carrying out a number of experiments 

 designed to illustrate the principles of magnetism and 

 electricity. The course is largely modelled on that given 

 by Prof. Ayrton at the Cily and Guilds Institute. The 

 experiments are well chosen, and the description and 

 instructions seem to us adequate. The student is shown 

 how to tabulate and set out his results, and some useful 

 hints are given to teachers of elementary science as to 

 the conduct of a laboratory class. We notice in one of 

 the experiments the old fallacy of "proving" Ohm's law 

 by a method in which P.D.'s are measured with an 

 electromagnetic voltmeter ; it is remarkable how hard 

 this fallacy is to kill. Apart from this and a few minor 

 blemishes, Mr. Belcher's book is a useful little manual. 



M. S. 



Acht Vortrdge iiber phvsikalische Chemie. Von J. H- 

 van 't Hoff. Pp. 8r. (Braunschweig : Vieweg und 

 Sohn, 1902.) Price 2 Mk. 50 Pf. 

 Prof, van 't Hoff delivered these lectures in June, 

 1901, on the invitation of the University of Chicago. As 

 they were intended for a mixed audience, they have a 

 more or less popular character, but in places they would 

 be difficult for anyone lacking special knowledge to 

 follow, without the personal influence of the lecturer. 

 Two lectures each are devoted to the influence exerted by 

 physical chemistry on pure chemistry, technical che- 

 mistry, physiology and geology. The treatment is neces- 

 sarily meagre, but many interesting subjects are touched 

 upon, and to students of science these lectures must prove 

 stimulating and suggestive to a degree. 



