January 17, 1907] 
NATURE 
269 
desirable has been adopted. But, curiously enough, 
the uniformity is intra-verbal and not inter-verbal; 
for whilst the physiologics and physiologicals of the 
first edition appear as physiologics in the second, and 
whilst the same course has been followed with the 
adjectival forms of morphology and paleontology, 
the empirics and empiricals of the first edition appear 
as empiricals in the second. We condemn the manner 
in which this uniformity has been introduced. We 
are perfectly aware that morphologic is correct, and 
that morphological is hybrid and redundant, contain- 
ing as it does a Greek and a Latin adjectival ter- 
mination, but we hold that the former is ugly and 
that the latter is not. If the customary termination 
is allowed in the case of empirical, on what grounds 
is it refused in that of physiological? If in our choice 
of the forms of terms we have to choose between those 
with the meaning and sound of which we have be- 
come familiar, be they mever so hybrid, and those 
forms. of them that we are told are strictly logic, let 
us by all means choose the former. 
There is no need to commend the book. It is in- 
dispensable, inasmuch as it is the only available 
account of Prof. de Vries’s work in English, so far. 
Jee 1D), 1D); 
Time and Clocks: a Description of Ancient and 
Modern Methods of Measuring Time. By H. H. 
Cunynghame, C.B. Pp. 200. (London: Archibald 
Constable and Co., Ltd., 1906.) Price 6s. net. 
In this volume the author has gone much further 
than the title and subtitle would lead one to expect. 
Not only are the ‘“‘ ancient and modern methods of 
measuring time ’’ discussed, but an attempt has been 
made to lead the non-scientific reader to a knowledge 
of the many principles involved in a series of logical 
steps. Mass, gravity, space, harmonic motion, &c., 
&ce., are all discussed at Jength, whilst excursions into 
the ancient concepts of various phenomena are by no 
means infrequent. 
We rather fear that the reader who has not gone 
through a course of dynamics will find it hard to 
grasp the significance of the various discussions, 
despite the clear reasoning and simple examples, 
whilst to the science student a greater part of the 
matter is unnecessary. 
Still, in the hands of a youth trained in the ideal 
fashion suggested by the author at the end of the 
book (p. 186), the volume, carefuily digested, should 
prove of service and tend ‘‘to keep the young rascal 
from worrying his sisters and stoning the cat.”’ 
Wi oes 
Conduction of Electricity through Gases. By Prof. 
J. J. Thomson, F.R.S. Second edition. Cam- 
bridge Physical Series. Pp. vi+678. (Cambridge : 
University Press, 1g06.) Price 16s. 
Tuts book, the first edition of which was fully noticed 
in Nature (vol. Ixix., p. 74), will be welcomed by all 
those who are striving to keep up with the rapidly 
growing literature of an increasingly important sub- 
ject. It was the author’s researches in this field 
which first paved the way for the rapid extension of 
our knowledge which has taken place in the last few 
years. Much still remains to be done before the 
innumerable phenomena encountered in the study of 
the electrical behaviour of gases can be considered 
fully elucidated, and to the thoughtful worker these 
still unoccupied regions will probably be the most 
attractive. While this book has been waiting notice 
on the reviewer’s table, frequent reference has been 
made to it for work that has appeared since the issue 
of the first edition, and in no case in vain. It main- 
tains in an enhanced degree its good qualities as a 
work of reference none engaged in the subject can be 
NO. 1942, VOL. 75| 
without, and as an authoritative exposition of a field 
of work the author has made his own it has its own 
place among a wide circle of readers. 
The New Physics and Chemistry: a Series of Popular 
Essays on Physical and Chemical Subjects. By 
W. A. Shenstone, F.R.S. Pp. vii+360. (London : 
Smith, Elder and Co., 1906.) Price 7s. 6d. net. 
WHEN a collection of essays upon the chief problems 
in physical science engaging the attention of investi- 
gators at the present time is published without an 
index, its value to students of scientific progress is 
greatly diminished. Mr. Shenstone evidently does 
not intend the book to be used for reference, other- 
wise he would have provided a key to its contents. 
His essays, which originally appeared in the Cornhill 
Magazine, represent popular science at its best, and 
rehearse the outstanding features of the new physics 
and chemistry in a style easy of comprehension. The 
book should serve a useful purpose in revealing to 
readers familiar with the concepts of physical science 
the richness of fact and theory relating to the proper- 
ties and constitution of matter and the ether. 
The Manufacture of Light. By Prof. Silvanus P. 
Thompson, F.R.S. Pp. vi4-67. (London: Mac- 
millan and Co., Ltd., 1906.) Price 1s. net. 
Pror. THompson’s evening lecture delivered at the 
York meeting of the British Association in August 
iast is here presented in an attractive form. Twenty- 
eight clearly reproduced illustrations assist greatly in 
a thorough comprehension of the discourse. After a 
brief description of primitive sources of light and a 
reference to the inventions of gas and electric light- 
ing, the general question of incandescence is dis- 
cussed. This is followed by an account of photo- 
metry and an explanation of the inequality in different 
directions of the light from various sources. After 
dealing with the sensitiveness of the eye to radiations 
of particular wave-lengths, the measurement of 
emission, and the temperature and quality of radi- 
ation, Prof. Thompson describes various incandescent 
gas-lights, new kinds of glow-lamps and arc-lamps, 
and concludes with a consideration of the cost of the 
manufacture of light. The little book should have a 
wide popularity. 
Lichtstrahlung und Beleuchtung. By Paul Hogner. 
Pp. ix+66; illustrated. No. 8 of Dr. G. 
Benischke’s ‘‘ Elektrotechnilk in Einzel-Darstell- 
ungen.’’ (Brunswick: Vieweg and Son, 1906.) 
Price 3 marks. 
Tuts book gives a clear exposition of illumination by 
means of electric arc lamps. The theory of the sub- 
ject is well set forth, and starts from a sufficiently 
elementary foundation to be easily followed by the 
average ‘student. The chief feature of the worl: is a 
number of tables giving data concerning illumination 
under different conditions, and these might be profit- 
ably consulted by those wishing to arrive at the best 
results in a given case. The bool is well printed and 
the diagrams are good. 
A Synonymic Catalogue of Orthoptera. Vol. ii., 
Orthoptera Saltatoria, Part i. (Achetide et 
Phasgonuride). By W. F. Kirby. (London: 
Printed by Order of the Trustees of the British 
Museum, 1906.) Price 15s. 
Tuis volume is the continuation of Mr. Kirby’s 
synonymic catalogue the first part of which was pub- 
lished in November, 1904. The present work includes 
the Achetidz, or crickets, and the Phasgonuridz, or 
long-horned grasshoppers, often improperly called 
Locustide. The true Locustide, or short-horned 
grasshoppers—often called Acridiida—will form the 
third and concluding volume of this work. 
