54 
tion of facts. Too many sentences commence with 
“‘ Suppose,”’ or “It would not be surprising,’’ or ‘ It 
is just possible,’ or words with a like significance. 
If the author had put his views into an essay of ten 
or twelve pages, he would have done more to further 
his object, in which we cordially sympathise, of 
arriving ‘‘at the truth concerning the position of thie 
Old Red in the succession.”’ 
Steel and Iron for Advanced Students. By Arthur H. 
Hiorns. Pp. xvi + 514. (London: Macmillan and 
Co., Ltd., 1903.) Price tos. 6d. 
EvipentLy based upon a course of lectures delivered 
at the Birmingham Municipal Technical School, this 
little bool: is primarily a text-book not of so highly 
advanced a character as the title might perhaps 
suggest. It is well up to date, and embodies the latest 
views on the subject expressed at recent meetings of 
the Iron and Steel Institute. The arrangement of the 
matter is very similar to that adopted in Bauerman’s 
““ Metallurgy of Iron ’’? and in Greenwood’s ‘‘ Steel and 
Iron.’’ The 131 illustrations are admirable, and well 
adapted to indicate to the student or intelligent work- 
man the principles described. The index is the least 
satisfactory part of the book. The names of several 
authors cited (Brinell, Brustlein, Carvés, Chénot, 
Eyermann, Hoffmann, Liirmann, Massicks and 
Crooke, Mukai, McWilliam and Pourcel) are in- 
correctly spelt, whilst several authors to whom refer- 
ence is made in the text (Berthier, Chernoff, Ewing, 
Faraday, Galbraith, Hautefeuille, and Wingham) are 
omitted. Similar errors in proper names occur in the 
text. Sir Lowthian Bell, for example, is described as 
Sir Lothian (p. 135) and as Mr. Bell (p. 380), and no 
distinction is made between Mr. Edward Riley and 
Mr. James Riley. Despite these faults, the book may 
be cordially recommended to science teachers as one 
which is eminently suitable for metallurgical classes. 
Agriculture for Beginners. By C. W. Burkett, F. L. 
Stevens, and D. H. Hill. Pp. xii+267. (Boston 
and London: Ginn and Co., 1903.) 
Tue question of the introduction of instruction in agri- 
culture or any other definitely technical subject into 
our elementary schools is one which has been much 
debated recently, but the opinion of most of those who 
have any working knowledge of teaching is very 
strongly against it. Agriculture in schools is very 
likely to become a book subject; it is far preferable to 
take up some question like the growth of a plant, 
which admits both of simple experiment on the part 
of the pupil and of abundant illustration from practical 
life, which again supplies a basis of reasoning and 
knowledge for anyone who happens in later life to be 
concerned in the raising of crops. 
The authors, however, of the little book under notice 
consider that in the country schools of the United 
States something more definitely agricultural is 
wanted, since ‘‘ most boys and girls reared on a farm 
get no educational training except that given in the 
public schools.’? They have, accordingly, prepared a 
text-book which, in the earlier stages, deals with the 
plant in the manner we have indicated, by simple 
experiments capable of repetition by the scholars. 
They pass on to more special topics, such as cross- 
fertilisation and the raising of new varieties, diseases 
of plants, insect pests, crops and stock, dairying, &c., 
all treated in a simple and attractive fashion, with a 
great wealth of illustrations, admirably selected and 
reproduced. The conditions dealt with are, however, 
so distinctively American as to render the book of little 
service in English schools, though the teacher himself 
may obtain from it some hints as to method and many 
excellent illustrations. 
NO. 1777, VOL. 69] 
WIA TORE 
[ NOVEMBER 19, 1903 
The Praxis of Urinary Analysis. A Guide to the 
Chemical Analysis of Urine. By Dr. Lassar-Cohn, 
Professor in the University of Koenigsberg. 
Authorised Translation by H. W. F. Lorenz, A.M., 
Ph.D. Pp. vi+s58. (New York: John Wiley and 
Sons; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1903.) 
Price 1 dollar. 
Tue object of this little book is stated to be to give 
directions for the chemical determinations of the 
ordinary constituents of urine and of the stomach con- 
tents that are of value for diagnosis. Even with this 
limitation, the directions given are too brief, especially 
as regards those for quantitative estimations. For 
the detection of albumen the heat test, and for sugar 
Trommer’s test, alone are mentioned. For the quanti- 
tative estimation of sugar, it is stated that titration 
with Fehling’s solution is only suitable for chemical 
laboratories, because the solution must be freshly pre- 
pared, and, ‘‘ secondly, and this is much more annoy- 
ing, it is extremely difficult to determine the end of 
the reaction, for solutions of the proper strength can 
be bought nowadays ”’ (p. 38). The translation must 
have gone astray here. As regards practical value, 
the two pages upon the quantitative estimation of 
sugar might have been omitted. 
R, T. HEWLETT. 
Studies in Physiology, Anatomy and Hygiene. By 
J. E. Peabody, A.M., Instructor in Biology in the 
Morris High School, New York City. Pp. xviii + 
373 147 illustrations in the text. (New York: the 
acmillan Co.; London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 
1903.) Price 5s. net. 
Tuts is one of a numerous class of books suitable for 
use in high schools and similar institutions. As its 
title implies, it gives, in addition to the principles of 
physiology, as much anatomy and also, it may be 
mentioned, chemistry as is necessary for the under- 
standing of the bodily functions; the application of 
such knowledge to everyday life (hygiene) is also 
pointed out in a sensible and practical way. A book 
of this character does not call for any lengthy review ; 
it is sufficient to say that after a careful perusal we 
are convinced that it will fulfil the réle the author 
wishes it to play. It is clearly written, well illustrated, 
and, what is more important, is unusually free from 
errors. 
Arithmetic. Part ii. By H. G. Willis, M.A. Pp. 
viii + 236 + xxxix. (London: Rivingtons, 1903.) 
Price 1s, 4d. 
Tue senior mathematical master of Manchester 
Grammar School here continues his plan of supplying 
examples in arithmetic grouped in series so as to 
furnish two or three lessons a week for a term. These 
exercises cover the parts of the subject studied in 
schools which were not dealt with in the author’s 
former book. Oral questions are inserted at the 
beginning of each exercise, and answers to all ex- 
amples are provided. 
Arithmetical Types and Examples. By W. G. 
Borchardt, M.A., B.Sc. Pp. xii + 367. (London: 
Rivingtons, 1903.) Price 3s. 6d. 
Tuts volume is, the author states, intended to stand 
between the complete text-book of arithmetic and the 
mere compilation of examples. Each exercise is pre- 
ceded by a model worked-out example, and a few ex- 
planatory notes are added. Most of the recommend- 
ations of the recent committee of the Mathematical 
Association have been adopted, and full answers are 
given. We notice that graphical methods are made 
use of, and logarithms are employed to facilitate the 
calculation of compound interest. : 
