420 
want of space, been sometimes compelled to omit 
or skim over certain points in a very arbitrary 
fashion, at the same time using material which 
plainly interests him, but is less germane to 
the matter in hand. This is distinctly a fault 
in so all-comprehensive a book, and indicates that 
a more modest programme would have been 
better. There is no doubt, however, that he has 
essentially succeeded in giving unity to the sub- 
jects treated, and his volume, with the above quali- 
fications, is strongly to be recommended. As to 
the wisdom of the choice of his particular point of 
view, there can be little doubt. Haber has been 
credited with the remark that the basis of physical 
chemistry in the future will be one part thermo- 
dynamics and three parts theories of radiation and 
quanta. And when one considers the manifold 
ways in which these theories have already been 
applied—to specific heats, photo-electric effect, 
Roéntgen rays, y-rays, radioactive changes, the 
emission of free electrons during chemical changes, 
thermoelectromotive force, electrical resistance, 
&c.—one will not feel inclined to dispute his pro- 
phecy. The growing importance of atomic and 
molecular mechanics in comparison with classical 
thermodynamics is undoubtedly the outstanding 
feature of physical chemistry at the present 
moment. 
VETERINARY PHYSIOLOGY. 
A Manual of Veterinary Physiology, Fourth edi- 
tion. By Major-General F. Smith, C.B., C.M.G. 
Pp. xii+808; 259 illustrations. (London: 
Bailliere, Tindall and Cox, 1912.) Price 18s. 
net. 
S pointed out by the author, this work is 
essentially a veterinary, and not a compara- 
tive, physiology, and an endeavour has been made 
to render it of service, not only to the student of 
theoretical veterinary physiology, but also to the 
clinician. Throughout the book the author has 
taken every opportunity of pointing out the clinical 
application of various physiological facts, and 
further indicating how various pathological con- 
ditions are purely derangements of physiological 
conditions. 
The work as a whole is excellent, and this 
edition must rank as the standard text-book on 
the subject in English. If any sections of the 
book stand out from the others, they are probably 
those on “locomotion” and on “the foot.” The 
chapter on the former is really a masterly exposi- 
tion of the subject; all paces are carefully con- 
sidered, and the text is made very easy to follow 
by means of several series of excellent notations. 
There is also a very interesting discussion on the 
NO. 2302, VOL. 92] 
NATURE 
[DECEMBER II, 1913 
influence of age on the capacity for work, and 
attention is directed to the apparent considerable 
difference between man and #the horse in this 
respect. 
There are some features, however, which call 
for criticism. On referring to the paragraph on 
blood platelets, the author says: “It is probable 
they are distinct elements.’’ Other authorities, 
however, do not agree with this view, Buck- 
master and others going so far as to state that 
there are no blood platelets in circulating blood. 
The question is dismissed too shortly in one small 
paragraph. On p. 152 the author refers to 
“broken-wind ’’ in horses, and after admitting 
that the condition is one in which the lungs lose 
their power of elastic recoil, he states that ‘* one 
of the fundamental errors in veterinary pathology 
is to attribute this condition to emphysema or 
asthma.’’ Here we join issue with the author, 
and while agreeing that the condition is not 
asthma, would point out to him that a suitably 
prepared section of the lung of a broken-winded 
horse shows quite clearly that the loss of elastic 
recoil in a chronic case is due to the rupture of the 
vesicular walls, and is, in fact, ‘chronic vesicular — 
emphysema.” 
A list of corrigenda has been inserted at the 
front of the book, but one mis-spelt word has been 
overlooked on p. 192, ‘‘ attendihg ’’ appearing for 
““attending.’’ There is also an exhaustive index 
and a list of authorities quoted in the text, The 
printing and binding and general make-up of the 
book are in Messrs. Bailliére’s usual good style. — 
POPULAR ASTRONOMY. 
Astronomy. By G. F. Chambers. Pp. xxiv+ 
335+cxxxv plates. (London: Hutchinson and 
Co., n.d.) Price 5s. net. 
Daytime and Evening Exercises in Astronomy. 
For Schools and Colleges. By Dr. Sarah F. 
Whiting. Pp. xv+104. (Boston and London: 
Ginn and Co., n.d.) Price 3s. 6d. 
The Ways of the Planets. By M. E. Martin. 
Pp. v+273+Vvi plates. (New York and London : 
Harper and Brothers, 1912.) Price 5s. net. 
(1) J N this volume Mr. Chambers has aimed at 
giving the man of ordinary education— 
too often, alas, deficient of any precise ideas re- 
garding the fundamental truths of the oldest of 
the sciences—a clear and simple insight into the | 
astronomy of to-day; and he has accomplished his — 
part of the task with characteristic success. 
Abstruse problems are not sprung upon the young 
astronomer, nor are they obviously evaded, but 
at all times is he encouraged to observe phenomena 
for himself, and thereby to grasp more thoroughly 
