January 18, 1906] 



NA TURE 



269 



barometer and thermometer, the calibration of 

 apparatus for the measurement of liquids and gases, 

 the preparation of standard solutions, the determin- 

 ation of specific gravity and molecular weights, and 

 with the purification of substances. Analytical 

 exercises involving gravimetric and volumetric 

 measurements and the manipulation of gases are 

 contained in the succeeding twelve chapters, the selec- 

 tion being such that the student acquires familiarity 

 with a large number of different kinds of operations. 

 Chapters dealing with the electrolytic determination 

 of metals, the analysis of butter, and electrical heating 

 appliances for laboratory use complete the work. 



Much care has evidently been devoted to the text. 

 The remarks on p. 167 in reference to Victor Meyer's 

 vapour-density method are, however, quite unintelli- 

 gible, and in the methods of butter analysis described 

 mi mention is made of the standardised apparatus and 

 method of working which has been adopted in this 

 country for the determination of the volatile acids. 

 These, however, are blemishes of small import, and 

 the book represents an addition to laboratory litera- 

 ture to which attention may be directed with con- 

 fidence. H. M. D. 



Handbook of Physiology for Students and Prac- 

 titioners of Medicine. By Dr. Austin Flint. Pp. 

 xxvi + 877 and xvi plates. (London: Macmillan 

 and Co., Ltd., 1905.) Price 21s. net. 

 There are reasons for congratulating the author of 

 this book upon its appearance, and not the least of 

 them is the cheery optimism everywhere displayed. 

 The growth that has taken place in the subject in 

 the course of the last half-century is no more remark- 

 able than the courage with which this writer, at the 

 end of that time, turns round to attempt its descrip- 

 tion. To old friends of his handbook this gallant 

 effort must afford great pleasure. It is doubtful, 

 however, whether, outside this circle, much influence 

 can be anticipated for this volume, since it has many 

 competitors appealing more directly to the market of 

 the present time. 



" It is the outcome of a desire to connect pure 

 physiology with the physiology specially useful to 

 physicians." Let it be said that there is but one 

 physiology. The physiology, which is of use to 

 medicine, is not an applied science with a wealth of 

 knowledge accumulated in its special interest ; it is 

 the essence of the pure science of physiology. There 

 are also anatomy and histology. It is useless to 

 claim credit from an attempt to provide a judicious 

 blend of these separated subjects, since they are now 

 more conveniently, and usually, studied separately. 

 In this case, also, the standard of the extraneous 

 matter is such as in no way to raise the standard of 

 the general contents of the book. 



As to the treatment of the more legitimately in- 

 cluded contents, much can be said briefly. 



The additions which have been made to knowledge 

 I in the last twenty years have made their bow to the 

 author of this book, and have had the honour of an in- 

 troduction. The names on their visiting cards have 

 been forgotten ; their inventions have been expressed at 

 such hurried interviews as frequently to have escaped 

 comprehension. The fact that they have called in 

 such numbers has, however, made an impression, of 

 which this new edition forms the record. The addi- 

 tions of recent years are, however, of such importance 

 that nothing short of a complete — even if concise — 

 consideration of their nature will suffice. The kindly 

 sketched shadows, which here vaguely occupy the 

 space that ascertained facts should definitely fill, 

 render it impossible to recommend this book for 

 general reading. J. S. Macdonald. 



NO (890. VOL. 73] 



Penrose's Pictorial Annual. Vol. xi. The Process 



Year Book for 1905-6. Edited by William Gamble. 



Pp. xvi+i6S. (London: A. W. Penrose and Co., 



Ltd., 1905.) 

 Last year, in bringing to the notice of our readers 

 this annual illustrated review of the graphic arts, we 

 suggested that the standard of the volume in every 

 respect was so high that it would be exceedingly diffi- 

 cult to eclipse it in the future, We were, however, 

 wrong in our surmise, for the present volume sur- 

 passes those that have preceded it and illustrates the 

 high state of efficiency of processes in use at the pre- 

 sent time. 



In the production of such a volume the task of the 

 editor was no light one, but with his large acquaint- 

 ance with all process methods he has given us an excel- 

 lent survey of the latest achievements in process work. 

 As in previous issues, we have a number of mosl in- 

 teresting articles on various methods of procedure and 

 allied subjects, and mingled with them is a host of 

 first-class illustrations indicating the type and quality 

 of work that can be accomplished by the various pro- 

 cesses now available. To mention a few of the host of 

 illustrations, attention may be directed to the frontis- 

 piece, a specimen of power-press printed copper etch- 

 ing by Bruckmann, of Munich, examples of work 

 with the metzograph screen, the new four-colour pro- 

 cess of Mr. C. G. Zander, and the spray-relief process 

 of the aerograph which illuminates the front of the 

 cover of the volume. The reader must, however, refer 

 to the book itself if he wishes to revel in high-class 

 illustrations, for no object would be gained in referring 

 any more here to the numerous pictures. 



In concluding, one cannot but congratulate all those 

 concerned in the production of this really beautiful 

 volume. The book should not only be in the hands of 

 all process workers, but in the possession of photo- 

 graphers and others interested in book illustration. 



Philips' Large Planisphere. Designed by H. Gewecke. 



(London : G. Philip and Son, Ltd.) Price 6s. 

 Most students of the aspects of the heavens are 

 familiar with the small circular planisphere having 

 a revolving disc which can be adjusted to show the 

 stars visible at any time of the year. The new plani- 

 sphere now available is constructed upon the same 

 plan as the earlier one, but its diameter is about twenty 

 inches, and some changes have been made with the 

 view of adding to its usefulness. The horizon can be 

 taken off so that the whole of the chart can be seen 

 if desired. A graduated strip is arranged across the 

 chart, and by means of it the position of an object 

 can be found when the right ascension and declina- 

 tion are known. The scale of right ascension on the 

 outer edge of the circular chart is in degrees, but it 

 would have been more conveniently expressed in hours 

 and minutes in Ihe usual way 



The chart shows all the stars visible to the naked 

 eye from the north celestial pole to 33 south of the 

 celestial equator. The distortion is very great in 

 some parts, and it is difficult to identify a few of the 

 groups on this account and because the spots repre- 

 senting bright stars are so large. Fourth magnitude 

 stars are represented by rings, and the effect is very 

 unsatisfactory. A chart of this kind should aim at 

 conveying a more or less faithful impression of the 

 appearance of the stellar sky, but these white rings on 

 a blue ground spoil the picture and ought not to have 

 been introduced. Though Ihe chart is said to have 

 been " designed both for beginners and advanced 

 students of astronomy, " we are afraid that beginners 

 would find it very confusing, and that working 

 observers of the heaven-, would derive little real 

 assistance from it. 



