April 12, 1883] 
NATURE 
55! 
nesses of armour, weight of guns, &c., are given for the 
navies of the world ; numberless diagrams and drawings 
also appear in illustration of distributions of armour, 
arrangements of armament, character of structural ar- 
rangements, design and position of propelling machinery, 
&c. Besides these there appear a large number of very 
beautiful woodcuts of typical ships, from designs by the 
eminent marine artist, the Chevalier de Martino, who 
was formerly an officer in the Italian Navy, and possesses 
a seaman’s knowledge of ships in addition to his ability 
as a painter. These diagrams, drawings, and tables 
taken alone are of the greatest value, and if published 
separately in a handy form ought to command a large 
circulation. Sir Thomas Brassey would add to the debt 
of gratitude we already owe him if he undertook the issue 
of such a publication, rivalling the French “Carnet de 
VOfficier de la Marine,” or the Austrian ‘ Almanach fiir 
die Kriegs Marine.”’ 
The second volume deals with “miscellaneous subjects” 
of great interest and importance. Amongst these are a 
fuller discussion of unarmoured ships, of torpedoes and 
torpedo boats, harbour defence and coast defence ships, 
the employment of mercantile auxiliaries on war services, 
and many other topics. Amongst these none exceeds in 
importance the discussion of the possible employment of 
our merchant steamships in time of war. The means for 
securing the aid of these vessels when the necessity arises, 
and of best equipping them, require the gravest con- 
sideration. Already something has been done in this 
direction by the Admiralty, but much more yet remains 
to be done, if at the time of need the best of our un- 
rivalled merchant ships are to be available for the defence 
of the mercantile marine or the many other services on 
which they might be employed. 
The third volume is devoted to a summary of 
opinions on the shipbuilding policy of the Navy. It 
is in some respects a curious collection, but will well 
repay a careful study. The classification by the 
author of this mass of opinions greatly assists the 
reader. Unanimity on any point is scarcely to be 
hoped for, and is not to be found; but the reader will 
find ample suggestion and food for reflection. The advo- 
cates of small ships are fully represented ; the designers 
of the /falia and Lefanto have their views set forth. 
Those who believe in armour-protection, and those who 
think it should be abandoned, obtain an equally fair 
audience. And in these, as in most other matters, the 
author gives little or no prominence to his own opinions. 
Sir Thomas Brassey has given many proofs of his 
devotion to the naval interests of this country during his 
Parliamentary career; but by the publication of this 
work he has established a claim on the gratitude of all 
classes of English readers who take an interest in naval 
affairs. W. H. WHITE 
OUR BOOK SHELF 
-Camps in the Rockies. By W. A. Baillie-Grohman. 
Map and Illustrations. (London: Sampson Low and 
Co., 1882.) 
MR. BAILLIE-GROHMAN has already made himself known 
as an intrepid hunter, a close observer of nature, and a 
charming raconteur. In the volume before us he shows 
no falling off in any of these points, and seems quite as 
much at home among the parks and peaks of the Rocky 
Mountains as he is among the chamois-haunted preci- 
pices of the Tyrol. The present volume is the result of 
more than one visit, mainly for sporting purposes, to the 
Far West, between the Yellowstone Park and Utah. Of 
the wild life of the ranchers and hunters of the region he 
has much to tell, and many exciting stories of his own 
hunting experiences. He adds, moreover, not a little to 
our knowledge of the topography, geology, and natural 
history of a region, of many parts of which we yet know 
little. On the Canons of the Colorado region he has 
some interesting notes. We shall be pleased to have 
another such book from Mr. Grohman. 
Physics in Pictures: the Principal Natural Phenomena 
and Appliances Described and Illustrated by Thirty 
Coloured Plates for Ocular Instruction in Schools 
and Families. With Explanatory Text Prepared by 
Theodore Eckardt, and Translated by A. H. Keane, 
M.A.I. (London: Stanford, 1882.) 
THESE plates are somewhat rough and occasionally vio- 
lent in colouring, but perfectly trustworthy, and well 
calculated to interest young people and convey to them a 
clear idea of the elementary scientific truths intended to 
be illustrated. The accompanying text gives all the ex- 
planation necessary. The plates embrace a wide field of 
subjects in mechanics, navigation, magnetism and elec- 
tricity, sound, optics, photography, colours, spectroscopy, 
&c. We hope the collection will find its way into many 
schools and families. 
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 
[The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed 
by his correspondents. Neither can he undertake to return, 
or to correspond with the writers of, rejected manuscripts. 
No notice ts taken of anonymous communications. 
[The Editor urgently requests correspondents to keep their letters 
as short as possible. The pressure on his space is so great 
that it is impossible otherwise to insure the appearance even 
of communications containing interesting and novel facts.] 
Unprecedented Cold in the Riviera—Absence of 
Sunspots 
In the second week of March Cannes was visited by 
falls of snow and degrees of cold far exceeding any of which 
there is previous record. The preceding part of the winter was 
of average mildness ; the minimum thermometer having fallen 
below freezing only three times, as follows: December 2, 32°; 
January 24, 29°; January 26, 31°8°. Not once did it fall so 
low during February ; the average minimum being nearly 44°, 
and the maximum in shade 56°, and was apparently steadily 
rising with the approach of spring. The following notes are 
extracted from my diary :— 
February 28.—Thermometer, 
58°°3; 1 barometer 29°65. 
spot on the sun, 
minimum 46°°6, maximum 
Day fine. Wind W., calm. No 
March 1.—Th. min. 48°3, max. 58°3; bar. 29°46. Day 
fine. Wind N.E., moderate. 
March 2.—Th. min. 43°, max. 575; bar. 29°42. Fine, 
with haze. Wind N.N.E., very strong in p.m. 
March 3.—Th. min. 42°°8, max. 55°°3; bar. 29°70, Fine, 
but strong wind from N.E. Nota spot on the sun, 
March 4.—Th. min. 36°, max. 54°°8; bar. 29°70. Wind 
very strong from N.E. Fine, with cumuili. 
March 5.—Th. min. 40°, max. 54°8; bar. 29°70. Cloudy, 
nimbostratus. Wind very high from N.E. 
March 6.—Th. min, 40°, max. 51°°7; bar. 29°40, Fine, but 
some clouds. Wind N.E., very high and cold. 
March 7.—Th. min. 36°°8, max. 53°; bar. 28°87. Snowed 
in night in large flakes, and till 10 a.m. to depth of 8 inches, 
Little wind, N.E. The weight of the snow bowed down shrubs 
and trees, breaking many. Ina large shrubbery in my garden, 
Erica arborea, from 10 to 20 feet high, full of flowers, 
* Thermometers by Casella. Minimum is placed every night outside 
an east window of the first floor of my villa, the bulb being protected from 
radiation. Maximum lies shaded inside the same window, open by day. 
| Barometer, aneroid, ty Pillischer. 
