Fune 18, 1885] 
NATURE 
147 
mind, more so than the contemplation of the actual 
results. Looking at the book in this sense, we must con- 
sider it of inestimable value te every worker in the same 
field of research. 
The many and great researches of M. Pasteur—amongst 
which may be mentioned his discoveries that every one 
of the many kinds of fermentations depends on the growth 
and activity of a definite and specific microbe ; his long- 
continued controversy and final refutation of the doctrine 
of spontaneous generation, his immensely practical dis- 
coveries on the silkworm diseases, on the attenuation of 
the virus of splenic fever and of hydrophobia are described 
with great lucidity and their history and progress ren- 
dered in a very spirited and fascinating manner. Reading 
the volume, one does not know what to admire more in 
M. Pasteur’s life and labours — the way in which a 
problem is stated, worked, and solved in all its theoretical 
and practical bearings ; the energy and perseverance with 
which he forces nature to yield up her secrets ; the fertility 
and resources of his genius, or the ready way in which he 
goes to work to set at rest by direct experiment all objec- 
tions and to remove possible sources of error. His is a 
truly grand life and his labours grander still ! 
The translator is to be congratulated on the admirable 
way in which she has fulfilled her task. Prof. Tyndall’s 
preface forms an interesting and valuable part of the 
book. E. KLEIN 
The Microtomist’s Vade-Mecum. A Handbook of the 
Methods of Microscopic Anatomy. By Arther Bolles 
Lee. (London: J. and A. Churchill, 1885.) 
IN the preface the author tells us that the aim of the 
book is to put into the hands of the instructed anatomist 
“a concise but complete account of all the methods that 
have been recommended as useful for the purpose of micro- 
scopic anatomy,” and also “that it is to serve as a guide 
to the beginner.” After a perusal of the book we venture 
to say that, although the book will prove useful, it is 
neither a concise, still less a complete, account of all the 
methods, nor will it serve as a guide to the beginner. As 
far as we can see, it is a collection of formule, published 
by various authors in various journals and archives, 
and particularly reported in the Yourvnal of the Royal 
Microscopical Society. The formule are more or less 
promiscuously given, and without an attempt of intelligible 
selection. For many formule references to their authors are 
given, but in some places these references are incomplete, 
in others they are wrong, since methods discovered by 
one are ascribed to another. Nor can we see the use of 
describing a host of minute and sometimes quite insig- 
nificant modifications of a certain method, as A’s, B’s, 
C’s, &c., method. 
As regards the beginner, we venture to say that the 
book will fail to come up to the expectations of its author. 
What the author for this purpose ought to have done is 
to give us a list of ready methods which he himself has 
tried and found useful in the examination of the various 
tissues. 
The important branch of the examination of living 
issues, the methods used for the application of reagents, 
heat, gases, electrical currents, &c., on fresh and living 
tissues are not included in the book ; their treatment, and 
a few illustrations of apparatus used in microscopic éech- 
nigue, would prove a useful addition. E. KLEIN 
EETTERS TO THE EDITOR 
[Zhe 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 is taken of anonymous communications. 
The Late Prof. Clifford’s Kinetic 
Pror. Tait, in his notice of Clifford’s ‘‘ Common Sense of 
the Exact Sciences” (NATURE, vol. xxxii, p. 124) has brought 
so prominently forward the statement made in Prof. Pearson’s 
footnote—‘‘ the manuscript of the ‘ Kinetic’ was left in a com- 
pleted state,” that I think it is fitting I should somewhat 
anticipate what will ultimately be stated when the manuscript in 
my hands has been printed. All the manuscript bearing upon 
the “‘ Dynamic,” after having, I think, passed under Mr. F. 
Pollock’s eyes, was handed over to me, and with it Mrs. Clifford 
gave me, for use,! nine German text-books in case I should 
need them to fill up any gaps in the manuscript. It is needless 
to say that there have been ‘‘reasons” why this manuscript has 
not hitherto seen the light ; suffice it now to say that the con- 
tinuous portion has been received by Messrs. Macmillan, and 
the printing is to proceed forthwith. But of what does the con- 
tinuous part consist? I have a draught before me of the work 
as originally contemplated by the author: Books i., ii., ill., 
form the ‘‘ Kinematic” ; Book iv., entitled ‘‘ Forces,” is broken 
up into ten or eleven sections. It is this portion which is con- 
tinuous, and which takes up about forty pages of manuscript. 
Book v. was to treat of ‘* Stresses ;”” Book vi., of ‘‘ Heat ;” and 
Book vii., of ** Waves and Vibrations.” Of these latter books 
I have only stray leaves here and there. It is said ‘* Fools rush 
in where angels fear to tread.” I certainly do not propose to try 
to supplement Clifford’s work, but what I do propose is to get 
out all the continuous part in continuation as approximately as 
I can of the ‘* Kinematic ” and to relegate the odds and ends to 
an appendix. If any mathematician thinks some other course 
preferable, I shall be glad to let him see the ‘‘slips,” and will 
hope to profit by his advice. I am in the receipt of letters from 
distinguished teachers which express a hope that the lectures I 
referred to (NATURE, vol. xxvii. p. 4) may see the light ; but this 
point is still, I believe, under consideration. R. TUCKER 
University College School, June 13 
Sky-Glows 
A MAGNIFICENT display of red sky-glow has been seen here. 
The last observed was in September last (the 17th, the 27th, and 
the 28th), and only feeble ones have been noticed since up to 
June rr. At that date the sky glowed with a magnificent 
grayish pink on the whole of the northern horizon until 9 o'clock 
p-m. Yesterday the glow was still brighter, and at 9 15 p.m. 
it extended over the whole of the northern and north-eastern 
horizon. It was brighter than even last year, but acquired its 
maximum of brilliancy at a later hour than last summer. 
Clairvaux-sur-Aube, France Peeks 
Flying Fish 
AN excellent opportunity of observing the aerial means of pro- 
pulsion in the flying fish was afforded me during a six days’ calm 
lately when crossing the Bay of Bengal. This must be my ex- 
cuse for again touching this subject. I watched day by day 
some hundreds rise under the bows of the ship. ‘The water 
surface was a glassy calm. As each fish rose it spread its wings 
at once, apparently beating the surface with them two or three 
strokes before they steadied out. I say apparently, for it was 
not a definite beat so much as a struggle torise. The tail which, 
of course, under water was in rapid motion, to escape from the 
ship, now gave ten or a dozen rapid beats, which could be 
counted by the ripples on the still surface, and the fish was off in 
aerial flight. As each fish lost the impetus of the first rise, 
which generally happened at about forty yards, the binoculars 
showed us the anal fins, which had till now been fully extended, 
drooping to feel the water. As’ soon as the surface was felt the 
tail was quickly introduced, and five or six smart strokes, also 
indicated by ripples, brought the impetus up again and carried 
the fish about another thirty yards, when another droop sent it 
on again, and so forth, some of the older fish travelling in this 
way 400 to 500 yards, The younger fish frequently fell awk- 
wardly in this attempt to regain impetus. Where waves are 
running it requires a clever fish to gain impetus by a few 
judicious strokes on the crest of a wave, and many a fish tumbles 
over in the attempt. 
I once saw a fish rise close to the ship’s quarter, and it flew 
parallel with the ship, pursued below by a dolphin or bonita. 
The latter followed every sway of the flying fish, keeping almost 
under it. At the first dip of the tail the pursuer made a dart 
forward, but missed it, and again dogged its pray by keeping 
™ These books are to be presented to University College Library after I 
have done with them. 
