18 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XXVI. Jv'o. 653 



four parts, the first 94 pages being devoted 

 to the description and uses of instruments, the 

 next 224 pages to methods of field work, the 

 next 58 pages to computation, and the remain- 

 ing 57 pages to mapping and draughting; an 

 arrangement admirably adapted to a clear pre- 

 sentation of the subject. The detail of these 

 four sections is well worked out. For ex- 

 ample, in part I., a series of diagrams shows 

 all the types of transit verniers; the Berger 

 top attachment is used to show the theory and 

 operation of the solar compass; the measure- 

 ment of angles by repetition is explained and 

 the value insisted on; and the tape rod for 

 reading elevations direct, is explained and 

 commended. In part II., the usual methods 

 of land surveying are explained, and many 

 details are given which show the practical 

 experience of the authors. The chapter on 

 Topographical Surveying is particularly satis- 

 factory. The chapter on Mining Surveying 

 is written by Blarney Stevens, II. Sc, of Ella- 

 mar, Alaska, and the field and oflBce methods 

 of underground work are carefully explained. 

 In the chapter on leveling, the advantage in 

 accuracy of double rodded lines is carefully 

 pointed out and in the chapter on city work, 

 the simpler methods of running out and 

 recording curves are shown. A brief descrip- 

 tion of methods of triangulation is also given. 

 In part III., emphasis is laid on the accuracy 

 of computations, on the significance of the 

 number of digits employed and on the proper 

 forms for computation. Models are given in 

 details for land area determinations and for 

 earth volume determinations and these form 

 the chief part of this section. In part IV. 

 are given many hints referring particularly 

 to surveying draughting, such as the use of 

 water colbrs for ready-made inks, the checks 

 on field work made possible by a critical study 

 of the plot, and methods of finishing and 

 filing drawings. 



The usual tables complete the volume, which 

 is probably as satisfactory a text-book under 

 present methods of technical school instruc- 

 tion in surveying as can be written. 



H. N. Ogden 



COKNELL UnI^'EKSITY, 



Ithaca, N. Y. 



SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS AND ARTICLES 

 Bird-Lore for May-June opens with " A 

 Sketch of the Thrushes of North America," 

 by Jonathan Dwight, illustrated by a colored 

 plate and maps of distribution. B. S. Bow- 

 dish furnishes an account of " The Eose- 

 breasted Grosbeak " ; and Emma E. Drew tells 

 of " Some Bird Acquaintances," made while 

 confined to an invalid chair on the veranda of 

 an Adirondack cottage. A list of 140 species 

 observed from such a restricted point of ob- 

 servation shows what may be done right at 

 home. The Educational Leaflet, by Mabel 

 Osgood Wright is devoted to " The Baltimore 

 Oriole " and the section devoted to " The 

 Audubon Societies " shows that, thanks to 

 these same so'cieties, laws for the protection 

 of birds are gradually being enacted through- 

 out the United States. 



The Bulletin of the Charleston Museum for 

 May is mainly devoted to a " Synopsis of the 

 Bird Eecords of the Natural History Society 

 for the year 1906." 



The preparation of an index to the first 

 twenty-five volumes of the Astrophysical Jour- 

 nal is now under consideration. If sufiicient 

 support is secured, the index will be issued 

 during the autumn of 1907, at a pi-ice of $1.50 

 or $2.00. 



SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES 



THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. NEW YORK 

 SECTION 



The last regular meeting of the session of 

 1906-07 was held at the Chemists' Club, 108 

 West 55th Street, on June 7. 



The following papers were presented: 



F. D. Dodge: "Methyl Salicylate, Natural 

 and Synthetic." 



K. George Falk: "Ignition Temperatures 

 of Mixtures containing Carbon Monoxide " 

 and " Autoxidation of Organic Compounds : 

 Review." 



C. M. Joyce, 

 Secretary 



