194 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 
sons and countries interested should not be slow to acknowledge. He is devoted 
to this subject and as an evidence of his unselfishness in the cause, proposes to 
employ without deduction all the proceeds of sales of this volume and that upon 
"The Forests of England," which we noticed in the April number of the Review, 
in the publication of some similar work, several of which he has in contempla- 
tion. The perusal of this ordinance will prove to most readers a very curious 
and interesting occupation, and one which will amply repay them for the time 
bestowed upon it. 
Topics of the Time, Vol. I, No. I: Edited by Titus Munson Coan. i2mo. 
G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York, 1883. For sale by M. H. Dickinson; 
Cloth 60c, Paper 25c. 
The above named enterprising publishers have commenced a series of essays 
by the best writers of the day, to be issued monthly under the general title of 
of Topics of the Time. The first number is devoted to " Social Problems," com- 
prising World-Crowding, by Robert Griffin ; Europe in Straits, from Blackwood's 
Magazine ; Secret Societies in France, by Jehan de Paris; Home Rule and Seces- 
sion, by J. Woulfe Flanagan ; A Democrat on the Coming Democracy, by Henry 
Laboucherie; The European Terror, by Emile de Laveleye ; The Nationalization 
of the Land, from the Edinburgh Review ; A Politician in Trouble about his Soul, 
by Auberon Herbert. 
The grouping of topics by volumes is the distinguishing feature of the present 
series, thus giving the reader a comprehensive view of the discussions of which 
they form a part. The next volume will be entitled Studies in Biography, com- 
prising a sketch of the lives of Gambetta, Swift, Miss Burney, Wilberforce and 
other prominent figures in history. 
Third Biennial Report of the Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 
Wm. Sims, Secretary. Octavo, pp. 710. Kansas Publishing House, Topeka, 
1883. 
This is the third of these handsome volumes which, in our judgment, have 
done so much more to promote the growth and development of the resources of 
Kansas than anything else. It includes the years 1881 and 1882, and embraces 
the reports of appointed officers, together with statistical exhibits, colored outline 
map of the State, sectional map of each county showing their relative size and 
location, railroads, water-powers, coal mines, etc. 
The Geological Report is made by Professor O. St. John and comprises 
some thirty pages. Professor J. H. Carruth, of the Kansas University, makes a 
report of ''Additions to the Catalogue of Kansas Plants." Professor John W. 
Robson one upon " Practical Botany — Its Relations to Agriculture." Professor 
E. A. Popenoe one upon "Entomology." Professor Hawn furnishes a very 
complete Meteorological Record for 1881 and 1882. Professor G. H. Failyer, of 
