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XXXVI. Notices respecting New Books. 



A Treatise on tJie Transit Instrument as applied to the Determination 

 of Time. For tlie use of Country Gentlemen. By Latimer Claek, 

 M.I.C.E. 4'c. (Published by the author, 6 "Westminster Chambers, 

 London.) 72 pages text, with 29 pages Transit Tables. 

 ^PHE object of this little work is to popularize the use of the 

 -*- portable Transit for finding correct time among amateurs of 

 small means. About half the work, describing the instrument and 

 its use, is written in a thoroughly popular style, as free as is possible 

 from technical terms. Simple modes of adjusting in position are 

 given ; and the instrument is supposed to be used only in correct 

 position, so that no " corrections " have to be computed. This is 

 an admirable mode of use for a beginner : some preliminary personal 

 instruction would, however, be required; tbe detail given is not 

 enough for a person quite unused to instruments. The second part 

 is intended for more advanced amateurs. In this some astrono- 

 mical terms and usages are explained, and the mode of computing 

 the " corrections " to transits observed with au instrument not in 

 perfect adjustment are fully entered into. 



The Tables (72 pages) contain the data for transits of tbe sun 

 and certain stars for six months iu a simple form very suitable for 

 beginners ; they form an appendix to the text, and are to be pub- 

 lished anew yearly, thus saving the need of mastering the Nautical 

 Almanac (itself rather a formidable work). 



There is a misprint of 8° 46' 28" for 8 h 46 m 28 s on p. 42, which 

 may confuse a beginner. The accounts of the Polestar on p. 26 

 and p. 48 do not agree : on p. 26 it is said that it "is very close to 

 the North Pole, and revolves round it daily at a distance of about 

 li degree;" whilst on p. 48 it is said, "let us imagine ourselves at 

 the North Pole. We should see the Polestar directly overhead 

 remaining motionless." On the whole, however, the work may be 

 said to fulfil well the purpose for which it was written, and will 

 help to supply an amateur's wants. To meet the case of amateurs 

 of small means, it is stated (in an advertisement) that an excellent 

 portable transit with 14" telescope and 1|" aperture can now be had 

 for =£8. Allan Cu^ingham, Major B.E, 



Geology of Wisconsin. Survey of 1873-79. Vol. III. Large 8vo, 

 763 pages. With numerous Plates and other Illustrations, and 

 an Atlas of Maps. Published under the Direction of the Chief 

 Geologist [T. C. Chamberlin] by the Commissioners of Public 

 Printing, in accordance with Legislative Enactment. [Madison.] 

 1880. 

 Volume II. of this excellent Survey, published in 1877, and 

 noticed in this Journal for April 1880, p. 302, treated of the geo- 

 logy of the eastern, central, and south-western portions of the 

 State of Wisconsin. In the volume before us the extreme north- 

 western and north-eastern portions of the State are described. The 



