256 Scientific Intelligence. 



the character of his well known larger work upon Modern Theo- 

 ries of Chemistry are sufficient guarantee of the excellence of 

 this new volume. Although there are a number of admirable 

 books at hand upon the philosophy of modern chemistry, each 

 one may be said to occupy a place and have a peculiar value of 

 its own, and this is particularly true of this work by Professor 

 Meyer. It gives a clear, well balanced discussion of the various 

 topics embraced under the head of theoretical chemistry, and 

 would be read with profit by students in this department of 

 science. 



14. Theoretical Mechanics : A class book for the elementary 

 stage of the Science and Art Department, by J. Spencer. 

 243 pp. 12 mo. London, 1892 (Percival and Co.). — This little 

 book, by an author who has had much experience in this line, 

 fills well the place for which it is specially prepared. The prin- 

 ciples are clearly stated and liberally illustrated by numerical 

 examples. If the solutions by geometrical methods seem 

 awkward, their use must be ascribed to the fact that the author 

 is not at liberty to assume that his readers have a knowledge of 

 trigonometry. 



15. Die Negativ-Retouche nach ITunst- unci JSTaturgesetzen. Mit 

 besonderer Beriicksichtigung der Operation (Beleuchtung, Ent- 

 wicklung, Exposition) und des photogr. Publikums. Ein Lehr- 

 buch der kiinstlerischen Retouche fur Berufsphotographen und 

 Retoucheure von Hans Arnold 480 pp. Vienna, Pest, Leipzig, 

 1891 (A. Hartleben). — This is a readable volume in an interest- 

 ing branch of photography, discussing the several topics with 

 much fullness ; the scope of the work is given in the title quoted 

 above in full. 



II. Geology and Mineralogy. 



1. Upraised Coral Islands off New Guinea. — In the course 

 of a jouimey through British New Guinea, in January last, the 

 indefatigable Administrator, Sir William Macgregor, examined 

 and described several remarkable islands, which he shows to be 

 almost certainly ancient atolls that have been elevated by steady 

 horizontal uplift. The island generally known as Kitava (but 

 called Nowau by the natives) has an area of about five or six 

 square miles. It appears to be surrounded by a fringing reef. 

 Nearly all round the island there is a low and slightly sloping 

 margin covered with trees, and about a quarter of a mile wide. 

 This terminates inland in a steep coral wall, which rises abruptly 

 to the height of 300 or 400 feet, and is covered with forest. 

 Shells in the coral point to a comparatively recent upheaval. 

 From the crest of this wall the land dips gently to a plateau 

 from 50 to 100 feet lower, which occupies the center of the 

 island. The plateau is undulating, has a rich chocolate soil, and 

 being protected from wind by the raised rim, whilst subject to a 

 copious rainfall, it is very fertile. All the people live in the 



