Geology and Mineralogy. 225 



and the sandstones of the eastern half. Both vary widely in 

 character at different localities, but include many excellent kinds, 

 the sandstones particularly taking high rank for building pur- 

 poses. The special facts in regard to their occurrence at the dif- 

 ferent localities and their use in the public buildings of the State 

 are given in this volume. 



IV. The Peat Resources of Wisconsin; by Frederick William 

 Hitels. Pp. xvii, 274 ; 45 tables, 22 pis., 20 figs. Wisconsin 

 Geological and Natural History Survey, E. A. Birge, Director. — 

 The object of this report is to call attention to the extensive peat 

 resources of Wisconsin. The State produces no coal, but it is 

 estimated that there are perhaps 2,000,000,000 tons of peat, an 

 amount which would be one-sixth of the total for the whole 

 United States. The importance of this fact, as bearing upon 

 future conditions, is obvious. The present report describes the 

 distribution of peat over the State, especially the condition of its 

 occurrence at particular localities ; also the application of peat as 

 a fuel. 



18. Purchase and Sale of Illinois Coal on Specification; by 

 S. W. Parr. Pp. Ill ; one plate, 10 figs. Illinois State Geo- 

 logical Survey, Bulletin No. 29. — The scope of this Bulletin will 

 be understood from the statement that its object is " to present 

 such results and data as have a particular bearing upon the 

 methods of inspection and the purchase and sale of coal by con- 

 tract." 



III. Miscellaneous Scientific Intelligence. 



1. The Development of the Human Body : A Manual of 

 Human Embryology ; by J. Playfair McMurrich. Fifth edi- 

 tion, revised and enlarged. Pp. x, 493, with 287 figures. Phila- 

 delphia (P. Blakiston's Son & Co.). — This standard textbook has 

 been thoroughly revised and brought into harmony with the 

 latest advances in the subject. Beginning with the germ cells 

 and the development of the external form of the human body, 

 the book describes clearly and concisely the origin and growth of 

 each of the adult organ systems. The illustrations are well 

 chosen and carefully executed. Literature lists of the more 

 important researches are given at the ends of the chapters, and 

 are of much convenience to the reader who desires to pursue the 

 subject more extensively. w. r. c. 



2. National Academies and the Progress of Research ; by 

 George Ellert Hale. Pp. 167. — In this little volume Dr. Hale 

 has brought together a series of interesting and valuable papers 

 reprinted from Science dealing in part with foreign Academies, 

 but having special reference to the conditions and immediate 

 needs of the National Academy of Sciences in this country. 



3. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum ; R. Hamlyn-Harris, 

 Director. Vol. III. Pp.346; 30 plates. — This volume opens with 



