192 Scientific Intelligence. 



the experiments and also some hints for the construction of cer- 

 tain simple forms of apparatus, such as voltaic cells, Wheat- 

 stone's bridges, etc. h. s. u. 



8. The Energy System of Matter ; by James Weir. Pp. ix, 

 200, with 12 diagrams. London, 1912 (Longmans, Green and 

 Co.). — The subject-matter of this book is divided into three parts, 

 namely, "I General Statement," "II Principles of Inception," 

 and " III Terrestrial Conditions." An idea of the general nature 

 of the contents of the volume can best be gotten from the follow- 

 ing quotations. On pages 3 and 4 we read : " Of modern 

 research into the ultimate constitution of matter little requires 

 to be said. It is largely founded on certain radio-active and 

 electrical phenomena which, in themselves, contribute little infor- 

 mation. But aided by speculative methods and the use of pre- 

 conceived ethereal hypotheses, various elaborate theories have 

 been formulated, explaining matter and its properties entirely in 

 terms of ethereal motions. Such conceptions in their proper 

 sphere — namely, that of metaphysics- — would be no doubt of 

 interest, but when advanced as a scientific proposition or solution 

 they border on the ridiculous." The author, on page 194, com- 

 pares the present state of physical science with its condition 

 before the time of Copernicus, and, on page 195, he says in this 

 connection : " Like its predecessor relating to the motion of the 

 sun and stars round the earth, the doctrine of energy transmission 

 between separate masses in space such as the sun and the earth 

 cannot be sustained in the face of scientific observation. This 

 doctrine is found on investigation to be supported not by phe- 

 nomena but by the conception of an elastic ethereal medium, of 

 whose existence there is absolutely no evidential proof, and the 

 necessity for which disappears along with the hypothesis it sup- 

 ports." Taken broadly, the entire volume is devoted to showing 

 that each heavenly body is unqualifiedly conservative in itself. 



h. s. u. 



9. Electricity and Magnetism; by Sydney G. Starling. 

 Pp. vii, 583, with 452 figures. London, 1912 (Longmans, Green 

 and Co.). — The present volume is intended for use in senior 

 classes, as may be inferred from the fact that a knowledge of the 

 elements of the theory of determinants and of the differential 

 and integral calculus is assumed. The material of the text is 

 presented in the following order : magnetism, current electricity, 

 electrostatics, electrolysis, thermo-electricity, electromagnetics, 

 etc. Due attention is also given to varying and alternating cur- 

 rents, to electromagnetic radiation, to conduction in gases, and 

 to radio-activity. The index is immediately preceded by 191 

 examples which are grouped to correspond to the preceding 

 chapters. The text seems to be very reliable but encyclopedic, 

 and hence it is exceptionally good for reference. On the other 

 hand, because of the very large amount of material presented, as 

 well as on account of the small type used throughout, the volume 

 does not appear to be well adapted to meet the usual require- 

 ments of class-room work in this country. , h. s. u. 



