REVIEWS. 
377 
one given, but which we shall not repeat. The woodcuts, 300 in number, are 
clear and well executed, and will no doubt be useful to teachers in the pre- 
paration of diagrams and black-board sketches. Indeed, the book is one 
of the cheapest shilling-worths that we have met with, and deserves a large 
circulation. 
Manual of British and Foreign Plants. By L. H. Grindon. Pamplin. 
T HIS little work, which is a vocabulary of the scientific and familiar 
names of almost every known plant, including those “ celebrated in 
literature, mythology, and holy writ,” just reached us in time to test its 
efficacy, inasmuch as we were desirous of ascertaining the names of some 
rare exotic plants, of which the seeds are imported into this country for 
industrial purposes. 
We found it exceedingly valuable for our purpose, and, having expe- 
rienced its advantages, we can unhesitatingly recommend it to botanical 
students and collectors. 
The Threshold of Chemistry. By C. H. Heaton, F.C.S. 
Chapman & Hall. 
A N excellent handbook for beginners whose circumstances will not 
admit of their incurring much expense in entering upon the study 
of chemistry. 
The definitions of the elementary terms are clear and good, and the 
illustrations useful in aiding the student to perform the necessary expe- 
riments. 
There is, however, an absence of information as to the processes by 
which metals are obtained from the ores — a want which might have been 
supplied in some instances by the addition of a few lines. Mr. Heaton 
has deviated from the usual mode of classifying the metals ; and his 
alteration appears to us to be any tiling but an improvement. 
The book is an excellent one for teachers employed in the instruction of 
a class. 
Elementary Treatise on Physics — Experimental and Applied. By Professor 
A. Ganot. Translated and Edited from the Ninth Edition. By E. 
Atkinson, Ph.D., F.C.S. 
O UB space will only admit of our noticing the first part of this excellent 
work. It is very clearly written, and freely illustrated with woodcuts. 
The definitions are in nearly all instances very clear and simple, but some 
objections may be made to the “ general notion ” of “ matter,” given in 
paragraph two, as being “ that which possesses the properties whose exist- 
ence is revealed to us by our senses,” because this notion would include the 
forces of nature, viz., heat, electricity, &e., which, as well as matter, “possess 
properties whose existence are revealed to us by our senses.” 
The instances used as illustrations are also, in nearly all cases, very good, 
but in paragraph thirty-five, where a “ hurricane ” is spoken of as “ a small 
mass, moving with great velocity,” a more correct illustration might have been 
employed. 
The engravings in it are of a superior kind, and the printing very sharp 
and clear. 
