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them. Adopting the philosophic method, though not pursuing it as tho- 
roughly as he might, the author leads the student by a proper gradation 
from facts to generalisation. Had he given more attention to the subject of 
organic chemistry he would have rendered his little book more complete. 
But even as it is, his work is one deserving our warmest commendation. 
Of a different type is Mr. Galloway’s First Step.” We really cannot 
award much praise to Mr. Galloway for his labours. Indeed, we think that 
by putting a new piece on an old garment” the author has produced a 
work whose constituents are so antagonistic that the result is absolutely 
valueless. For instance, the greater part of the volume is based upon the 
old system of nomenclature, and assumes its absolute correctness ; while the 
second part of the volume deals with the new system. Now, since these 
are entirely incompatible, we are puzzled to think what first step such a 
mode of teaching is likely to lead to. There are undoubtedly two sides to 
every argument ; but by laying the two sides before young people, and by 
giving an undue prominence to that which is by common consent the weaker, 
how is Mr. Galloway likely to render the study of chemistry either in- 
telligible or profitable to his junior readers ? We cannot help expressing 
the opinion that Mr. Galloway’s last effort is a serious mistake, likely to be 
attended Tvith unfortunate results to his pupils. We can only hope that in 
his fifth edition he will expand the second and erase the first portion of the 
present work. 
BEITISH SOCIAL WASPS.* 
T hebe has long been wanted a good popular illustrated book on British 
wasps, and we are happy to say that in the volume before us this want 
has been thoroughly and satisfactorily met. In the pages of this excellent 
little treatise Dr. Ormerod, with a loving pen, has written the history of 
creatures which have been his companions for years. And he has dealt so 
minutely with every division of his subject, and has illustrated his remarks 
by so many admirable and artistic engravings, plain and coloured, that we 
feel certain the result will be to remove much of the ill-feeling which is 
Tented on this unhappy group of Hymenopterous insects. We cannot 
analyse the author’s labours, but w6 may briefly state the headings under 
which he has dealt with the British wasp. First we have an introduction, 
in which the general relations of this department of Natural History are 
discussed. Then come chapters on the classification and distinction of the 
several species. Next we have four chapters devoted to the anatomy and phy- 
siology of Vespidce. Chapter VII. describes the form and construction of the 
wasp. Chapter VHI. the general economy of the colony, and finally. Chapter 
IX. is given up to an account of a number of very remarkable experimental 
inquiries carried out by Dr. Ormerod. The anatomy and physiology occupies 
the greater part of the work, and is exhaustively treated. Indeed, this por- 
* British Social Wasps.” By Edward Latham Ormerod, M.D., &c. 
London: Longmans, 1868. 
