REVIEWS. 
411 
lished, and the present one is not an exception to the rule, though we are 
hound to say of it, that it is, so far as we have seen, one of the good ones. 
Not the least practical nor useful parts of the book are the last few pages, 
in which the specific gravity and weight of a cubic foot of nearly all build- 
ing materials are given. 
SMITHSONIAN REPORT.* 
I T is a pity, we think, that this excellent volume is not by some means or 
other published at an earlier date. The volume now before us, is that 
for 1868, and yet it has only just reached us, and it has only been published, 
according to the statement on the title-page, in 1869. Now, either one of 
two things ; either it has not been issued at the date mentioned on its page, 
or if so, it has not been sent out for review. Wo mention this, because it 
is an unusual thing in connection with American books, unless those of 
associations, and we should gladly receive an answer from those in authority. 
The present volume is an instructive one, and is in every respect like those 
which have preceded it. It is a somewhat singular fact that these u Smith- 
sonian Reports ” differ from everything else in the shape of reports pub- 
lished. Yet they are a very valuable series which might, we think, be made 
better under some of the circumstances. For example, we think — though of 
course the subject is open to many opinions — that there are too many trans- 
lations from different Continental journals, and that original memoirs might 
take the place of these translations with the greatest advantage. For though 
they may give a greater and better tone to the studies of many, they are in- 
sufficient. What we mean is, that they are unequal to the demands of most 
scientific men, besides being behind the time, and that evidently it was not 
the original intention of the founder that they should appear so fully as they 
do. We do not mean for a moment to say that the volume is not most valuable, 
for it is so, and unequivocally so. But we find fault with the editors for 
receiving a number of translations of papers which, however interesting they 
may be to the general reader, are of little value to the scientific man. Half 
of the present volume is filled with the secretary’s report, the list of meteoro- 
logical observers, and the report of proceedings of the Board of Regents. 
Then comes the general report, which consists of a number of essays, some of 
them extremely old, and translated or borrowed from the various scien- 
tific journals. The first is a Memoir of Cuvier, by M. Flourens, which 
originally appeared in 1834, and can hardly have any scientific value at the 
present day. Then follows a History of Cuvier’s Works by the same author. 
Then comes a Memoir of Oersted, by M. E. De Beaumont ; one of Schoen- 
bein ; one of Encke ; one of Eaton Hodgkinson, of University College, 
London ; one on the Recent Papers in Relation to Heat, by M. A. Cazin ; 
one on the Principles of the Mechanical Theory of Heat, by Dr. John 
Muller (this is valuable) ; one on the Vibratory Movements of all Matter, 
* “ Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institu- 
tion, showing the Operations, Expenditure, and Condition of the Institution, 
for the year 1868.” Washington Government Printing Office, 1869. 
