REVIEWS. 
The Dictionary of Medical and Surgical Knowledge (Iloulston & Wright, 
1864), is not, as its name would indicate, a ponderous tome under which 
“professional” shelves would groan. It is an unpretending-looking work, 
intended for the use of households, emigrants, et hoc genus omne. We have 
seen only the first volume, but from what we have observed we think it 
by no means a bad book of its kind, though its information is of a very 
general and elementary character. 
The Classification of the Sciences (London: Williams & Norgate, 1864). 
The author of this pamphlet is doing battle with M. Compte, and for many 
reasons we sympathize with him to the fullest extent. Compte can hardly 
be right in deprecating an inquiry as to how organic beings originated, 
and all scientific men will side with Mr. Spencer in opposing such an 
opinion. 
An Inquiry into the Nature of Heat , by Zerah Colburn (Spon, 
1863), contains some very serious reasons for doubting the presently 
accepted doctrine that heat is a motory force. To say that the author’s 
views are sound, would in the present condition of science be asserting too 
much, but they may fairly be said to be both instructive and intelligibly 
rendered. 
Atmospheric Electricity , by Reuben Phillips (Hardwicke, 1863), 
contains a number of papers, some of which were, and others of which 
were not, read before the Royal Society. Its matter is not exceedingly 
original, but it will interest those who are pursuing the study of physics. 
