74 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
Dr. Frankland has gone still further in this direction, and his formulae fully 
represent the many links by which the elements of a complex body are united 
together. Many of these look very complex, but much of their complexity 
disappears when the principle of the system is mastered. Moreover, the 
formulae are simpler than the u mixed type ” formulae, besides being 
much more perfect expressions of the constitution of bodies. 
The new system of nomenclature becoming rapidly adopted by chemists 
is also a feature in the volume. 
A BOOK ON BONES.* 
I T would of course be out of place in these pages to give anything like 
an analysis of Mr. Norton’s excellent treatise on the Human Skeleton. 
We shall therefore confine ourselves to a short notice of the general character 
of the work. Of the importance of an accurate knowledge of the minute 
features, connections, and relations, of the bones which form the framework 
on which the animal body is built up, there cannot be the faintest doubt. 
The difficulties in the acquirement of this knowledge are familiar to all 
who have begun the study of anatomy. To the surgeon, as well as to the 
physician, an exact acquaintance with the positions and forms of the 
several bones, and of their relations to .the soft parts which surround 
or are enclosed by them, is absolutely essential. But the study of the 
bones is anything but a fascinating pursuit, and the works that have from 
time to time been published have not removed the obstacles besetting the 
student’s path. In the admirable volumes on our table, the state of things 
is different j accuracy and terseness of description, simplicity of exposition, 
and an avoidance of all that prolix illustration which some authors have 
indulged in, characterise Mr. Norton’s essay. There is, too, a further 
advantage which this book possesses over its predecessors, and this advantage 
is twofold : the plates are arranged in atlas form, and constitute a separate 
volume, and they are executed with a degree of artistic beauty and scientific 
truthfulness which cannot fail to elicit the warm admiration of the student, 
and the honest recommendation of the professional press. 
ESSAYS ON ENGINEERING TOPICS.f 
M R. EAIRBAIRN has collected together, as a third series of essays, his 
lectures on the Applied Sciences and on other kindred subjects, and his 
treatises on the comparative merits of the Paris and London International 
*. u Osteology ; a Concise Description of the Human Skeleton, adapted for 
the Use of Students in Medicine.” By Arthur Trehern Norton, Assistant 
Lecturer and Demonstrator of Anatomy, St. Mary’s Medical School. 
London : Hardwicke, 1866. 
t “ Useful Information for Engineers.” Third series. By William 
Fairbaim, Esq. C.E. LL.D. F.R.S. &c. London : Longmans, Green, and 
Co. 1866. 
