REVIEWS. 
435 
undergone it. The u Golding Bird,” as we used to term it at College, is no 
longer to he Golding Bird, hut Brooke. The change is hut a just one. The 
science of Bird’s time has passed, like Bird himself, from among us, and 
the writer who has successfully carried the work through so many editions, 
and has so thoroughly altered its matter, is, in truth, the author. It is not 
too much to say of the volume before us that it is virtually Mr. Brooke’s compo- 
sition. A wonderful hook it is, too. Doubtless there are defects, hut there are 
very few treatises which include every department of that terribly wide science, 
Physics, which can boast fewer errors or omissions. Extending as it does 
over nearly 900 pages of small print, containing more than 700 woodcuts, 
and dealing with Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Pneumatics, Sound, Magnetism, 
Electricity, Light, and Heat, in regard to both their principles and ancient and 
modern application, this manual is a model of careful compilation. It 
treats of every question in Natural Philosophy which can be discussed 
without reference to a mathematical physics,” and thus forms an excellent 
textbook for the student, while its clear description of philosophical 
apparatus, and its embodiment of the most recent results of physical research, 
render it a useful book of reference for the man of education. We think 
Mr. Brooke has spared no pains to seek out the most novel applications 
of science for description in his work, and that his efforts have been 
decidedly successful. In all that relates to the recent physical discoveries — 
such as, for example, Wilde and Siemen’s electro -magnetic machines, Brown- 
ing’s spectroscope, Powell and Lealand’s binocular — for high powers, and 
so forth, this manual gives complete details. There is only one feature we 
find fault with, and that is part of the introduction. Why did Mr. Brooke 
indulge in a discussion of the moral aspects of Physics P His observa- 
tions, though well intended, are as out of place as they are petulant and 
illogical. We allude to the remarks, and not to the aim which prompted 
them. 
THE FIELD-NATURALIST’S COMPANION.* 
H EBE is a little book sui generis. We know of no other of its kind. 
Translated from the German of Nave, by the Rev. W. Spicer, a 
naturalist well qualified for the task, it tells us how we may search for, when 
we may find, how we may preserve, and in what manner we may prepare, 
all the cryptogamic beauties which lie in myriads round us, but which so 
few of us know aught of. Those who have got a microscope, and wish to spend 
a twelvemonth of pleasant u evenings ” at it, should procure this u handy- 
book ” and begin their excursions. The author will tell them how to provide 
themselves in order to carry on their labours to advantage. We doubt 
whether one requires all the apparatus which Herr Nave describes •, but we 
treatise of the late Golding Bird, M. A. Sixth edition, London: Churchill. 
1867. 
* “ A Handy-book to the Collection and Preparation of Fresh-water and 
Marine Algae, Diatoms, Desmids, Fungi, Lichens, Mosses, etc.” By Johaun 
Nave. Translated and Edited by the Rev. W. Spicer, M.A. London : 
Hardwicke. 1867. 
VOL. VI. — NO. XXV. I I 
