REVIEWS. 
417 
SUPPLEMENT TO WATTS’S DICTIONARY* 
H ERE is a supplement to the valuable dictionary of Mr. Henry Watts, 
F.R.S., and when we observe that it is the second supplement to that 
work, the non-chemical reader will possibly imagine that it is a not very 
important volume. But we must point out to all such that the present work 
is a most valuable as well as a huge production. It is really the work not 
only of the Editor, but also of Professors Armstrong, Foster, and Roscoe, 
Dr. H. N. Martin, and Mr. R. Warrington. And these gentlemen have 
given us over twelve hundred large 8vo pages in small type j in fact, they 
have brought the work down completely to the end of the year 1872, and 
have incorporated many of the. more important results made known in the 
years 1873 and 1874. It would be out of place here, as, indeed, it would be 
almost impossible, to contrast the authors’ labours. Each seems to have 
done his part well, and we observe that the language is clear and to the 
point. It was, of course, not to be expected that all the writers would have 
held the same ideas as to theoretical questions, but there is a general accord- 
ance of opinion expressed, which is extremely satisfactory. The articles 
which strike us as of most interest and value are those on the “ Constitution 
of Benzine,” and on “ Chemical Action.” We think the type should have 
been more distinct for the titles and sub-titles ; as it is, there is sometimes 
difficulty in saying which is which. 
SHORT NOTICES. 
“ Astronomical and Meteorological Observations made during the Year 
1872 at the United States Naval Observatory.” By Rear-Admiral B. F. 
Sands, U.S.N. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1874. — This is a 
huge 4to volume, of a series of reports of interest to astronomers. The 
observations have been made with the Mural circle, the Transit circle, and 
the Equatorial. 
“The Fifth English Reading-book.” By Thomas Turner, F.S.S, And 
“The Fourth English Reading-book.” London: Simpkin & Marshall. — 
We suppose that these two elementary school-books were sent to us because 
they contain short sketches of the life of scientific men. We think them on 
the whole good, though they are excessively elemental. 
Sadi's Botany. — Macmillan, 1875. We regret that our continued notice 
of this work, which was partly reviewed in our last number, has been un- 
avoidably “ crushed out.” 
* “A Dictionary of Chemistry, and the allied Branches of other 
Sciences.” By Henry Watts, B.A., F.R.S., F.O.S., assisted by eminent 
contributors. Second supplement. London : Longmans, 1875, 
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VOL. NIV. — NO. LYII. 
