293 
REVIEWS. 
PROCTOR’S WORKS.* 
NY subject on which/Mrv Proctor undertakes to write is sure to be treated 
“ Star Atlas ” as more topographical in character than literary, but which, 
already in its fourth edition, is perhaps the most convenient guide for the 
amateur star-gazer as yet published, all the works enumerated below, with 
one exception, have run through two or more editions. 
a The Plurality of Worlds,” of which the fourth reprint has lately appeared, 
originally propounded views differing from those usually accepted, these 
being based on the signs of systematic aggregation among the lucid stars, 
and of a more intimate association of those stars with the Milky Way than 
could be expected were Sir W. Herschel’s fundamental theory correct. In 
the last edition, besides other modifications, three important discoveries, that 
namely of oxygen in the sun, of the fading of the new star in Cygnus into 
a planetary nebula, and of the two moons of Mars, have been incorporated as 
“ supplying new and strong arguments in favour of the theory of cosmic 
evolution advanced/’ 
The third edition of the “ Transits of Venus ” has been enriched with the 
results of the British Expedition, which if not altogether so satisfactory as 
could be wished, so far at least as their separate examination is concerned, 
serve at least to dispose finally of all doubt on the questions which were 
discussed before the transit of December 9, 1874. The memorable con- 
troversy on this subject will be in everyone’s recollection, and probably 
Mr. Proctor is correct in stating that “ it is altogether unlikely that any 
* “ Other Worlds than Ours : The plurality of worlds studied under the 
light of recent researches.” Fourth Edition. “ A New Star Atlas.” Fourth 
Edition, folio. 11 Transits of Venus : A popular account of past and coming 
transits from a.d. 1639 to a.d. 2012.” Third Edition, to which is added a note 
on the results obtained by the British Expedition. 11 The Universe of Stars : 
Presenting researches and new views respecting the constitution of the 
Heavens.” Second Edition. “ A Treatise on the Cycloid and all forms of 
Cycloidal Curves, &c.” By R. A. Proctor, B.A., Scholar of St, John’s Coll., 
Cambridge, Mathematical Scholar and lion. Fellow of King’s College, 
London. 8vo. London : Longmans, 1878. 
JA j n an eqainently lu<jid and qoncise manner. Indeed the popularity of his 
printed works, and of his admirable scientific lectures, affords sufficient 
evidence that the fact is fully and widely appreciated. Setting apart the 
