30 
rorULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
SCIENCE MANUALS. 
I N these days of scientific school manuals and primers one would have 
thought that there was hardly room for a new set ; hut Messrs. Longmans, 
guided no doubt by a sound knowledge of their own business, have started a 
series of " Science Class Books,” * under the editorial care of Prof. G. 
Carey Foster and Mr. Philip Magnus. Five of these little books are now 
before us, only one of which relates to a subject pertaining to the special 
studies of the editors, namely a treatise on “ Hydrostatics and Pneumatics ” 
by the second of them. This, the author tells us , 11 is intended for the use of 
those pupils in the upper forms of schools who have already acquired some 
elementary knowledge of the principles of mechanics,” and even without this 
statement a very cursory inspection of the text sufficed to convince us that it 
was not intended for beginners, indeed we should hardly have thought that 
it was designed for the use of schoolboys at all. The information contained 
in it is of the most accurate and useful description, but from its extreme 
condensation and the constant use of mathematical formulae, we should 
regard it rather as a useful memorandum book for somewhat advanced students 
than as an ordinary school-class work. We notice that in consideration of 
the recent discoveries of Messrs. Pictet & Cailletet, the author recognises a 
more intimate connection between the two branches of his subject than has, 
we think, usually been admitted. 
Dr. M'Nab’s treatises on the Morphology and Physiology of Plants and on 
Systematic Botany, are also intended specially for the use of the upper forms, 
but the author seems to have at the same time had in view the advantage of 
still more mature students ; in fact, in his preface he specially announces his 
hope that they may “ supply the wants of medical and other students.” 
For these more advanced students they seem to be admirably adapted, and 
will also furnish an excellent guide for those who are commencing the practical 
study of plants. All these volumes are copiously and well illustrated. 
Of Prof. Macalister’s two zoological volumes we can hardly speak in such 
high terms. Zoology, especially when treated systematically, is so vast a 
subject, that it seems impossible to give any satisfactory account of it within 
the compass of two little books of 140 and 130 pages ; such a sketch can 
only be a bare outline, and to make even this satisfactory in its own way 
the author requires to have a grasp of his subject such as few zoologists can 
boast. Prof. Macalister has unfortunately attempted to popularise his 
sketch more or less, and in consequence has in several places conveyed 
erroneous or imperfect impressions to his readers. Prof. Macalister’s volumes 
are freely illustrated, but the illustrations, many of which are old acquain- 
tances, are certainly not so good as those of the other volumes just noticed. 
We may perhaps include under this same heading a series of books pro- 
• “ The London Science Class Books.” Edited by G. Carey Foster and 
Philip Magnus. Hydrostatics and Pneumatics by Philip Magnus ; Botany 
(2 vols.) by W. R. M‘Nab ; Invertebrata and Vertebrata (2 vols.) by A. 
Macalister. Small 8vo. London : Longmans, Green & Co., 1878. 
