REVIEWS. 
81 
duced by Mr. Thomas Twining* although these are intended more for the 
guidance and instruction of teachers than as treatises to be read by students. 
Mr. Twining, as is well known, has devoted much attention to the subject of 
education, and especially to the diffusion of elementary scientific knowledge 
among the working classes, with a view to which he got together on his 
premises at Twickenham an extensive museum of objects and apparatus for 
the illustration of “ the science of daily life.” Unfortunately just when this 
interesting collection was ready to be transferred to a central position in 
London a fire broke out in the building containing it, and the results of 
fifteen years’ labour were destroyed. In connection with this economic 
museum while it was still in existence, Mr. Twining prepared a series of 
lectures, which he has published, preceded by an introduction describing 
the mode in which he thinks his lectures may be best employed, and giving 
certain other details in connection with the course of instruction laid down 
in them, and the best mode of conducting examinations to test the advantage 
gained by the hearers. The lectures and introduction are published in six 
parts, which may be obtained separately, each part containing two lectures. 
Of these three are on Mechanical Physics, one on Chemical Physics, two on 
Chemistry (Organic and Inorganic), one on the Mineral and Vegetable King- 
doms, one on the Animal Kingdom, and two on Human Physiology, and the 
series is arranged so as to lead up to the practical application of the last 
to the purposes of daily life. The idea is an admirable one and exceedingly 
well worked out, the lectures being at once simple and good, so that they 
may either be read in extenso as the author proposes, or employed to furnish 
the skeletons of discourses to be filled up in the lecturer’s own style. The 
indications of diagrams and illustrative experiments, of the apparatus for the 
performance of the latter, and of books of reference for the use of those who 
wish to supplement the information here given by reading, render this an 
exceedingly complete and valuable publication, which we can recommend 
with perfect sincerity to the notice of all school teachers and amateur lec- 
turers on the subjects which it embraces, and also as a reading-book for 
beginners. We are glad to learn that Mr. Twining’s labours in the cause of 
scientific education have met with due appreciation in Paris, the present 
series of books having received the honour of a silver medal from the Jury of 
the recent International Exhibition. 
THE GEOLOGICAL RECORD.t 
W E have much pleasure in announcing the publication of the third volume 
of the “ Geological Record,” which contains an analysis of the geolo- 
gical literature of 1876. The general plan of the work has undergone no 
* 11 Science made Easy ; a Series of Familiar Lectures on the Elements of 
Scientific Knowledge most required in Daily Life. Prepared in connection 
with the Twickenham Economic Museum, for delivery at popular institutions, 
for the use of schools and for home study.” By Thomas Twining. 4to. 
London : Hardwicke & Bogue, 1878. 
t The “ Geological Record for 1876.” An account of works on Geology, 
Mineralogy, and Palaeontology, published during the year, with Supplements 
for 1874 and 1875. Edited by W. Whitaker, B. A. 8vo. London : Taylor 
and Francis, 1878. 
NEW SERIES, VOL. III. — NO. IX. G 
