( HO ) 
NEW BOOKS, WITH SHOET NOTICES. 
Tie Microscopist : a Manual of Microscopy and Compendium of the 
Microscopic Sciences. Third Edition. By J. H. Withe, A.M., M.D., 
Professor of Microscopy and Biology in the Medical College of the 
Pacific, San Francisco. London : Churchill, 1877. — We had always 
imagined that when a man who wished to learn what was known 
regarding the microscope, consulted the works of Carpenter and Beale, 
he attained all the knowledge that was requisite. To be sure there 
are several other books, both French and German, to be consulted. 
But from what we have seen of both English and foreign works, we 
have learnt to prefer the former. It will then very naturally be 
inquired whether there are departments of science unnoticed by the 
two writers we have mentioned, that may possibly have been referred 
to by the author of the book now under notice, and which may pos- 
sibly justify its existence. 
And on examination of the volume which Dr. Withe has issued in its 
third edition, we are compelled to answer the question we have raised by 
a decided negative. It does not contain any material which is not amply 
referred to in the works to which we have alluded. Not only so, but 
the great mass of the illustrations — which we may add are most effec- 
tively reproduced — are simply copies of the various engravings, &c., 
which our English workers are by this time so familiar with. But 
this is not all. In point of fact, the book is decidedly inferior to both 
Carpenter’s and Beale’s treatises. And it is so from two very different 
aspects. It touches on a very large number of subjects, but deals at 
sufficient length we had almost said with none ; some few, however, 
may be looked on as nearly complete. But it is in point of style that 
we see the distinction between the English treatises and their American 
or cousinly rival. The composition of the latter is by no means to be 
contrasted with that of our home productions. Indeed, this feature is 
most marked in the volume now before us. 
It is then impossible to conceive why the American work was 
brought out at all, save that the books of this country may bear 
higher prices. This circumstance and likewise the fact that it has 
gone successfully through two earlier editions,- can alone explain its 
issue in a new form by one of the first publishing firms in this country. 
However, we shall now point out a few of the imperfections to which 
we have alluded. In the first place, we find that micro-photography 
has been entirely omitted. This would have been an unjustifiable 
omission even if the writer were an Englishman. But in an American 
volume it is absolutely unpardonable. The United States can pride 
themselves on having excelled in this one branch of microscopy. 
Dr. Woodward has, without the smallest doubt, produced the most 
splendid micro-photographs the world has yet seen. But for all this, 
an American, in writing a book on the microscope, omits the subject 
of micro-photography completely. Again, the micro-spectroscope is 
badly explained. Indeed, when first it is mentioned it is little more 
