II 2 
Notices of Books, 
[January, 
The Art of Scientific Discovery , or the General Conditions and 
Methods of Research in Physics and Chemistry . By George 
Gore, LL.D., F.R.S. London : Longmans. 1878. 
Although we are of opinion that the faculty of original research 
must be inherent in a man, and cannot be often implanted in 
him, — in a word that investigator nascitur non Jit, — we are very 
glad to welcome this admirable treatise from the pen of Mr. Gore. 
It is a sort of Ultimum Organum in the matter of scientific 
research. It is thoroughly Baconian, and may be regarded as a 
nineteenth century representative of the second book of the 
“ Novum Organum.” It is philosophical in tone, and is through- 
out characterised by the blending of great experience with logical 
deduction. It will be read with profit both by the student and 
by the most advanced investigator. 
The work is divided into five parts, which are respectively 
devoted to (1) a general view and basis of scientific research ; 
(2) general conditions of scientific research ; (3) personal prepa- 
ration for research ; (4) aCtual working in original scientific 
research ; (5) special methods of discovery. The first part 
treats of the distinction between the attainable and unattainable 
objeCts of research; the certainty of scientific knowledge; the 
general principles of science ; and criteria. The author passes 
on to the consideration (Part 2) of the general basis of success 
in discovery. Herein he reviews the position of man as a dis- 
coverer in Nature, the general course and character of many 
notable discoveries, and the classification of scientific truths. 
The third part treats of personal preparation for research, in 
which the author points out not only the necessity of manipu- 
lative skill, but also that of imaginative power. The fourth part 
is devoted to the discussion of the aCtual working in original 
scientific research, and this will specially recommend itself to 
all scientific readers. The fifth and last division of the work 
treats of special methods of discovery. 
We most cordially recommend this work to the attention of 
all lovers of natural truths. 
Lessons in Thermodynamics. By Robert E. Baynes, M.A., 
Lee’s Reader in Physics. Oxford : at the Clarendon Press. 
1878. 
This work, which, although small, furnishes the only complete 
mathematical introduction in English to the Dynamical Theory 
of Heat, is based upon the subjeCt-matter of a course of lectures 
delivered at the Clarendon Laboratory in Oxford, during the 
