Notices of Books . 
[January 
114 
Electricity and Magnetism. By Fleeming Jenkin, F.R.S., 
Professor of Engineering in the University of Edinburgh. 
Fourth Edition. London : Longmans. 1878. 
The fadl that this work has already reached a fourth edition is 
sufficient evidence of its appreciation. It is based upon all the 
newest principles developed by Sir William Thomson, Prof. 
Clerk Maxwell, Mr. Latimer Clark, and the author himself, and 
it is quite indispensable for those who take up the study of 
Eledlric Telegraphy with a view to its application to practical 
purposes. The questions of quantity, intensity, resistance, and 
potential are fully discussed. Useful chapters are devoted to 
eledtrical and magnetic measurements, to the use of instruments, 
and to the whole subjedt of telegraphy. 
We have no doubt that the work will continue to hold the high 
position which it has attained. 
A Text-Book of Arithmetic for Use in Higher School Classes. 
By Thomas Muir, M.A., F.R.S.E., Mathematical Master in 
the High School of Glasgow. London : Daldy, Isbister, 
and Co. 1878. 
A very comprehensive, clearly written book, with all the exam- 
ples worked out at the end. We have no doubt it will be largely 
used in Scotch schools. 
A Treatise on the Dynamics of a Particle. By P. G. Tait, M.A., 
and W. J. Steele, B.A. Fourth Edition. London : Mac- 
millan. 1878. 
This work leaves little to be desired, so far as the higher parts 
of the subjedt are concerned, either as to fulness of matter or 
excellence and variety of problems ; but the elementary portion 
is hardly worthy of the rest. The chapter on Kinematics would 
be greatly improved if the analytical investigation in it were 
supplemented by a little Geometry. The discussion of the Laws 
of Motion is at times confusing to a beginner from the number 
of details presented to his notice, whilst the excessive brevity of 
treatment required by the plan of the work prevents sufficiently 
full explanation. The only fault in the book is that a beginner in 
Dynamics cannot read it. 
