i68 
Analyses of Books. 
[March, 
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Vol. XL., 
No. g. 
This number contains a paper on Babylonian Astronomy, by 
Mr. Bosanquet and Prof. Sayce ; an additional note by the 
Astronomer Royal on the Theoretical Value of the Acceleration 
of the Moon’s Mean Motion ; a paper by Mr. Glaisher, on the 
Method of Least Squares ; and a memoir on the Possible Per- 
formance of an Objecfl- Glass for Star-Gazing, by Mr. Sang. 
There is also a note on the Nebula near Merope , by Prof. Tempel ; 
observations on Comet I, 1880, made at the Cape of Good Hope, 
by Mr. Gill ; a method of determining the pressure on the Solar 
Surface, by Prof. Wiedemann ; a note on a Disappearance of 
Jupiter’s Satellites in 1611, and on the August Perseids, by 
Admiral Sir E. Ommanney. 
The Attraction of Simple Gravity. By the Rev. G. T. Carru- 
thers, Chaplain of Chakrata, India. 
The author of this essay undertakes to show that Newton’s 
theory of attraction is true merely as a result of a constant force 
in the line of motion. If his explanation is satisfactory, New- 
ton’s Law is removed from its eminence as a law of Nature, and 
occupies the ground of a convenient apparent law only. He 
considers that the true law of Nature is that of a force varying 
directly as the distance. “ In the evaporation and condensation 
of water, which I assume to be the only motive force, we have 
two centres of force, one attracting and the other repelling with 
the same intensity, and so producing an apparent constant force.” 
For the author’s demonstration of these views we must refer our 
readers to his pamphlet. 
The Lepidoptera of the Tauferev Valley.* By Prof. Josef Weiler. 
Insbruck : Wagner. 
Like the determination of constants in chemistry, and physics, 
the establishment of local faunae is a tedious task, which, though 
of very high value to Science, is far from meeting with the 
recognition which it deserves. It seems to us that systematic 
* Die Schmetterlinge des Tauferer Thales. Ein Beitrag zur Lepidopteren 
Kunde von Tirol. 
