i88i.J 
683 
Analyses of Books, 
scent ; the indefinite sense organs of the median line ; of the 
notochord, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum ; the skull, pec- 
toral and pelvic girdles and limbs ; the body cavity and vascular 
system ; the muscular system ; the excretory and generative 
organs and the alimentary canal in the Chordata, with its append- 
ages. It seems to us that in this survey the inseCts fare worse 
than any other great department of the animal kingdom, not 
from any intention on the part of the author, but from the fre- 
quent want of the necessary materials. 
The work is abundantly and well illustrated, and every division 
is furnished with an elaborate bibliography. As to the value and 
utility of the book, we must admit it to be on its subject without 
a worthy parallel in the language. It is equally suitable as a 
manual for the student, and as a work of reference for biologists 
of old standing. 
Inorganic Chemistry , Theoretical and Practical. An Elementary 
Text-Book designed primarily for Students of Science- 
Classes connedted with the Science and Art Department of 
the Committee of Council on Education. By W. Jago, 
F.C.S., A.I.C. London : Longmans and Co. 
We should much like to see an accurate return of the number of 
elementary text-books on chemistry which have appeared within 
the last dozen years, all of them, or nearly so, compiled with a 
special reference to the examinations of the Science and Art 
Department. How it comes that there is scope for so many 
works covering the same ground, and how publishers are pre- 
vailed upon to bring them out, are unsolved problems. It would 
be a very different case if there were in England, as in Germany, 
and to some extent even in France, a number of eminent and 
independent schools of chemistry, each possessing some dis- 
tinctive feature. But with us South Kensington reigns supreme, 
and lays before every student a quicunque vult from which there 
is no dispensation. In consequence all our text-books and 
manuals bear the same stamp. 
To do him justice, Mr. Jago feels the difficulty of the situation. 
He begins his Preface with certain remarks so sound and judi- 
cious that we cannot help quoting them at some length : — “ The 
teacher of classes which are in connection with the Science and 
Art Department has to face special difficulties. In addition to 
his desire to give his students a thorough knowledge of their 
subject, he must necessarily remember that it is all-important to 
him that good results be obtained at the Department’s examina- 
tions. Unless, therefore, he is prepared to sacrifice the true 
2 Y 2 
