no Analyses of Books, [February, 
He congratulates the Society that whether as regards theory or 
practice — the optical and mechanical or the observational part of 
our science — there has never been a time when so much evidence 
could be produced of solid progress as now. 
The “ Summary of Current Researches,” which occupies the 
greater part of the volume is a most valuable compilation, and 
the patience and energy of the editors in collecting and preparing 
so complete an abstract of biological and microscopical research 
cannot be too highly commended. Preference is as a rule given 
to foreign papers, for the reason that such are notvery accessible 
to English readers, while memoirs published at home need little 
beyond a reference to the place where they may be found, but 
even here very useful abstracts are given. 
The index and table of contents are both very copious and 
admirably arranged, so that a subject sought for may be traced 
out with the minimum of trouble. In addition a very complete 
list of books and papers, British and foreign, relating to biolo- 
gical and microscopical subjects is given. 
With each separate number appear a valuable series of tables 
compiled by Mr. J. W. Stephenson, F.R.A.S. They will be 
found very useful to microscopists. They include the respective 
values of “ numerical and angular aperture ” in air, water, and 
oil ; the conversion of British and metric measures ; corre- 
sponding degrees in the Fahrenheit and Centigrade scales ; and, 
lastly, a table of magnifying powers. 
Longman's Magazine , No. III., January, 1883. 
None of the articles in the issue before us deal with subjects 
upon which we may claim a right to adjucate. To a few in- 
cidental passages we may, however, refer. Thus, in the serial 
story, “Thicker than Water,” we read : “ The dog is to be won 
by fear, but the cat never — a circumstance which, if there were 
no other urgent reason for it, would always place the cat above 
the dog, in my opinion.” “ The New Pygmalion ” is a clever 
allusion to a trial which has enriched the lawyers, and has, to 
the general public, proved only less wearisome than that of the 
“ Claimant.” 
That strange ghost story, “ The Lady’s Walk,” comes to a 
conclusion. Evil is averted, but not by the mysterious spiritual 
guardian, whose part thus becomes little better than that of a 
supernumerary. 
