364 Analyses of Books. [June, 
in entitling 1 his book “ Sound,” instead of “ A Treatise on 
Acoustics.” It would be a great mistake, however, to suppose 
that we have here a popular treatise in the common and objection- 
able sense of the term. We do not find here inaccuracy, loose- 
ness, or the curtailing and perhaps omission of important truths. 
The production and propagation of sound, and all its essential 
phenomena, are explained in a manner intelligible to common 
sense. 
Among the faCts not generally known, which may here be met 
with, is Hooke’s anticipation of the stethoscope, which the author 
well puts forward as an instance of the aCtion of scientific 
imagination. 
In drawing a distinction between noise and sound, Professor 
Tyndall advances an opinion which is not altogether admissible. 
He writes : — “ The aCtion of noise upon the ear has been well 
compared to that of a flickering light upon the eye, both being 
painful through the sudden and abrupt changes which they impose 
upon their respective nerves.” That noise is often painful needs 
no demonstration, but it is painful not as such, but in virtue of 
loudness and accentuation. Few noises are more distressing 
than, e.g., the tolling of a bell. Here the sound, however 
musical, is loud, sharply marked, and is repeated at regular 
intervals. 
Several important books which have been received for review 
must stand over from want of space. 
