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Notices of Books. 
comparison between theory and observation. The result is a 
book which, when sound is applied as an instrument of discovery 
in molecular physics, will be found to be the most complete 
grammar we at present possess of the language in which the 
results of experiment will express themselves. 
Elementary Text-Book of Physics. By G. D. Everett, M.A., 
D.C.L. London : Blackie and Son. 1877. 
This work is intended for school classes, and passes in brief 
review the principal physical sciences. It is fairly illustrated, 
and contains many examples and questions to be worked out. 
It does not appear to us to possess any advantage over some of 
the very numerous text-books of physics which have been written 
with the same objecft during the last ten years. 
Handbook of Natural Philosophy. Heat. By Dionysius Lard- 
ner, D.C.L. New Edition, edited by Benjamin Loewy, 
F.R.A.S. Lockwood and Co. 1877. 
This is the familiar treatise on Heat of Dr. Lardner, enlarged so 
as to bring it in accordance with the most modern ideas on the 
subjedt. There are only a few new illustrations, but no less 
than 320 pages of new matter, among which will be found an 
interesting chapter on Dissociation and the Chemical Effedts of 
Heat, and on the Dynamical Theory of Heat. Mr. Loewy has 
done his work of editing in a very satisfactory manner, and this 
work is still in many respects the most generally useful treatise 
on Heat which exists in our language. 
Theoretical Naval Architecture: a Treatise on the Calculations 
involved in Naval Design. By S. J. P. Thearle. 2 vols. 
London : William Collins and Sons. 1877. 
This work is divided into six parts, which respectively embrace 
— Calculations relating to (a) the forms and dimensions of 
ships ; ( b ) the weights and centres of gravity of ships ; (c) the 
strength of ships ; (d) the propulsion of ships by sails ; (e) the 
propulsion of ships by steam-engines ; and (/) the steering of 
ships. In great ship-building cities like Glasgow the information 
herein contained will be eagerly read not only by master-ship- 
wrights, but by the workmen themselves. A separate Atlas 
