1 878.! 
Notices of Books. 
115 
historic British remains, and also to the Polynesian unit. The 
identity of the Pelasgic with the Etrurio-Roman foot. The con- 
tinuance of the Romano-British units into mediaeval times, the 
resemblances being generally inexadt, and far within the probable 
errors. Also the similar continuance of the classical units into 
the Mohammedan times in Turkey and Persia.” 
Incidents in the Biography of Dust. By H. P. Malet. London : 
Triibner. 1877, 
This work reminds 11s in its style of some of Vidtor Hugo’s rhap- 
sodies concerning matter and force. A few quotations from the 
work will be more effedtive in showing its general charadter than 
any more formal notice, for which we have neither the inclination 
to write nor the space to give : — 
“ Air is composed chiefly of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbonic 
acid gases.” 
“ Air and water are adtive, dust is the passive element.” 
“ Pressure condenses dust; dust condenses heat.” 
“ Heat adts on the dust.” 
Southern Stellar Objects for Small Telescopes , between the Equator 
and 55 0 South Declination. By J. E. Gore, Asst. Engineer, 
India. Lodianet. 1877. 
This carefully compiled work embodies the results of observations 
made in the Punjaub with an achromatic of 3 inches aperture 
and four feet focal length. All the best catalogues of southern 
stars have been consulted. The work will be of much use to 
observers in India. 
Physiography and Physical Geography . By the Rev. Alex. 
Mackay, LL.D., F.R.G.S. London: William Blackwood. 
1877. 
In September, 1876, the Committee ot Council on Education 
decided that Physical Geography, as defined in the Science Direc- 
tory, was not a subjedt in which the special aid of the Science 
and Art Department should be continued. But the Committee 
substituted for it Physiography , a subjedt designed to embrace 
“those external relations and conditions of the earth which form 
the common basis of the sciences of nautical astronomy, geology, 
