Notices of Books . 
267 
1878.: 
Pocket Altitude Tables. Short and Simple Rules for Accurately 
Determining Altitudes Barometrically. By G. J. Symons. 
London : Stanford. 
We once heard of an amateur who fell to work to measure the 
height of one of the loftiest peaks of the Carpathian range. He 
made his observations with great precision, calculated out the 
results, and found — a height, or rather depth, considerably below 
the sea-level ! Mr. Symons’s little book will, we think, effectu- 
ally prevent such an undesirable consummation. By following 
the author’s instructions fairly accurate results may be obtained 
with a minimum of time and trouble, and without the necessity 
of employing two observers and two sets of instruments, which 
on an exploring expedition is not always practicable. 
How to Work with the Spectroscope. A Manual of Practical 
Manipulation with Spectroscopes of all Kinds, &c. By 
John Browning, F.R.A.S., &c. London : John Browning. 
1878. 
This little work, from the pen of our leading spectroscope maker, 
will be found useful to the student who is commencing the study 
of speCtroscopy. It gives practical directions for working with 
spectroscopes of all descriptions, from the simple pocket form to 
the large compound prism apparatus. The various kinds of in- 
struments at present in use are also figured and described, so 
that the beginner may gain an insight into the cost of an outfit 
before taking up this branch of scientific study. The para- 
graphs giving directions for mapping speCtra might have been 
extended with advantage. The whole is illustrated with thirty 
woodcuts and diagrams of apparatus and speCtra. 
As an introduction to the more expensive works of Schellen, 
Roscoe, and others, Mr. Browning’s little book may be safely 
recommended, especially if used in conjunction with Mr. ProCtor’s 
shilling manual of the Spectroscope. 
Mineralogy . ByJ. H. Collins, F.G.S. Vol. L, The General 
Principles of Mineralogy. London and Glasgow : W. Col- 
lins, Sons, and Co. 1878. 
This book, which forms part of Collins’s Advanced Science 
Series, has been specially written to enable those practical 
working miners, quarrymen, field geologists, and students of the 
