Notices of Books > 
275 
1876.] 
A Dictionary of Musical Terms. Edited by John Stainer, M.A., 
Mus. Doc., Magd. Coll., Oxford, and W. A. Barrett, Mus. 
Bac., St. Mary Hall, Oxford. 456 pp. London : Novello 
Ewer, and Co, 
That the subjeCl of Music should be ably treated by the learned 
organist of our great metropolitan cathedral will not be a matter 
of surprise, but under the title of “ A Dictionary ” few will be 
prepared to find a volume which can be read with pleasure, in 
addition to being an extremely complete work of reference on 
musical matters. The Editors have done wisely in calling to 
their assistance authors capable of writing on special subjects; 
and the reader in search of precise information will be glad to 
meet with such articles as “ Temperament,” by R. H. M, 
Bosanquet, M.A. ; “ Licensing ” and “ Copyright,” by J. Bulley, 
M.A., Barrister-at-Law ; “ Ear, Larynx, Laryngoscope, and 
Structure of the Hand,” by F. Champneys, M.A., M.R.C.S., of 
St. Bartholomew’s Hospital ; “ Acoustics,” by A. E. Donkin, 
M.A., F.R.A.S. ; in addition to many others on subjects espe- 
cially musical. 
Six pages are devoted to the article “ Acoustics,” and the 
subjeCt is most ably treated in so small a space. 
Under “ Larynx ” the structure of the vocal organs and their 
functions are most fully described, — not only in man, but com- 
parative anatomy is entered into in considerable detail. The 
structure of the larynx is illustrated with no less than twenty-one 
woodcuts, showing the structure of the parts concerned in vocal- 
isation and the various positions they take when in action. The 
researches of Garcia and others are given at great length, as 
also a very full account of the laryngoscope and the mode of 
making observations by its means. The structure and compa- 
rative anatomy of the ear are treated in an equally careful and 
elaborate manner. 
Under the head of “ Fingering,” in addition to the striCUy 
technical matter, chiefly of interest to the pianist, will be found 
an interesting account of the anatomy of the hand in especial 
relation to its use on the fingerboard of keyed instruments. 
The work is one of great value to lovers of music ; almost all 
terms, whether English or foreign, are to be found in it, and a 
vast amount of information which can only have been the result 
of most indefatigable research on the part of the various editors. 
It is printed in the usual handsome manner of the publications 
of Messrs. Novello. 
A Short History of Natural Science. By Arabella B. Buckley, 
London: John Murray. 
To furnish, within the compass of five hundred pages, a history 
of natural science, and of the progress of discovery from the 
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