Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 16.djvu/143

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is a very mixed book, as it treats of almost everything pertaining to air, land, and water. There is a good deal of geography, and something about ships, machinery, plants, animals, etc., etc., with maps and numerous woodcuts drawn in outline with a view to being copied by pupils upon the blackboard. The book can no doubt be made useful in the hands of judicious teachers, and the drawing exercises for which it provides are a good feature; but we do not think that its leading topics are the best to begin with in early science teaching, and it does not sufficiently provide for the direct study of things themselves.

author's object here is to recommend and enforce a practical system of industrial education for American youth. He points out the deficiencies of the present modes of popular culture, and is favorable to the Kindergarten as a foundation in primary instruction.

this book, we must speak of Macmillan's part first. Paper, type, printing, and illustrations are elegant, so that to read it is a luxury. It is such a book as an English baronet might with graceful propriety present to his friends. Imported into this country, it comes rather expensive, considering the amount of its contents; but, happily, they are not of a sort that makes it necessary for anybody to procure the volume. Yet Sir John's lectures are very pleasant reading. He discourses of flowers, plants, and insects, and of the habits of ants, and gives us a great deal of curious and interesting information on those matters which he has made a special study. The fifth and sixth lectures are on "Prehistoric Archæology," and epitomize the views developed in the author's larger works, "Prehistoric Times" and "On the Origin of Civilization."

volume, like the one that preceded it, is filled with good, solid work. There is no attempt at extreme simplification, and not a word for effect; but each lecturer has aimed to make a sound, instructive presentation of his subject. The names are strong, and the subjects well chosen. President Spottiswoode treats of "Polarized Light"; Professor Forbes of "Thermal Conductivity" and "Thermo-Dynamics"; H. W. Chisholm of "Balances"; Professor Pigot of "Geometrical and Engineering Drawing"; Froude of "The Laws of Fluid Resistance"; Dr. Siemens of "The Bathometer"; Burrett of "Sensitive Flames"; Pigot of "Lighthouse Illumination"; Burdon-Sanderson of "Apparatus for Physiological Investigation"; Lauder Brunton of "Apparatus for Physiological Chemistry"; Macleod "On Audiometers"; and Roscoe on "Technical Chemistry."

volume belongs to Holt's series of handbooks which claim to be intermediate between the larger text-books and the so called "primers." In what way the American editor has "revised" the English work for use in this country is not explained, nor does it much matter; the book is well adapted to introduce pupils into the study of zoölogy, as it will attract and interest them. The information furnished has been selected with good judgment, and is no doubt entirely trustworthy.

The Young Folks' Cyclopædia of Common Things. By John D. Champlin, Jr. With numerous Illustrations. New York: Holt & Co. 1879. Pp. 695. $3.

Key to the Universe or a New Theory of its Mechanism. By Orson Pratt, Sen. Salt Lake City: The Author. 1879. Pp. 118. $1.50.

Primitive Manners and Customs. By J. A. Farrer. New York: Holt & Co. 1879. Pp. 345.

The Value of Life: Reply to Mallock's Essay "Is Life worth Living." New York: Putnam's Sons. 1879. Pp. 253. $1.50.

Illustrated Dictionary of Scientific Terms. By William Rossiter. New York: Putnam's Sons. Pp. 350. $1.75.