Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 36.djvu/728

710 as connected with this subject the author discusses in another essay the question "What shall be taxed?" The general conclusions to which this series of inquiries leads him are, that the working classes are obtaining a constantly increasing and the capitalists a constantly diminishing share of an increasing product; that the share which any person may secure depends upon his use of his own abilities; and that all laws restricting the free use of time and talent are inconsistent with progress. In the latter portion of the volume are papers on "Slow-burning Construction" (illustrated); "The Missing Science" (in which an economical method and apparatus for cooking are described); "A Single Tax on Land"; and "Religion and Life." The discussions in this volume are characterized by thoroughness of study, and an earnest desire to spread enlightenment on these important subjects.

A third hand-book of pronunciation has been published by William H. P. Phyfe, entitled Seven Thousand Words often Mispronounced (Putnam, $1.25). It is intended to include all the English words and names and the foreign words liable to be mispronounced by an English-speaking person. The words are all arranged in one alphabetical list, the names only beginning with capitals. Pronunciation is indicated by respelling in full, and in some cases how the word is not sounded is also indicated, and other explanatory notes are inserted. Where several important pronunciations of a word occur, the fact is indicated, Webster's pronunciation being generally placed first. Prefixed to the list are a chapter on the sounds of the English language, suggestions on the use of the book, and a key of diacritical marks. The author enumerates forty-two sounds in English, although the American Philological Association recognizes only forty—the two additional ones being obtained by distinguishing the vowel in serge from that in urge, and the one in dog from that in odd. Two instances of carelessness are, that the author names as one of his authorities "Worcester's Unabridged Dictionary," meaning "Worcester's Quarto Dictionary," and the only pronunciation of Algonquin given in the Supplement to Webster is ignored. The volume is printed in clear type on fine paper.

We have received of what might be styled calendar publications of the Smithsonian Institution, Mr. G. H. Boehmer’s Report on Exchanges for the year ending June 30, 1887, and nine Accounts of Progress in as many branches of investigation in the year 1886. In the first of these publications, Mr. Boehmer, after relating the year's transactions in his office, reiterates the recommendation that has been made in previous reports, for the designation of a permanent agency abroad to give personal attention to the business of exchanges. His opinion that otherwise only temporary results can be obtained is confirmed by his own experiences.—In his Account of the Progress of North American Geology for 1886, Mr. Nelson H. Darton has sought to include abstracts, without bias or partiality, of all important publications distributed during the year. It is unfortunate, and hardly in keeping with the character of an institution like the Smithsonian—especially when three years are taken for the printing—that hurried preparation is offered as a reason for imperfections, and limitations of space for omitting the bibliography, which is to be made a bulletin of the Geological Survey. Mr. C. G. Rockwood, Jr., arranges his Account of Progress of Vulcanology and Seismology under the heads, as heretofore, of Vulcanology—including volcanic phenomena of 1886, volcanic phenomena of previous years, and causes of volcanic action; Seismology—earthquakes of 1886, earthquake lists of 1885; catalogues of earthquakes of previous years, and study of earthquakes; and Seismometry—instrumental records and instruments. A bibliography of eight pages is appended.—Mr. John Belknap Marcou furnishes to the series a Bibliography of North American Paleontology, giving the titles of works in the order of the authors' names, alphabetically, and descriptions or analyses of the contents of the more elaborate ones, in some instances of considerable fullness.—The Account of Geography and Exploration, by William Libbey, Jr., comprises extremely brief accounts, by continents, of the principal explorations of the year, their purposes and facts. In the Account of Progress in Physics, Prof. George F. Barker gives lucid analyses of the principal papers presented, with results determined