Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 37.djvu/289

Rh structure of different kinds of stem, of cork, of the growing tip of stem and of root, the vegetative structure and the modes of reproduction of cryptogamous plants, and the structure of various seeds and fruits. The text is illustrated with 149 cuts. An appendix contains lists of plants and of reagents used in study, etc.

has undergone a change cf character in recent times the nature of which i3 indicated by the disappearance of the word "venture" from the commercial vocabulary. Cargoes of good3 are not now shipped to distant ports in blind ignorance of whether or not a sufficient demand exists at their destination for the commodities sent. The legend of the rash Yankee, who apparently tempted the financial fates by sending a lot of warming-pans to the West Indies, would be impossible at this day. Commerce has settled down to a more even course, it is carried on by more exact methods, and is directed more by knowledge and less by chance than at earlier times. But there remains much room for improvement in the knowledge which importers and exporters possess of the products and the needs of foreign countries. To supply information of this sort, and in such a form that it may have "intellectual interest," is the aim of the present volume. "In writing the work," says the author, "I have had three classes chiefly in view: first, teachers who may wish to impart additional zest to their lessons in geography from the point of view of commerce; secondly, pupils in the higher schools and colleges that are now devoting increased attention to commercial education; and, thirdly, those entering on commercial life, who take a sufficiently intelligent interest in their business to make their private studies bear on their daily pursuits." An introductory chapter embodies certain general facts relating to the production, distribution, and exchange of commodities, such as differences in soil and climate, in the price and efficiency of labor, in facilities for transportation and communication, in import and export regulations, in language and money. The world's articles of commerce are then taken up, under a number of classes, and the source of supply of each, and, in case of the more important commodities, other details, such as mode of production, history of the industry, uses of the article, quality of the product from different places, and statistics of production. Then the countries of the world are taken up in succession, the location and geographical character of each is stated, its general commercial advantages and disadvantages are pointed out, after which the important products of the several sections and towns of the country are named, statistics being given in numerous instances. About thirty maps are interspersed through this part of the volume, showing the products, density of population, railways, etc., of different countries. An appendix of fifty pages gives tables of statistics in regard to the imports and exports of the chief countries of the world, and related information. The volume has a full index, which is far from a matter of course in English treatises.

material of this volume embraces geological, zoölogical, and botanical observations, and includes a few glimpses from the traveler's point of view. "My main object in visiting the islands," says the author, "was to satisfy my mind on certain points connected with the structure and physiognomy of coral reefs, to the study of which the Bermudas offer special advantages. I contemplated but little work in zoölogy, and that which was accomplished may be considered supplemental to the plan of work originally laid out." The first chapter, and to some extent the second, consist of "general impressions" of the islands and surrounding waters, and the inhabitants of both. The view herein given is less roseate but probably nearer correct than the descriptions of writers more dominated by poetic enthusiasm than by scientific accuracy. Prof. Heilprin next sketches the physical history and geology of the Bermuda Islands, and then takes up the coral-reef problem. He discusses the chief contributions that have been made to our knowledge of coral reefs, his own convictions being in favor of