taique,' describes this novel and promising battery. The positive electrodes are porous plates made by submitting finely divided copper to a pressure of 600 kilograms per square centimetre. The negative electrodes are tinned iron plates, which are amalgamated, the object of the tin being to hold the mercury, which does not adhere to iron. The receptacle is made of tinned sheet steel. The negative electrode rests on the bottom of the box, with which it is in contact. The following table shows the composition of the electrolyte :

Water.. Zinc..

Potash in solution.. Potash, free....

.1,000.00

144.67

64

THE EDISON ELECTRIC-LIGHTING SYSTEM IN BERLIN. According to Industries, the work of the Edison Company in Berlin has been so successful that the public and the municipal authorities have perfect confidence in their ability to extend their centralstation work still further, and a concession has been given for the establishment of two new stations. Both stations must be ready within two years, and each must be able to supply current for 6,000 glow-lamps burning simultaneously. The capacities of the two stations are to be eventually increased to 24,000 and 12,000 lamps. The network of cables to be laid down in connection with these stations is very complete, and practically comprises all the streets of the respective districts, some small side-streets alone excepted. In view of this extension of their business, the Edison Company propose to increase their share capital at present by $750,000, and later on by $1,500,000. The supply of current within the districts to be lighted will be compulsory, provided the customer is willing to take the light for at least one year.

THE EICKEMEYER DYNAMO. The Electrical Review contains a description of a dynamo which has just been built by Mr. Eickemeyer, to be used in 'forming' the plates of storage-batteries. The novelty of this machine lies in the fact that both the armature and magnet coils are surrounded by a heavy casing of cast iron. The advantage of the type lies in the fact that there is no chance for lines of force to take any other path than through the armature, so that all magnetic leakage is avoided. The dynamo is to give 40 ampères at 1,000 volts. Its weight is 6,000 pounds, the principal part of which is in the cast-iron casing. The armature is of the drum type, 18 inches in diameter by 15 inches long. There are 240 turns of No. 11 wire, making a single layer on the armature.

Net commercial efficiency

240 turns, 1,560 feet No. 11 wire.

......0.57 ohms.

.14,880 turns, No. 21 wire.

.......................1,600 ohms. .....850 revolutions. .1,000 volts.

40

1.28

.625 40.625

ampères.

612 watts.

The machine is said to run beautifully, with no sparking at full load. Its efficiency is more than good; and the dynamo is simple in construction, and cheap.

TRIAL OF AN ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE AT BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND. The following description of a trial of an electric locomotive is given in Industries: "The trial trip of an electric locomotive for drawing the tram-cars of the Birmingham Central Tramways Company took place in the presence of a large number of representatives of the press, the corporation, and of the various tramway companies. The engine itself, weighing eight tons and a half, has been constructed upon the Julien system by Messrs. Elwell-Parker. In the trial the electric locomotive successfully replaced the steam-tram engine now in use upon the Birmingham tramways. The gradients in many places are steep, rising to I in 17; but the electric locomotive successfully mounted this steep and long ascent with a load of sixty passengers, at a speed of about five miles an hour. On the level and down hill the speed could be increased to ten miles an hour without difficulty; and the locomotive was started, stopped, and backed with ease. The engine itself is a very neat and compact arrangement, compared with the ordinary tram-engines. Two rows of accumulators occupy each side, between which is the alley for the driver, where is fixed the switch, the reversing-switch, the engine-brake, and the car-brake. The switch connects the cells in five sets, all parallel, and two, three, or four in series. The cells number 104, having 39 plates, each 9 inches by 6 inches. The motor is placed low down, and is connected to the axles by helical gearing, — geared 1 to 84. The engine is capable of exerting 40-horse power, and will run sixty or seventy miles. A contract has been entered into by the engineers to run this car for three months at twelve cents per car-mile, the present cost of steam being nearly sixteen cents.

The

ELECTRIC-LIGHTING. — The establishment of central stations. for the distribution of incandescent electric-lighting has received a noticeable impetus through the successful introduction of the alternating current and transformer method of distribution. saving in the cost of conductors effected by this method, due to the employment of relatively high potential currents in the mains, has rendered it commercially practicable to distribute over much larger areas than formerly, but over areas of relatively sparse consumption. Thus many small towns are enabled to maintain successfully electric-lighting stations. The Westinghouse Electric Company of Pittsburgh, Penn., introduced the alternating-current system here, after careful and thorough investigation and experiment, about two years ago, installing the first commercial station at Buffalo, N.Y., and putting it in operation Thanksgiving Day, 1886. The number of central-station plants since supplied or contracted for by the Westinghouse Company has reached no fewer than one hundred and twenty-four. They have recently received a contract for a station in the heart of London, to include an outfit for twenty-five thousand lamps. This contract is with the Metropolitan Electrical Supply Company, Limited, the organization of which in London was noticed in electrical journals some months since.

AN ELECTRIC SURFACE ROAD IN NEW YORK. - The BentleyKnight Electric Railway Company will soon resume operations on the Fulton Street cross-town railway in this city, and expect to have it in operation before the end of this month. They began work on the road over a year ago, but, owing to the opposition of a

street-railway whose track extended over a part of the route, they were unable to proceed far with the work at that time. In the Bentley-Knight system the electric current is taken from conductors contained in and protected by sub-surface conduits, a system admirably adapted to the crowded thoroughfares of a busy city.

COMMERCIAL GEOGRAPHY.

The Obi Railroad.

THE question of opening the interior of Siberia becomes more and more important. While hitherto the canals between the large rivers, and projects of navigating the dangerous Kara Sea, were foremost among the plans that seemed likely to be realized, the project of a railroad from the lower Obi to the coast west of Nova Zembla has at present assumed definite shape. The Russian newspapers give the following reports of the project: The Obi Railroad, the most northern road ever planned, will be of the greatest economic importance to Siberia. It deserves special attention, as the projectors do not demand any subsidy or government guaranties. The river Malaia-Obi, near Obdorsk, is the starting-point of the projected line, which will take a direction towards the foot-hills of

the Ural Mountains. The latter will be crossed in one of the transversal valleys, which are not over one hundred feet above sealevel. It will cross the river Ussa near its source, and reach the ocean through the tundra of Bolchesemelsk. Its terminus will be in the Bay of Shainoudir, near Belcoff Nosse. The total length of the line will be 260 miles. The price of construction, including rolling stock, is estimated at forty thousand dollars, or ten million dollars the whole line. The establishment of a port on the Arctic Ocean in the locality mentioned above, with all modern improvements for loading and unloading vessels, is estimated at one and a half million dollars. To this must be added the cost of establishing a line of river-boats on the Obi and Irtish, which is estimated at two and a half million dollars. Thus the whole plan requires the expenditure of fifteen million dollars in works of construction.

It is believed that the line can be worked for six months of the year. The products of the remotest parts of the Obi basin will be carried to the shipping port on the ocean in twelve days, while twelve days more will be sufficient to carry them to London. The price per hundredweight is estimated at $1.30; while on the present route, via Barnaul, Perm, St. Petersburg. London, it is $2.25, the time necessary to accomplish this distance being 130 days.

The railroad, which has been projected by Mr. Golovacheff, is intended as a means for making the transactions of a Siberian commercial company, which has been founded recently, profitable. According to the concession granted by the Russian Government, this road will not be open to the public, but will only be used by the grantee, who proposes to export the grain and stock from southern Siberia, and hopes to be able to furnish the London market with north Siberian fish. On the other hand, the company will import principally machinery, which so far has hardly found its way to Siberia, and other articles which are at present imported by Moscow merchants.

NOTES AND NEWS.

SCREENED from the world by a high fence, and not far from the Edison Laboratory at Orange, N.J., there have gone up two large factory-buildings. In these buildings there are now in operation a hundred thousand dollars' worth of such fine machinery as can be supplied by E. E. Garvin & Sons of New York, Pratt & Whitney and Dwight Slater of Hartford, and Brown & Sharpe of Providence, in the manufacture of the parts of the improved phonograph. The assembling of these will begin at an early date, so that by Jan. 1 one hundred phonographs should be leaving the works each day. Lieut. F. W. Toppan, U.S.N., is the manager.

- Lieut. D.Bruun of the Danish army, says Nature, having had a moss dug out in Finderup, in Jutland, has made some discoveries. In the moss were found trunks of oak, beech, and fir trees from 6 to 30 inches in diameter. The branches had in some cases been cut off, but the bark remained. By the side of one of the oak trunks two earthen vessels were discovered, and near another a third, shaped like an urn. In the latter lay a sandal cut from a

piece of leather, with flaps, and leather straps for tying to the ankle the length of the sandal being 7 inches. It seemed as if the trunks of trees had been placed in a certain position for some purpose or other. About 20 feet farther to the south, and at the same depth, viz., 6 feet, a yoke of oak was found, 5 feet long and 3 inches thick, being fairly cylindrically cut out in the centre. At each end, were holes, in one of which remained a strap of leather. Other implements of oak were also found, evidently used for carrying. Some of them seemed part of a wheel. Close to the yoke another earthen urn was discovered, which, like the three referred to, was surrounded with sprigs of heather and bramble. Formerly some horns of bullocks and the skeleton of a man in a fur coating were found in the moss. The various objects are now in the Copenhagen Museum, and are said to date from the early iron age.

Mr. J. W. Osborne of Washington, the well-known inventor of photo-lithography, has presented to the United States National Museum and to the Art Museum in Boston his large and exceedingly valuable collection of proofs and specimens illustrative of the development of photo-mechanical printing. All the important and typical processes are fully represented in each by specimens collected by Mr. Osborne in all the art centres of Europe and America, and include the works of all who have in any measure achieved success in the graphic arts. As soon as it can be properly classified, the collection intended for the National Museum will be placed on exhibition in the section of graphic arts. Mr. Osborne's contribution, the museum authorities assert, has laid a substantial foundation for an exhaustive collection of kindred productions under government auspices at Washington.

The Philosophical Society of Washington will hold a meeting on Saturday evening, Dec. 8, at which an address will be delivered by the retiring president of the society, Col. Garrick Mallery, on 'Philosophy and Specialties.'

- According to news received in Denmark, Dr. F. Nansen has succeeded in crossing Greenland, but unfortunately was too late to catch the last steamer. It will be remembered that on July 15 Dr. Nansen, accompanied by Lieutenant Sverdrup, two other Scandinavians, and two Lapps, left the whaler 'Jason' in latitude 65° north, in sight of the east coast of Greenland. After twelve days of difficult march across the pack-ice, the coast was reached, but about sixty miles farther south than Dr. Nansen expected to land, the current having carried the ice southward. On Aug. 15 the party began the march across the inland ice, taking a north-westerly direction towards Christianshaab. When a height of about 7,000 feet was attained, the travellers were overtaken by a northerly snow-storm, which compelled them to take a westerly course toward Godhaab. The greatest altitude attained was about 9,500 feet. Finally, after forty-six days of travel, the party arrived at the head of Ameralik Fiord, which is situated a little south of Godhaab, and, by means of an improvised float, Godhaab was reached on Oct. 4. Dr. Nansen despatched immediately two kayaks with letters to Ivigtut, from which place the steamer 'Fox' was to leave about this time. The kayaks reached this place when the steamer was about to leave, and as the captain did not feel justified in delaying his departure, on account of the advanced season, the party will have to winter in Greenland.

At the meeting of the Royal Meteorological Society held on Nov. 21, Mr. G. J. Symons read a paper entitled 'Results of an Investigation of the Phenomena of English Thunder-storms during the Years 1857-59.' This paper was written nearly thirty years ago. It has now been communicated to the society at the request of the thunder-storm committee. The paper contains a summary, chiefly in statistical form, of some of the results of an investigation into English thunder-storms, and the accidents produced by lightning during the years 1857-59. The author found that in sheet lightning the most prevalent color is white, then yellow, blue, and red; in forked lightning the order is nearly reversed, blue being more than twice as frequent as any other color, then red, white, and most rarely yellow. Sheet lightning was seen about twice as often as forked. Dr. A. Riggenbach exhibited some photographs of cirrus and other fine clouds, which had been obtained by using / the surface of a lake as a polarizing mirror.

THE GREAT EXTENT OF FORESTS in the State of New York, and their devastation, that has been going on continuously, have led to repeated endeavors to protect them from unlawful cuttingdown and wasteful practices. For this purpose the New York State Forestry Association was founded in 1885, and did much to get the well-known forestry law passed by the Legislature. Since that time, however, the association has failed to show a vigorous life. At present renewed endeavors are being made to establish the association as a working body for the purpose of disseminating knowledge on the importance of forests, and for promoting measures to secure their proper protection. The New York Academy of Sciences devoted its meeting last Monday to this subject; and the proposed steps, which were explained by Professor Southwick of the New York State Forestry Association, found general indorsement in the discussion following Professor Southwick's remarks. The object is one of great economic importance to the State, and, as Dr. H. Nicholas Jarchow, the first speaker of the evening, remarked, the forests forming a portion of the public domain ought to be a source of considerable income instead of causing expense. He continued, "It would be very advantageous to establish a forestry school in or near the Adirondacks. Its cost would not be large, especially if adjoining States, having much the same climate and varieties of trees, would combine to support a school.

Moreover, the labors of the students would nearly pay expenses, and, once graduated, there would be a demand for their services from all parts of the country. Congress has made a national rec. ommendation on the subject; but Congress is slow to act, and the States should provide for themselves in the matter. Trained foresters would take an honest pride in their work, and put their hearts in it. They would save valuable lumber, prevent great thefts of timber, and break up the present state of affairs, with all its disadvantages." Experience has shown that the last act of the Legislature, although a step in the right direction, has not the desired effect: therefore all measures taken for inducing the Legislature to organize a good forestry board, with ample means for carrying on its important work, and attempts to spread an intelligent knowledge of the importance of forests and of their economic value, must be highly welcomed. The New York Academy of Sciences has done well to bring the subject once more before the public, and it is to be hoped that the meeting will be of help to the attempted re-organization of the State Forestry Association.

BOOK-REVIEWS.

A Short Account of the History of Mathematics. By WALTER W. R. BALL. London and New York, Macmillan. 12°. $2.60.

MR. BALL, who is a fellow and assistant tutor of Trinity College, Cambridge, offers in this compact volume a transcript of his lectures delivered in the spring of the present year on the history of mathematics. While technical and exact enough to be of value to the specialist in mathematics as a handy book of reference, it is so clearly and familiarly written, that it is the best work on this subject for the general reader that we know of.

The region of mathematics is a terra incognita to most persons, even those who consider themselves possessed of a good general education; and this, despite the fact that mathematics as a mental discipline is unsurpassed, and is unrivalled for the beauty and grandeur of its results. Having for its foundation the two universal and necessary forms of perception, space and time, mathematics developed, naturally enough, in the early stages of reflective thought. To trace the growth of its conceptions in clearness and perspicuity, and to follow up the increasingly complex and varied forms of symbolism, is the work of the history of the science, and Mr. Ball's treatment of it is eminently successful.

After a summary notice of what we may call the prehistoric period of the science, mathematics as understood and taught by the Egyptians and Phoenicians, the author makes a tripartite division of the subject, mathematics under Greek influence, the mathematics of the middle ages and the renaissance, and modern mathematics. Of the first period, Pythagoras, Euclid, Archimedes, and Ptolemy are the most important representatives. The quadrivium of the mediæval schools is traced back to the division of knowledge adopted by the Pythagorians, — numbers absolute, or arithmetic; numbers applied, or music; magnitudes at rest, or geometry; magnitudes in motion, or astronomy. In a chapter on Systems of Numeration,' after the prominent names in this first period have been discussed in chronological order, Mr. Ball gives an interesting account of the early methods of counting, and the introduction of the abacus. In his mention of the use of this instrument, we should have been glad to find a more extended notice of the form of it in use among the Chinese, and some further explanation of the very complicated computations which they perform by its aid with great celerity and ac

curacy.

In the second period, most of the mathematicians were astronomers; but the period includes the introduction of Arabian mathematical works and the results of Arabian thought into Europe. In reference to this, Mr. Ball says, "It was from Spain, and not from Arabia, that Arabian mathematics came into western Europe. The Moors had established their rule in Spain in 747, and by the tenth or eleventh century had attained a high degree of civilization. Though their political relations with the caliphs at Bagdad were somewhat unfriendly, they gave a ready welcome to the works of the great Arabian mathematicians. In this way the Arab transla

tions of Euclid, Archimedes, Ptolemy, and perhaps of other Greek writers, together with the works of the Arabian algebraists, were read and commented on at the three great Moorish universities or schools of Granada, Cordova, and Seville. It seems probable that these works represent the extent of Moorish learning; but, as all knowledge was jealously guarded from any Christians, it is impossible to speak with certainty either on this point or on that of the time when the Arab books were first introduced into Spain" (p. 157).

A good summary of the condition of mathematical knowledge at the close of the renaissance is given at p. 228: "By the beginning of the seventeenth century we may say that the fundamental principles of arithmetic, algebra, theory of equations, and trigonometry had been laid down, and the outlines of the subjects as we know them had been traced. It must, however, be remembered that there were no good elementary text-books on these subjects; and a knowledge of them was thus confined to those who could extract it from the ponderous treatises in which it lay buried. Though much of the modern algebraical and trigonometrical notation had been introduced, it was not familiar to mathematicians, nor was it even universally accepted; and it was not until the end of the seventeenth century that the language of the subject was definitely fixed. . . . If we turn to applied mathematics, we find, on the other hand, that the science of statics had made but little advance in the eighteen centuries that had elapsed since the time of Archimedes, while the foundations of dynamics were only laid by Galileo at the close of the sixteenth century. In fact, it was not until the time of Newton that the science of mechanics was placed on a satisfactory basis. The fundamental conceptions of mechanics are difficult, but the ignorance of the principles of the subject shown by the mathematicians of this time is greater than would have been anticipated from their knowledge of pure mathematics. With this exception, we may say that the principles of analytical geometry and of the infinitesimal calculus were needed before there was likely to be much further progress. The former was employed by Descartes in 1637; the latter was invented by Newton (and possibly independently by Leibnitz) some thirty or forty years later and their introduction may be taken as marking the commencement of the period of the modern mathematics."

That which follows is more familiar, and the feature of Mr. Ball's chapters on the modern period is his full and clear analysis of Newton's contributions to mathematical science. Descartes, Pascal, Barrow, Huygens, Newton, Leibnitz, the Bernoullis, Euler, Lagrange, Laplace, Legendre, Poisson, and others less important, are treated in turn and with excellent judgment. Their successors are very briefly mentioned, and no attempt is made to follow out in detail the researches of Abel, Gauss, Sir William Rowan Hamilton, Henry J. S. Smith, Weierstrass, Cayley, Sylvester, and Klein. But from this history, or historical sketch, the intelligent reader can gain a very complete view of the progress of mathematical science from its beginnings until its contemporary differentiation into numerous specialties, – each of them important and difficult enough to detain for a lifetime a brilliant mind, — all of which are fruitful in their applications to the various phases of modern science and modern industry.

A Brief History of Greek Philosophy. By B. C. BURT. Boston, Ginn. 12o. $1.25.

THIS work had its origin, the author tells us, in a series of articles in a religious newspaper, but has been expanded so as to cover the whole history of Greek speculation from Thales to Proclus. The result is a volume of three hundred pages, in which the leading doctrines of the various schools are concisely yet for the most part clearly presented. Mr. Burt's style is plainer than that of most writers of the school to which he belongs; and his readers will seldom have any difficulty in understanding what he says, except where the theories he is trying to explain are themselves obscure. The main fault in the book, according to our view, is the author's Hegelianism. This leads him not only to look in the ancient thinkers for anticipations of his own views, but also to give too much attention to some theories of the earlier philosophers and of the Neo-Platonists which can only be regarded as products of imagination. What we want to learn about the ancient philoso

phers is their contributions to the real philosophies of the world; while their visionary theories, which they themselves in many cases put forth as only conjectural, ought to be passed over in silence, or with a bare mention. In the main, however, Mr. Burt has confined himself to the best portions of Greek thought, the great names of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle necessarily occupying the foremost place, yet without excluding what is most important in the works of others. The exposition of Aristotle is excellent, though the treatise on 'Politics' is accorded rather too much attention; but the account of Plato is hardly so satisfactory. The author's view of the periods of Greek thought is essentially that now commonly held. The first period was that of naturalism, or the attempt to explain the physical world; the second, that of rationalism, or the endeavor to understand human nature and discover the basis of morals; while in the third or Neo-Platonic period theological speculation held the leading place. Of these different phases of thought, the second is so much the most important that the exposition of it rightly occupies the greater part of the volume; yet the others receive all the notice that is necessary in so compendious a treatise. Mr. Burt is careful also to trace the connection of each period with the preceding one, and also of one individual thinker with another, thus exhibiting the course of philosophical development. On the whole, the book is well adapted to its purpose, and will undoubtedly be useful to young students, in college and elsewhere, for whom it is more especially intended. Paradoxes of a Philistine. By WILLIAM S. WALSH. Philadelphia, Lippincott. 16°. $1.

THIS volume consists of a number of short essays, most of which had previously appeared in certain periodicals. The author remarks that the word 'paradox' "is usually held to be a synonyme for flippant smartness,” but that it really means a proposition that seems absurd but is nevertheless true in fact. His own paradoxes, however, hardly answer to either of these definitions; for only a perverted intelligence could regard the mass of them as true, and, though they are flippant enough, we fail to see any 'smartness' in them. The book is a continuous sneer at men of genius and at intellectual and moral superiority of every kind. Mr. Walsh maintains that "men are more nearly equal than we suppose," and that "there is no such great difference between a genius and a dunce." The great historian, the great poet, the great statesman, the great philosopher, . . . are as fallible and as foolish . . . as you and I are. The intellectual feats that they perform only happen to be more difficult to the average man, that is all." He endeavors to sustain this view by citing examples of follies and sins committed by men of genius; but most of the men he refers to were not geniuses at all, but commonplace men who followed the profession of literature. The author adopts a cynical tone throughout, which adds to the disagreeableness of what he says. Moreover, there is hardly any thing of a different character in the book, except some fantastic remarks on The Sense of Pre-existence,' and a few pages about Mother Goose.' Mr. Walsh says that he has collected these papers into a volume, "because the author likes them," and the world will probably be willing to grant him the exclusive enjoyment of them.

The Critical Period of American History. By JOHN FISKE. New York, Houghton, Mifflin, & Co. 12o. $2.

THIS book consists of lectures delivered first in the Old South Meeting-House at Boston, and afterwards in other cities. It relates to the time between the close of the revolutionary war and the adoption of the Federal Constitution, which Mr. Fiske justly regards as the most important period in our national history. Our popular historians are apt to give altogether too much attention to wars and other stirring events, and too little to the quieter but more influential movements of political and constitutional reform. Mr. Fiske, however, has a much better idea of the historian's duty, and has accordingly given us a much better book than most of his predecessors have done. His philosophical studies have given him the comprehensiveness that good historical writing requires, and have fitted him to trace with clearness the chain of causes and effects which is the fundamental fact in historical development. His style, too, with its clear and easy flow, is well fitted for the

conveyance of historical truth, and never leaves the reader in doubt as to the author's meaning. The result of these qualities is that the book presents a large amount of information in a plain and easily understood form; and, though it contains a great many details, they appear in the main as essential parts of the narrative, and not as isolated and insignificant facts.

Mr. Fiske opens his work with an account of the negotiations for peace between Great Britain and the United States, and then goes on to describe the condition of the several States at the time, and the political changes that took place in them after the attainment of their independence. The most important parts of the book, however, are the third and fourth chapters, dealing with the general state of affairs in the years succeeding the peace, the alarming tendency towards anarchy, and the utter inadequacy of the Confederation to furnish a stable government. Mr. Fiske makes it perfectly clear, that, if things had been left to take their own course, the Confederation would in a short time have broken up, and that it was the gradual but sure perception of this fact that paved the way for a stronger central government. The prejudice at first existing against such a government was dissolved by the logic of events, and then the good sense and patriotism of the people came to the rescue. Such a Constitution as ours, however, could not have been framed except by men of the highest political genius, and even the soberest thinkers will not regard Mr. Fiske's encomiums upon them as exaggerated. In his account of the Federal Convention, however, the author seems to us to have given too little attention to what is really the essential feature of our system of government. The most vital and most original part of the Constitution is the division of powers between the State and the Federal governments, and it is also the most perfect part; yet Mr. Fiske has less to say about this part of the scheme than about any other. But there is little to criticise in the book, and we cannot but hope that its author will give us other works of a similar character, and that other historical writers will come more and more to follow the same method of treatment. The American people need all the political instruction they can obtain, and books dealing with history, as this book does, in a philosophical manner, are among the best of political teachers.

Astronomy with an Opera-Glass. By G. P. SERVISS. New York, Appleton. 8°. $1.50.

THE greater part of the matter composing this volume appeared originally in a series of articles published in The Popular Science Monthly. The author points out the interesting phenomena of the heavenly bodies that are visible, with little assistance from optical instruments, and thus gives an interesting and valuable introduction to the study of astronomy. Although nothing has been described as visible that cannot readily be seen by means of an operaglass or a small field-glass, enough of the discoveries made by means of powerful telescopes has been stated to lend due interest to the subject, and to instigate the observer to further studies. The book has been written for the purpose of being a guidance to the observer. For this reason the matter has been arranged according to objects visible in each season, the stars of spring, summer, autumn, and winter each being treated in one chapter. Observations of the moon, the planets, and the sun are described in the last chapter of the book. In an introduction the requirements of a good opera-glass are set forth. The work is well adapted to exciting interest in astronomy, and imparting such knowledge of the heavenly bodies as must form the foundation of intelligent study of the results obtained by means of powerful telescopes. American Weather. By A. W. GREELY. New York, Dodd, Mead, & Co. 12°.

THE object of the present work is to give clearly and simply, without the use of mathematics, an idea of meteorology. The introductory chapters treat briefly the methods of measuring atmospheric pressure, temperature, and other meteorological phenomena, while the rest of the book is a detailed climatology of the United States. The various phenomena are fully discussed, and illustrated by numerous maps, which convey a peculiar interest to the book. The vast amount of material collected by means of the Signal Service and the State meteorological services has been made use of,

and makes the book a very complete and comprehensive review of the climatology of the United States. The work is not merely a compilation of the work of other authors, but General Greely frequently takes occasion to put forward his own views, particularly in the chapters on storm-tracks. The principal merit of the book is the concise and clear treatment of the matter, which will enable every one interested in meteorological phenomena to understand the peculiarities and diverse character of American climate in various parts of the country. We hope it will contribute towards creating a greater appreciation of meteorology, and of its importance to the interests of American agriculture and industries. Some of the maps are particularly well adapted to show these applications of meteorology: among them we mention the maps of first and last killing frosts and the maps showing continuance of mean daily temperatures above 32o and 50°. The book forms a handy volume. It is well printed and illustrated, and is an excellent treatise on American weather. In the clearness of its method, it may be compared to Mohn's well-known Elements.'

The Writer's Handbook. Philadelphia, Lippincott. 12°. $2.50. THIS book consists of three distinct parts, written apparently by three different writers. All the writers are evidently British; but who they are, nothing on the titlepage, or elsewhere in the book, enables us to say. The first part of the volume is an elementary treatise on composition and rhetoric, with a series of extracts illustrating the history of English style. The matter of this part is in the main good; though the author, like most rhetoricians, dwells too much on the merely mechanical qualities of style, and too little on the moral and intellectual ones. The subject of figurative language, too, is insufficiently treated, the important figures metonymy and synecdoche being wholly neglected. But the author's remarks on style, though covering but a portion of the ground, are pretty good as far as they go. They will not help the young writer much in acquiring the good qualities of style; but they will, if heeded, enable him to guard against many defects. The author's own style is not in all respects a model; for, though it is correct and clear, it has a certain mechanical character, and some paragraphs read like a succession of aphorisms. The samples of English prose are not always such as we should have chosen; for, though they illustrate fairly well the history of style, some of them are by no means models of good style, and for learners this latter consideration is the more important. The second part of the book is another treatise on composition, only one-third as long as the first, but superior in quality. It covers but a portion of the ground usually occupied by such works; the subject of figures, for instance, being omitted altogether. But it sketches in plain though brief terms the leading qualities of style, and gives some useful hints as to the best mode of acquiring them. The third and concluding part of the book is confined to the subject of letter-writing; and it seems rather out of place in this collection, for, though it may be useful to those who write nothing else than letters, it can hardly be of much service to those who have read the other parts of this book.

The Death-Blow to Spiritualism: being the True Story of the Fox Sisters as revealed by the Authority of Margaret Fox Kane and Catherine Fox Jencken. By REUBEN BRIGGS DAVENPORT. New York, G. W. Dillingham. 16°. 50

cents.

THE last phase in the sad but ridiculous story which this volume tells is perhaps the pleasantest, or, better, the least displeasing. Forty years after two mischievous girls in a lonely country house undertook to frighten their mother by a series of midnight tricks, the same girls, now as mature women, confess to the world that the unparalleled psychic epidemic to which their pranks gave rise is all a fraud. The raps interpreted by credulous folk as the answers of inquiries to departed spirits are nothing less homely than the dislocations of the great toe. Beginning these raps as children innocent of the uses to which they were put, spurred on to deeper and deeper mischief by the marked attention given to them by weak-willed believers and the money-making proclivities of an elder sister, they soon found themselves the centre of an ever-increasing throng of enthusiasts, and in a position where it was dif