Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 11.djvu/518

emy, of which thirteen were read before the department of the natural sciences. Several of these illustrate the geology and natural history of Wisconsin, but are of general as well as of local interest. Others give the results of archaeological researches in the State, with several illustrations.

The departments of letters, of the social and political sciences, and of speculative philosophy, are represented by papers of ability from specialists in the respective departments. A paper on recent progress in theoretical physics by Prof. John E. Davies, of the University of Wisconsin, is an able résumé of researches on that subject.

A summary of proceedings of the Academy since 1874 is given, and not the least interesting portions of the volume are memorials commemorating the labors and worth of two deceased members, the late Prof. Peter Engelmann, and the eminent Dr. J. A. Lapham, first secretary of the Academy.

A Course of Lessons in Modeling Wax Flowers, designed especially for Beginners. By Florence I. Duncan. With Illustrations. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott. Pp. 94.

This little book is intended as a practical guide to the art of modeling flowers in wax. The author aims to give such explicit directions for the selection of materials, and their proper manipulation, that a novice in the art can acquire dexterity in the management of wax for this purpose. It is well gotten up, is attractive in its general appearance, is printed on fine thick paper, and illustrated by seven full-page engravings of flowers suitable for models.

Catalogue of the University of Cincinnati for the Academic Year 1877-'78. Pp. 104. Office of the University.

This young institution gives indications of vigorous life and thorough-going management. Its scientific department, especially, is administered with ability. Chemistry, for example, is not only taught in the sense of imparting existing knowledge, but the students are early called upon to address themselves to original and independent work. There are gaps, unsettled points, contested questions, and doubtful results, in such abundance in this science that there is no difficulty on the part of the intelligent teacher in assigning problems suited to various capacities and steps of advancement, or in combining a class upon any suitable line of investigation. Prof. F. W. Clarke, who has charge of physics and chemistry, has arranged a course of preparative work along the track of chemical physics, which is well fitted to train the students to habits of accurate manipulation, and to stimulate them in the direction of original thought. One feature of his plan is thus presented:

"In connection with the other laboratory exercises, a certain amount of time will be spent in making fine chemical preparations, and in determining densities. In 1877-'78 this portion of the course will be so arranged as to involve the cooperation of all the laboratorystudents in a systematic research upon the constitution of double salts. Each student will be required to prepare a number of such salts, and to determine, by means of the specific-gravity bottle, the amount of condensation which takes place during their formation. At the end of the year the entire mass of material thus collected will be discussed both by the student and by the professor, and as much of it as proves to be valuable will be published in some one of the scientific journals. The aim of this exercise is to give every student some insight into the methods pursued by scientific investigators, and to demonstrate the important principle that whoever is able to study science at all is also able to contribute something toward its advancement."

The Anonymous Hypothesis of Creation. By James J. Furniss. New York: Charles P. Somerby. 1877. Pp. 54. Price, 50 cents.

In this review of the Mosaic cosmogony, the author aims at presenting the subject as concisely as practicable for the benefit of those who have not the time or the inclination to peruse more voluminous works. The first and second chapters of Genesis are dissected and compared, and their supposed incongruities are rendered more obvious by being presented in tabular form.

A Calendar of the Dakota Nation, by Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Garrick Mallery, U. S. A., from the Bulletin of the United States Geological and Geographical Survey. Pp. 25.

Colonel Mallery, with the assistance of Lieutenant Reed and others, whose services are acknowledged, has presented a valuable paper, with a lithographic copy of the Dakota calendar. The original is on