and sixty pages are given to Mineral Bodies. Water is chosen as a representative natural object, and its remarkable properties are explained step by step, so as to bring out the fundamental physical principles involved in the three states of matter. Ten pages are then given to the properties of Living Bodies, and the Primer closes with a few observations on immaterial objects.
We refer elsewhere to the series of works to which this book belongs, with a view of guarding against their misemployment in schools.
Health and Health Resorts. By John Wilson, M. D. Philadelphia: Porter & Coates.
Dr. Wilson is of the opinion that many erroneous notions prevail among the Americans as to the value of health resorts, especially those of foreign countries, and he has therefore in this work undertaken to state the value of such places and the conditions that must be fulfilled as to diet, treatment, etc., in order to obtain their benefits. After a short consideration of health and disease, he considers the general principles of regimen for invalids at health-stations, and the therapeutical action of mineral waters, their use and abuse, and the value of baths. He also considers the best winter-stations for consumptives and a number of the foreign mineral springs. Dr. Wilson insists that it is not necessary to go away from this country to get all the advantages of foreign springs, as there is scarcely one of these that has not its counterpart in this country.
Memorandum in regard to Instruction in the Mechanic Arts. By Edward Atkinson. Prepared at the Request of the Committee on Prisons of the Massachusetts Legislature.
In this memorandum Mr. Atkinson urges the adoption of such a course of instruction with actual practice in workshops, in the reformatory institutions of the State, as has been carried on for some years in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The success of this system has been so gratifying at this institute that Mr. Atkinson believes it can not but be of great value in prisons and reformatories. He submits a plan of a workshop to accommodate four hundred pupils, and arranged to give instruction in carpentry, blacksmithing, foundry-work, vise-work, brazing, wood-and metal-working and finishing. The only objection Mr. Atkinson finds to his plan is in the fact that graduates of such reformatories will be much better qualified to earn a living than most of the graduates of the common, and some of the graduates of the higher, institutions of learning.
The Cotton-Worm. By Charles V. Riley, M. A., Ph. D. Washington: Government Printing-Office. 1880.
This is the third bulletin issued by the United States Entomological Commission, and is devoted to a summary of the natural history of the cotton-worm, with an account of its enemies and the best means of controlling it. Illustrations are given of the worm and its enemies, as well as of the various machines designed to be used in exterminating it. Much valuable information will be found in it of service to the planter, both as to the peculiarities of the worm, and on the best means of protection. The bulletin is sent to those desiring it, upon application to Washington.
A Subject-Index to the Publications of the United States Natal Observatory from 1845 to 1875. By Edward S. Holden. Washington: Government Printing-Office. 1879.
Professor Holden states that the twenty-two volumes issued from this observatory from 1845 to 1875 contain, on the average, five hundred pages each of valuable observations and discussions, which it is desirable should be easily accessible. He has, therefore, undertaken this very excellent index. It is in the form of a quarto, of seventy-two pages, in paper binding.
Report on the Lands of the Arid Regions of the United States. With Maps. By J. W. Powell. Second edition. Washington: Government Printing-Office. 1879.
In the first three chapters of this volume Major Powell treats of the physical characteristics of the arid regions of the United States, and the rainfall of the Western portions of the country. Mr. G. R. Gilbert has four chapters on the water-supply, on irri-
