sitions to the collections and of exchanges is quite large. The "Record of Scientific Progress," which forms one of the appendices, is designed to take the place in part of the "Annual Record of Science and Industry," formerly published by Harper & Brothers, and contains reviews in astronomy, by Professor Edward S. Holden; geology, by George W. Hawes, Ph. D.; physics and chemistry, by Professor George F. Barker; mineralogy, by George W. Hawes, Ph.D.; botany, by Professor William G. Farlow; zoology, by Theodore Gill; and anthropology, by Otis T. Mason. Other important articles in the appendix are "Abstracts of the Smithsonian Correspondence relative to Aboriginal Remains in the United States," a description of the Luray Cavern, Virginia; a discussion of the barometric observations of Professor Snell, of Amherst College; an account of investigations relative to illuminating materials, by Professor Joseph Henry; a bibliography of Herschel's writings; and reports of astronomical observatories.
The Peaks in Darien, with some other Inquiries touching Concerns of the Soul and the Body. An Octave of Essays. By Frances Power Cobbe. Boston: George H. Ellis. Pp. 303. Price, $1.50.
The first of the essays in this book, "Magnanimous Atheism," affirms the inefficiency of that creed of agnosticism, or of Comtism, to frame a rule for moral guidance; the second, "Hygeiolatry," disputes the doctrine that bodily health is the chief good "for which personal freedom, courage, humanity, and purity, ought all to be sacrificed," and argues that there are numbers of instances in which disregard of life and health is proper and even a duty. Coming to particulars, it attacks the English laws for the regulation of vice. Another essay, on "Zoöphily," is a vigorous but one-sided protest against vivisection. In other papers, Schopenhauer and his pessimism are assailed, and the fitness of women for the ministry of religion is discussed. The essay which gives the title to the book cites a number of instances of cases wherein, in the opinion of the author, "indications seem to have been given of the perception by the dying of the blessed presences revealed to them, even as the veil of the flesh has dropped away." The papers afford lively reading, but the book is one of opinions and sharp thrusts rather than arguments.
The Fire-Protection of Mills; and Construction of Mill-Floors: Containing Tests of Full-Size Wood Mill Columns. By C. J. H. Woodbury. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 1882. Pp. 196. Illustrated.
The avowed object of this book is to reduce the risk of fire and its attendant evils, as applied to mills, but many of the precautions are applicable to other structures, and especially to all factories. The first portion is devoted to a consideration of those matters of equipment and general management which experience has proved to be efficient in the fire-protection of mills. Under these we notice some practical suggestions regarding fire-pails, and where and how they should be kept ready for use. The various forms of fire-pumps are described and illustrated, the advantages and disadvantages of each being carefully stated. The next subjects in order are hydrants, stand-pipes, drip-couplings, hose-valves, and nozzles; also a table showing the quantity of water discharged per minute from a one inch nozzle under pressure of from fifteen to eighty-five pounds per square inch. Several systems of "sprinklers," or perforated pipes, intended for the more hazardous parts of mills, are described. The efficiency of these is often impaired by rust and paint obstructing the orifices. The latter should be guarded against by placing tacks in each hole before the sprinklers are painted; the former by the use of a brass bushing. The automatic sprinkler, the author says, is one of the oldest devices for special fire apparatus, the first patent having been granted in 1806. A large number of automatic sprinklers are figured, full size or half size.
The next subject treated is the causes of mill-fires, among which we find that spontaneous combustion holds a prominent place, second only to friction and foreign substances in the picker. Matches and lighting apparatus, of course, are dangerous elements, as well as lightning, fire-works, and stoves. In one case a freshet caused such a rapid oxidation of iron turnings as to set
