Synopsis of the Fishes of North America. By David S. Jordan and Charles H. Gilbert. Washington: Government Printing-office. Pp. 1,018.
The "Synopsis" is published as Bulletin No. 16 of the United States National Museum. In it the authors have endeavored to give concise descriptions of all the species of fishes known to inhabit the waters of North America, north of the boundary between the United States and Mexico. The classification adopted is essentially based on the views of Professors Gill and Cope. The rules of nomenclature generally recognized by naturalists, and recently formulated by Mr. W. H. Ball, have been followed, almost without deviation. Under the head of each species enough synonomy has been given to connect this work with other descriptive works, and no more; and the principal references are to the original descriptions of such species, to Dr. Günther's "British Museum Catalogue," and to other works in which special information is given, or some variant specific name is employed.
Home Science, Vol. I, No. 1, May, 1884. New York: Selden R. Hopkins. Pp. 112. Price, $2.50 a year.
A monthly magazine, the general scope of which is indicated by the title. The present number contains a variety of literary, popular scientific, and hygienic articles by popular authors, a "Health and Habit" department by Dio Lewis, and departments of a "domestic" character. The magazine is well printed, on good paper, and looks well.
Report to the Secretary of the Navy on Recent Improvements in Astronomical Instruments. By Simon Newcomb, Washington: Government Printing-Office. Pp. 27.
Professor Newcomb visited the principal observatories in Europe in 1883, for the purpose of taking note of the improvements in astronomical instruments which had been adopted in them, and this report embodies the results of his observations. Among the objects he describes are the great Vienna telescope and its mountings; the great domes at Paris and Vienna; the great Russian telescope at Pultowa, with the apparatus for mounting it, now making at Hamburg; reflecting telescopes in France, the equatorial coudé (a contrivance by the aid of which the eye-piece may always point to the north), the Strasburg meridian circle, etc. The observations are supplemented by the author's own practical conclusions.
American Meteorological Journal, Vol. I, No. 1, May, 1884. Professor M. W. Harrington, Editor. Detroit, Michigan: W. H. Burr & Co. Pp. 39. Price, $3 a year.
This journal is designed to be a monthly review of meteorology and allied branches of study. It takes up the subject earnestly and in a manner showing that the editor has a proper comprehension of what such a publication should be.
United States Bureau of Statistics. Quarterly Report on Imports, Exports, Immigration, and Navigation, January to March, 1881. Washington: Government Printing-Office. Pp. 88.
Question-Book of Stimulants and Narcotics. By C. W. Bardeen. Syracuse, N. Y.: C. W. Bardeen. Pp. 40. 10 cents.
Knickerbocker Ready Reference Guide to 1,000 Points around New York. New York: National Railway Publication Company. Pp. 248. 25 cents.
On Induction in Telephone Lines, and Methods for its Prevention. By Edward Blake. Sheffield Scientific School, New Haven, Conn. Pp. 8.
South Side Views. By Rev. W. J. Scott. Atlanta, Ga.: James P. Harrison & Co. Pp. 80. 50 cents.
Scientific and Poetical Works of the Last of the Hereditary Bards and Skalds. Chicago: J. M. W. Jones Company. Pp. 95.
A Judicial Revolution. By Rodmond Gibbons. New York. Pp. 8.
"Paleontological Bulletin," No. 88. By Professor E. D. Cope. Pp. 88.
Civil-Service Reform. By Elial F. Hall. Temple Court, New York City. Pp. 12.
The Tertiary Marsupialia. By E. D. Cope. Philadelphia. Pp. 12.
Limits of Knowledge and Grounds of Belief. Anon. Pp. 20.
Institutional Beginnings in a "Western State. By Jesse Macy. Baltimore: N. Murray. Pp. 38.
The Philosophy of Social Economy. By Stewart Bruce Terry. Glendale, Mo. Pp. 20.
Abnormal Human Skulls from Stone Graves in Tennessee. By F. W. Putnam. Cambridge, Mass. Pp. 3.
Catalogue of the Albany Medical College, Albany, N. Y. Pp. 20.
A New Stand (Chick's) for Skulls. By F. W. Putnam. Cambridge, Mass.
The Creodonta. By E. D. Cope. Pp. 80.
The Mastodons of North America. By E. D. Cope. Pp. 8.
Reasons for believing in the Contagiousness of Phthisis. By W. H. Webb, M. D. Philadelphia. Pp. 16.
American School of Classical Studies at Athens. Report of Director. 1882-'83. Washington: Government Printing-office. Pp. 13.
