reason. The executed work of Rosmini was terminated at this period; but he left notes from which it appears that he had intended to treat of four other periods, each marked by the development or perfecting of its peculiar faculties. We miss much by not having the completion of a work so well planned, but, "fortunately, the earlier part, which is preserved to us, contains the fundamental principles both of method and practice, which remain the same for all periods of life, and of which only the application varies with the varying degrees of individual development."
Text-Book of Zoölogy; for Junior Students. By Henry A. Nicholson, Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Aberdeen. Fourth edition. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Pp. 388. Price, $1.60.
Professor Nicholson introduces the study of animals by some general considerations of the scope of zoölogy, the conditions of life, classification, and the distribution of animals in space and in time. The present edition of the work has been thoroughly revised and brought up to the present standard of zoölogical knowledge. Recent additions to our acquaintance with the existing or extinct fauna of the world have been noticed in the text, and some fresh illustrations have been added. The scope of the work does not allow space for long descriptions of extinct animals, but those whose characteristics throw light on the relations of living species are briefly described. The definitions of important divisions are printed in italics, and the book is copiously illustrated. A glossary and an index are appended.
Watson's Phonographic Instructor. By John Watson. New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Pp. 144.
The chief peculiarities in the method of teaching Pitman's phonography, which is embodied in this manual, are that vowel-placing and reading are postponed until considerable speed has been attained in writing the consonant outlines of words. When this point has been reached, the author claims that the pupil has become so well acquainted with word-forms that he can read the bulk of his writing without vowels. The pupil is then taught to place a vowel-mark here and there where it will do the most good, until he learns to use as many vowels as a reporter must use. Ability to read comes almost insensibly. A key to exercises occupies twenty-four pages of the volume, and several other pages are devoted to model outlines, contractions, and select phrases, but the author deems reading-lessons useless.
Railway Practice: Its Principles and Suggested Reforms Reviewed. By E. Porter Alexander. Pp. 60. Price, 75 cents. The Interstate Commerce Act: An Analysis of its Provisions. By John R. Dos Passos. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Pp. 125. Price, $1.25.
Both of these books belong to the "Questions of the Day" series. The essay of Mr. Alexander appears to have been prepared with especial reference to Mr. T. F. Hudson's book and the articles of Mr. Ely on railroad questions, and to the Reagan bill. The three solutions offered by these persons disagreeing radically in principle, and being also at odds with the methods of reform which the railway managers themselves have instituted, there is some confusion in the premises from which the different parties start. The author's effort is to find means for removing the confusion. There must be a few principles at least settled by actual test and put beyond question or dispute to constitute what we might call the present state of the science of railway management. He therefore takes up the most important questions of railway management, and examines them in the light of those principles. Mr. Dos Passos gives in his book a systematic and detailed analysis of the provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act, preceded by a history of legislation on the subject, and supplemented by the text of the act itself. His exposition is as lucid as the law, which is far from being free from obscurities, will permit a commentator to make it.
A New Basis for Chemistry: A Chemical Philosophy. By Thomas Sterry Hunt, M. A., LL. D. (Cantab.). Boston: Samuel E. Cassino. Pp. 165.
From time to time since 1848 the author has been publishing portions of a theory of
