Indian Pharmacopœias. The chief new feature is the extended section on organic chemistry. By means of the index of fifty-six pages all the information in this comprehensive volume is made readily accessible; eighty-eight cuts show the forms of apparatus needed for the operations described.
Strength: How to Get Strong and Keep Strong By Richard A. Proctor. London and New York: Longmans, Green & Co. Pp 178. Price, 75 cents.
The scope of this book is well set forth in the following sentences from the introductory pages: "Men, and women too, though they may have no occasion to acquire skill in athletic exercises, have great occasion to possess sound bodies, unless they are passing absolutely useless lives, when they may do as they please so far as their value to the community is concerned. .. . I propose in this little treatise to show how, by devoting a few hours weekly to well-arranged exercises, this end can be attained. No violent exertions are necessary, no difficult feats need be attempted, no special form of exercise need occupy much of the time and attention." Successive chapters are devoted to the description of exercises, many without apparatus, the others with only simple appliances, adapted to the expansion of the chest, and to the development of the muscles of the chest, abdomen, loins, arms, and legs. There are also chapters on reducing fat, the adapting of exercise to advancing years and to weakness, some "notes on rowing," and directions for learning to swim. A comparison of "Nature's Waist and Fashion's" is included, to which a lady contributes her experience in discarding the corset and adopting the divided skirt. The volume is illustrated with figures of classic statuary and of gymnastic apparatus.
The Story of the Bacteria. By T. Mitchell Predden, A. M. New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons. Pp. 143. Price, 75 cents.
Everybody has heard of bacteria; many with a conscientious desire to keep informed upon the progress of science have undertaken to read up about them; and a large proportion of these inquirers must have retreated baffled from the task. But if those who have been discouraged by the technicalities of the learned treatises on micro-organisms would still like to know what the bacteria are and do, and how they are cultivated and examined, they can find out very pleasantly by reading Dr. Prudden's simple and fascinating "Story of the Bacteria." The author describes the chief forms of bacteria, and several kinds which are curious from their color, power of emitting light, etc. He then tells how they act in producing surgical diseases, consumption, and typhoid fever, and what means are taken to repel their attacks. He also sets forth what is believed in regard to the relations of bacteria to Asiatic cholera, diphtheria, pneumonia, scarlet fever, etc.—diseases in which the action of the germs is less easily demonstrable. He points out, further, how impure food, air, water, and even ice may serve as sources of bacterial infection; and in conclusion gives the layman an intelligent view of the present standing of investigation in this field. This little book shows how perfectly a scientific subject may be freed from perplexing technicalities, and may well serve as a model of popular scientific writing.
According to the Report of the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for 1886 (United States Fish Commission), the work of the year included explorations along the eastern coast of North America from the Straits of Florida to Newfoundland, in order to ascertain the winter range and habits of the mackerel, menhaden, blue-fish, and other important food fishes that resort to the eastern shores of the United States in the warmer months. Observations of the temperatures and densities of the water were made continuously at all the stations of the Commission, from the Commission's vessels, and at many light-houses and light-ships. The schooner Grampus, intended as a model for off-shore fishing smacks, and also containing a well for the conveyance of live fishes, was completed and added to the fleet of the Commission in this year. The distribution of the eggs and fry of food fishes was continued. The papers appended to the report comprise a comprehensive account of "The Sea Fisheries of Eastern North America," by the late commissioner, Spencer F. Baird; "A Review of the Flounders and Soles of America and Europe," by
