Simple Style Research Articles

(1) Astronomy (2) Exploration du ciel

(1) THE progress of astronomy, as regards both the methods and results of research, is in these days so rapid that there is always room for a new and up-to-date text-book on the subject. Messrs. Skilling and Richardson's book is the most recent of several that have appeared in the past few years; and it covers the whole field of descriptive astronomy in a simple style, suitable for the general reader. (1) Astronomy By William T. Skilling Robert S. Richardson. Pp. xi + 579. (London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1939). 15s. net. (2) Exploration du ciel Par Pierre Rousseau. (Le roman de la science.) Pp. 256. (Paris: Hachette et Cie., 1939). 20 francs.

The Farming Year

THIS excellent little book has been Written at A the request of the National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs. The farmer's son may be familiar with the type of farming practised in his district, but in most cases he will not have had the opportunity of taking at first hand a general view of our very varied husbandry. The next best thing is to have the situation briefly and accurately set out by a competent observer. Prof. Scott Watson has written his account in very simple style, and continually directs the attention of his readers to the causes that have operated to mould agriculture into its present form. The main styles of farming each form the subject of a chapter, and the scope is wide enough to include vegetables and flowers, farming under glass, and fruit. An outstanding feature of the book is the quality of the numerous illustrations, which with their well-phrased captions are full of information.

Children, Inc.: The Post-War "Administration" of the Whole Child Life of One Baltic State in Its Critical Period. A Factual Narrative

During the period of postwar rehabilitation of the European civilian population, the author, a captain in the medical corps, was made chief of the Latvian section of the American Relief Administration Child Fund. He unfolds the tale of that portion of the gigantic relief project with which he was connected, in a simple style that is easy to read. The enlistment of the Women's Committee to his aid and the handling of the local political factions speak for the diplomatic acumen of the author. The chapter on the siege of Riga by the German-Russian White Army is an excellent portrayal by an eye witness of a dramatic incident. The author gives an interesting account of his experiences in postwar child welfare.

Demonstrations of Physical Signs in Clinical Surgery.

The appearance of the sixth edition of this work within ten years is indicative of its popularity and usefulness. As its name suggests, it is not a textbook of surgical diagnosis. It deals essentially with various clinical signs in surgery, how they can be elicited and their significance in establishing a diagnosis. The book is profusely illustrated with clearly reproduced photographs, diagrams and colored plates which greatly enhance the descriptions and teaching value of the text. This volume, written in the usual clear, simple style of the author, can be easily used and understood, even by the beginner.

Sunrays and Health

THIS small volume gives a popular account of the physics and therapeutic uses of light, with special reference to the ultra-violet rays. The text is in a conversational and simple style, and although certain details refer more especially to the continent of America, it can be recommended for perusal by anyone who wishes to have some knowledge of the uses and abuses of a much-advertised remedy. The author gives simple instructions for sun-bathing and points out the dangers of over-exposure: burning the skin is deleterious and unnecessary as a prelude to a becoming tan. He also points out the advantage of exposure to sunlight or skyshine in the open air with the accompanying effect of the cooling power of the air on the skin resulting in stimulation of metabolism and benefit to health. For those who wish to expose their skin to ultra-violet rays during the winter, directions for time of exposure and distance from the lamp are given. In conclusion, this is a sane and readable account of a natural remedy which many are inclined to take in excessive doses.

The Determination of Minerals under the Microscope: with Special Reference to the Interpretation of Interference Phenomena

IN very clear and simple style this book describes the outline to be followed for the complete determination of the optical characters of minerals in thin sections, with some remarks on the application of the same methods to minerals in small grains. The title rightly emphasises the importance attached to the interpretation of interference phenomena, as Chapter vi. on the ‘directions image’ gives detailed instructions for the determination of optical characters from the interference figures by methods which are neglected altogether in some schools of petrology. The frontispiece gives a good reproduction of the polarisation colour scale seen when a quartz-wedge is viewed between Nicol prisms, both crossed and parallel, as recently published, by Drs. W. R. Jones and A. Brammall. Chapters vii. and viii., on dispersion and ‘other determinations,’ are less carefully written than the earlier chapters, and the diagrams illustrating the effects of dispersion on the interference figures are liable to be misleading, as it is not clear which of the two kinds of shading used is meant to represent blue colour and which red.

The Vocabulary of the Annales Fuldenses

TO the uninitiated, who form their conclusion from a comparison of the imposing exterior of the seven volumes of DuCange with the modest single volume of Harper's Latin Dictionary, the contribution of the Middle Ages to the vocabulary of Mediaeval Latin is likely to be greatly exaggerated; to the occasional reader of mediaeval literary texts who is forced to seek aid from these volumes the impression is possibly even more exaggerated, since he finds that in spite of its bulk this great work so often fails him. Even scholars who have more than a speaking acquaintance with DuCange will not agree. The theologian, for whom DuCange is an encyclopaedia rather than a dictionary, may entertain the belief that the work is fairly complete; the historian will not be so optimistic, though opinion may vary with the character of the text he happens to be reading. At the opposite extreme from the theologian will be found the student of literature; a scholar working in the field of Mediaeval Latin poetry has gone on record with the statement that he has consulted DuCange many times and has invariably been disappointed. For the first misconception mentioned above the encyclopaedic character of DuCange is to blame, for the second the fact that its interests are so largely theological. It is the purpose of the present article to analyze the vocabulary of a short Mediaeval Latin text and to indicate the extent and character of the new elements that have entered into it.1 The text chosen is the so-called Annales Fuldenses for the years 838-887 (ed. Kurze, pp. 29-107), the Latinity of which reveals a command of language on the part of the writer and a control of syntax that can scarcely be paralleled in the chronicles of the time. The subject matter and the simple style has enabled the writer to content himself with a vocabulary of comparatively modest dimensions; the choice of words is

Homo Sapiens

THE author of this work, who holds the chair of anthropology in the University of Naples, has come in recent years to occupy a place among the leading anthropologists of Europe. He has taken a part in every one of the recent international discussions relating to the origin of man and the separation of mankind into modern races. On every occasion he has shown himself to possess a wide and intimate knowledge, a clear and simple style, and an exceedingly well-balanced judgment. Homo Sapiens. Einleitung zu einem Kurse der Anthropologie. Autorisierte œbersetzung aus dem Italienischen. By Dr. Giuffrida-Ruggeri. Pp. viii + 198. (Vienna and Leipzig: A. Hartleben, 1913.) Price 5 marks.

The Alternating Current Commutator Motor and the Leakage of Induction Motors

THOSE who are acquainted with Dr. Goldschmidt's writings will open this book with the expectation of finding a very intricate subject treated in clear and simple style, and this expectation will be fully realised. There is no padding, and consequently the reader must not skip, but if he follows the author conscientiously step by step in his close and methodical reasoning he will find his labour amply repaid.

A Text-Book of Physiological and Pathological Chemistry

THE appearance of Bunge's text-book in its English dress reminds us keenly of the loss which physiology has sustained by the death of the translator. It is some consolation to be able to temper this regret with the satisfaction that so interesting and instructive a work was made available to English students by one so capable as the late Dr. Wooldridge. He wisely contented himself with translating the original without those annotations or additions which are often supplied, and which, while they may be of intrinsic merit, frequently destroy the individuality of the original. Criticism of Dr. Wooldridge's share in the English version thus resolves itself into asking how he has done his work as a translator, and the answer is: “Admirably.” While the original text is closely followed and accurately rendered, the result is, unlike some translations, such pleasant reading that the student will scarcely realize that it is a translation. But in justice to the author it must be said that this is also partly due to the simple style and language of the original, and to the lecture-form of its arrangement.

Our Book Shelf

Causeries Scientifiques. FOR this admirable record we have again to thank our American friends. The volume now extends to some 900 pages, and each year brings improvement as well as enlargement of its contents. Unfortunately so many subjects are now embraced within the scope of this annual record, that the space devoted to each subject is necessarily curtailed. This, we think, is a misfortune. If feasible, we would venture to suggest a division of the record into two parts, inasmuch as pure, applied and very homely science are here in close and curious juxtaposition. Thus we find “tables of elliptic integrals,” the “computation of the areas of irregular figures,” or the “dissipation of energy,” followed by “beautiful ornament for rooms,” “renewing wrinkled silk,” and “improved modes of closing barrel hoops.” It is true the editor has most carefully and laboriously classified the whole, so that we are gradually let down from elliptic integrals at the beginning to barrel hoops at the end. Doubtless the editor considered that by these things men would learn “beer and skittles” was an integral part of the scientific as well as the popular need. The first half of the work, which gives a general summary of scientific and industrial progress for the past year, is more carefully edited than the brief notices of papers which form the second half. For example, turning to general physics, we find paragraphs on Mr. Crookes' experiments scattered about in several places; the same is true of Dr. Guthrie's researches on cryohydrates and of several others we might name. Again, in the index, which is extremely minute, the same name is put under different headings ; thus, Mr., Mr. Frederick, and Prof. Guthrie are the same person, though separately referred to. But in spite of these criticisms, the book is a useful one and contains a vast mass of information. Sketchy as it is, nevertheless it is undoubtedly the best annual record of science—in fact the only one in the English language ; and hence we are glad to observe that a suggestion we made in noticing the preceding volume, namely, having a London as well as a New York publisher, has now been carried out. The scientific bibliography of the year and the references to periodicals, giving the fullest reviews of the books themselves, is an excellent and valuable feature of this Record. THIS little book gives a brief and popular account of some of the principal discoveries and inventions of the past year. It is written in a lively, simple style, and doubtless has done something in France to extend an interest in science and to spread a knowledge, though but a superficial one, of the more striking results of experimental research. The absence of technical terms brings the volume before us within the comprehension of those who have had no scientific education. How is it we are so behind our neighbours in books of this kind? It would, however, have been well if the editor of this volume had paid a little more attention to the spelling of English names, and exercised closer supervision throughout, as we notice several misprints in its pages. Annual Record of Science and Industry for 1875. Spencer F. Baird Edited by, with the assistance of eminent men of science. (London: Trübner and Co. 1876.)