A story of the discovery of the radio-active substances and of the rapid
development of our experimental and theoretical knowledge of the
subject, with its possibility of the transmutation of the elements and
the existence of atomic energy.
* * * * *
“The subject is too simply presented for the specialist and hardly
simply enough for the casual reader, but it will interest readers having
some knowledge of science, and be valuable to teachers and students of
kindred subjects.”
+ − =A. L. A. Bkl.= 6: 126. D. ’09.
“Is certainly timely. Mr. Soddy’s book, even to those who are not expert
in its subject, [is deeply interesting.] There only remains to be
pointed out some small slips which are probably to be attributed to the
carelessness in preparation which is perhaps inseparable from the
occupations of an ardent experimenter. If, as seems likely, the book
becomes a standard work on the subject, these trifling faults may be
worth correction.”
+ − =Ath.= 1909, 1: 562. My. 8. 1900w.
“Although the matter has been worked over and expanded, it still bears
the impress of the lecture-room, and in consequence suffers somewhat
when read in book form. It is a pity that a book that is in other
respects so good, should be marred by such crudities. Mr. Soddy’s work
bears the stamp of the trained scientific thinker, and he should not
permit himself to set so pernicious an example.”
+ − =Nation.= 88: 585. Je. 10, ’09. 800w.
“The book will be found quite up-to-date.”
+ =Nature.= 80: 368. My. 27, ’09. 160w.
“It is quite impossible within the narrow limits of a newspaper review
to do justice to the manner in which Mr. Frederick Soddy has performed
his task—to the judgment, restraint, lucidity he has used in building up
bit by bit the whole amazing revelation—so that he who reads finds
himself at the end sitting firm, and, as it were, accustomed, in face of
a set of solid facts which at the beginning he could have regarded only
as figments of the wildest fantasy.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 431. Jl. 10, ’09. 1150w.
“A most admirably conceived exposition which ... supports its unfailing
charm by the legitimate interests—pointed here into a fascination that
may arrest even an habitually desultory reader—of science at once
genuinely and delightfully taught.”
+ =Spec.= 103: 167. Jl. 31, ’09. 1400w.
=Solereder, Hans.= Systematic anatomy of the dicotyledons: a handbook
for laboratories of pure and applied botany; tr. by L. A. Boodle and
F. E. Fritsch; rev. by D. H. Scott. 2v. ea. *$8.75. Oxford.
9–572.
Valuable “to any one actually working in the laboratory at the
comparative anatomy of a natural order or a group of genera.” (Science.)
“The work is encyclopaedic, gathering to itself every reference which
was accessible to the author, and it thus possesses high bibliographical
importance.” (Nation.) Contents: v. 1, Introduction, polypetalae,
gamopetalae, with 153 figures in the text; v. 2, Monochlamydeae,
addenda, including remarks, with 36 figures in the text.
* * * * *
“The work is essentially one for use in the laboratory, and for advanced
students generally. For such it is well fitted and instructive.”
+ =Ath.= 1909, 1: 412. Ap. 3. 350w. (Review of v. 2.)
“Considered from the side of applied botany, the work may be regarded as
indispensable to the economic botanist and the pure-food expert.”
+ + =Nation.= 87: 101. Jl. 30, ’08. 730w. (Review of v. 1.)
“In our notice of the early volume attention was called to the
thoroughness with which the literature of the subject had been ransacked
and coordinated. In this instalment the thoroughness is as marked, and
the vast amount of material brought together is made accessible by a
copious index.”
+ + =Nation.= 87: 418. O. 29, ’08. 250w. (Review of v. 2.)
“Dr. Solereder’s work will occupy much the same position as a work of
reference for the morphological botanist as the ‘Index Kewensis’ does
for the pure systematist. One looks through its pages in the hopes of
finding that some light may be shed on complicated taxonomic problems,
only to be disappointed. It only remains to praise most highly the way
in which Messrs. Boodle and Fritsch, under the careful editorship of Dr.
Scott, have carried out the very arduous work of translating a volume,
every page of which seems scarcely large enough to contain the solid and
pregnant matter with which it is crowded.” A. W. H.
+ − =Nature.= 79: 211. D. 24, ’08. 1500w. (Review of v. 1 and 2.)
=Sonnichsen, Albert.=^{[10]} Confessions of a Macedonian bandit.
**$1.50. Duffield.
9–24946.
A sprightly account of the author’s hazardous experiences among the
Macedonian bandits whose costume he adopted and whose ways he studied
while looking into conditions in the turbulent Balkans for the
Macedonian committee of revolution of which he was a member.
* * * * *
“Interesting as an inside view of the situation but is raw material for
a book rather than the finished product.”
+ − =A. L. A. Bkl.= 6: 50. O. ’09.
“As a picture of people and conditions unfamiliar to most readers the
book has decided merits. A lack is felt in the absence of any
preliminary or supplementary chapter to acquaint the forgetful or
ignorant reader with the political conditions bearing on the narrative,
and to explain more clearly how and with what ostensible purpose the
writer gained so speedy access to the companionship and confidence of
the brigand chiefs. Finally, either a glossary defining the local terms
used, or a condescending willingness to use English equivalents, would
have been appreciated by the plain reader.”
+ − =Dial.= 47: 239. O. 1, ’09. 350w.
“Delightful reading. The only criticism to be made is that it should
have been longer, for Mr. Sonnichsen gives barely enough information
concerning the feuds and counter-feuds, plots and counter-plots, of the
various revolutionary factors at work in Macedonia and across the
frontier in Bulgaria.”
+ − =Nation.= 89: 362. O. 14, ’09. 230w.
“Aside from its interest as a book of travel out of the beaten path, the
‘Confessions’ throw a good deal of light on the recent revolution in
Turkey.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 670. O. 30, ’09. 560w.
“A lively story of adventure, with a good deal of useful historical and
political description and comment.”
+ =R. of Rs.= 40: 512. O. ’09. 70w.
=Sons= of the Puritans: by various authors. *$1.50. Am. Unitar.
8–30957.
Descriptive note in December, 1908.
* * * * *
“This book is a volume that it would be well for fathers to place in the
hands of their children. Works like this should be in every private as
well as public library.”
+ =Arena.= 40: 605. D. ’08. 730w.
“A worthy memorial of the eleven men whose names adorn its pages.”
+ =Dial.= 46: 144. Mr. 1, ’09. 200w.
=N. Y. Times.= 13: 745. D. 5, ’08. 150w.
=Soper, George Albert.= Air and ventilation of subways. $2.50. Wiley.
8–20678.
As a result of the study of the characteristics of the air in the subway
this work “summarizes 2,000 pages of the author’s data, and includes
valuable studies of other subways in this country and in Europe, as well
as excellent statements of the underlying principles upon which air of
enclosed spaces should be investigated, particularly when occupied by
lungbreathing animals, which, of course, includes the subway hog.”
(Engin. N.)
* * * * *
“Aside from its manifest value to sanitary engineers, the book will
prove of service to all who are interested in knowing what good and bad
air consists in, and how to deal with it in subways and other enclosed
spaces.”
+ =Engin. D.= 4: 305. S. ’08. 330w.
“Some little errors may be pointed out.” C: F. McKenna.
+ − =Engin. N.= 61: sup. 5. Ja. 14, ’09. 920w.
“While the technical parts of the book are of interest only to a limited
number of readers, the portions in which the author gives his
conclusions concerning subway air and ventilation are likely to prove
instructive reading to subway travelers.”
+ =Engin. Rec.= 60: 363. S. 25, ’09. 150w.
=Soper, George Albert.=^{[10]} Modern methods of street cleaning. *$3.
Eng. news.
9–21872.
“Mr. Soper, a member of the American society of engineers, expounds the
principles of street cleaning with scientific precision. From actual
experience he is able to give an account of how streets are cleaned in
London, Manchester, Paris, Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Amsterdam, and New
York. The book is profusely illustrated and the machinery of scavenging
set forth as it is used in the cities among which Mr. Soper made a tour
of three years.”—Lit. D.
* * * * *
“The book is profusely illustrated with views taken by the author of
street conditions in different cities, which depict various devices and
systems in use for the cleaning of streets and the removal and disposal
of refuse. This feature of the book cannot be too highly commended.”
+ =Engin. D.= 6: 245. S. ’09. 200w.
“Its chief interest will be found in the contrast between the efficiency
and cost of the work abroad and here.” S. Whinery.
+ =Engin. N.= 62: sup. 43. N. 18, ’09. 1400w.
+ =Lit. D.= 39: 544. O. 2, ’09. 180w.
“It is probable that in every one of the cities Dr. Soper visited in his
tour of study there is something in the way of plant or practice that
may be studied profitably by the street cleaners of other cities, and
that is what makes Dr. Soper’s book worth while.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 567. S. 25, ’09. 320w.
=R. of Rs.= 40: 512. O. ’09. 130w.
=South, Richard=. Moths of the British Isles. (Wayside and woodland
ser.) 2 ser. ea. *$3. Warne.
9–19099.
=ser. 1.= “The first series, comprised in the present volume, deals with
the families ‘sphingidæ’ to ‘noctuidæ,’ and the arrangement is almost
the same as in Staudinger’s Catalogue of 1901. The book may be slipped
into the pocket, and the information is fairly full without being unduly
technical.”—Spec.
=ser. 2.= Comprises the families noctuidæ to hepialidæ. “Little attempt
is made to describe the perfect insects; and indeed a good figure is in
many cases sufficient for the identification of many insects; but the
range of variation is usually indicated, and caterpillars, habits and
localities are usually recorded in detail.” (Nature.) There are 873
colored figures of every species and many varieties, also drawings of
eggs, caterpillars, chrysalids and food plants.
* * * * *
“An admirable pocket guide to British moths.”
+ =Ath.= 1908, 1: 293. Mr. 7. 140w. (Review of first series.)
“The great care bestowed on the preparation of the book ... will ensure
for it a warm welcome from naturalists, to whom also its convenient size
will be an attraction.”
+ =Int. Studio.= 34: 172. Ap. ’08. 110w. (Review of first series.)
“Books on British butterflies and moths are now plentiful enough, but we
have never seen any which have pleased us so well as the series of which
this book is the second volume.” W. F. K.
+ =Nature.= 77: 483. Mr. 26, ’08. 450w. (Review of first series.)
“We have already spoken favourably of the earlier volumes, and it is now
our pleasing duty to say that there is no falling-off in the execution
of the text and plates of the volume before us. The letterpress is very
good and up-to-date, but we do not notice on pp. 55 and 56 any reference
to the two specimens of ‘Thalpochares parva’ taken by Dr. Battersby at
Torquay in 1859.” W. F. K.
+ − =Nature.= 79: 427. F. 11, ’09. 250w. (Review of second series.)
“The work is admirably done, and as a pocket guide companion to the same
author’s ‘Butterflies of the British Isles,’ this second series of
British moths will be appreciated for the beauty and clarity of its
treatment by all students of the subject.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 206. Ap. 10, ’09. 130w. (Review of second
series.)
“The feature of the book is the coloured figure of each species.”
+ =Spec.= 100: 1008. Je. 27, ’08. 130w. (Review of first series.)
=South African native races committee=, ed. South African natives:
their progress and present condition. *$2. Dutton.
9–8739.
Aims to furnish information in regard to the present conditions in South
African colonies and to aid in the adoption by the different colonies of
a uniform and progressive policy toward the natives. It deals with such
subjects as occupations, land tenure, taxation, administration, legal
status, education and churches.
* * * * *
Reviewed by U. G. Weatherly.
=Econ. Bull.= 2: 166. Je. ’09. 550w.
=Ind.= 66: 1346. Je. 17, ’09. 600w.
“The work has a value for all who have to deal with a similar condition
of one race ruling another of a lower grade of civilization, but vastly
superior in numbers.”
+ =Nation.= 88: 278. Mr. 18, ’09. 320w.
=N. Y. Times.= 14: 115. F. 27, ’09. 200w.
=Outlook.= 92: 270. My. 29, ’09. 350w.
=Sat. R.= 108: 114. Jl. 24, ’09. 200w.
“The Committee are perfectly fair and candid. They start with no
prepossession except a desire to do honestly by the natives; they seek
laboriously for facts; they respect expert opinion; and their
conclusions are modest and convincing.”
+ =Spec.= 102: 267. F. 13, ’09. 620w.
=Spalding, Frederick Putnam.= Text-book on roads and pavements. 3d
ed., rev. and enl. *$2. Wiley.
8–28614.
While primarily intended for classes in engineering this book serves as
a handbook for the general reader. “The many changes in methods of
construction and maintenance, due in part to new traffic conditions, has
made it necessary for the author to practically rewrite several chapters
for this the third edition. In this, as in former editions, the author
discusses the principles involved in the construction and maintenance of
the various kinds of streets and roads.” (Science.)
* * * * *
“The best recent practice in highway work is represented.”
+ =A. L. A. Bkl.= 5: 123. Ap. ’09.
=Engin.= D. 5: 412. Ap. ’09. 200w.
“The treatment is systematic and logical; the style is terse and the
statements of facts are generally accurate and free from ambiguity. The
critical reader will, however, note a few exceptions to the last
statement. On the whole, it may be said without reservation that the
book is the best elementary text-book on roads and pavements yet
produced.” S. Whinery.
+ − =Engin.= N. 60: sup. 694. D. 17, ’08. 440w.
“This is a practical book, and is advanced in character. On the whole,
the author covers his subject well. However, the first chapter could
have been more complete.”
+ − =Engin. Rec.= 59: 27. Ja. 2, ’09. 500w.
“The information given is practical and useful.”
+ =Nature.= 79: 337. Ja. 21, ’09. 570w.
“The chapters on brick and bituminous pavements are probably the
strongest features of the book.” A. S. Cushman.
+ − =Science=, n.s. 29: 77. Ja. 8, ’09. 770w.
=Spargo, John.= Spiritual significance of modern socialism. *50c.
Huebsch.
8–33324.
“The main thesis seems to be that while many socialists do interpret
socialism in terms of economic gain, there grows constantly the tendency
to see modern capitalism as a menace to free thought, true religion,
social sympathy and many of the prized features of true culture.
Socialism is to be conceived of as a protest against the eclipse of the
essentials to a higher culture. In this sense appears a spiritual
significance of modern socialism.”—Char.
* * * * *
“An eloquent and attractive appeal to the church to become an organ of
socialism.” C. R. Henderson.
+ =Am. J. Soc.= 15: 126. Jl. ’09. 100w.
“One of the best pro-socialist books, serving as a good introduction for
the general reader.”
+ =A. L. A. Bkl.= 5: 110. Ap. ’09.
“Mr. Spargo writes with enthusiasm and spiritual earnestness, but his
fundamental assumption is wrong.”
− =Ann. Am. Acad.= 33: 465. Mr. ’09. 130w.
“This little book should be read by every thoughtful man and woman in
the republic. It is in our judgment one of the most vital and timely
messages of recent years and cannot fail to do great good in clearing up
popular mis-apprehensions in regard to socialism.” B. O. Flower.
+ + =Arena.= 41: 91. Ja. ’09. 4100w.
“It is refreshing to read even in a brief form an exposition of the
spiritual side [of socialism] from the pen of a man so qualified to
speak as Mr. Spargo.” W. B. Guthrie.
+ =Char.= 21: 678. Ja. 16, ’09. 280w.
=N. Y. Times.= 14: 322. My. 22, ’09. 260w.
=Sparhawk, Frances Campbell.=^{[10]} Dorothy Brooke’s school days.
†$1.50. Crowell.
9–24328.
A story for girls whose scene is laid in a boarding school and whose
heroine, a bright miss of fifteen, has all the faults and virtues of a
spirited, ambitious, fun-loving girl.
* * * * *
=N. Y. Times.= 14: 597. O. 9. ’09. 80w.
=Sparrow, Walter Shaw.=^{[5]} English house: how to judge its periods
and styles. *$2.50. Lane.
9–35801.
“Mr. Sparrow’s aim has been to supply a want—to write a book for the
plain man as opposed to the student of architecture. He traces the
history of the house and home from its earliest origin, through its
various stages of development in England up to the present day,
discussing it mainly, it is true, from the architectural standpoint, but
with an endeavor to eliminate as far as possible the technicalities of
the subject.”—Int. Studio.
* * * * *
+ =A. L. A. Bkl.= 6: 50. O. ’09.
“The present volume is the most ambitious, and we think the most
interesting, that Mr. Shaw Sparrow has yet published, but it cannot be
considered satisfactory. We have noted so many passages with which we
disagree that it is impossible in the space at our disposal to refer to
them.”
− + =Ath.= 1909, 2: 303. S. 11. 570w.
“The illustrations are admirably chosen for their bearing on the
letterpress and are numerous and well reproduced, though one does not
find much here that is new.”
+ − =Int. Studio.= 37: 254. My. ’09. 220w.
“Mr. Sparrow’s analysis of the special characteristics belonging to the
different periods is simple and straightforward and exceedingly helpful
to the lay reader.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 426. Jl. 10, ’09. 550w.
“In spite of an occasional lack of sense of proportion, has produced an
attractive and a stimulating book. Here and there he would have improved
the book by removing a careless phrase or by changing an exaggeration
into a judicial survey.”
+ − =Spec.= 102: 616. Ap. 17, ’09. 1600w.
=Sparrow, Walter Shaw.=^{[7]} Hints on house furnishing. *$2.50. Lane.
W9–183.
A work on interior decoration that comprises suggestions for color
schemes, systems and methods of securing harmony between floors and
walls, ceilings and their treatment, with chapters on windows, blinds,
curtains, artificial heat and light, crockery, glass, furniture, etc.
* * * * *
+ =A. L. A. Bkl.= 6: 50. O. ’09.
“There is no doubt as to the usefulness of such a book as Mr. Shaw
Sparrow has aimed at compiling; and we add at once that his aim has been
largely accomplished.”
+ =Ath.= 1909, 2: 49. Jl. 10. 450w.
“The volume is well illustrated with typical English interiors, the
usefulness of which to American house-holders is limited. Still, the
doctrine is the thing, and since the book makes for rational taste we
wish it a wide reading.”
+ =Nation.= 89: 465. N. 11, ’09. 370w.
“Treats [the field of interior decoration] with thoroughness and
comprehensiveness.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 426. Jl. 10, ’09. 400w.
“Mr. Sparrow deals with the useful as well as with the ornamental, and
what he says on both topics is always to the point and vigorously
expressed. He brings ethical as well as aesthetic considerations to bear
on his subject, and though his remarks are now and then a little tinged
with paradox, he generally has, it seems to us, common-sense on his
side.”
+ =Spec.= 102: 505. Mr. 27, ’09. 200w.
=Spenser, Edmund.=^{[11]} Faery queen and her knights: stories retold
by Rev. Alfred J: Church. $1.50. Macmillan.
9–27416.
In the prose rendering of the tales from the “Faery queen,” Mr. Church
has preserved the wealth of romance and the spirit of the times, and has
adapted his material to young readers of the present day. The full-page
colored illustrations have “caught with singular success the romantic
spirit of the original and of Mr. Church’s adaptation.”
* * * * *
“Prof. Church has written long enough to understand the value of
simplicity in a narrative, and his work is laudably free from
affectation.”
+ =Ath.= 1909. 2: 524. O. 30. 60w.
Reviewed by M. J. Moses.
=Ind.= 67: 1362. D. 16, ’09. 70w.
+ =Lit. D.= 39: 1017. D. 4, ’09. 80w.
+ =Nation.= 89: 598. D. 16, ’09. 50w.
“The style, in its quaintness and simplicity, preserves something of the
flavor of Spenser’s own lines; and the colored pictures—of a grave
beauty—add further value to the book.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 807. D. 18, ’09. 70w.
+ =R. of Rs.= 40: 768. D. ’09. 20w.
+ =Spec.= 103: 850. N. 20, ’09. 350w.
=Spillane, Rev. Edward Peter.= Life and letters of Henry Van
Rensselaer, priest of the Society of Jesus. Fordham univ. press.
8–34132.
Covers the history of the Van Rensselaer family, gives the story of
Father Van Rensselaer’s conversion as told in an autobiographical sketch
found among his papers after his death, and includes letters written
from Oxford. It is the life of a student of philosophy and theology, a
college professor and a priest.
* * * * *
“The most interesting portion of the book is that which relates his
conversion and the events that preceded it. Many letters of Father Van
Rensselaer to friends and to his mother from Oxford, before his
conversion, are of special value, as they afford a glimpse of conditions
that prevailed there after the exodus of Newman and his friends.”
+ =Cath. World.= 88: 826. Mr. ’09. 160w.
“Gives an interesting view of the career and character of a man whose
many attractive qualities caused him to be much beloved as man and
priest.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 85. F. 13, ’09. 130w.
=Spingarn, Joel Elias=, ed.^{[12]} Critical essays of the seventeenth
century. 3v. v. 3. *$1.75. Oxford.
8–26854.
=v. 3.= “This is the third and concluding volume of Professor Spingarn’s
work. The essays are twelve in number, the most famous being Sir William
Temple’s ‘Essay upon the ancient and modern learning,’ John Dennis’s
‘Impartial critic,’ W. Wotton’s ‘Reflections upon ancient and modern
learning,’ and Jeremy Collier’s ‘Short view of the immorality and
profaneness of the English stage.’”—Spec.
* * * * *
“His work fills in the gap between Professor Gregory Smith’s
‘Elizabethan critical essays’ and Professor Ker’s ‘Essays of John
Dryden,’ and it is of worth, not only for the texts it reproduces from
first editions, but also for the notes and its extensive introduction.”
F. W. Chandler.
+ =Educ. R.= 38: 421. N. ’09. 1300w. (Review of v. 1–3.)
“The notes of the present volume show the same accuracy and care as do
those to the two earlier volumes.”
+ =Nation.= 89: 464. N. 11, ’09. 300w. (Review of v. 3.)
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 707. N. 13, ’09. 130w. (Review of v. 3.)
=Spec.= 103: 796. N. 13, ’09. 140w. (Review of v. 3.)
=Spingarn, Joel Elias.= History of literary criticism in the
renaissance. 2d ed., rev. and augmented. (Columbia univ. studies in
comparative literature.) *$1.50. Macmillan.
8–14513.
A revision of the work as it appeared nine years ago, with additional
matter covering the author’s recent researches. “Italian criticism from
Dante to Tasso, French criticism from Du Bellay to Boileau, and English
criticism from Ascham to Milton are the three practical working
divisions into which Prof. Spingarn has divided this history.... How did
the classic spirit arise? Whence did it come and how did it develop?
What was the origin of the principles and precepts of neo-classicism?
These are the questions which Prof. Spingarn suggests as the working
basis of his essay.” (N. Y. Times.)
* * * * *
Reviewed by Brander Matthews.
+ =Forum.= 400: 121. Ag. ’08. 250w.
“Genuinely valuable contribution to the history of literary criticism.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 13: 363. Je. 27, ’08. 240w.
“The field covered is a wide one, but the book is interesting and
exceedingly informing, both to the student and to the general reader,
and it is brief enough to be a boon to busy people.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 28. Ja. 16, ’09. 270w.
=Spinoza, Benedictus de.=^{[9]} Spinoza’s Short treatise on God, man
and human welfare; tr. from the Dutch by Lydia Gillingham Robinson.
*$1.25. Open ct.
9–10501.
The first English version of this earliest of Spinoza’s works. It
furnishes the key to his masterpiece “The Ethics,” and provides an
introduction to the study of his philosophy.
* * * * *
+ =Am. J. Theol.= 13: 654. O. ’09. 70w.
“It is with the liveliest interest and sincerest gratitude that we
welcome Miss Lydia Robinson’s most lucid translation of Spinoza’s ‘Short
treatise.’ The treatise is too important for the student of philosophy
to ignore. It is valuable in itself, but historically it is of much
significance, as in it we see the system of Spinoza in the making.” A.
B. D. Alexander.
+ =J. Philos.= 6: 495. S. 2, ’09. 3300w.
“The translator has done her work well. It is lucid, exact, readable,
and complete.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 420. Jl. 3, ’09. 170w.
“The translation is helpful if taken in conjunction with the text.
Certain inaccuracies, however, dispose us to caution.” B. H. Bode.
+ − =Philos. R.= 18: 661. N. ’09. 1350w.
=Springer, John McKendree.=^{[6]} Heart of Central Africa: mineral
wealth and missionary opportunity; with an introd. by Bishop J. C.
Hartzell. *$1. West. Meth. bk.
9–7412.
A discussion of the relation of the opening of the mineral wealth of
Central Africa and of the general development of the continent to
missionary activity. “When the railroads connect the Southern and
Northern coasts, and the Eastern and Western lands are linked, the great
mineral wealth will be opened to the world—a wealth that may prove equal
to, if not eclipse, that of Johannesburg. Such an event will make a
‘strategic centre for evangelistic activities.’” (Dial.)
* * * * *
“Includes valuable information as to railroad problems, mineral
resources, and missionary accomplishment and opportunity.”
+ =A. L. A. Bkl.= 6: 51. O. ’09.
“An entertaining and instructive addition to our knowledge of the now no
longer dark continent.” H. E. Coblentz.
+ =Dial.= 46: 365. Je. 1, ’09. 270w.
“An engaging description of a journey.”
+ =R. of Rs.= 39: 766. Je. ’09. 40w.
=Spruce, Richard.= Notes of a botanist on the Amazon and Andes; ed.
and condensed by Alfred R. Wallace. *$6.50. Macmillan.
9–12871.
Records of travel on the Amazon and its tributaries, the Trombetas, Rio
Negro, Uanpés, Casiquiari, Pacimoni, Huallaga, and Pastasa; as also to
the cataracts of the Orinoco, along the eastern side of the Andes of
Peru and Ecuador, and the shores of the Pacific, during the years
1849–1864. (Explan. title.) “In Spruce’s journals, as in many other
famous records of the same kind, one may read what an endless and
heartbreaking struggle it is against fatigue and disease, the insolence
of the official and the stupidity of the native, and most of all against
that awful inertia which pursues the European working alone in the
steaming tropical forest. It was in the Amazons that Dr. Russel Wallace
won his spurs as a naturalist.” (Spec.)
* * * * *
“Dr. Wallace’s volumes show how conscientious Spruce was in every
detail. He had a strong love for everything in nature, indomitable
perseverance, and a keen eye for the systematic investigation of minute
plants. The public owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Wallace for presenting
the story of the principal years in Spruce’s life in so charming a
manner.”
+ =Ath.= 1909. 2: 335. S. 18. 800w.
+ =Dial.= 46: 332. My. 16, ’09. 200w.
“To botanists the author’s notes about plants possess uncommon interest
on account of their accuracy and suggestiveness, but the pages devoted
to travel and adventure will attract every reader.”
+ =Nation.= 88: 202. F. 25, ’09. 1350w.
“Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace has rendered a great service to the
scientific world, not only in having consented to rescue from oblivion
the account of Spruce’s remarkable travels, but also by the admirable
way in which he has edited the manuscripts placed in his charge.” A. W.
H.
+ =Nature.= 80: 458. Je. 17, ’09. 1100w.
“Spruce’s accounts of his travels are perhaps too technical to be always
interesting to the general reader, but they are clearly and at times
vividly written, with many valuable discussions on native life in the
hitherto unexplored regions to which he reached.”
+ =Sat. R.= 107: 82. Ja. 16, ’09. 410w.
=Spurzheim, Johann Kaspar.= Phrenology; or The doctrine of the mental
phenomena; ed. with an introd. by Cyrus Elder. *$3. Lippincott.
The reprint of a book published seventy-five years ago. An introduction
justifies the reappearance of this book on the ground of its important
relation to the subject of mental science.
* * * * *
=Lit. D.= 38: 393. Mr. 6, ’09. 80w.
=N. Y. Times.= 14: 85. F. 13, ’09. 100w.
“One is curious to know why such an obsolete work was deemed worthy of
reprinting at this time and after the lapse of more than sixty years.”
E. A. Spitzka.
− =Science=, n.s. 30: 310. S. 3, ’09. 700w.
=Stack, Frederic William.=^{[6]} Wild flowers every child should know,
arranged according to color with reliable descriptions of the more
common species of the United States and Canada. (Every child should
know ser.) **$1.20. Doubleday.
9–14837.
Includes ready and reliable information about five hundred common
species of plants, and gives their Latin and common names, brief
descriptions, accounts of the connection of certain ones with history,
medicine and legend, and bits of folklore and poetry. The book is
generously illustrated and includes a glossary of botanical terms, of
Latin names and an index to common names.
* * * * *
“This guide covers a larger field than Mrs. Parsons’ ‘How to know the
wild flowers,’ or Mrs. Doubleday’s ‘Nature garden,’ and is better
adapted to children’s use.”
+ =A. L. A. Bkl.= 5: 192. Je. ’09. ✠
“There can be no doubt of the usefulness of the guide.”
+ =Dial.= 47: 105. Ag. 16, ’09. 70w.
“In this attractive little volume there is condensed a large amount of
information concerning the more common plants about which children are
likely to ask questions. It is hardly right to call attention to the few
blemishes in so good and useful a book.”
+ − =Nation.= 88: 586. Je. 10, ’09. 580w.
“The sharp clear-cut illustrations are an inducement in themselves for
the young amateur to learn more of these charming flowers.”
+ =N. Y. Times.= 14: 384. Je. 12, ’09. 150w.
“A truly charming book accomplishing its lovable purpose.” B. L.
Israels.
+ =Survey.= 22: 622. Ag. 7, ’09. 130w.
=Staley, Edgcumbe.=^{[9]} Famous women of Florence. *$3.50. Scribner.