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It is the intention of the Publishers to produce a complete series of Scientific Manuals, affording full and accurate elementary information, conveyed in clear and lucid English. The authors are well known as among the foremost men of their several departments; and their names form a ready guarantee for the high character of the books. Subjoined is a list of those manuals that have already appeared, with a short account of each. Others are in active preparation; and the whole will constitute a standard series specially adapted to the requirements of beginners, whether for private study or for school instruction.

ASTRONOMY. By the Astronomer ROYAL-POPULAR ASTRONOMY. With Illustrations. By G. B. AIRY, Astronomer Royal. Sixth and cheaper Edition. 18mo. cloth. 4s. 6d. This work consists of six lectures, which are intended to explain to intelligent persons the principles on which the instruments of an Observatory are constructed (omitting all details, so far as they are merely subsidiary), and the principles on which the observations made with these instruments are treated for deduction of the distances and weights of the bodies of the Solar System, and of a few stars, omitting all minutiae of formulæ, and all troublesome details of calculation." The speciality of this volume is the direct reference of every step to the Observatory, and the full description of the methods and instruments of observation.

ASTRONOMY.-Mr. LOCKYER'S ELEMENTARY LESSONS in ASTRONOMY. With Coloured Diagram of the Spectra of the Sun, Stars, and Nebulae, and numerous Illustrations. By J. NORMAN LOCKYER, F.R.S. Fifth Thousand. 18mo. 5s. 6d.

The author has here aimed to give a connected view of the whole subject, and to supply facts, and ideas founded on the facts, to serve as a basis for subsequent study and discussion. The chapters treat of the Stars and Nebula: the Sun; the Solar System; Apparent Movements of the Heavenly Bodies; the Measurement of Time; Light; the Telescope and Spectroscope; Apparent Places of the Heavenly Bodies; the Real Distances and Dimensions; Universal Gravitation. The most recent astronomical discoveries are incorporated. Mr. Lockyer's work supplements that of the Astronomer Royal mentioned in the previous article.

PHYSIOLOGY.-Professor

HUXLEY'S LESSONS in ELEMENTARY PHYSIOLOGY. With numerous Illustrations. By T. H. HUXLEY, F. R.S., Professor of Natural History in the Royal School of Mines. Twelfth Thousand. 18mo. cloth. 45. 6d.

This book describes and explains, in a series of graduated lessons, the principles of Human Physiology; or the Structure and Functions of the Human Body. The first lesson supplies a general view of the subject. This is followed by sections on the Vascular or Veinous System, and the Circulation; the Blood and the Lymph; Respiration; Sources of Loss and of Gain to the Blood; the Function of Alimentation: Motion and Locomotion; Sensations and Sensory Organs; the Organ of Sight; the Coalescence of Sensations with one another and with other States of Consciousness; the Nervous System and Innervation; Histology, or the Minute Structure of the Tissues. Á Table of Anatomical and Physiological Constants is appended. The lessons are fully illustrated by numerous engravings. The manual is primarily intended to serve as a text-book for teachers and learners in boys' and girls' schools.

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LOGY FOR SCHOOLS. By T. ALCOCK, M.D. 18mo. 15. 6d.

These Questions were drawn up as aids to the instruction of a class of young people in Physiology.

BOTANY.

PROFESSOR OLIVER'S LESSONS IN ELEMENTARY BOTANY. With nearly Two Hundred Illustrations. By DANIEL OLIVER, F.R.S., F.L.S. Seventh Thousand. 18mo. cloth. 45. 6d.

This book is designed to teach the Elements of Botany on Professor Henslow's plan of selected Types and by the use of Schedules. The earlier chapters, embracing the Elements of Structural and Physiological Botany, introduce us to the methodical study of the Original Types. The concluding chapters are entitled, "How to Dry Plants," and "How to describe Plants." A valuable Glossary is appended to the volume. In the preparation of this work free use has been made of the manuscript materials of the late PROFESSOR HENSLOW.

CHEMISTRY. - Professor ROSCOE'S

LESSONS IN ELEMENTARY CHEMISTRY, INORGANIC AND ORGANIC. By HENRY ROSCOE, F. R. S., Professor of Chemistry in Owens College, Manchester. With Numerous Illustrations and ChromoLitho. of the Solar Spectrum, and of the Alkalies and Alkaline Earths. New Edition. Twenty-first Thousand. 18mo. cloth. 45. 6d.

It has been the endeavour of the author to arrange the most important facts and principles of Modern Chemistry in a plain but concise and scientific form, suited to the present requirements of elementary instruction. For the purpose of facilitating the attainment of exactitude in the knowledge of the subject, a series of exercises and questions upon the lessons have been added. The metric system of weights and measures, and the centigrade thermometric scale, are used throughout the work. The new edition, besides new woodcuts, contains many additions and improvements, and includes the most important of the latest discoveries.

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By Professor OLIVER, F.R.S., F.L.S., Keeper of the Herbarium and FIRST BOOK OF INDIAN BOTANY. Library of the Royal Gardens, Kew, and Professor of Botany in University College, London. With numerous Illustrations.

"In nothing is Prof. Oliver's book more satisfactory than the success with which, within so small a compass, it illustrates the vast and varied botany of India. Such a work has long been wanted by amateurs and college professors and students in India."-Athenæum.

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THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA. An Account of Investigations conducted on board H.M. ships "Lightning" and "Porcupine," in the years 1868-9. Under the scientific direction of W. B. CARPENTER, M.D., F.R.S., J. GWYN JEFFREYS, FRS, and WYVILLE THOMSON, LL.D., F.R.S. Edited by Dr. WYVILLE THOMSON. [Preparing.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE THEORY OF NATURAL SELECTION. By ALFRED RUSSEL WALLACE, Author of "The Malay Archipelago," &c. [In the press.

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THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE: Including an Account of the Present State of the "Spontaneous Generation Controversy. By H. C. BASTIAN, M.D., F.R.S., Professor of Pathological Anatomy in University College, London. \In the press.

Preparing for Immediate Publication, ΑΝ INTRODUCTION TO THE OSTEOLOGY OF THE MAMMALIA. Being the substance of the Course of Lectures delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1870. By WILLIAM HENRY FLOWER, F.R.S., F.R.C.S., Hunterian Professor of Comparative Anatomy and Physiology. With Numerous Illustrations.

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EXERCISES in PRACTICAL CHEMISTRY: Qualitative Analysis. By A. G. VERNON HARCOURT, FRS. Lee's Reader in Chemistry at Christ Church, Oxford, and H. G. MADAN, F.C.S. With numerous Illustrations.

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DESCRIPTIVE ASTRONOMY. A Handbook for the General Reader, and also for practical Observatory work. With 224 Illustrations and numerous Tables. By G. F. CHAMBERS, FRAS, Barrister-at-law.

The aim of this work, briefly expressed, is general usefulness, whether a the hands of the student, the general reader, or the professional observer. Great pains have been taken to present the latest information on all branches of the science. The development of Astronomy is now so rapid that unless an author exercises constant vigilance his book must fall behindhand and a is believed that this volume not only contains the most recent discoveries and deductions, but that in it will also be found information hitherto to be met with only in the publications of learned societies, difficult of access and nonvenient for reference even to the Astronomer, and absolutely out of the reach of the general reader.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1870

THE TRANSITS OF VENUS IN 1874 AND 1882

and would reap a rich harvest of results? The little island of Rodriguez was formerly the residence of a bird allied to the Dodo, and probably of other extinct forms o life. Professor Newton and his brother have, it is true,

last session gives some information on what is intended to be done in the matter of the great approaching astronomical events of 1874 and 1882, which will interest many readers of NATURE. The correspondence on this subject between the Astronomer Royal and the Hydrographer of the Admiralty, and between the Hydrographer and the Secretary to the Admiralty, is given at full length, and together with the appended remarks of Captain Toynbee, Admiral Ommaney, Commander Davis, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Warren De la Rue, well merits careful perusal. On the whole it seems to be at least doubtful whether the requisite Antarctic station for the observation of the transit, which in the opinion of the Astronomer Royal should, if possible, be in the neighbourhood of Mounts Erebus and Terror, can be attained, or if, when attained, it is likely to be possible to make observations from it. But this Antarctic station is only required for the transit of 1882, and there is ample time to make a preparatory Antarctic expedition to ascertain the doubtful point. In the meantime, however, let us see what has been settled about the transit of 1874. For the proper observation of this event the Astronomer Royal informs us that it will be necessary, after making allowance for all the aid that may be expected from foreign and colonial observatories, to organise expeditions to the following five stations:-(1) Oahu (Sandwich Islands), (2) Kerguelen's Island, (3) Rodriguez, (4) Auckland (New Zealand), (5) Alexandria. At the first three of these stations-namely Oahu, Kerguelen's Island, and Rodriguez-it will be necessary to make preparatory observations for twelve months, in order to ascertain the absolute longitudes of these places, which are not exactly known. The total cost of these proposed observing expeditions for the transit of 1874 is estimated by the Hydrographer at 10,404/., a sum which, it must be admitted, is moderate for work of such surpassing importance, and, as the Lords of the Treasury state that they have "no objection to offer" to the proposed expenditure, we may take it for granted it will be so far carried out. But what I wish to call attention to at the present moment is the valuable opportunity thus offered for still further augmenting the importance of this event to the progress of science generally, by converting these proposed astronomical expeditions into expeditions for general scientific observation. At three of the spots to be visited it will be necessary to keep up an observing party, more or less extensive, for upwards of twelve months. Now, it so happens that the three spots thus selected for astronomical observatories are also of very great interest for biological studies. The Sandwich Islands are well known to be the seat of a most peculiar indigenous flora and fauna, which has been hitherto very incompletely explored, rivalling perhaps even that of the Galapagos in eccentricity. They are likewise the seat of some of the most stupendous volcanic phenomena known on the globe, Who can doubt that one or more zoologists, botanists, and geologists would find ample work during a twelvemonth's sojourn in these islands,

ology of Pezophaps, as this gigantic ground-pigeon is termed. But there is no doubt that a careful exploration of the bone-caves of Rodriguez will lead to still further discoveries as regards Pezophaps, and most probably result in bringing to light other unknown extinct inhabitants of the submerged continent, which was the ancient focus of Didine life. Kerguelen's Island, the third point selected for a temporary astronomical observatory, is also in many points worthy of renewed investigation. Although we may probably believe Dr. Hooker, who visited it during Sir James Ross's Antarctic Expedition, left but few plants for future botanists to discover, the seals and whales that frequent its shores, together with the sea-fowl and other inhabitants of the coast, would well occupy the attention of zoologists. It is, moreover, of especial importance that the "abundant fossil remains" of its now extinct forests should be thoroughly investigated, in order to obtain more knowledge of the former distribution of land and water in the South Pacific. I have mentioned only some of the principal and most noticeable points for biological inquiry in each of these three localities. But, as every naturalist knows, in the case of such isolated land-areas as these marine islands, it is of especial importance to the progress of our knowledge of general geographical distribution to have a complete account of every branch of their faunas and floras, both recent and extinct. I beg leave, therefore, to urge upon all who are interested in the progress of science, the importance of not losing the opportunity that now presents itself. The additional expense of attaching two or three qualified Natural History observers (or at any rate collectors) to these three expeditions could not be very great. The numerous American and Russian exploring expeditions are invariably accompanied by zoological and botanical collectors, nor is the money required to publish the results obtained by them grudged by the Governments of these countries. Even povertystricken Austria did not send the Novara round the world without a competent corps of naturalists, and we are now reaping the fruits of the abundant harvest which they gathered in. Far from lagging behind, wealthy England ought to take the lead in such cases, and instead of its being necessary, when an opportunity of the sort occurs, to take all kinds of extraordinary steps in order to induce the Government to take advantage of it, such things should be done as matters of course.