[Book Reviews]

Abstract

WHILE we cannot but regard the chief educational value of summary statements of the bare facts of a science, like those contained in the work before us, as consisting in the influence they exercise on the thought and memory of him who compiles them, yet it is impossible to ignore the fact that, in these days of many examinations, there is a persistent demand for works of the class. It is well, therefore, that books of the kind should be prepared with reasonable intelligence, and with such care against the propagation of glaring and misleading errors as the author of this work has certainly shown. It would undoubtedly be better that the teachers should prepare their own lecture-notes, with illustrations derived from personal reading and study; and no less desirable is it that the taught should make such notes of the facts referred to in illustration of the lessons given them, as to be able to recall to their minds the arguments of the teacher, and the principles which he has aimed at enforcing. For teachers and students who are incapable of following this very obvious and desirable method, however, notes and tables of the kind before us certainly have their use. Mr. Gwinnell's book is happily free from the gross absurdities and mistakes so common in many of the books prepared with the avowed aim of meeting the wants of those preparing for examination; and, for those who must have a crutch, we may admit that this is a very excellent one of its kind. We have noticed a few unfortunate errors, such as the statement that granitite contains pink ortho-clase, and that graphic granite consists of “quartz and felspar arranged in lines like writing.” The pretty geological map of Great Britain forming the frontispiece, too, which has been adopted from a work that appeared a good many years ago, exhibits nearly the whole of the Scottish Highlands as consisting of Lower Silurian rocks. On the whole, however, the book has the merit of being accurate and up to date, and the author is entitled to the praise of having very carefully selected, arranged, and verified the mass of miscellaneous information which he has brought together.

Geology in Systematic Notes and Tables for the Use of Teachers and of Taught.

By W. F. Gwinnell., F.R.Met.Soc., &c. (London: Allman and Son, 1889.)