PROSPECTIVE LIST OF THE SERIES. MURBY'S SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTMENT SERIES OF TEXT BOOKS. Price 1s., half cloth; and 1s. 6d., whole cloth. Edited by SYDNEY B. J. SKERTCHLY, F.G.S., H.M.'s Geological Survey. Physical Geography. By the EDITOR. Fourth Edition. Botany, Structural and Physiological. By ALFRED GRUGEON. some Models of the principal crystals may be readily constructed. By JAMES B. JORDAN, of the Museum of Practical Geology. Second Edition. Natural Philosophy.-Part I.-Mechanics. SKERTCHLY. By ALFRED Natural Philosophy. - Part II. - Hydrostatics, Hy- Properties of all the important Minerals. By F. NOEL JEWS- Mineralogy. By F. RUTLEY, F.G.S., H.M.'s Geological Survey. *Projection, or Practical Solid Geometry. By J. PAYNE, of the School of Science, Charterhouse. *Animal Physiology. By E. T. NEWTON, Assistant Naturalist to H.M.'s Geological Survey. *Heat, Light, and Sound. By ALFRED SKERTCHLY. *Electricity and Magnetism. By the EDITOR. Natural Philosophy. Parts I. and II. in one volume. Price 2s., half cloth; 2s. 6d., whole cloth. These volumes are in active preparation. PREFACE. THIS work is mainly designed for that class of students whose mathematical knowledge is not sufficiently advanced to enable them to enter into the higher branches and proofs of mechanical science. Each theorem is explained in the text in simple language, while at the same time the chief algebraical formulæ are added in the shape of foot-notes, so as to be available if required. The method of dividing the subject is that adopted by Professors Thomson and Tait, in which Mechanics falls under the two heads Kinematics and Dynamics, a mode of division which, though novel, is likely to be the one that will ultimately prevail. In Kinematics, motion in the abstract is first discussed. Then follows a very original and lucid chapter on the Graphic Representation of Motion, contributed by F. J. Rudler, Esq., of the Royal School of Mines. In the section on Dynamics, Statics, or forces in equilibrium, is first considered, including the mechanical powers, the modifications of motion used in machinery, and the theory of friction. Next follows Kinetics, or forces not in equilibrium, including the theory of projectiles and falling bodies. The illustrations are numerous and of a practical kind. Rules are given for the application of the theorems contained in each chapter; and at the end of the work will be found numerous problems of a technical kind, and questions for testing the progress of the student. In issuing the work we have found it desirable to depart somewhat from our original design, which was to treat the four subjects, Mechanics, Hydrostatics, Hydraulics, and Pneumatics in one volume, uniform with the rest of the series. The extent and importance of the first have, however, induced us to devote an entire volume to it alone; the other three, which are daily increasing in importance, being thrown into a second volume. Then, in order to present at one view the entire subject of which the above four are correllated sections, we propose to publish the two volumes in one, under the title "Natural Philosophy." The complete work, we believe, will be found the most comprehensive, and at the same time compact and practical, text book on the subject yet issued. LONDON, Sept., 1873. J. A. S. MURBY'S "SCIENCE & ART DEPARTMENT" SERIES OF TEXT BOOKS. THE NINETEENTH REPORT OF THE SCIENCE AND ART DEPARTMENT JUST PUBLISHED CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH ON CHEAP TEXT Books: "The extension of Science Classes has led to the publication of a number of cheap text books which are producing no good result on the quality of the instruction. Some of these are mere abridgments of works of a standard character, but compiled by persons of inferior scientific attainments with the one object of enabling the pupil to cram his memory with as many facts as it will hold, and all the value of the books of which they are transcripts has been lost. Others again are nothing but guides to cram, the information being arranged in such a form that the pupil may reproduce it without understanding it, and enabling the teacher to dispense with apparatus and illustrations so necessary to proper instruction in science. The examiners should speak an earnest word of warning to teachers, and show how injurious the use of inferior text books may become." Our object in the present series is to show that an inexpensive text book may be good. "This is the first of a series of scientific manuals about to be issued. It is no sketchy compilation of old materials, repeating old mistakes without correction, but a piece of genuine, independent, careful work. Within moderate limits it comprises as much sound information on the subject as most students require, with various improvements upon preceding works, and corrections of former errors. Mr. Skertchly's explanation of the theory of waves is one of the improvements, and his account of tides is more accurate and satisfactory than that of previous authors. He writes in a thoroughly scientific manner, and at the same time with great distinctness. A cheaper and better manual on the subject is not to be had." |