The Portland daily press., 1891-05-02
NEW PUBLICATIONS

The Fishes of North America. By VIII.
liam G. Harris, editor of The American An
gler. Issued in forty monthly parts, each
part containing two fish portraits on heavy
plate paper, size 12x1S inches. Price per
part, 81 80. postage paid. (The Harris Pub
fishing Company, 10 Warren street, New
York; The design of this work, the.author
tells US, Is to furnish popular text book
and kindergarten study for the angler. To
aid in this object the fish are shown in an
upright position, that of the act of swimming
and extreme care has been taken not only to
give the coloration in life, but also with dis
tinctness the specific markings. including
the exact number Of spines or rays in the fin
construction. Each fish represented was
caught on his own rod. with the artist ready
Tor work. within short distance from the
pool or with his easel in the stern sheets of
the boat. The publication, which may be
said to be the "life-work" of Mr.. Harris,
who has spent many years in its preparation,
occupies field entirely its own in ichthyic
literature. In fact no previous publication
has appeared that attempts to cover so large
field or present so great number of por-
traits of American fishes, eighty or more of
which, colored as in life, will be given as the
work progresses. The portraits of fishes are
first painted in oil, then autographed on
stone in colors, of which as many as fifteen
different tints have been required to repro
duce the exact tone and mellow TRANSMISSION
of color SO frequently seen in many species
of fish when alive. So closely has the oil
effect been followed that an expert cannot
distinguish the painting from its copy at a
distance of ten feet. This accuracy in re-
production Of the canvas effect renders the
Autographs still more attractive when
framed. A full set of these portraits forms
an art collection which, as works of refer
ence, will become invaluable.
The cost Of this work when completed will
be at least $4,000. The paper, press work,
type and general mechanical execution will
be the best that can be obtained, and neither
labor nor money will be economical in the
effort to make the publication unequalled in
angling literature.
Subscribers can pay for a single number
as issued or for such numbers in advance, as
they may desire; the latter method being
adopted by many to avoid the trouble Of
small monthly remittances. Payments can
be made by drafts on New York, post office
or express orders, or by registered letter.
The first number of the work is out and
contains two fine portraits. one of Rocky
Mountain trout and the other of the mas
callonge of Wisconsin. The text is very
interesting and valuable to all interested In
fish or fishing.
Appleton's School Physics. Embracing
the results Of the most recent researches in
| the several departments of Natural Philoso
ply. Edited by John d. Quackenbos. A
M, M. ID. New York member of the New
York Academy of Sciences, &C., &c. New
York: American Book Company. Price
$1.20. This handsome volume, giving the
newest views in natural philosophy, has ar
able editor in Prof. Quackenbos, well known
as one of our foremost educators. The bool
has been made on somewhat novel plan
that of committing the several departments
| to specialists. The contributors to the diff
ferent sections are Prof. Silas w. Holman,
Massachusetts, Institute of Technology
Prof. Francis E. Nipher. Washington Uui
sity, st. Louis; Prof. Alfred M. Mayer. Ste.
vens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N,
j.; and Prof. Francis B. Croker, Columbis
College of Mines. The work is fully abreast
of the times in electricity, sound. light. and
the other departments which have been 81
enriched bylate investigations. 1t is simple
yet exhaustive. and is well adapted to use II
academies and schools.
| Advanced Lessons in English Grammar
For Use In Higher Grammar Glasses. By
| VIM. III. Maxwell, M. A., Phi. D., Superin
tendent of Police Instruction, Brooklyn, N
Y. New York: American Book Company
Price 60 cents.) The previous books in THU
| series have been received with evident favol
by teachers, and this third book completing
Maxwelps English Course, has been wisely
made for its place in the highest stage Of
language training in the public schools In
all the departments needed In the Higt
Scnool course, the book is full and practical
Syntax is treated uncomm only well, and 6
chapter OF much interest is added to the
| work, on Economy of Attention. or the art
| of so framing sentences that they shall hi
understood with the least possible effort or
| the part of the reader or nearer. The rule,
and principles in this chapter will be found
| very useful.
The Sovereigns and Courts of Europe. B,
"Politikos." New York: d. Appleton
Co.; Portland: Loring, Short q Harmon
These biographical sketches are exclusivel,
of sovereigns reigning at the present time
They are carefully and accurately prepared
the characters Of the princes and member
Oh the royal families being drawn for tn
most part with fairness and justness-witl
no more prejudice than perhaps any contem
pofary biography must contain. The princl
pai events connected with the reigns ar
plnely ana entertainingIy told. This bool
WIN oe found Of value to the general reader
VINO mas little time to read more length,
biographies, and who may know little abou
any but the most prominent of the European