The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-03
BUTTE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Some Works on Natural and
Applied Science.
FLASHLIGHTS ON NATURE
Delightful Book by Grant Alleu-WiId
Animals in Captivity-History of
the Water Supply of
the World.


1t is noticeable that the best reading
| IN pubic libraries is done by the
young men, say, between the ages of
15 and 30. By the best reading, we
mean that which is most directed by
thought and by desire for the acqui
| sition of useful knowledge Such read
ers indulge somewhat sparingly in fic-
tion but call for standard literature,
for history and particularly for works
| on science and the useful arts.
These remarks are specially true of
the young men in Butte, and for their
| benefit and for the benefit of Older per-
sons who are interested in htel ature
| that is suggested by our local indus
| tries, as well as by the tastes of all of
| a practical turn of mind, we will de-
vote our article this week to the con-
| sideration of such recent additions as
are of scientific or technical char
| acter
| Mr.. Grant Allen is a scholar who pos
| sesses brilliant literary style, which
style in the domain of fiction is too
| often devoted to subjects of more than
| questionable value, but when he APP
| plies his gifts Ito scientific literature, he
| lights on Nature" is a book of essays
| on botanical and geological subjects,
| calculated to interest and inspire the
| student of nature,
| A book that has appealed strongly to
| us is wild Animals in Captivity" by
| A. D. Bartlett. This volume describes
| the habits, food management and treat
ment of the different animals at the
| London Zoo" and is richly illustrated
| by pictures, anecdotes and personal
recollections. Like the epoch making
| book of Ernest Thompson, wild Ami
| mails l Have Known which we mem
| toned a few months ago it considers
| individual animals from sympathetic
standpoint, and thus possesses a charm
that the fact of confinement does not
destroy.
Thomas j. Bells History of the
Water Supply of the World" includes
as well a consideration of the ways that
have been adopted to utilize the stores
of water.
A very practical handbook is the
Care of the Sick at Home and in the
Hospital; for Families and Nurses by
TIL. Billroth.
volcanoes, Their Structure and Sig
nificance," by T. G. Bonney, is vol
ume of much scientific Importance,
written in a popular style by promi-
nent English scientist.
A book of miscellaneous, scientific and
I.
Book of Secrets"
A pleasing example of modern
methods of scientific study is the
LA boratory Manual of Astronomy
by Mary E. Byrd. 1t begins with
a description of astronomical in
struments, particularly such simple
ones as can be easily constructed or OBJ
tanned, and goes on to indicate how
very satisfactory results can be OBJ
tanned by the amateur by the use of
these instruments.
Professor Florian Cajori is giving us
some useful books in the literature of
science. His History of Mathematics"
issued some time ago, is now supple
mented by History of Physics in Its
Elementary Branches"
A readable book on zoology is Ami
mails of To-day; Their Life and CONVEX
sation,'' by c. J. Cornish. 1t consists
largely, but not entirely, of essays on
domestic animals, and its method Of
treatment is physiological.
A book that ought to be welcomed in
many a household is ''Bookbinding for
Amateurs; Descriptions of Various
Tools and Appliances, and Minute In
structions for Their Effective USE by
W. j. f. Crane.
One of the most inspiring characters
in the history of science was Michael
Faraday. The study of his career
gives one not only clear idea of the
early history of the development of
chemistry and electricity, but some ra-
tional conception of the ideals and
method of work that mark the true
scientist We are glad to welcome
michael Faraday; His Life and
Work" by Sylvanus P. Thompson as
the latest issue of the popular Century
science series.
THE FIarrier; or No Foot, No Horse
by A. T. Fisher, will appeal to many
of our equestrians.
Two monogra phs of the United States
geological survey are fine examples of
the thorough work that characterizes
the officers in charge of this depart
ment. These two monographs are The
Potomac, or Younger MesoZoic Flora
by William Morris Fontaine, and Lake
Bonneville" by George X. Gilbert. The
latter book comes the nearer to us in
local interest, inasmuch as the glacial
Lake Bonneville covered a large part
of what now comprises the state of
Utah.
A short essay of interest not only to
the scientist but to the student of lit
erature, is Types of Scenery and Their
Influence on LITERATURE by Sir Archi-
bald Geikie.
Many valuable papers are contained
in the six volumes of the Bulletin of
the Geological Society of America"
which have recently been received at
the library.
A scholarly and apparently complete
treatise on the natural history of the
human race is contained in the three
volume History of Mankind by
Friedrich RatZel.
Two practical books on carpentry are
from the pen of Fred T. Hodgson
These are THE Builders Guide and
Estimators Price Book" and Hhe car
penters Steel Square and Its Uses,
the latter book being in two volumes.
One of the most hopeful phases of
modern scientific investigation is the
attention that is now given to the rel
ative value of the various food ele-
ments. An important book on this
subject is Food and Its Functions:
text book for students of cookery" by
James Knight.
Another essential phase of domestic
economy is eXcellently treated in
American Sanitary Plumbing by
James J. Lawler.
William McMurtrie is the compiler Of
an extensive report upon an eXamina-