Abstract
THIS forms the concluding part of Dr. Reis's useful handbook of Physics. The subject of physiological optics is continued, followed by a description of optical instruments and the laws of the interference and polarisation of light. Heat is treated in the next part, but hardly so fully nor so well as light; radiant heat, for example, occupying less prominence than it deserves. Considerable space is devoted to the explanation of machines for the conversion of heat into motive power: thus we have some of the various forms of steam-engine described, together with a full account of Ericson's heat-engine and Lenoir's gas-engine. Magnetism follows heat, and then we come to static and dynamic electricity and the practical application of electricity. The book closes with a few chapters devoted to the physics of the heavens, or in other words a briefsketch of popular astronomy and meteorology. The principal defect of this handbook is the want of sufficient woodcuts to illustrate the apparatus referred to. The whole work exhibits the characteristic solidity and thoroughness of the German race, and is a marked contrast to some of the recent French popular text-books on Science, the profuse and beautiful illustrations in which almost supplant the letterpress. Let us flatter ourselves that in our nation these complementary races intermingle.
Lehrbuch der Physik
von Dr. Paul Reis (Dritte Lieferung). Leipzig: 1873.
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Lehrbuch der Physik . Nature 8, 381 (1873). https://doi.org/10.1038/008381a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/008381a0