Feb., x887. [ +'czc,lttjSc Notes and Co:nmcnts. I69 of rapidly coloring topographical sheets, with the object of bringing into relief the shape of the ground. Although this embellishment is not absolutely necessary to enable an engineer to locate a proposed work on a topographical map, yet it helps the operation more than is generally supposed in the profession. Plain contours do not speak clearly to the eye, however useful the.) may prove to the reasoning faculties ; but when they are tinted

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... proper degrees, the eye and mind work more in harmony. In most offices, the time and expense of finishing a map in style are items of some importance ; and seldom is any aesthetic inclination allowed headway. But the rapidity with which topographical maps may be tinted should produce change of opinion in regard to their embellist, ment. When the art of surveying shall be better practised among us, and railway and city plans become more accurate, a tendency to embellishment will naturally arise, in virtue of the artistic impulse of hulnanity to adorn that which is worthy of its respect. Moreover, a certain artistic treatment should always accompany a plan of whatever description. To illustrate: Suppose a map of this state were contemplated, of a scientific character equal to that of the great map of France, would it not be worthy of the most elegant finish ? Certainly! On the same principle a good map of alarge city, and of an important railway, deserves each its special treatment--not of as high quality, probably, as a state map, yet none the less of a pleasing nature. To the engineer who wishes to carry into effect these ideas, and to look into other interesting points bearing on topographical drawing, we can recommend, without reservation, Lieut. Reed's work. E. SCIENTIFIC NOTES AND COMMENTS. PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY. RECENT ADVANCES IN METEOROLOGY.--The United States Signal Service merits the thanks of the student of meteorology, by its publication of Recen! .4d~,ances iJi 5[eteora/aArv, by ~,Villiam Ferrel, M.A., Ph.D. The volume, 44o pp., is published under the general title, Mn~tua/ Re;bor/ of /he ('hief S-i~rna/ Officer of the Arn:y /o [/:e Secretary of ~r. 1885. Part I I. Appendix 71 . The ability with which Dr. Ferrel handles his subject, the clearness and terseness with which he treats it, and the cmnparatively extended bibliographic research upon which he bases it, will, we think, cause this publication to rank among the most valuable yet issued by the Signal Service. The volume, as its title indicates, treats of recent advances in meteorology, employing the word recent to embrace those of the last quarter of a century. These advances are presented in logical sequence, and justly entitle the work to he ranked, as its author claims for it in his preface, as "A text-book of the higher meteorology." Where necessary, for the fuller elaboration of some of the topics discussed, the author makes free and extended use of mathematical analysis. ,i 70 Scientific Notes and Comments.