19 JANUARY 1884, Page 21

Solar Physics ; an Almanac of the Christian Era. By

G. H. Swinton. (Allen and Co.) —Mr. Swinton's contention, as we under- stand it, is that sun-spots have a great deal to do with the seasons and with earthquakes, a probable, and not a novel hypothesis, which Mr. Swinton has done well to formulate into the regularly tabulated form which he gives us here. Only we could wish that his explana- tions had been made a little more plain. Now and then, ho orna- ments his language in a way which scarcely increases its clearness. Still, he deserves our thanks for .collecting with much industry and care a multitude of facts.