A History of the Daubeny Laboratory, Magdalen College, Oxford. By
R. T. Giinther, M.A. (Henry Frowde. 5s. net.)—Some of our readers will remember Dr. Daubeny, sometime Professor of Chemistry, Botany, and Rural Economy. His subject or subjects were not taken very seriously in the pre-scientific days, nor was he a man of such commanding genius as to vindicate a place for them against overpowering influences. Yet he was an earnest worker, did good service in his time, and made some preparation for better things in the future. We are glad to see this interesting tribute from one who is, in a way, his successor. Mr. Gunther gives in this volume a narrative of what was done by Professor Daubeny, of his benefactions, and of the work of those who followed. The present "Daubeny Laboratory" is the developed result of various improvements and additions. The first stone of it was laid about two years ago. Appendices containing meteorological observations, &c., are added. It is noticeable that in the memorable year of drought, 1893, only 16-51 of rain were registered, with a mean air temperature of 512; in 1903, 35.14 and 50.1. Appendix B gives a list of researches conducted in the Daubeny Laboratory. But the most interesting list in one way is that of the names of persons who have attended the lectures. Among them we see the names of Whately, R. H. Froude, Baden-Powell, Sir Edmund Head, T. T. Carter, Mark Pattison, and A. C. Tait, not to go beyond 1835.
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