Boys' Second Book of Inventions. By Ray Stannard Baker. (Harper
and Brothers. 6s.)—There is not a chapter in this book which is not deeply interesting ; but some will probably strike the reader with a greater sense of the unexpected than others. We know something about radium, and flying machines, and the seismograph. But how many people could say offhand at what temperature lime becomes liquid ? The figure works out at about twenty-five times the heat of boiling water. This way—i.e., the production of enormous temperature—lies the making of diamonds. Double this, and we reach the heat of the sun—at home. This Machinery for producing heat is at work at Niagara. Another wonder is "harnessing the sun." At Los Angeles the sun is set to work pumping water ; but California is better adapted for the process than London. Of course, it cannot go on in cloudy weather. Then there is a contribution to the food problem. Sir William Crookes, after giving a somewhat gloomy forecast as to the future of the world in respect of food, suggested that the soil might be fertilised by precipitating the nitrogen in the air (" The Wheat Problem," reviewed in the Spectator of January 27th, 1900). That is being done. Then we have an account of the Marconi telegraphy, and some new devices in the building of lighthouses, and, finally, an account of Mr. Peter Cooper Hewitt's inventions in electricity. The bare enumeration of these marvels is striking, but the reader should go to Mr. Baker's volume and see them described in detail.
ENGLISH MARTYRS BEATIFIED BY POPE LEO xrn.
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