Notes on Certain Maya and Mexican Manuscripts. By Cyrus Thomas. Washington: Government Printing-Office. Pp. 64, with Plates.
The manuscripts examined are the "Tableau des Bacab," a plate of the "Borgian Codex," and a plate of the "Fejervary Codex," all of which are supposed to be calendars. The symbols of the cardinal points are then considered in detail. The object of the study is to deduce some clew as to the connection of the Mayas with the other peoples of their region. On this point the author concludes: "That all the Central American nations had calendars the same in principle as the Mexican, is well known. This of itself would indicate a common origin not so very remote; but when we see two contiguous or neighboring peoples making use of the same conventional signs of a complicated nature down even to the most minute details, and that of a character not comprehensible by the commonalty, we have proof at least of a very intimate relation."
Railroad Terminal Facilities for Handling Freights at the Port of New York. By Gratz Mordecai. New York: "Railroad Gazette." Pp. 68, with Maps.
Mr. Mordecai presents a detailed study of the present terminal facilities of all the railroads centering in New York, with descriptions and maps, for the purpose of preparing a way for the consideration of how they may be improved; or how consolidated into a well-regulated and progressive combination; and he adds suggestions of some particular points in which improvement is desirable and feasible.
The Requisite and Qualifying Conditions of Artesian Wells. By Thomas C. Chamberlin. Washington: Government Printing-Office. Pp. 48, with Plate.
This is one of the papers of the United States Geological Survey. While the basal principles of artesian wells—by which are meant only those that flow at the surface—are simple, the real problems they present are complex. Success or failure is determined by a combination of various conditions rather than by the application of simple principles. It is the purpose of the paper; to-elucidate those conditions.
Report of the Commissioner of Education for 1883–'84. Washington: Government Printing-Office. Pp. 1214.
The present report contains the usual fullness of special information concerning educational affairs in the United States, and general reports of those of other countries, down to June 30, 1884. The Commissioner remarks upon the improved character of the information brought to his office, and the growth of closer sympathy between the office and those actively engaged in educational work. It is observed that there has been no considerable improvement in methods or progress of education in any quarter of the country during the year to which the aid of the office has not been invoked. Clearer views and more intelligent counsels are also observable with respect to the most critical problems that have been under consideration. The total enrollment of pupils in the public schools of the States and Territories is 10,738,192, and in the private schools, 606,517; in secondary and preparatory schools, 271,215; in 236 women's schools, 30,587; in 370 universities and colleges (collegiate pupils), 32,767; in 255 normal schools, 60,063; in 221 business colleges, 44,074; in 354 Kindergartens, 17,002; in 92 schools of science, 14,769; in 146 theological schools, 5,290; in 47 law schools, 2,686; in 145 schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy, 15,300; in 31 training-schools for nurses, 579; in 59 schools for the deaf and dumb, 22,515; in 31 schools for the blind, 2,319.
A Manual of Mechanics. By T. M. Goodeve. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Pp. 228. Price, $1.
This manual is designed to be an elementary text-book for students of applied mathematics. It consists of clear, condensed statements of the principles and problems of mechanical science. Elementary principles and definitions are given in an introductory chapter. The chapters that follow treat of "The Parallelogram of Forces"; "The Lever, Parallel Forces, and Couples"; "The Center of Gravity"; "The Conversion of Motion"; "The Principle of Work—Friction"; "Simple Machines"; "The Laws of Falling Bodies—Energy, Motion in a Circle, the Pendulum"; "Ele-
