Forge Practice. John Lord Bacon. 257 pp. 7 1/4x

4 3/4 inches. 272 illustrations. Cloth, $1.50. John

Wiley & Sons, New York.

The increased attention now being given to this subject in manual training and technical schools, makes the publication of this book most opportune. It is the outgrowth of a series of notes given the students at Lewis Institute, Chicago, in connection with shop work of the character described.

It requires but a most casual examination to show that the author is well fitted for the task in hand and has presented the several parts of his subject in an exceptionally clear and attractive way. While intended as an elementary work, it is sufficiently complete so that anyone mastering the contents will be as well educated as the better run of forge hands. The amateur desirous of acquainting himself with the subject can find no better book for the purpose, as the exercises are of a most practical kind.

Machine Construction and Drawing. Frank Castle,

M. I. M. E. 275 pp. 9 1/2 x 7 inches. 266 illustrations.

Oblong flexible cloth, $1.25. The Macmillan Co.,

New York.

This is the most complete book upon this subject, and at low cost, which has been brought to our attention. To the student, working alone it is especially suitable, as it contains a large amount of supplementary information regarding the proportions of parts and the methods for obtaining them which would be very useful to the draftsman. An unusually large number and great variety of machine and engine details are illustrated, which though of English design, are of a general character making them suitable for teachers in need of studies for class work, or for advanced students doing special work. Every teacher of mechanical drawing will find it a most useful book, as will also anyone wishing to take up the study without a teacher.

Electric Wiring, Diagrams and Switchboards.

Newton Harrison, E. E. 272 pp., 7 1/2x5 inches. 105 illustrations. Cloth, $1.50. The N. W. Henley Pub.

Co., New York.

The intention of the author was to present this subject in language suited to the general reader, so far as a technical subject of this kind will allow of such treatment. Simple methods are given for working out wiring circuits; the principles of switchboard design are also suitably presented. The working lineman and the amateur who desires a working knowledge of these subjects will find the book of great assistance toward that end.

Electrician's Handy Book. T. O'Conor Sloane, A. M., E. M., Ph. D. 761pp. 6 1/4x4 1/4. 556 illustrations. Flexible leather. $3.50. The N. W. Henley Pub-Co., New York.

The immense field now embraced by the term " Electrical Engineering" makes it necessary that the working electrician have at hand every facility in the way of reference book which it is possible to obtain. This is also true of the teacher, and of the student whose means will permit of the purchase of books of this kind. The mention of the number of pages and illustrations contained in this book indicates its comprehensive character, and as the price is most moderate it will undoubtedly meet with the cordial reception which its merit deserves.

For making fire in the Philippine Islands, there is a curious contrivance used by some few of the natives of Northern Luzon. It consists of a hardwood tube of about 1 centimeter bore and 6 centimeters in length, and a piston of slightly less diameter and length. The tube is closed at one end by an air-tight plug or, instead, the wood forming the tube is not bored through its entire length. The inside of the tube is smooth and highly polished. The piston has a handle, and resembles the piston of a boy's popgun. The end on the piston is made to fit the tube airtight by a wrapping of waxed thread, and directly in the end of it a shallow cavity is cut. Lint scraped from weather-beaten timber and well dried is user for tinder. A small bit of this lint is placed in the ciity at the end of the piston, the latter is inserted in the open end of the tube, and then driven quickly home with a smart stroke of the palm. Upon with lrawing the piston the lint is found ignited, the sudeen compression of air generating the necessary heat.