Chapter XII: Part 12

have been sold. The volumes to be comprised in the series are all written in a popular style, and, where scientific subjects are treated of, with careful accuracy, and with the purpose of embodying the latest discoveries and inventions, and the results of the most recent developments in every department of investigation. Familiar explanations are given of the most striking phenomena in nature, and of the various operations and processes in science and the arts. Occasionally notable passages in history and remarkable adventures are described. The different volumes are profusely illustrated with engravings, designed by the most skilful artists, and executed in the most careful manner, and every possible care will be taken to render them complete and reliable expositions of the subjects upon which they respectively treat. For THE FAMILY LIBRARY, for use as PRIZES in SCHOOLS, as an inexhaustible fund of ANECDOTE and ILLUSTRATION for TEACHERS, and as works of instruction and amusement for readers of all ages, the volumes comprising THE ILLUSTRATED LIBRARY OF WONDERS will be found unexcelled.

The following volumes of the series have been published:--

Optical Wonders.

THE WONDERS OF OPTICS.--By F. MARION. Illustrated with over seventy engravings on wood, many of them full-page, and a colored frontispiece. One volume, 12mo. Price

$1 50

_For specimen illustration see page 13._

In the _Wonders of Optics_, the phenomena of Vision, including the
structure of the eye, optical illusions, the illusions caused by
light itself, and the influence of the imagination, are explained.
These explanations are not at all abstract or scientific. Numerous
striking facts and events, many of which were once attributed to
supernatural causes, are narrated, and from them the laws in
accordance with which they were developed are derived. The closing
section of the book is devoted to Natural Magic, and the properties
of Mirrors, the Stereoscope, the Spectroscope, &c., &c., are fully
described, together with the methods by which “Chinese Shadows,”
Spectres, and numerous other illusions are produced. The book is
one which furnishes an almost illimitable fund of amusement and
instruction, and it is illustrated with no less than 73 finely
executed engravings, many of them full-page.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“The work has the merit of conveying much useful scientific
information in a popular manner."--_Phila. North American._

“Thoroughly admirable, and as an introduction to this science for
the general reader, leaves hardly anything to be desired."--_N. Y.
Evening Post._

“Treats in a charming, but scientific and exhaustive manner, the
wonderful subject of optics."--_Cleveland Leader._

“All the marvels of light and of optical illusions are made
clear."--_N. Y. Observer._

Thunder and Lightning.

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. By W. DE FONVIELLE. Illustrated with 39 Engravings on wood, nearly all full-page. One volume. 12mo

$1 50

_For specimen illustrations see page 14._

_Thunder and Lightning_, as its title indicates, deals with the
most startling phenomena of nature. The writings of the author, M.
De Fonvielle, have attracted very general attention in France, as
well on account of the happy manner in which he calls his readers’
attention to certain facts heretofore treated in scientific works
only, as because of the statement of others often observed and
spoken of, over which he appears to throw quite a new light. The
different kinds of lightning--forked, globular, and sheet
lightning--are described; numerous instances of the effects
produced by this wonderful agency are very graphically narrated;
and thirty-nine engravings, nearly all full-page, illustrate the
text most effectively. The volume is certain to excite popular
interest, and to call the attention of persons unaccustomed to
observe to some of the wonderful phenomena which surround us in
this world.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“In the book before us the dryness of detail is avoided. The author
has given us all the scientific information necessary, and yet so
happily united interest with instruction that no person who has the
smallest particle of curiosity to investigate the subject treated
of can fail to be interested in it."--_N. Y. Herald._

“Any boy or girl who wants to read strange stories and see curious
pictures of the doings of electricity, had better get these
books."--_Our Young Folks._

“A volume which cannot fail to attract attention and awaken
interest in persons who have not been accustomed to give the
subject any thought."--_Daily Register (New Haven)._

HEAT.

THE WONDERS OF HEAT. By ACHILLE CAZIN. With 90 illustrations, many of them full-page, and a colored frontispiece. One volume, 12mo $1 50

_For specimen illustration see page 15._

In the _Wonders of Heat_ the principal phenomena are presented as viewed from the standpoint afforded by recent discoveries. Burning-glasses, and the remarkable effects produced by them, are described; the relations between heat and electricity, between heat and cold, and the comparative effects of each, are discussed; and incidentally, interesting accounts are given of the mode of formation of glaciers, of Montgolfier’s balloon, of Davy’s safety-lamp, of the methods of glass-blowing, and of numerous other fact[]s in nature and processes in art dependent upon the influence of heat. Like the other volumes of the Library of Wonders, this is illustrated wherever the text gives an opportunity for explanation by this method.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“From the first to the very last page the interest is
all-absorbing."--_Albany Evening Times._

“The book deserves, as it will doubtless attain, a wide
circulation."--_Pittsburg Chronicle._

“This book is instructive and clear."--_Independent._

“It describes and explains the wonders of heat in a manner to be
clearly understood by non-scientific readers."--_Phila. Inquirer._

Animal Intelligence.

THE INTELLIGENCE OF ANIMALS, WITH ILLUSTRATIVE ANECDOTES.--From the French of ERNEST MENAULT. With 54 illustrations. One volume, 12mo. $1 50

_For specimen illustration see page 16._

In this very interesting volume there are grouped together a great number of facts and anecdotes collected from original sources, and from the writings of the most eminent naturalists of all countries, designed to illustrate the manifestations of intelligence in the animal creation. Very many novel and curious facts regarding the habits of Reptiles, Birds, and Beasts are narrated in the most charming style, and in a way which is sure to excite the desire of every reader for wider knowledge of one of the most fascinating subjects in the whole range of natural history. The grace and skill displayed in the illustrations, which are very numerous, make the volume singularly attractive.

CRITICAL NOTICES.

“May be recommended as very entertaining."--_London Athenæum._

“The stories are of real value to those who take any interest in
the curious habits of animals."--_Rochester Democrat._

EGYPT.

EGYPT 3,300 YEARS AGO; OR, RAMESES THE GREAT. By F. DE LANOYE. With 40 illustrations. One volume, 12mo. $1 50

_For specimen illustration see Page 17._

This volume is devoted to the wonders of Ancient Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs and under Sesostris, the period of its greatest splendor and magnificence. Her monuments, her palaces, her pyramids, and her works of art are not only accurately described in the text, but reproduced in a series of very attractive illustrations as they have been restored by French explorers, aided by students of Egyptology. While the volume has the attraction of being devoted to a subject which possesses all the charms of novelty to the great number of readers, it has the substantial merit of discussing, with intelligence and careful accuracy, one of the greatest epochs in the world’s history.

FOOTNOTES:

[A] Charles mistook the name, which was Whitgreave. He was thinking of the field called Pitchcroft, near Worcester, where his army was encamped the night before the memorable battle.--ED.

[B] The floor of the lowest storey of the palace is only about 6 metres (19½ feet) below the top of the roof.

[C] The word cubit here evidently corresponds with the cordwainer’s cubit. And if so the ladder measured 247 yards. But there never was a ladder of this length. The longest are not more than 130, and the strongest man cannot manœuvre such a one, nor even carry it. Supposing the cubit here to mean the same as the Italian _braccio_, the ladder would even then be 91 yards long, and it would have been difficult for Cassanova to move such a ladder, as he relates. We must set it down to exaggeration, and let him go on with his story.

[D] Latude found all these things again on the 15th July, 1789--the day after the capture of the Bastille. They were in the Archives with a _procès-verbal_, dated the 27th February, 1756, and signed by the major of the Bastille and the Commissary Rochebrune.

Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:

Duguay Tronin=> Duguay Trouin {pg iii}

to Magdebourg to a hold a review=> to Magdebourg to hold a review {pg 146}

but to out the whole door=> but to cut the whole door {pg 152}

dressed, everything is well=> dressed, everthing is well {pg 256}

wai-patiently=> wait patiently {pg 261}

This man had suceeded=> This man had succeeded {pg 269}

fastened by a handkerhief=> fastened by a handkerchief {pg 273}

been making repretentations=> been making representations {pg 290}

selling them that=> telling them that {pg 293}