PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2105, 28 June 1894, Page 21

PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED.

The marvellous development of cheap literature within the last decade has not entirely done away with the more expensive magazines, though it has had the effect of almost entirely confioiDg them to special or claes interests. Among the half-crown magazines the last to make its appearance is "Science Progress," which made its debut in March last. The May number contains some half dozen thoughtful articles, comprising agricultural, mineralogJcal, medical, physiological, and natural history subjects. Tho contributors include many of the most rotab'e writers on the scientific questions of the day, and no doubt the new aspirant for public support will find a place among ihose whose inclinations lead them in pursuit of scientific knowledge.

"Knowledge" is a much more popular monthly devoted to science, a copy of which has been sent us by Messrs George Robertson and Co , of Melbourne. Not only is the price fixed at .the low rate of 63, but the articles, though on scientific subjects, are written in a popular strain, and a considerable number of wellexecuted illus l rations impart an additional attraction to the magazine. The chief feature of the May number is a most interesting article on hippopotami, by R. Lydekker, B A., giviDg ssveral full-page illustrations of animals of the species born and reared in the different zoological gardens in England and the Continent. Another interesting and instructive and illustrated article is that of A. C. Ranyard on 1 ' What is a Comet's Tail ? " while a number of other subjects are popularly dealt with "Chums " and ' • Cassell's Magazine " for May ara sent us by Messrs Prictor and Crawford, of Stafford street, who have added Caesell's publications to the list of English papers aud magazines sold by them at published prices. ' • Cassell's.Magazine " is one of the most pleasing of the old-established English magaziues, and ib has certainly not failed to keep pace with its newer contemporaries. The fact of its being obtainable in Dunedin at the publishing price of 7d should ensure for ib an extensive circulation throughout the colony. The enterprise of Mr Prictor in introducing the sale at published prices" of so many of the better clasi of English magazines and journals is certainly worthy of reward. The only feature in the new departure to be regretted is that by limiting the demand it places a bar to the progress of local illustration and colonial illustrated papeis, but as local illustrations are as a rule so comparatively indifferent when compared with the imported article perhaps this is no great loss. " Chums," for bojs, and indeed for young people of both s"xt s, is one of the healthiest and mosb entartainiDg publications imaginable.