The War Department at the Centennial Exposition, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1888.
This is a complete catalogue of the War Department exhibits, arranged by Capt. A. H. Russell, U. S. A. The exhibits are so arranged as to present a historical series, outlining the development of firearms from the earliest period. Besides ordnance stores, there were articles from Quartermaster and Signal Departments. The clear and concise description of each article adds greatly to the value of the catalogue.
The Development of Great Circle Sailing. By G. W. Littlehales, U. S. Hydrographic Office.
The preface to this work, signed by the Hydrographer, shows its value “This publication has for its object -the furtherance of the effort of the Bureau of Navigation of the Navy Department to keep pace with the progress of the nautical sciences. It consists of an exposition of graphical and analytical methods embodying cardinal principles relating to the great circle, as applied to navigation, and gives publicity for the first time to several of the most convenient and useful methods yet devised.
“The actual state of the science of great circle sailing is here presented so as to give a clear conception of each method, and to furnish references where more extended information can be found.
“(Signed) George L. Dyer.”
Catalogue of Stars Observed at the United States Naval Observatory, 1845-77. By Prof. M. Yarnall, U. S. N. Third edition revised by Professor Edgar Frisby, U. S. N.
The corrected edition of the Star Catalogue will be of value and interest to such naval officers as are acquainted with the use of the zenith telescope, as it is a useful addition to the B. A. Catalogue. The original edition was mainly composed of stars used in the army surveys for observations for latitude with the zenith telescope. R. W.