[I] Mr. Bayma’s work, entitled “The Elements of Molecular Mechanics,” was published in 1866, and has received less attention than it deserves. It is characterised by great lucidity, by logical arrangement, and by comparatively simple geometrical and algebraical demonstrations, so that it may be understood and appreciated with a very moderate knowledge of mathematics. It consists of a series of Propositions, deduced from the known properties of matter; from these are derived a number of Theorems, by whose help the more complicated Problems are solved. Nothing is taken for granted throughout the work, and the only valid mode of escaping from its conclusions is, by either disproving the fundamental Propositions, or by detecting fallacies in the subsequent reasoning.
Transcriber's Notes & Errata
The following entries were added to the Table of Contents.
- In Chapter IV.--The Malayan Papilionidæ, or Swallow-tailed Butterflies, as
illustrative of the Theory of Natural Selection.:
- Arrangement and Geographical Distribution of the Malayan Papilionidæ
- Range of the Groups of Malayan Papilionidæ
- In Chapter VI.--The Philosophy of Birds' Nests.:
- How young Birds may learn to build Nests.
Missing page number 94 supplied for the entry "Phacellocera batesii, mimics one of the Anthribidæ," in the index.
The following words were found in both hyphenated and unhyphenated forms (incidence in parentheses).
| Co-existing (2) | Coexisting (1) |
| Fly-catcher (1) | Flycatcher (2) |
| sea-weed (2) | seaweed (1) |
| bull-dog (1) | bulldog (1) |
The following typographical errors have been corrected:
| Page | Error | Correction |
| 32 | sparrrow | sparrow |
| 40 | unwieldly | unwieldy |
| 42 | it | its |
| 47 | Perphaps | Perhaps |
| 116 | confimation | confirmation |
| 212 | Pharoahs | Pharaohs |
| 217 | receptable | receptacle |
| 219 | occured | occurred |
| 268 | that that | than that |