THE PANAMA CANAL; WHAT IT IS; WHAT IT MEANS

Director General of the Pan-American Union. 8 vo. pp. 120. 61 half-tone prints. 12 maps and diagrams Pan-American Union, Washington, D. C.

The author of this very attractive and interesting volume is a Dartmouth man of "1889," widely known, as an explorer, publicist, diplomat, and now the efficient and enthusiastic Director of the Union, which aims to bring all the nations of the Western Hemisphere into closer accord.

It will be difficult to find elsewhere between two book covers such a surprising amount of information, explanation, and pictorial demonstration, making everything plain to the delighted reader's understanding. It answers a hundred and one questions which are asked, not only by tourists and prospective tourists, but also by the stay-at-homes.

A year ago it was very serviceable to the reviewer in giving him the sense of being somewhat at home on first arrival, so that there was no need to ask questions at every turn.

The folding map at the end, clearly printed in colors, is accurate and very convenient for the constant use of a visitor; while it impresses any intelligent reader with a vivid idea of the topography and "lay-out" of the Canal Zone and Canal works.

And one who thus gains a correct understanding of this stupendous achievement will not be misled by the popular or newspaper statement that the Canal "unites the two oceans." It does nothing of the sort. The passage is barred by dams and locks at both ends. The locks, operated by fresh water from Gatun Lake (the immense storage reservoir of 164 square miles area) lift the vessels 85 feet above sea level. After a trip of 32 miles in fresh water, at this level, other locks gently drop them to ocean level again. This lake which serves both as a barrier and means of passage, was the only solution of the problem. It is now proved that a sea-level canal was impracticable.