Information design writer Edward Tufte refers to the book in his work on graphic design and McLean in his "Victorian book design" of 1963. Reproduction of the original edition, printed in full color.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations.

Consists of 19 "problems", each with a facing relief-printed color diagram, followed by a "demonstration" with the same diagram printed in black only.