BOOK NOTICES.

7. Elements of Chemical Physics; by JOSIAH P. COOKE, Jr., Erving Professor of Chemistry and Mineralogy in Harvard University. 8vo. pp. 739. Boston, Little, Brown and Company, 1860.-We cannot state the nature and scope of this important contribution to our scientific literature better than by quoting the following paragraphs from the Author's preface.

"The history of Chemistry as an exact science may be said to date from Lavoisier, who first used the balance in investigating chemical phenomena, and the progress of the science since his time has been owing, in a great measure, to the improvements which have been made in the processes of weighing and measuring small quantities of matter. These processes are now the chief instruments in the hands of the chemical investigator, and it is evidently essential that he should be familiar with the causes of error to which they are liable, and should be able to determine the degree of accuracy of which they are capable. All this, however, requires a theoretical knowledge of the principles which the processes involve, and a chemical investigator who, without it, relies on mere empirical rules, will be exposed to constant error. This volume is intended to furnish a full development of these principles, and it is hoped that it will serve to advance the study of chemistry in the colleges of this country. In order to adapt the work to the purposes of instruction, it has been prepared on a strictly inductive method throughout; and a student who has acquired an elementary knowledge of mathematics will be able to follow the course of reasoning without difficulty. So much of the subject-matter of mechanics has been given at the beginning of this volume as was necessary to secure this object; and for the same reason, each chapter is followed by a large number of problems, which are calculated, not only to test the knowledge of the student, but also to extend and apply the principles discussed in the work. Regarding a knowledge of methods and principles as the primary object in a course of scientific instruction, the author has developed several of the subjects to a greater extent than is usual in elementary works, solely for the purpose of illustrating the processes and the logic of physical research. Thus, the means of measuring temperature and the defects of the mercurial thermometer have been described at length, in order to show how rapidly the difficulties multiply when we attempt to push scientific observations beyond a limited degree of accuracy; so also the history of Mariotte's law has been given in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the nature of a physical law, and the limitations to which all laws are more or less liable; the condition of salts when in solution, and the nature of supersaturated solutions, have in like manner been fully discussed as examples of scientific theories; and, lastly, the method of representing physical phenomena by empirical formulas and curves, which are the preliminary substitutes for laws, has been illustrated in connection with Regnault's experiments on the tension of aqueous vapor."

After advising the student to study the details of science from original memoirs rather than from digests, and enumerating the chief sources from which he has drawn his facts and illustrations, the Author announces his design of following the present volume with two others.

"Although the present volume is a complete treatise in itself of the principles involved in the processes of weighing and measuring, it is also intended as the first volume of an extended work on the Philosophy of Chemistry. The arrangement of the chapters and sections has been adopted with this view, and the inductive method begun in this volume will be extended through the whole work. The second volume will treat of the theory of Light in its relation to Crystallography (including Mathematical Crystallography), and also of

Electricity in its relations to Chemistry. The third and last volume will be on Stoichiometry and the principles of Chemical Classification. This volume is now in preparation, and will be published next."

We have read, or studied, the larger portion of Prof. Cooke's present volume, with care, and, are happy to add, with much satisfaction. It is a more elaborate and thorough discussion of the subjects on which it treats than has before appeared in any text-book. All the important propositions are mathematically demonstrated in a simple but thorough manner. The volume demands and must receive exact and searching study, and any chemical teacher who intends to employ it as his class book will find it capable of the same treatment which he has been accustomed to regard as peculiar to mathematical text-books. The French units of weight and measure are employed exclusively, and a collection of tables (21 in number) is added for scientific reference and for the convenience of the student and teacher in solving the problems (420 in number) which are appended at the close of each principal subdivision of the subject. The whole subject matter of the volume is treated under five chapters, viz., I. Introduction, II. General Properties of Matter, III. The Three States of Matter, IV. Heat, and, V. Weighing and Measuring.

The mechanical execution of the work is beautiful, and the press seems to have been very carefully supervised.

One circumstance in connection with this work cannot fail to attract the attention of all teachers of Chemistry in American Colleges, namely, that a revision of our whole scientific curriculum is demanded in most of our higher Institutions in order to admit of the expansion demanded by the introduction of such a treatise as Cooke's Chemical Physics into the course of study. Such a change Prof. Cooke has been able to effect since his appointment at Cambridge, and now his chemical teachings fill a course of recitations and lectures commencing in the Sophomore year and covering two or three years. This is a great change in the policy of a college where this subject was formerly a by-word, and it offers every encouragement for efforts to secure a similar change in other leading colleges. For this reform, as for the high scientific character of his present work, Prof. Cooke will receive the hearty thanks and esteem of all teachers in this department of science.

8. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections.-Catalogue of the Publications of Societies and of the periodical works in the Library of the Sinithsonian Institution, July 1, 1858. Foreign works. Washington, 1859. pp. 259, 8vo, with a Supplement.-The arrangement of this catalogue is geographical, commencing with Scandinavia and ending in Europe with Great Britain. It is followed by an alphabetical Index to Learned Societies, and another of miscellaneous publications, chiefly Journals. The Smithsonian Library possesses, as appears from this list, the Transactions in full or in part of 501 Institutions and Learned Societies, and series, more or less complete, of 254 Scientific Journals exclusively foreign. The domestic publications form the subject of another catalogue. It is a most valuable aid to the student in ferreting out the often enigmatical references constantly found in books of science, and for determining the probability of being able to verify such references by a visit to Washington, or by correspondence. Only those who have undertaken researches can appreciate the value of such an aid,

9. The New American Cyclopædia. Vol. IX. New York, D. Appleton and Co., 1860.-This volume contains some fifty articles on zoological subjects. Some of them are of considerable length and show marks of much care and labor. The sections on Herpetology and Ichthyology are especially to be commended for the plan on which they are written. Instead of entering into trivial details the author has confined himself to giving the ways in which the best authors have arranged the divisions of Reptiles and of Fishes. The subject is thus properly kept within scientific limits. The more popular treatment is reserved for particular animals or for the minor zoological divisions. Thus, there is a very interesting and acceptable article on the Horse, and another on Insects. Some of the definitions are not quite precise, and terms are, in one or two instances, somewhat loosely applied: e. g., speaking of the nervous system of an insect as a "brain and spinal cord." But these are of little consequence compared with the general good judgment and accuracy displayed. Nor is it too much to say that these contributions are far better than those commonly met with in Cyclopædias. It is understood that the zoological articles are from the pen of Dr. Kneeland, Secretary of the Boston Society of Natural History.

Other articles on scientific topics in this volume worthy of particular mention are Iron and the Iron manufacture by Mr. Hodge, and that on Isomerism by Dr. F. H. Storer, who is also the author of an excellent article on Chemistry in a former volume.

Among the living scientists of whom biographies are given we notice Herschel, T. S. Hunt, and C. T. Jackson.

10. Cavendish Socy's. Ed. of Gmelin's Hand Book of Chemistry, vol. XIII. This is vol. VII of Organic Chemistry embracing organic compounds containing sixteen and eighteen atoms of carbon. The Cavendish Society announce that they will give only one volume for 1857, '58, and '59. This action of the Society is not well calculated to content their subscribers or to invite new recruits. But we can well imagine that the Council have found Gmelin a heavy load and that they are anxious to close it before undertaking any new publication; meanwhile let us hope that "Rose's Analytical Chemistry," long since undertaken, will not be unnecessarily delayed.

11. Lieber: Geology of South Carolina. Report IV. 1859. 8vo, pp. 194. Columbia, S. C. Apr. 2, 1859.-We have already announced (tis vol., p. 287) the unfortunate discontinuance of the South Carolina Survey from an unwise withholding of the requisite appropriation of money. Dr. Leiber in this Report sums up his results and presents some general discussions on Metamorphism, a subject certainly of much importance in both a scientific and economic view in South Carolina. The Geognostic maps of Anderson and Abbeville districts and the "Industrial map" of the State, are very neatly printed in colors by Colton of New York.

Some of the most important subjects of this Report have already been laid before our readers, e. g., the evidence of a change of level on the coast of South Carolina and the mineralogical details.

12. Fundamental Ideas of Mechanics and Experimental Data, by A. MORIN. Revised, translated and reduced to English Measure, by JOSEPH BENNETT, Civil Engineer. New York, Appleton and Co., 1860.-This

work is designed to illustrate the practical application of mechanics to the construction of machinery, draught vehicles, ship building, &c., and contains experimental data of great value in calculating the resistance to be overcome in the form of friction, vibration and wear and tear of machinery and other structures. The work is of great value to practical engineers and machinists and we rejoice to see it presented to the public in an English dress.

13. Gangstudien, oder Beiträge zur Kenntniss der Erzgänge, Dritter Band, drittes und viertes Heft.-The continuation of this valuable work, edited by Prof. Cotta and Herrmann Müller, contains a very important paper by Müller, on the relation between mineral springs and mineral veins in Northern Bohemia and Saxony; also, an extended article on itacolumite, its associates, and the metal bearing characters of the same, by OSCAR M. LEIBER, late State Geologist of South Carolina.

FERREL, WM., AM.: The motions of fluids aud solids relative to the Earth's surface; comprising applications to the winds and currents of the Ocean. From the Math. Monthly, Vols. I. and II. New York, Ivison and Phinney. 1860. pp. 72. [A very important discussion an abstract of which, prepared by the Author, we shall present at an early day].

WILKES, Capt. CHAS, U.S. N.: On the circulation of the Oceans, Phila., 1859. pp. 24, 8vo.

HENNESSY, HENRY, FRS., M.R.I.A.: A Discourse on the Study of Science and its relations to individuals and to society. 2d edition, Dublin, 1859. 8vo., pp. 54. KIRKBY, J. W.: On Permian Entomostraca from the shell limestone of Durham, with notes by T. R. JONES, F.G.S. XI plates. 8vo, pp. 17.

PARKER, W. K. and T. R. JONES: On the Nomenclature of the Foraminifera, (from Ann, and Mag. Nat. Hist., Nov., 1859). 8vo, pp. 17. BELLARDI LUIGI: Saggio di Ditterologia Messicana. Stamperia Reale. 1859. 4te, pp. 77.

Tav II.

Parte 14, Torino Della

LOGAN, THOS. M., M.D.: Report on the Medical Topography and Epidemics of California. Phila., 1860. pp. 58, with maps.

STEVENSON, D. and T.: Answer to Sir David Brewster's Reply to Messrs. Stevenson, on Sir D. B.'s memorial to the Treasury. Wm. Blackwood and Sons. 1859. 8vo, pp. 16.

FORGET, A.M., M.D., etc.: Dental Anomalies and their influence upon the production of diseases of the maxillary bones. (Prize essay), translated from the French. Jones and White. Philadelphia, 1860, pp. 34, with vi plates.

DURAND, ELIAS: Memoir of the late Thomas Nuttall, (from the proceedings of the Am. Phil. Soc.). 8vo, pp. 19. 1860, Phila.

ROYAL SOCIETY, LONDON, PROCEEDINGS, Nos. 35, 36 and 37, from May 26, 1859, to January 12, 1860. 8vo, pp. 1-234.

HALL, JAMES: Contributions to the Paleontology of New York, being some of the results of investigations made during the years 1855-1858, being part of the 12th Annual Report of the Regents of the University of the State of New York. March 15th, 1859. Albany, 8vo, pp. 110.

HARRIS, ELIJAH P.: The Chemical Constitution and Chronological Arrangement of Meteorites (an inaugural dissertation). Göttingen, University Press, 1859. pp. 131. ISAAC LEA: Observations on the genus Unio, &c., Vol. 7. Part II, with 25 plates, 4to, read before the Acad. Nat. Science. Philadelphia, 1859.

HAIDINGER (WM.): Ansprache gehalten am Schlusse des Ersten decenniums der K. K. Geolg. Reichanstalt in Wein, 22 Nov., 1859. 8vo, pp. 38. 3 plates. (The same). Die Rutilkrystalle von Graves Mount in Georgia. 5 January, 1860. J. B. SCHNEIDER und ERNST HARTIG: Untersuchungen über dir Heizkraft der Steinkohlen sachsens: Leipzig, W. Engelmann. 1860. 4to, pp. 509. Taf. IV. This is the third and concluding part of the great government research on the Coals of Saxony. Dr. Geinitz prepared the volume on their Geology and Prof. W. Stein

is the author of the Chemical volume. The three parts form by far the most complete research on this important subject hitherto published.

DR. J. LAMONT: Magnetische unterschungen in Nord-Deutschland, Belgien, Holland, Dänemark, München. 1859, 4to, pp. xLv, Tab. IX.

(The same.) Untersuchungen über die Richtung und Stärke des Erdmagnetismus, &c., München, 1858, 4to, pp. cxv.

LUDWIG SEIDEL: Die Theorie der Lichterscheisung des Saturn München, 1859, 4to, pp. 102, 1 chart.

VON MARTIUS (DR. CARL): Eine Rede zur feifer des Akademischen Saecularfestes am, 29 März, 1859. München. 4to. pp. 74.

FEISTMANTEL (CARL): Die Porphyre im Silurgebirge von Mittelböhmen, 4to, pp. 42. 2 Tafeln.

DAGUIN, P. A.: Traité de Physique, tome ш, 8vo, pp. 1007, avec Table alphabetique et analytique. Toulouse et Paris, 1860. This volume contains the close of Electricity, and Optics.

PROCEEDINGS BOSTON SOC. NAT. HIST., 1859. p. 135, On the recent eruption of Mauna Loa; H. M. Lyman.-p. 138, Descriptions of new shells brought home by the North Pacific Expedition; A. A. Gould-p. 142, List of Plants collected by E. Samuels in California; A. Gray.-p. 145, List of Plants collected by J. Xantus at Fort Tejon (5 new species); A. Gray.-p. 150, Natural History, etc., of Mohawk, Herkimer Co., N. Y.; Whittemore. p. 153, On vibrating dams; W. Edwards.-p. 155, Experiments with the Japan Wax-plant, Rhus succedaneur; E. S. Rand-p. 159, Habits of Esox fasciatus; G. Curtis.-p. 160, Green feldspar from Mt. Desert, Me.; C. T. Jackson.-p. 161, New shells of the North Pacific Expedition (of the genera Patella, Acmaa, Scutellina, Emarginula, Rimula, Chiton, and Dentalium); A. A. Gould-p. 166, On reversed bivalve shells; L. Agassiz.-p. 167, On Odontaspis griseus; D. H. Storer.-On the shedding of the antlers of the American red deer: J. Wyman.-p. 168, On the Carboniferous rocks of Nova Scotia and the United States; W. B. Rogers-p. 174, On larvæ vomited from the human stomach, and on a new Gordius, G. trifurcatus; White.-p. 175, On a great meteorite recently discovered in Oregon; Evans and Jackson.-p. 176, On the geology of the shores of the Bay of Fundy; W. B. Rogers.-p. 176, On the meteor of August 11th, 1859; D. A. Wells-p. 179. On the transformations of the Cecidomyia, a posthumous paper by the late Dr. T. W. Harris.—p. 184. On Diatomacem prepared by Mr. Samuels; Stodder-p. 185, On Cicindela Hentzii; Harris.—p. 189, Synonymy of three North American butterflies; Harris. p. 191, On the Arrangement of Zoological Museums; L. Agassiz.-p. 192, Experiments on frogs; B. J. Jeffries-p. 193, Descriptions of new Ophiuridae belonging to the Smithsonian Institution and to the Museum at Cambridge: T. Lyman.-1860. p. 208, On flattened pebbles found in the conglomerate of Vermont; E. Hitchcock, Jr.-p. 209, On a mineral substance found in the medullary cavity of trees at the Sandwich Islands by Dr. Winslow; A. A. Hayes-p. 211, On the Gorilla; J. Wynan.-p. 213, Chronological Index to the Entomological papers of T. W. Harris, M.D.-p. 222, On the lower jaw and a tooth of Physeter macrocephalus; J. C. White.

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PROCEEDINGS PHILADELPHIA ACAD. NAT. SCI., 1860.-p. 3, Number of species of American Unionidæ; I. Lea-Mosasaurus bones from New Jersey; J. H. Slack.— p. 4. Contributions to North American Lepidopterology, No. 3; B. Clemens-p. 15, Appendix to paper on new genera and species of North American Tipulida with short palpi, etc.; R. Osten Sacken.—p. 17, Catalogue of the Mollusks of Mohawk, N. Y.; J. Lewis-p. 19, Notes on the nomenclature of North American fishes; T. Gill. p. 22, Prodromus descriptionis animalium evertebratorum, etc. Pars VIII, Crustacea Macrura; W. Stimpson.-p. 47, Mexican Humming birds; R. M. de Oca. -p. 49, Geographical distribution of Coleoptera; J. L Leconte.-Geographical distribution of the Helices of North America; W. G. Binney.-p. 51, Reversed Unionida; I. Lea. p. 55, Illustrations of fossils; Conrad and Gabb.-p. 55, Descriptions of new species of American fluviatile gasteropods; J. G. Anthony.—p. 72, Supplement to Catalogue of Venomous Serpents; E. D. Cope.-p. 74, Catalogue of the Calamarina in the Museum of the Academy; E. D. Cope.-p. 80, Descriptions of new species of Cyrena and Corbicula; T. Prime.-Mexican Humming-birds; R. M. de Oca.

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