1899] MODERN CHEMISTRY 365 



done in the present work and his other publications. New light is thrown by 

 these views upon the operations of analytical, of organic, of technical, and in 

 fact of all branches of chemistry ; but the physicist and the physiologist will 

 also find many obscure places rendered clearer when they become familiar with 

 chemistry in its more recent physical development. 



While the Gmndriss is not a beginner's book, it is, relatively speaking, an 

 elementary work, and it will serve to prepare the reader for the study of the 

 same author's Lehrbuck, in which the subject is much more fully elaborated. 

 In the present edition the book has been virtually re-written and is in many 

 respects improved. Its appearance will be warmly welcomed by all who desire 

 to see, and to assist in, the spread of the new chemical theories ; and we are 

 glad to think that the number of these persons is now rapidly increasing. 



L. D. 



GRADUS AD SCIENTIAM. 



Progressive Lessons in Science. By A. Abbott, M.A., and Arthur Key, 

 M.A. Pp. xi. + 320, with figures. London : Blackie and Son, Limited, 

 1899. Price 3s. 6d. 



The first part of this book is an easy guide to a knowledge of the chemistry 

 of air and water, and of such other portions of elementary chemistry as are 

 considered requisite for an intelligent study of the second part. It is illustrated 

 by means of simple experiments which, while not presenting any specially novel 

 features, are, on the whole, well chosen ; although they do not, in all cases, carry 

 conviction regarding the conclusions intended to be drawn from them. The 

 chapter on acids, bases, and salts can scarcely be regarded as satisfactory. The 

 second part deals with the recognition, by chemical means, of the elements 

 concerned in the building up of animal and plant tissues and with tracing these 

 elements, generally, from the animal to the plant and from the plant to the soil. 

 It may well be doubted whether this part does not demand too special a know- 

 ledge of certain very limited facts and methods of analytical chemistry to be of 

 great use to pupils from a broad educational standpoint. The get-up of the 

 book is good, and very few misprints have been met with. L. I). 



VEGETARIANISM. 



The Logic of Vegetarianism : Essays and Dialogues. By Henry S. Salt. 

 8vo, pp. 119. London: The Ideal Publishing Union, Limited, 1899. 

 Price Is. 



In justification of the form of these essays, the reader has to bear steadily 

 in mind that they were in the first instance published in The Vegetarian, and 

 thus addressed to those already in sympathy with the writer's convictions. It 

 would otherwise have been a serious tactical error to have personified his 

 dialectic opponents under the titles he has selected. " Verbalist " and " Superior 

 Person " may describe accurately enough one's idea of the mental condition of 

 his adversaries, but they are not initiatory compliments such as smooth the 

 course of an argument, and even " Patriot," when spoken with particular 

 emphasis, may convey an irritating insult and cause much unhallowed rancour. 

 What is perhaps more unfortunate from the critic's standpoint is that the mere 

 use of these terms is in itself an argument which embodies a material fallacy 

 described in text-books of logic under the heading of petitio prirwipii. If, 

 however, we pass these matters with a smile, much of the author's argument, 

 especially on the ethical importance of food reform, will be found worthy of 

 more than a passing thought. The weakness of the logical position of 

 vegetarianism is, as Mr. Salt is fully aware, that its argument has to convince 

 not reason but habit. B. 



