Analysis of Scientific Books, 407 



efficacious remedy in whooping cough ; and that it is of singular 

 service in allaying the symptoms which usually attend the early 

 stage of pulmonary consumption. If Dr. Granville substantiates 

 his opinion, respecting its usefulness in the latter disorder, we 

 shall consider him as having conferred a greater obligation upon 

 the human species than even Jenner himself, and we trust that 

 he will reap a proportionate reward. O. 



Ill, Recherches experimentaleSf surles Chaux de Construction^ les 

 Batons t et les Mor tiers ordinaires. Par L. J. Vicat, Ancien 

 Eleve de VEcole Pohjtcchjiiguey &c. 



This work, containing many important facts relating to cal- 

 careous Cements, and Hydraulic and Common Mortars, is the 

 fruit of an immense number of experiments, the results of 

 which are arranged in 25 tables. These are preceded by a 

 series of remarks and details in which the general laws and 

 effects are deduced and stated, but which lose the greater 

 part of their value if separated from the tabular results. The 

 following selection contains some of the results obtained by 

 M. Vicat, and will give an idea of the importance of his work. 

 It is only, however, by referring to the work itself that a true 

 estimate of its value can be obtained. 



" Trial of Limestones. — It is of the utmost consequence, espe- 

 cially in public works, to ascertain the quality of the lime to 

 be employed, and yet chemical analysis requires practice 

 and knowledge which every architect does not possess. It is 

 always more easy and certain to submit a fragment of the stone 

 which is to be tried to common calcination in a 1 ime-kiln, or as 

 we frequently do, with charcoal in a forge, (for coal forms 

 clusters with the stone,) to slake it in the common way, aad 

 make a paste of it, which is to be placed at the bottom of a 

 vessel filled with pure water. If, at the end of 8 or 10 days, 

 this paste has become hard, and resists the finger, it is a proof 

 that the stone tried will furnish hydraulic lime ; if, on the 

 contrary, it remains soft, it is the character of common lime.** — 

 p. 5. 



