534 Notices of Books. [October, 
of the geologist, the mineralogist, and the chemist. We find 
next a condensed account of chemical composition, of the 
elements, of acids, bases, and salts, and of isomorphism. The 
second chapter teaches—as far as it can be attempted in a 
compass so brief—the use of the blowpipe. The physical pro- 
perties of minerals form the subject of the next two chapters. 
To this succeeds an account of crystallography, followed by a 
systematic description of mineral species, forming the main 
portion of the work. The sources and occurrence of the various 
minerals are, for the most part, carefully given, though such 
localities as ‘‘ Siberia,’ ‘‘ Australia,’ and ‘‘ United States,” must 
be considered rather vague. Precision in this matter is of great 
importance in every department of Natural History. Even in 
case of widely distributed forms it is safest to state the exact 
spot where they have been met with. In speaking of gold, the 
author gives Tasmania and Van Dieman’s Land as two distinct 
regions. English and American localities are generally placed 
as far as possible apart from each other, to prevent the confusion 
which the similarity of names is apt to occasion. The per- 
centage amount of sulphur in iron pyrites is given as 63,— 
probably a typographical error. 
Principles of Mechanics. By T. M. Goopeve, M.A., Barrister- 
at-Law, Lecturer on Applied Mechanics at the Royal School 
of Mines. London: Longmans, Green, and Co. 1874. 
As Prof. Goodeve’s ‘‘ Elements of Mechanism” has so long been 
established as a standard text-book, we were prepared to receive 
favourably another work by the same author on a kindred subject. 
Nor are we disappointed. A glance at the present volume, 
which forms one of the series of Text-Books now being issued 
by Messrs. Longmans, is sufficient to show that it will help to 
sustain the high character which the mechanical and physical 
part of this series has already acquired. 
As Lecturer at the Royal School of Mines, Prof. Goodeve 
knows well how to treat his subject. The student is made, at 
the outset, to realise the idea of Force, and to understand the 
modes by which it may be measured. At an early stage he is 
brought to grapple with some of the modern views which have 
been introduced into mechanics, such as the mechanical relations 
of the theory of heat. The laws of motion and the general 
principles of dynamical and statical science are clearly enunci- 
ated and copiously illustrated. Indeed, the characteristic feature 
of the present work is the constant reference which is made 
from the principles of the science to its practice. No sooner has 
the author laid down a principle than he proceeds to apply it by 
describing some useful examples, which exhibit its practical 
application. Hence we find in this work notices of many 
