530 Notices of Books. (October, 
platinum. The details of the metallurgical operations are 
described with great clearness, and the author’s practical expe- 
rience is sufficient guarantee that space is not wasted by the 
description of processes which are either obsolete or im- 
practicable. It should be remarked that the illustrations are in 
most cases drawn to scale, and are consequently of great value 
to those practically engaged in metallurgy. 
In the Preface to this work Mr. Phillips tells us that his object 
has been to supply such practical information on general prin- 
ciples and typical processes as may not only afford a compre- 
hensive view of the science and art of Metallurgy, but will also 
enable the reader to study with advantage more elaborate 
treatises and original memoirs on special departments of the 
subject. This being the end which Mr. Phillips has set before 
him, he deserves to be heartily congratulated on its successful 
realisation. 
¢ 
Le Monde Microscopique des Eaux. Par JuLEs Girarp. Paris: 
J. Rothschild. 
A poputar treatise on the marvels, animal and vegetal, of pond- 
life, as revealed by the microscope. The remarks on the con- 
struction and use of this instrument err, if at all, on the side of 
brevity. The work is furnished with a great number of illustra- 
tions, some of which, however, are deficient in that precision 
and accuracy of detail which can alone give any real value, 
whilst others—i.e., a general view of the vegetation on the 
margin of a ditch—are rather ornamental than useful. 
