1875.] Notices of Books. 103 
it is true, other mineral acids, such as the nitric and hydro- 
fluoric ; but before we can obtain these in a separate state we 
must first have sulphuric acid, which, as the great master-key 
to Nature’s treasure-houses, sets them free from inert combi- 
nations. If we wish to obtain alum, which has many honest uses 
besides the questionable part it is made to play in the hands of 
the baker, we have again recourse to sulphuric acid. The very 
vegetable acids, such as the oxalic, generally require its aid 
before they can appear in a state of purity. In refining fats and 
oils it plays a prominent part. If we turn to the tin¢torial arts, 
we find the dyer using this same acid at almost every stage. 
In short, we may say that, from the vastest operations of the 
manufacturer to the most delicate and minute procedures of the 
analyst, sulphur, directly or indirectly, is everywhere present. 
The supply of sulphur becomes, in consequence, a question of 
national importance. Hitherto we have obtained it from Sicily, 
from Spain, and even from Mexico. The Mexican deposits 
labour, naturally, under the drawback of inconvenient distance. 
The sources in the Mediterranean countries, if not actually ap- 
proaching exhaustion, have been very largely drawn upon, and 
the prices are hence high, with the probability of an increase. 
Thus, according to authentic information, Sicilian sulphur costs 
on the spot, £3 16s. 10d. per ton, and by the time it reaches 
England, its price has risen to £5 17s. 4d. At the same time 
there exist few richer deposits of sulphur capable of being 
worked at a less cost and much nearer to our own coasts. 
Iceland possesses sulphur-beds, compared to which those of 
Sicily are insignificant. The mineral lies on the surface, and 
requires merely digging, whilst in Sicily mining to the depth of 
40 to 60 feet is required. At an outside estimate, Iceland 
sulphur can be delivered in any English port at £3 per ton. It 
appears that there are in Iceland two principal sulphur regions— 
that of Krisuvik, in the south-west, and that of Lake Myvatn, in 
the north-east of the island. A dispute appears to have arisen 
as to the comparative advantages offered by these two localities. 
Mr. Vincent, in a paper read before the Society of Arts, on the 
15th of January, 1873, appears to have come forward as the 
advocate of the Krisuvik deposits, and to have indulged in some 
geological speculations which have at least the merit of singu- 
larity. Dr. Blake, in the pamphlet before us, proves, on the 
most indubitable testimony, the superiority of Lake Myvatn and 
its district as a source of sulphur, and exposes the geological 
dreams and geographical errors of his opponent in a very out- 
spoken manner. 
To us it seems important mainly that the resources of that 
wonderful island should be developed, alike to its own benefit 
and to that of our chemical manufacturers. If Mr. Vincent and 
his friends think Krisuvik the best locality, there is no reason 
why they should not go to work accordingly. Dr. Blake’s 
