922 
considered as a most important acqui- 
sition to physiology. Perhaps it is the 
corner-stone of some noble monument of 
human wisdom, in as grand and useful 
a research as can ean the intellect, 
and exercise the ingenuity of man. 
We may add, that the plates are well 
EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY. 
executed, and the translator and editor 
has performed his office in a most re- 
spectable manner, that shews him to be 
acquainted with the subject as well as 
the language of the work which he here 
presents to the English reader. 
Art. lil. History of the Progress and present State of Animal Chemistry. By W. Jouxsony 
M.B. In three Volumes. 
THE utility of a work like the present 
eannot be better shewn than in the au- 
thor’s words. 
<« Modern chemistry has already thrown 
great light on several parts of the animal sys- 
tem it has, within these last few years, com- 
menced an investigation of several of the 
functions of the body, and explained the 
manner in which they are carried on with 
some degree of su¢cess. The processes of 
respiration, of digestion, of animalization, 
and the action of oxygen upon vital organi- 
zation, no longer remain in that'state of total 
darkness in which they were so lately deve- 
loped, whilst the proficiency already attained 
in this department of the science has estab- 
lished the animal analysis upon so firm and 
broad a basis as to promise in future the hap- 
piest results. Other functions remain to be 
Livestigated, such as sanguification, ossifica- 
tion, nutrition, and the secretion of the dif- 
ferent fluids ; to which may be added the ac- 
uon of those powers that produce diseases, 
and that of medicines on the animal body ; 
but itis by pursuing the same method of an 
analytical reasoning that their operations are 
to be explained, and their nature thoroughly 
understood. Every preparation is already 
made for this grand work, and there is 
reason* to believe, that the route which has 
hitherto been explored will conduct the phi- 
losopher to a more precise and exact know- 
Jedge of the phenomena of the animal eco- 
nowy, and to the formation of a more per- 
feet theory of the laws that govern the vital 
and mental world. 
* iy. we 
*¢ Por such an undertaking a material ad- 
vantage, however, seemed to be wanting: a 
compilation in which the enterprising expe- 
rimentalist could be made acquainted with 
-the facts and observations of those who had 
preceded him. It is true, several learned fo- 
reign chemists have attempted to supply this 
dehcieney, and Gren, Hildebrandt, Jacquin, 
atid De Ia Grange, have published compila- 
tions ou the subject ; but their plans appear 
to have been too limited, and their descrip- 
tions too concise: many of the phenomena 
recorded in thé analysis of animal substances 
have been excluded, some of the most inte- 
resting particulars have been forgotten. In 
the work now presented to the public a dif- 
ferent plan has been pursued, a more enlarged 
* 
scale has beon attempted, and an endeayour 
has been made to give the whole a more con- 
nected and systematic arrangement. For 
these purposes, the author is principally in- 
debted for his information to the Elementa 
Physiologie of Haller, the Encyclopédie 
Meéthodiqae of Morvean and Fourcroy, and 
to Leonhardi’s German Transiation of Mac- 
quer’s Chemical Dictionary, with the excel- 
lent additions. At the same time, copious 
extracts lave been occasionally selected from 
more recent publications, particularly those 
collections of diflerent learned societies, to 
whose diligence and industry chemistry pre- 
sents ber choicest store. From the former, 
the early historical part has been chiefly 
taken ; from the latter, the state of analysis 
of the present day. With such assistance, it 
is to be hoped, the deficiencies of former 
compilers may have been in some measure 
supplied, and the knowledge they have coi- 
ected increased, by having had access to a 
More extensive mass of materials, and to later 
discoveries.” 
AA compilation of this kind requires 
considerable talents. The author should 
be extensively read in physiology and in 
chemistry, and in some degree in natural 
history; he should have abundant pa- 
tience and diligence in research, judg- 
ment in the arrangemént, and impar- 
tiality in selection. Amidst the immense 
profusion of chemical detail which lies 
scattered in books of various languages, 
it is the most valuable present that can 
be made to the young eb cay Spy to 
perform for him that task of selection 
which is so irksome to original genius, 
and which is rewarded with no higher re- 
putation than that of pains-taking indus- 
try. Itis therefore with great satisfac- 
tion that we find this important office 
performed in these volumes, in a way 
highly creditable to the author, who has 
presented by fay the completest view of 
animal chemistry that exists, and one 
which is calculated to be a standard book 
of reference for every medical and che- 
mical library. 
The nature of the work renders any 
particular specimen unnecessary; we 
shall therefore only mention that the plan 
