372 Reviews. : [April, 
tance of the work. A noteworthy addition is the beautifully coloured 
frontispiece illustrative of the more characteristic spectra among the 
metallic elements. It is much to be regretted that the position of the 
single green ray of thallium is not indicated in the spectrum chart ; 
but, as though to compensate in some measure for this omission, a 
remarkably good account of the new metal and its principal reactions 
will be found in the chapter on thallium. The most approved forms 
of spectrum apparatus, particularly those devised by MM. Kirchhoff 
and Bunsen, are here fully described and illustrated by woodcuts. The 
chapter on apparatus generally has received important additions; we 
may mention especially the very useful instrument recently invented 
by Professor Graham, and known by name as the ‘ Dialyser.’ The 
application of this instrument in the detection of poisons, and the 
important aid it is likely to render in toxicological examinations by 
affording a simple means of extracting the poisonous principles from 
the host of heterogenous organic matters with which they are com- 
monly associated, are treated of at length and in a manner suitable to 
the growing importance of the subject. Special instructions are laid 
down for the recognition of the vegeto-alkaloids,—a class of bodies 
which are becoming daily of more extended use as remedial agents 
and therefore of more frequent occurrence as objects of chemical 
study,—and a chapter is devoted to a systematic course to be fol- 
lowed in the detection of unoxidized phosphorus, hydrocyanic acid, 
arsenic, strychnine, &c. In short, as a treatise on toxicology, 
‘Fresenius’ Analysis’ can be confidently recommended: and in 
this connection the numerous illustrations of apparatus employed in 
the detection of these poisons cannot fail to be highly suggestive to 
the analyst engaged in medico-legal inquiries. 
The leading characters of the rarer metals, e.g. caesium, rubidium, 
thorium, cerium, lanthanum, didymium, and even erbium and terbium, 
are pointed out under their respective analytical groups, and these 
particulars are printed in small type to denote their minor importance. 
In consequence of the foreign origin of this work there are one or two 
trifling instances of departure from the ordinary nomenclature to be 
observed, thus, the earth glucina is described as ‘“ berylla,’ and the 
metal tungsten has received the appellation ‘“ Wolframium.” The 
chemical symbols Be and W partly sanction the employment of these 
names, but by the same rule, the common potash and soda would 
become kalia and natria. 
The system of analysis adopted throughout is that which has 
received the sanction of the highest authorities both in this country 
and abroad; the methods of separation are extended occasionally by 
the necessity for giving the several approved modes for effecting the 
object, where the attainment of absolute success is a matter of some 
difficulty, and even now we are disposed to question the accuracy of 
the processes recommended for the separation of antimony, tin, and 
arsenic. 
In the body of the work are given full directions for the analytical 
examination of plant-ashes, agricultural soils, and mineral waters; much 
of the information upon these points remains substantially identical with 
