Notices respecting New Books. 79 



following remark occurs : — " Nature, in ceconomizing the 

 primary materials of the universe, has constituted oxygen 

 the basis both of the atmosphere which surrounds the earth, 

 and of the water which forms its seas and oceans. We see 

 in this and other instances, by what simple means the most 

 beneficial effects have been produced." 



'*' For mark how oxygen with azote gas 

 Plays round the globe in one aerial mass; 

 Or, fused with hydrogen, in ceaseless How, 

 Forms the wide waves which foam and roil below." 



Dauwi.v. 



We copy the following remark from the chapter on Salts: 

 — te It is remarkable that, though phosphate of lime is always 

 found in the urine of adults, thus salt is not evacuated by 

 infants. The rapid formation of the bones in the first pe- 

 riods of life requires that there should be no waste of any 

 of the phosphoric salts ; and Nature, ever provident, has 

 provided accordingly." 



The following note occurs in the chapter on Metals : — 

 " A combination of the white oxide of tin with sulphur, by 

 means of mercury, forms aurum musivum, an article used 

 by artists to give a beautiful colour to bronze. I suspect 

 that the change produced in tin by this process gave rise to 

 the idea of the transmutation of metals. If the alchemists 

 were acquainted with this substance, no wonder that they 

 should indulge the hope of being able to form gold. An 

 experimentalist without theory is the dupe of eveijy illusion." 

 The chapter of Metals concludes with this remark ;— <£ It is 

 no unusual thing for the votaries of chemistry to call it a 

 fascinating science. That it is the most useful of all sci- 

 ences, cannot be denied ; nor can there be the least doubt 

 that it has a strong tendency to enchant those who devote 

 their attention to it. It serves as a powerful stimulus to 

 youth, by occupying their time so satisfactorily to them- 

 selves, and rendering all low and unworthy pursuits truly 

 detestable." The chapter of Oxides is closed with the fol- 

 lowing note: — "All organized beings, whether vegetable 

 or animal, possess the materials of which they are composed 



only 



