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LXXV. Notices respecting New Books. 



Elements of Chemistrij, including the recent Discoveries mid Doctrines 

 of that Science. By Edward Turner, M.D. F.R.S.E., Sfc. Sfc. 



DR. TURNER is already advantageously known to the chemical 

 student as the author of an " Introduction to the Study and 

 Laws of Chemical Combination," &c.and the present work will not 

 detract from his merit as a clear, and in general a correct, narrator 

 of the numerous facts and theories embraced by, and constitutmg, 

 chemical science ; indeed it would be difficult to name any work of 

 similar extent on the subject, which contains so much information. 

 After a few pages of introductory matter, relating principally to 

 the physical properties of bodies, and the definition of chemical sci- 

 ence. Dr. Turner divides his work into four principal parts. In the 

 first of these, the imponderables are treated of; the second comprises 

 inorganic chemistry, including the doctrine of affinity and the laws 

 of combination ; the elementary bodies are divided into nonmetallic 

 and metallic,— and the author has deviated, and we think with great 

 propriety, from the usual practice of dividing elementary bodies 

 into supporters of combustion and combustibles, or into electro- 

 negative and electro-positive bodies : we agree with him, that an ar- 

 rangement founded on these principles is not free from objection 

 in theory, and that it offers no advantage in facilitating the study 

 of the science. The third general division of the work is on organic 

 chemistry, comprehending the products of vegetable and animal 

 Jife; while the fourth division contains brief directions for the per- 

 formance of analysis. 



Although our limits will not permit us minutely to follow Dr. Tur- 

 ner through the details and execution of his plan, we shall offer such 

 observations upon many parts of it which may appear to require no- 

 tice; and if the author should find that we are free in our remarks, 

 we trust he will receive them in the same spirit as that by which 

 they are dictated ; and we hope we may not only be useful to him 

 in a second edition, which we have no doubt will soon be required, 

 but we trust that utility may also arise to those who may possess 

 the work in its present form. 



The Imponderable first treated of is Caloric. The chapter is written 

 with clearness and precision. If we do not mistake, alcohol is not, 

 as Dr. T. asserts, tlie only fluid which has not been solidified ; for 

 if we remember right, neither sulphuret of carbon, chloride of 

 azote, nor protochloride of carbon, have ever been rendered solid ; 

 and we recommend him to peruse Mr. Daniell's observations in 

 vol. xxi. of the Royal Institution Journal, before he repeats his 

 statement as to the novelty and utility of Mr. Jones's Hygrometer. 



In treating of Liglit, the second imponderable. Dr. T. observes 



that terrestrial light has been supposed to contain no chemical rays. 



In opposition to this opinion we may remind the author, that IMr. 



IJrande has shown (I'hil. Trans. 1820), that the intense light pro- 



;j C 5 duccd 



