Notices respecting Neiv Books. 53 



of the elementary substances might not vary so much as we might, 

 from the general mineral character alone, be led to expect; but at 

 first sight we may imagine that silica predominated more in the gra- 

 nitic rocks than in the others, while magnesia abounded in those parts 

 of the earth which vomited forth the serpentinous deposits. It is how- 

 ever obviously premature to speculate upon that which can only be 

 learned through the medium of careful and exact investigation ; and 

 the subject is only introduced for the purpose of promoting inquiry, 

 and the possibility of attracting the attention of those chemists who 

 may be induced to enter on the hitherto little explored though vast 

 field of chemical geology." 



The author concludes his volume with dissertations on the mine- 

 ralogical differences in contemporaneous rocks, either original, or 

 resulting from alteration after deposition ; on the elevation of moun- 

 tains (consisting principally of abstracts from friendly communications 

 by M. Elie de Beaumont on this subject) ; and on the occurrence of 

 metals in rocks ; and by an Appendix containing, among other things, 

 observations on geological maps and sections, and tables for calcu- 

 lating heights by the barometer. 



.4n Account of Inventions and Improvements in Surgical Instruments, 

 made by J. Weiss, 62 Strand; with a Selectioii of Cases wherein 

 they have been successfully employed. Svo. pp. 200. 



It does not always happen that the benefits accruing to the com- 

 munity from the exertions of an individual can be understood or ap- 

 preciated from a written statement; and it not unfrequently occurs 

 that inventions are silently and slowly producing the most advan- 

 tageous results, while those to whom the world is indebted for them 

 are unknown or neglected. This is in a great measure unavoidable; 

 it is the common chance of blanks and prizes in the lottery of life, 

 and at the present day especially may depend much upon the profli- 

 gate system of outrageous puffing which makes success depend less 

 upon merit tlian upon effrontery. 



We make these observations without any particular reference to the 

 author of the work before us. The volume fell into our hands acci- 

 dentally, and we felt it would be as well an act of justice to the writer 

 as of duty to the public, to direct their attention to it. Surgery may 

 now be regarded as a positive science ; and, without detracting in the 

 least from the skill of the performer, we consider'thatno trifling merit 

 is due to the inventor or improver or fabricator of an instrument by 

 whi^h the risk of a dangerous operation is diminished, or alleviation 

 afforded in any case in which relief had been previously sought in 

 vain. For such purposes ingenuity of contrivance is not less necessai-y 

 than mechanical skill; and when the mitigation of the ills which flesh 

 is heir to is the object in view, it matters not, for the benefit of man- 

 kind, whether the individual pursuing it draws exclusively upon the 

 resources of his own mind, or adopts the suggestions of others. With 

 these sentiments we notice the work of which the title is prefixed to 

 this article. It in the production of a plain man detailing what he 



himself 



