358 Outlines of a Bihliograpliy of the 



A very entertaining and useful work, embracing tlie whole field up to 

 the date of publication. The progress of analj'tical chemistry is reviewed 

 with critical skill. 



Callisex, a. C. p. Medicinisclies Schriftsteller Lexicon der jetzt lehenden 

 Aerzte, Wundaerzte, Gebnrtshelfer, Apothelcer und Naturforschcr * * 

 33 vols. 12mo. Kopenhagen, 1830-1845. 

 A wonderfully exhaustive and laborious compilation, replete with 

 minutest details concerning the literature of medicine and natural sci- 

 ence. Chemistry proper, though not included in the title of the work, 

 receives its full quota of attention. The author sacrificed a fortune in 

 compiling and publishing these numerous and closely printed volumes, 



ScHMiEDER, Karl Christoph. Geschichte der Alchemic. 8vo. Halle, 

 1832. 



Schmieder was born at Eisleben, in 1778, and was Director of a High 

 School and School Inspector in Cassel, at which place he died in 1850. 

 Several minor works on Geology and Mineralogy appeared from his pen, 

 but none of such extraordinary character as this History of Alchemy, in 

 which he endeavors to establish, by historic proofs, the reality of the 

 transmutation of metals. Schmieder recognizes two distinct sciences, 

 chemistry and alchemy, and claims they exist independently of each 

 other from the earliest ages. Alchemy, he states, has a threefold dogma : 

 I. It is possible to prepare, by true art, perfect gold from substances 

 which contain no gold. II. The same is true of silver. III. This arti- 

 ficial preparation is a wonderful medicine, a panacea of life. Starting 

 with this statement he investigates the authenticity of the historic 

 records of transmutation, and sparing no pains in deciphering musty 

 manuscripts of a former age, he concludes that we must acknowledge the 

 reality of the transmutation of metals. He confesses that impostors 

 abounded, but thinks he establishes the claims of five persons as true 

 adepts, and gives their personal history with narratives of their wonder- 

 ful accomplishments. He calls attention to the fact that the five persons 

 named lived at succeeding periods and concludes that the Philosopher's 

 Stone was secretly handed down from one to the other. 



The whole aim and scope of this strange work, and especially the con- 

 clusions drawn, seem more appropriate to the times of Borrichius than 

 to the second quarter of the enlightened 19th century. 



HoEFER, Ferdinand. Histoire de la Chimic. .2 vols. Svo. Paris, 18-12. 

 (Second edition in 1866.) 

 A work of great research, especially in regard to earliest authentic rec- 

 ords as derived from ancient manuscripts. 



Kopp, Hermann. Geschichte der Chemie. 4 vols. Svo. Braunschweig, 

 1843. 

 A classical work, above praise. Is somewhat scarce; a new edition in 

 Roman type is desirable. 



