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Dec. 2, 1869] 
NATURE 
divided into two parts, treating respectively—(1) of stones, 
as a group or family, and (2) of the history of certain | 
stones. Under the former of these heads, after a some- | 
what vague introduction to mineralogy proper, and a more 
detailed description of the somewhat complicated and 
cumbrous equipment considered by the author as neces- 
sary for the travelling mineralogist, or rather geologist, we 
find, in the second chapter, what might be called the 
condensed essence of geological science. Starting with 
cosmogony, we have laid before us, in turn, the nebular 
hypothesis of the origin of the earth ; its subsequent con- 
dition of igneous fluidity, and consolidation upon cooling ; 
statistics, &c., of the mining and manufacturing population ; 
concluding with a still shorter account of the other 
more strictly denominated metallic mines of France. 
A fourth chapter completes this first division of the work 
by a description of what are termed “Les Pierres du 
Globe,” arranged under the heads of—(1) Carbon, (2) 
Metallic substances, (3) Building stones, (4) Gems, (5) Earths 
and salts, (6) Petroleum and subterranean water; all of 
which are treated of in a very interesting, but necessarily, 
from want of space, equally superficial manner. 
The second part of the work, or what is termed the 
“Histoire de quelques Pierres,” is subdivided into four 
the appearance of life upon its surface ; and the various 
subsequent changes which it experienced through succes- | 
sive geological ages down to the present day,—the text 
being but a sort of running commentary upon the numerous 
and often admirably-executed illustrations which occur in 
its pages. | 
From this we are, in the third chapter, carried to the | 
consideration of what are termed the stones of France; | 
under which head we find a hurried but interesting account | 
of the coal and iron mines of France, and of the utilisa- | 
tion of their products in the metallurgical industries of 
the country, interspersed with sketches of their history, 
} 
ie 
AT 
chapters, e of which is in itself a somewhat 
detailed account of the mining industry carried on in 
| certain districts more specially noted for their mineral 
productions. These are as follows :—(1) The gold and 
silver deposits of the Rocky Mountains ; (2) The marble 
quarries of Italy ; (3) The iron mines of Elba; and (4) 
The coal mines of the centre of France. The descriptions 
of these are given in a very characteristic and instructive 
manner, and here again we may remark that they are 
profusely illustrated. 
In reviewing this book, it must be remembered that 
Simonin’s “Les Pierres” is not to be regarded in the 
