Fan. 27, 1870] 
NATURE 
329 
organic chemistry is either but cursorily treated, or al- 
together omitted. Nor, on the other hand, should he be 
blamed for giving what might otherwise appear undue 
prominence to the descriptions of substances which are 
simply interesting from the fact of their application as 
remedial agents, but of which the chemical constitution is 
either entirely unknown or but imperfectly understood. In 
all that concerns the most immediate objects which the 
author had in view inits compilation, his book is a faithful 
record of the present state of the science. Thus, on page 
353 we notice a very complete description of the method 
of preparing the newly-discovered alkaloid apomorphia, the 
remarkable physiological effects of which have lately attrac- 
tedsomuch attention. The plan of the work is entirely novel. 
The author commences with some very pertinent advice 
to candidates as to the best method of studying the book 
in order to fit themselves for examination by the various 
boards. After the usual introduction, the student passes on 
_ to the practical study of the general properties of the non- 
metallic elements, and when he has familiarised himself 
with the various manipulative processes, and acquired a 
certain amount of chemical knowledge, he proceeds to the 
study of the general principles of chemical philosophy- 
The properties of the various metallic elements, their 
official preparations, and the tests employed in their 
detection, next engage his attention; after which he is 
put through a systematic course of qualitative analysis. 
The student next occupies himself with the study of the 
compounds of vegetable and animal origin, with the re- 
actions of the alkaloids and of some other organic principles, 
and of the various substances which the author dis- 
tinguishesas Galenical, and which can only fairly be regarded 
from a pharmaceutist’s point of view, many of them being 
“not yet brought within the grasp of the chemist.” The 
principles of toxicology, and the various methods employed 
in the examination of morbid urine and calculi, are then 
explained, and the different classes of official, Galenical, and 
chemical preparations enumerated. A course of quanti- 
tative analysis, sufficiently comprehensive for the student’s 
requirements, and consisting of both gravimetric and 
volumetric processes, next follows. Several of the gravi- 
metric methods are, however, in our opinion not the best 
at the disposal of the analyst. Thus, for the estimation of 
nitric acid Frankland and Armstrong’s method of deter- 
mining the amount of that acid in potable waters, is the 
only one recommended. This method, although doubtless 
excellently adapted to the purpose for which it was devised, 
is not, however, generally applicable. We would recom- 
mend the method of Vernon Harcourt to Dr. Attfield’s 
attention, With some slight modifications, this method is 
pronounced by Professor Bunsen, of Heidelberg, in whose 
laboratory it is constantly used, to be by far the best of 
the many processes hitherto proposed for the estimation of 
nitric acid ; and in the laboratory to which the writer is 
attached it is frequently employed with the most satis- 
factory results. The account given of the processes for 
the ultimate analysis of organic substances also appears 
to be somewhat defective, and the statement that the best 
combustion-furnace is that known as Hofmann’s is open 
to dispute. The furnaces of Eslenmeyer and of Donny as 
modified by Glaser are certainly to be preferred ; indeed, 
we understand that the Berlin professor has already 
renounced the use of the furnace which bears his name. Dr. 
Attfield is surely in error, also, in recommending (page 460) 
that the boiling point of a liquid should be determined by 
inserting the bulb of the thermometer in the heated liquid. 
Kopp pointed out long ago the errors incidental to this 
method of procedure. These, however, are defects of but 
minor importance, and may easily be remedied in future 
editions. We have derived much satisfaction from the 
perusal of Dr. Attfield’s book: it is eminently practical in 
its character, and is written with a just appreciation of 
the small amount of time for the study of chemistry at the 
disposal of the student in medicine and pharmacy. 
Ay IB, I 
OUR BOOK SHELI 
Japanese Shells.— Fapanische Meeres-conchylien. 
C. I. Lischke. (Cassell: 1869.) 
coloured plates. 
JAPAN is not less remarkable for the works of its 
people than for its natural productions. Its sea-shells are 
of a mixed character, arctic and tropical. Some species 
range to the Mediterranean ; for Verticordia granulata of 
Seguenza, from the Sicilian tertiaries, which I have now 
discovered living in the Gulf of Egina at a depth of 130 
fathoms, was lately dredged by Mr. A. Adams in the seas 
of Japan, and is described by him as I. multicostata. 
Another species of V’ev¢icordia—or perhaps more correctly 
Hippagus—the H. acuticostatus of Philippi, a Calabrian 
and Sicilian fossil (which occurs also in our Coralline Crag, 
under Sowerby’s name of V. cardiiformis), is the V. Des- 
hayesiana of Fischer, and V. Faponica of A. Adams, from 
China and Japan. The only other known living species of 
Hippagus (Trigonulina ornata, D’Orbigny =H. nxoveni- 
costatus, Adams and Reeve) is common to the West Indies 
and China. Unfortunately we know far too little of the 
former and present course of those great currents which 
traverse the ocean in every direction, to be able to explain 
satisfactorily the geographical distribution of the marine 
fauna. Nevertheless, although physical data are wanting, 
zoological facts are accumulating ; and Dr. Lischke, as well 
as Mr. Arthur Adams, have rendered great assistance 
by their investigation of the Japanese mollusca. The pre- 
sent is not a complete treatise on the subject ; but it shows 
great care and critical acumen, and it is beautifully illus- 
trated. Theauthoris Oberburgomeister of the large manu- 
facturing town of Elberfeld, and finds time not only for his 
onerous public duties, but also for good scientific work ; 
so that in other countries besides our own, writers on 
natural history are not confined to the class of paid pro- 
fessors. J. GWYN JEFFREYS 
By Dr. 
Quarto, with 14 
Chemistry for Schools.—A x Jutroduction to the Practical 
Study of Chemistry. By C. Haughton Gill, Assistant 
Examiner in Chemistry at the University of London. 
(London: Walton.) Svo. pp. xv. and 315. 1869. 
DURING the last few years the subject of science teach- 
ing in schools has occupied so much attention that a 
special class of manuals has been originated for the 
schoolmaster’s use. Those which treat of Chemistry 
have been in some cases experiments, seldom remarkable 
for true appreciation of their professed purpose, or, per- 
haps, merely the pecuniary speculation of an ignorant 
writer. Under such circumstances, it is gratifying to 
meet with a book of this kind, which really is what it was 
intended to be—“a sufficient manual of chemistry for 
schools and junior students, and an aid to teachers wish- 
ing to introduce the science into the ordinary course of 
school study.” 
Mr. Gill’s experience as teacher of chemistry and expe- 
rimental physics at University College School appears to 
have been embodied in his book, if we may judge from 
its decided and perspicuous tone, and an evident intention 
