October 15, 1908J 



NA TIJRE 



60' 



method of tanning analysis are given. The subse- 

 quent chapters deal with the estimation of colour in 

 tanning materials, the analysis of used tan-yard 

 liquors, the analysis of alum and chrome. In con- 

 nection with this last-named subject the author gives 

 some valuable practical information on the making 

 up of chrome liquors in the testing of liquors in use. 

 This branch of leather manufacture has progressed 

 by enormous strides during the past ten years. 



The next chapters deal with the estimation of 

 adulterants in leather, the analysis of soaps, oils and 

 fats, and a table of important constants for oils and 

 fats used in the leather trade is given, and the effect 

 of various fats on leather explained. The analysis 

 of leather, dyes and dye-stuffs follows. The last 

 three chapters are devoted to the use of the micro- 

 scope, the structure of the skin, and bacteriology. 

 These have been largely re-written, and the author 

 has added some fine photomicrographs of adulterants 

 in tanning materials, and indicates the value of the 

 use of the microscope in competent hands. The 

 bacteriology and mycology of tanning is gone into 

 thoroughly, and our somewhat scanty information on 

 this subject brought up to date, the rapid growth of 

 our knowledge of this most important branch being 

 made evident. 



The work is illustrated and printed on good paper, 

 and is written in Prof. Procter's well-known clear 

 style. 



At the end of the book some blank le.aves are 

 bound in, so that pending the arrival of the third 

 edition those using this book may add notes, and so 

 keep the volume up to date. With such a volume 

 as this before us one is almost tempted to say that 

 after all science has secured a firm foothold in one of 

 the most conservative trades existent. 



J. Gordon Pakkhk. 



OVR BOOK SHELF. 



Geology and Mineral Resources of the Western Coal- 

 field. By J. E. Carne. Pp. xii + 264; with 37 

 plates and portfolio of maps and sections. 

 (Sydney : Geological Survey of New South Wales, 

 1908.) Price 155. 



In New South Wales the existence of beds of coal 

 was known in very early days, and was the reason 

 for the name of vhe colony. It is calculated that 

 New South Wales has yielded altogether 1383 million 

 tons of coal, the output last year alone having ex- 

 ceeded 8| million tons. In addition to coal, the 

 kerosene shale deposits are of considerable import- 

 ance, and are at present attracting attention owing 

 to the introduction of British capital for their develop- 

 ment. Mr. Carne's elaborate monograph, which 

 reflects great credit upon himself and upon the Geo- 

 logical Survey, is consequently a work of the utmost 

 importance to the mining industry, as well as a 

 valuable addition to scientific literature. With the 

 accompanying portfolio of coloured geological maps 

 and sections, it forms the first instalment of a system- 

 atic geological survey of the productive Permo- 

 Carboniferous Coal-measures of New South Wales. 

 The total area mapped and described in this memoir 

 amounts to 2877 square miles, of which 2261 square 

 miles may be regarded as productive. The country 

 described embraces the principal parts of Cook and 



NO. 2033, VOL. 78] 



Hunter counties, and a large portion of Roxburgh 

 and Phillip counties, the greater part of the Blue 

 Mountains being included. From an economic point 

 of view, coal and kerosene-shale are the chief assets 

 of the country mapped. Limestone, firebrick, pottery 

 clays, building stones, and iron ore follow in order. 

 The smelting of local iron ore has been successfully 

 begun at Lithgow; and if the iron-smelting venture 

 and the extensive development of the kerosene-shale 

 export and retorting industry continue to progress, 

 the district will soon become a great centre of indus- 

 trial activity. The picturesque character of the 

 country is well shown in the numerous admirable 

 illustrations accompanying the memoir. Massive 

 Triassic sandstone, imparting boldness to the scenery, 

 is sculptured by denudation into rugged walls and 

 isolated masses. Irregularities of the plateau are not 

 less varied. Huge domed laccoliths, conical volcanic 

 peaks, and flat coulee remnants are everywhere pro- 

 minent. A glance at the illustrations impresses one 

 with the magnitude of the task of geologically sur- 

 veying these mountains, which in 17SS effectually 

 barred Governor Phillip's progress into the interior 

 from the settlement on the shores of Port Jackson. 

 The persistence of the explorer of the present day in 

 forcing his way along jungle-fringed and boulder- 

 strewn streams flowing through deep canons and 

 almost impassable ravines is hardly less astonishing 

 than that of the first surveyors, who, far from an 

 accessible base of supplies, traversed this unknown 

 and inhospitable region. 



Science and Empiricism. By H. C. Daniel. Pp. 29. 



(London : Scientific Press, Ltd., 1908.) Price 



IS. 6d. net. 

 This booklet contains a strange medley of fact and 

 fiction, though apparently written with a good motive, 

 for in his preface the author acknowledges the 

 " splendid efforts of our scientists and medical pro- 

 fessors," and deplores " the neglect of hospitals and 

 laboratories." In section i. the author discourses on 

 biology and Weismannism; in section ii. on patho- 

 logv, with special reference to cancer and its cure, in 

 which we are exhorted "in the place of fiction to 

 substitute truth. Instead of holding to the absurd 

 principle that the red corpuscles are the bearers of 

 oxvgen, let us in the future build upon the more 

 scientific principle that oxygen is the bearer of the 

 red corpuscles." Cancer is easily explained. " Super- 

 ficial cancer is a disease of the blood tissues and is 

 onlv dangerous is so far as it affects the tissues or 

 envelope of life. Plasmic cancer, however, is a dis- 

 ease of the oxygen or vital ground, that is to say, of 

 the white corpuscles or physical unity of life, and as 

 such it goes deeper than the tissues." The seven last 

 pages are devoted to sections on theology, educa- 

 tion, and government, but what they are all about we 

 really are not quite sure ! R. T. H. 



Vegetationsbilder. Edited by G. Karsten and H. 

 Schenck. Sixth Series. Part i., Samoa. By Karl 

 Rechinger. Part ii.. New Guinea Archipelago. 

 By Karl Rechinger. Part iii., North-Eastern 

 Brazil. By E. I'le. Partiv., The Algerian Sahara. 

 Bv H. Brockmnnn lerosch and A. Heim. Parts 

 V. and vi., .Xlpine Vegetation. By H. Schenck. 

 (Jena : Gustav Fischer, 1908.) 

 The sixth series of the " Vegetationsbilder " fully 

 maintains the reputation of the preceding volumes. 

 The pictures of Samoan vegetation furnish an indi- 

 cation of the humidity of the climate where ferns 

 supplv 25 per cent, of the higher plants. Illustra- 

 tions are provided of Polypodium sahaiiriciilatum, 

 an epiphvte in the rain forest, Ansiopteris evecta, 

 growing bv the streams, and Todca Fraseri, an 



