226 Revieivs — J. Malcolm Maclaren — Gold. 



In his address Sir A. Geikie gave a picturesque outline of the 

 geological features of the surrounding district, and referred to 

 the work of the pioneers — Faujas de Saint-Fond, the first geologist 

 to set foot on Staffa ; James Hutton (the father of modern 

 physical geology), whose observations in Arran demonstrated the 

 intrusive nature of the granite and the whinstone dykes ; and 

 John Macculloch, famed for his researches on the Western Isles. 

 Ami Boue, again, was mentioned as the author of the Essai Geologique 

 sur r Eeosse, published in 1820, and A. C. Ramsay, who wrote an 

 early account of the geology of Arran. 



Among those who had conspired to raise in Glasgow an interest in 

 geology, Sir A. Geikie was disposed to give the foremost place to 

 James Smith, of Jordan Hill, who first called attention to the general 

 lowering of the temperature in the Pleistocene period by his observa- 

 tions on the boreal mollusca of the Clyde Beds. He thus paved the 

 way for subsequent researches on the records of the Glacial period, to 

 which the members of the Glasgow Geological Society have so largely 

 contributed. Indeed, on this subject they have rendered their most 

 important services to geological science. 



II. — Gold : its geological occuerence ai^d geographical distribution. 

 By J. Malcolm Maclaren, D.Sc, F.G.S., F.R.G.S., M.I.M.M., 

 late Mining Specialist, Government of India, formerly Assistant 

 G-overnment Geologist, Queensland, etc. pp. xxiii -j- 687, with 

 one coloured plate and 278 illustrations. London : The Mining 

 Journal, 1908. Price 25s. net. 



t'MlOM the very earliest time gold has, on account of its magnificent 

 colour and its durability, been highly prized for ornamental 

 purposes, and as the recognized medium for the exchange of com- 

 modities throughout the civilized world it is at the present day in 

 ever increasing demand. The literature concerning it is immense. 

 The quest for it has carried men to the heat of the tropics and the 

 chill of arctic regions. Prospectors are constantly searching for new 

 fields, and the observations of individuals are supplemented by the 

 careful studies of skilled geologists. Consequently the data relating 

 to the occurrence of the precious metal steadily grows. Apart from 

 the extreme importance of the matter from the economic point of view, 

 the distribution of such well-defined minerals as gold and its compounds 

 serves to throw light upon the origin of ore-deposits. 



In the preface to the book Dr. Maclaren tenders something in the 

 nature of an apology for adding to the literature of ore-deposits ; but 

 surely none would be demanded by the most captious of critics. It is, 

 indeed, from the pen of one who has had occasion to visit many of the 

 principal mining regions and who has had the knowledge and the 

 energy to enable him to take advantage of the opportunities afforded 

 him that a work such as this is welcome. The slight inequality that 

 may be detected here and there in the treatment is almost iue^'itable 

 in a book, the writing of which has extended over a number of years, 

 and can well be excused. 



The book is divided into two main parts. The first of them deals 



