192 Bibliography. 



diseases. Chemistry applied to Arts and Manufactures. — Theory 

 of Saponification, by Prof. Liebig : On the preparation of Ultramarine. 

 Reviews. — Elements of Chemical Analysis, by E. A. Parnell, Esq. 

 Patents for improvements in Chemical Processes. — Improvements 

 in the manufacture of Sulphuric Acid ; in the operation of Tanning. 



7. Elements of Chemistry, including the most recent discoveries and 

 applications of the science to Medicine and Pharmacy , and to the Arts ; 

 by Robert Kane, M. D., M. R. I. A., &c. &c. An American edition, 

 by John William Draper, M. D., Prof, of Chem. in the University of 

 New York. New York, Harper & Brothers, 1842. pp. 704, 8vo. — 

 The appearance of an American reprint of Dr. Kane's excellent treatise 

 was very acceptable to all devoted to the science in this country. It has 

 been we understand extensively adopted as a text-book in many of our 

 colleges ; and from a careful perusal of it and use in our own laboratory 

 for two years, feel assured that it is the best book now accessible to the 

 American student. Dr. Draper has not added (nor was there occasion that 

 lie should add) much to the original text, but where he has done so it is 

 generally from the results of his own researches, particularly in the phys- 

 ical part. We might mention as an instance occurring to us at this mo- 

 ment, his explanation of the theory of Daguerre's process. We regret 

 that it was thought advisable in this edition to curtail the index. No 

 book can have too full an index, and least of all a chemical book. 



8. An effort to refute the arguments advanced in favor of the existence 

 of the Amphide Salts, or radicals, consisting, like cyanogen, of more than 

 one element; by Robert Hare, M. D., Professor of Chemistry in the 

 University of Pennsylvania. 23 pages, pamphlet. — This is a very acute 

 and able discussion of an obscure and difficult subject, to which we have 

 neither space nor time to advert, in explanation of the title cited above. 

 An attempt to subvert the present nomenclature of the oxy-salts, and to 

 introduce a new arrangement of their elements, so as to make them cor- 

 respond with the haloid salts, appears to us very unnecessary, and to be 

 unsupported by any reasons, sufficiently important, to justify so annoying 

 an innovation. Men of acute minds may arrange mentally the chemical 

 atoms so as to produce results which harmonize, and leave no fractions to 

 be disposed of. But bounds should be set to these intellectual recrea- 

 tions, especially when they produce a host of new names for principles 

 whose existence cannot be proved, because they cannot be isolated. 

 Many of the names, for example, recently introduced into the organic 

 chemistry, are uncouth, complex, hypothetical, and at war with euphony. 

 Dr. Hare's argument, as regards the new nomenclature of the oxy-salts, 

 appears to us to be conclusive, and we trust that the beautiful language 

 so long in use will not be set aside, nor the still more beautiful harmony 

 of the saline elements disturbed. 



