262 Notices of Booth. [April, 



Introduction to the Study 0/ Inorganic Chemistry. By William 

 Allen Miller, M.D., D.C.L., LL.D. London: Longmans, 

 Green, and Co., 1871. 282 pp. Small 8vo. 



A short time ago Messrs. Longmans commenced a series of 

 elementary works on mechanical and physical science, " adapted 

 for the use of artisans and of students in public and 

 other schools." This work is the last published of the series, 

 and we are glad to notice that works on the " Theory of Heat," 

 by J. Clerk Maxwell, and on " Sound and Light," by 

 Professor Stokes, are soon to follow. 



More than half the work before us is devoted to the chemistry 

 of the non-metallic bodies (ten chapters), while the remaining 

 seven chapters relate to the metals. 



There is nothing special or very noticeable in the arrangement 

 or treatment of the subject matter of this work. We all know 

 the thoroughness and completeness of the writings of the late 

 Professor Miller, and to enlarge upon this here is needless. This 

 work is necessarily, to a greater or lesser extent, a condensation of 

 Professor Miller's large " Elements of Chemistry," which is a 

 universally used text-book of the science, and needs no praise. 

 The author was engaged in reading the proof sheets of the work 

 before us at the time when he was seized with the illness which 

 has deprived science of one of its greatest lights, and all who 

 knew Professor Miller of a genial, sincere friend. 



A Treatise on Magnetism ; designed for the use of Students in the 

 University. By George Biddle Airy, M.A., LL.D., 

 Astronomer-Royal. 220 pp. Macmillan and Co., 1870. 



This is essentially a work for university teaching, the subject 

 being treated mathematically, and the mathematics being of the 

 higher order. It was written as one of a series designed to 

 promote and exalt the study of mathematical physics in the 

 University of Cambridge. 



The work is divided into twelve sections. The first treats of 

 the dissemination of magnetism through the universe, and it is 

 herein stated that the sun and moon, in all probability, like the 

 earth, act as magnets, although our knowledge of magnetism is 

 limited to the magnetism of iron, steel, &c, and of the earth. 

 A steel magnet is defined as a "bar of steel which, when so sus- 

 pended or so mounted on a fine point that it can vibrate freely in 

 the horizontal plane, will take a definite direction ; and, if 

 disturbed from that direction, will return to it by a series of 

 vibrations gradually diminishing in extent, from the effect of at- 

 mospheric resistance, &c." Reasons are adduced for believing 

 that terrestrial magnetism is not produced by magnetic forces 

 external to the earth, and that it does not reside in the earth's 

 crust ; three theories are then brought forward to account for the 



