Chemistry and Physics. 409 



fluoride, alcohol and ether. Chlorine has no action on ethyl 

 fluoride in the dark. — C. B., cvii, 260; J. Chem. Soc, liv, 1262, 

 December, 1888. G. f. b. 



6. Chemical Lecture Notes ; by Peter T. Austen, Ph.D., 

 F.C.S., etc. 12mo, pp. 98. New York, 1888 (John Wiley & 

 Sons). — This little book, as the author tells us in his preface, is 

 " simply a collection of notes and observations on certain topics 

 which experience as a teacher has shown me often give the stu- 

 dent more or less trouble." Although, as he says, " no particular 

 order has been observed in the arrangement of the topics," yet 

 the information given seems accurate, and the book is likely to be 

 of use for those for whom it is intended. G. e. b. 



7. An Elementary Text-booh of Chemistry / by Wm. G. Mix- 

 ter, Professor Chem. Sheffield Scientific School of Yale Univer- 

 sity. 459 pp. 12mo. New York (John Wiley & Sons). — This 

 elementary work on Chemistry, prepared by Professor Mixter for 

 use in schools and colleges, presents the general facts and princi- 

 ples of the science under a succinct form and a sensible arrange- 

 ment well adapted for its purpose. After brief explanations of 

 the subjects connected with the physics of chemistry, including 

 crystallography, it introduces the student gradually to the prin- 

 ciples of chemistry through descriptions of some of the more com- 

 mon elements and their compounds, along with directions for sim- 

 ple chemical experiments. By this means the way is prepared for 

 understanding the explanations of principles as they are succes- 

 sively brought out, and the definitions of atomic weight, valence, 

 bases, acids, salts. Finally, in the closing chapters of the volume, 

 after the elements and their more prominent compounds have 

 been described, the Atomic Theory and the Periodic law in 

 atomic weights are explained. The volume is handsomely printed 

 and the illustrations are excellent. 



8. Hays of Electric Force. — The experiments of Hertz con- 

 tinue to excite great attention in Europe. He has lately repeated 

 his experiments with oscillations ten times as rapid as those he 

 formerly employed and with waves more than ten times as short 

 as those first discovered. He has succeeded in producing distinct 

 rays of electric force and has repeated the elementary experi- 

 ments of light and radiant heat, such as reflection, refraction, and 

 polarization. — Annalen der Physik, No. 3, 1889. j. t. 



9. Rotation of plane of polarization of light by the discharge 

 of a Ley den jar. — Dr. Oliver Lodge takes a piece of heavy 

 glass (or a tube of CS 2 a yard long) and surrounds it by four 

 large helices containing about 80 yards of gutta percha covered 

 wire, No. 16. On passing the discharge from a battery of 

 several jars and having arranged suitable polarizing arrange- 

 ments, the field flashes out in a brilliant manner. The effect 

 increases in direct proportion to the capacity of the Leyden jars 

 employed. It was found that CS 2 was able to show the effect 

 when the alternations of the spark were 70,000 per second. The 

 effect is practically instantaneous. The analyser of the polarizing 



