318 
Reviews. 
Quid sit pulchrum, quid turpe, quid utile, quid non. — Hor. 
Laboratory Teaching ; or, Progressive Exercises in Practical 
Chemistry. By Charles Loudon Bloxam, Professor of 
Practical Chemistry in King's College, London. London : 
John Churchill and Sons. 1869. 
This work is intended as a laboratory companion for per- 
sons commencing the study of Practical Chemistry ; it “ does 
not presuppose any knowledge of chemistry on the part of the 
pupil, and does not enter into any theoretical speculations." 
The contents and arrangement of the book cannot be better 
described than in the words employed by the author in his 
preface. At page v he says, “ It (the work) contains — 
“ (1) A series of simple tables for the analysis of unknown 
substances of all kinds (not excepting organic bodies) which 
are known to be single substances, and not mixtures. 
“ (2) A brief description of all the practically important 
single substances likely to be met with in ordinary analysis, 
by which the learner may satisfy himself that his results are 
correct, and may at the same time become acquainted with 
the leading properties of the most important chemicals, and 
with the foreign substances which they are liable to contain." 
So far as we remember, the introduction of such descrip- 
tions into a work on Practical Chemistry is novel. It is 
certainly a very desirable one, and one which we regard with 
especial favour, as long experience has taught us that such a 
system is calculated beyond all others to enable the student to 
acquire a sound and lasting knowledge of the facts of chemis- 
try. It will be found particularly acceptable at the present 
time, when an acquaintance with theory is regarded by many 
teachers with greater favour than a knowledge of the facts 
and phenomena. Moreover, when it is remembered that 
there are many substances which cannot be identified with 
certainty by analysis alone, but only by analysis combined 
with an intimate knowledge of the physical and other quali- 
ties of such substances, the value of this part of Professor 
Bloxam's work will be readily appreciated. 
“ (3) Simple directions and illustrations relating to che- 
mical manipulation, not collected into a separate chapter, but 
given just where the learner requires them in the course of 
analysis. 
