i879-] 
Notices of Books. 
I 95 
Aluminium in the metallic state is a curious instance of a 
discovery from which great hopes were entertained proving sub- 
sequently a practical failure. Two interesting facts not generally 
known are mentioned in this chapter — the resuscitation of the 
ancient and renowned alum-works of La Tolfa by a French 
company, and the cessation of the manufacture of ammonia- 
alum. Some ten or twelve years ago it was often difficult to 
meet with a sample of potash-alum. 
The volume before us merits and will receive the same fa- 
vourable reception which was awarded to its predecessor. To 
the chemical student it offers the great advantage of bridging 
over the gulf between theory and practice better than probably 
any other text-book in the language. To manufacturers, fore- 
men, &c., it would be of equal service for the same purpose 
were it not for the exclusive use made of the so-called “ new ” 
nomenclature. Had it been desired to keep practical men in the 
dark concerning chemical principles, and to produce confusion 
by the multiplication of synonyms, we doubt if a more success- 
ful method could have been adopted than this change of 
terminology. 
o 2 
