i88i.J 
Analyses of Books . 
617 
Sport's Encyclopedia of the Industrial Arts , Manufactures , 
Commercial Products. Division IV. Edited by C. G. 
Warnford Lock. London and New York : E. and F. N. 
Spon. 
This part of Messrs. Spon’s work shows no falling off in the 
value of its contents. In the article on Ivory we note some in- 
teresting fads on the growth of the tusks, not only in the two 
species of elephant, the Indian and African, but in different 
breeds in each country. Thus the tusks from Bengal rarely ex- 
ceed 72 lbs., and those of Tipperah 50 lbs., whilst tusks from 
Pegu and Cochin reach a weight of 150 lbs. Turning to the 
African species, we find Zanzibar tusks averaging 122 lbs., and 
at times ranging up to 227 to 280 lbs. Tusks from Angola, on 
the other hand, do not average more than 69 lbs. Hence the 
size of the tusks cannot be accepted as a decisive point in the 
diagnosis of species. 
The article on ‘ Mordants ” compresses into brief space a 
wonderful amount of practical information, and is evidently the 
work of some writer thoroughly acquainted with his subjeCl, and 
not of one who has “ read up ” for the occasion. 
The chapter on “ Narcotics ” is exceedingly instructive. The 
following passage on opium will perhaps surprise some of our 
philanthropists : — “ With regard to its use as a narcotic great 
efforts have been made by a few well-intentioned, but ignorant, 
people to procure its annihilation. But though the abuse of the 
drug leads to evil consequences, — by no means equalling, how- 
ever, those of the abuse of alcohol in this country, — its moderate 
use is extremely beneficial, if not absolutely necessary, in the 
malarial climate of China ; and the immunity of opium-smokers 
from diseases of the bronchial tubes and lungs, so common 
among non-smokers, is remarkable.” The production of opium 
in China itself is increasing, despite paper-prohibitions, and 
already supplies 5,000,000 lbs. out of a total yearly consumption 
of 17,000,000. Persia likewise exports to China an increasing 
supply of opium which successfully competes with the Indian 
growth. Hence it appears highly probable that if our philan- 
thropists would abstain from the luxury of agitation, they might 
see the Indian opium-trade gradually dwindle away. 
It is a remarkable faCt that the strongest samples of opium 
have been produced in France, where percentages of 20 to nearly 
23 per cent of morphia have been reached. The maximum pro- 
portion in Smyrna opium is 21-46 per cent, whilst the highest 
point reached in India (Patna) has been 8-6 per cent. It is 
worthy of note that in countries where legislative attempts have 
been made to abolish the consumption of alcoholic liquids, the 
use of opium and its preparations is decidedly on the increase. 
It is strange and not pleasant to learn that 230 poods of the 
VOL. III. (THIRD SERIES). 2 S 
