x8Sa.j Analyses of Books, 557 
beautifully cut and stained sections of both animal and vegetable 
tissues are now to be purchased, but the student requires some- 
thing more than these, — he must have the power of investigating 
for himself, — and in Dr. Marsh’s little book he will find a trust- 
worthy guide to one of the most difficult branches of histological 
manipulation. 
Household Chemistry for the Non-Chemical. By Alfred J. 
Shilton, F.C.S., Lecturer at the Midland Institute, Bir- 
mingham, and at the Walsall Institute. London : F. V. 
White and Co. 
We have here a work which seeks to explain some of the che- 
mical phenomena daily witnessed around us, and to extract from 
them certain useful lessons. Books of a similar tendency, as 
the author admits, have from time to time been written, — we 
need mention only “ Liebig’s Letters,” and an equally well- 
known treatise, the “ Chemistry of Daily Life,” by the late Prof. 
Johnston. In Mr. Shilton’s judgment such works, however, 
have been at fault in containing “ a quantity of matter that is 
certainly not of a strictly chemical nature, and which, however 
interesting in itself, swells the book to a large size without adding 
to its usefulness.” It might perhaps be contended, in comment 
upon this passage, that it is a somewhat exceptional case when 
“ interesting matter ” does not add something to the usefulness 
of a book. What is more important, it is a difficult task, in 
treating of such subjects as our author undertakes to discuss, to 
eliminate all matter which is not of a strictly chemical nature. 
Mechanical, physical, biological, geological, and meteorological 
considerations obtrude themselves. Thus much of the process 
of candle-making, as described on pp. 39 to 41, is purely me- 
chanical. Again, the last chapter, on food and physiological 
chemistry, includes no little matter which is strictly biological. 
In fact, were we to go over the entire book and strike out every 
passage not exadtly chemical, not merely would its bulk be con- 
siderably reduced, but the connection would often be destroyed. 
We have pleasure, however, in admitting that most, if not all, 
of the subjects introduced are accurately and clearly, sometimes 
happily, treated, and that not a few popular delusions are shown 
forth in their true light. With one passage we find ourselves 
unable to agree : the author, speaking of bleaching agents, says 
— “ The most important of these are chlorine, chloride of lime, 
and sulphurous anhydride. They all act by their power of 
oxidation, converting the colouring-matter into constituents which 
are more or less colourless,” 
