112  Reviews  and  Bibliographical  Notices.  {^'^Feb^im^^'^' 
tical  chemistry  cannot  claim  to  have  educational  value ;  but  as  an  operative 
introduction  to  the  character  and  deportment  of  compounds,  analysis  be- 
comes a  logical  mode  of  study,  fruitful  of  important  results." 
Organic  analysis  rests  primarily  upon  the  nature  and  character  of  the 
more  important  compounds,  including  their  physical  and  chemical  beha- 
viour under  the  influence  of  various  agents ;  and  the  value  of  analytical 
methods,  both  qualitative  and  quantitative,  depends  upon  the  perfection  of 
the  processes  for  the  characterization  or  isolation  of  the  compounds  under 
the  most  varying  conditions.  Obviously,  as  a  mode  of  study,  analysis  will 
fulfil  its  objects  best,  if  character  and  behaviour  of  the  compounds  under 
consideration  be  continually  kept  in  view. 
The  work  before  us  has  evidently  been  written  with  such  objects  in  view. 
Not  merely  one  or  more  processes  are  given  by  which  a  compound  may  be 
recognized  or  distinguished  from  others;  but  in  each  case  its  chemical  con- 
stitution, its  origin,  and  its  essential  physical  and  chemical  characters  are 
given  in  full,  and  subsequently  the  means  of  identifying  the  compoun.d  are 
stated,  its  separation  from  others,  and  its  quantitative  determination,  to- 
gether with  the  methods  for  ascertaining  its  purity,  or  estimating  the 
amount  of  impurities  present.  The  literature  of  each  subject  is  fully  given, 
the  original  sources  being  quoted  together  with  the  year  when  first  pub- 
lished, and  with  such  other  journals  or  works  that  are  likely  to  be  more  ac- 
cessible than  the  original  publications. 
The  arrangement  is  alphabetical;  but  very  similar  compounds  and  the 
important  constituents  of  a  drug  or  plant  are  treated  together  under  one 
common  head.  Thus  butter,  castor  oil  and  other  fats  are  mentioned  in 
their  alphabetical  order,  but  are  considered  under  "  Fats  and  Oils ;  "  qui- 
nine, cinchonine,  etc.,  under  "  Cinchona  Alkaloids ;  "  brucine  and  strych- 
nine under  "  Strychnos  Alkaloids,"  etc.  In  all  cases  where  observations 
have  been  made  regarding  the  passage  of  organic  compounds  through  the 
animal  economy,  the  results  are  fully  noted  and  afford  a  most  valuable  aid 
to  the  investigator  in  forensic  and  other  researches.  The  most  recent  schemes 
for  plant  analysis,  elementary  analysis,  the  determination  of  fats,  coloring 
matters,  alkaloids  and  other  groups  of  organic  bodies  are  comprehensively 
considered  under  appropriate  heads. 
The  work  will  prove  to  be  a  very  valuable  one  for  the  laboratory.  It  is 
calculated  to  widen  the  views  of  the  intelligent  student  in  his  endeavors  to 
acquire  a  substantial  knowledge  of  the  carbon  compounds;  and  the  ex- 
perienced analyst  will  find  it  a  comprehensive  and  reliable  work  of  refer- 
ence on  most  questions  which  are  likely  to  arise  in  analytical  investigations. 
Several  classes  of  compounds,  like  sugars  and  other  carbohydrates,  various 
hydrocarbons  and  allied  bodies,  possess  considerable  commercial  and  phar- 
maceutical importance,  and  would  seem  to  deserve  much  fuller  treatment 
than  could  be  accorded  to  them  under  the  head  of  plant  analysis. 
The  make-up  of  the  book  is  attractive,  the  illustrations  are  instructive^ 
and  the  arrangement  of  the  matter  is  convenient  for  ready  reference. 
