574 
Reviews,  etc. 
(Am.  Jour.  Pharm 
t      Dec,  1876. 
ous  methods  of  estimating  free  and  combined  acids,  alkalies  and  alkaline  earths. 
Part  III  treats  of  the  methods  of  analysis  based  upon  reduction  or  oxidation  by 
hyposulphite  of  sodium,  arsenious  acid,  iodine,  permanganic  and  chromic  acids. 
Part  IV  is  devoted  to  the  analysis  by  precipitation  with  and  without  the  use  of 
an  indicator. 
The  general  descriptions  of  the  different  methods  of  volumetric  assay  is  then  fol- 
lowed in  Part  V  by  the  application  of  these  principles  to  the  analysis  of  special 
substances,  to  the  determination  of  which  they  have  been  ascertained  to  be  .applica- 
ble} and,  in  Part  VI,  by  the  special  application  to  the  complete  quantitative  analysis  of 
wine,  soils,  manures,  natural  waters  and  sewage. 
Part  VII,  which  has  been  contributed  by  Prof.  McLeod,  treats  of  the  volumetric 
analysis  of  gases,  describing  the  necessary  apparatus  and  methods  to  be  followed. 
The  Appendix  contains  a  few  additional  processes  for  the  estimation  of  nitrites  and 
three  or  four  metals,  and  several  tables  for  corrections  for  temperatures  in  the  analysis 
of  gases.' 
The  work  being  intended  for  those  who  are  sufficiently  advanced  in  chemistry, 
its  pages  are  not  filled  with  minute  descriptions  of  elementary  manipulations }  but 
the  descriptions  of  the  processes  and  manipulations  are  characterized  by  keeping  an 
acceptable  middle  between  the  former  and  inconvenient  conciseness.  They  are 
clear,  and  enter,  particularly  in  the  special  applications,  sufficiently  into  detail  to 
avoid  misconception,  and,  wherever  necessary,  excellent  cuts  facilitate  exactness  of 
understanding.  We  regard  the  work  as  very  well  adapted  to  the  purposes  for  which 
it  was  written,  but  must  remark  that  the  pharmaceutical  requirements  are  limited 
to  the  estimation  of  inorganic  elements,  some  organic  acids,  tannin  and  sugar,  the 
estimation  of  alkaloids,  for  instance,  not  being  embraced  in  the  scope  of  the  volume. 
Illustrations,  typography  and  paper  leave  nothing  to  desire  ;  and  if  we  add  that 
the  proof-sheets  have  been  evidently  read  with  great  care,  and  that  a  good  index  has 
been  prepared,  it  will  be  seen  that  the  book  can  be  consulted  and  used  with  profit 
and  dispatch.   
Medicinal  Plants,  being  descriptions  with  original  figures  of  the  principal  plants  em- 
ployed in  medicine,  and  an  account  of  their  properties  and  uses.  By  Robert 
Bentley,  F.L.S.,  and  Henry  Trimen,  M.B.,  F.L.S.  Philadelphia:  Lindsay  & 
Blakiston.    Parts  6,  7,  8.    Price,  $2.00  each.  <%. 
The  parts  of  this  excellent  work  now  before  us  contain  plates  with  the  usual 
descriptions  of  Anamirta  paniculata,  Canella  alba,  Barosma  betulina  and  serrati- 
folia,  Physostigma  venenosum,  Pterocarpus  marsupium  and  santalinus,  Hemides- 
mus  indicus,  Illicium  anisatum,  Polygala  Senega,  Camellia  Thea,  Melaleuca  minor, 
Uncaria  Gambir,  Chimaphila  corymbosa,  Ophelia  Chirata,  Schcenocaulon  officinale 
(Sabadilla),  Althaea  officinalis,  Balsamodendron  Opobalsamum,  Exogonium  purga, 
Nicotiana  Tabacum,  Ricinus  communis,  Pinus  Larix  and  Canna  edulis. 
Dissertation  sur  les  Caractlres  specifiques  du  Genre  Colchicum  et  sur  quelques  esplces 
nowvellement  decowvertes  en  GrZce.  Par  Theo.  G.  Orphanides,  Professeur  a  l'uni- 
versite  d'Athenes.    Florence,  1875.    8vo,  pp,  11. 
Dissertation  on  the  specific  characters  of  the  genus  Colchicum  and  on  several  species 
recently  discovered  in  Greece. 
