The Encyclopedia of Chemistry, Practical and Theoretical; em-
bracing its applications to the Arts, Metallurgy, Mineralogy,
Geology and Pharmacy. By James C. Booth, A. M., M. A. P. S.,
&c. Assisted by Campbell Morfit. 8vo. pp. 974. Phila-
delphia : Henry C. Baird, successor to E. L. Carey, 1850.
The Encyclopedia embraces too wide a scope, as indicated by
the above title, to be included in 974 large octavo pages of small
print. It, of course, is not to be expected that the whole subject
can be here produced in any great detail, and hence this is not
aimed at, except in the applications to manufactures and metal-
lurgy. In these departments, the authors have extended their
observations, and given various modifications of tlae processes
employed, and under the heads of the articles themselves, references
to their use, with the particular parts they are expected to per-
form in these processes, and such incidental information as may be
practically useful to the manipulator. Thus acetic acid, alcohol,
alcoholometry, alum, beer, bleaching, calico printing, caoutchouc,
&c., have a larger proportionate space allotted to them than sub-
stances which, belonging to the other departments, have no parti-
cular applications in the arts or metallurgy. In thus giving parti-
cular attention to distinct branches of the science, the more ele-
mentary parts have not been overlooked, but, as the foundation of
all the rest, have devoted to them such notice as is requisite to
their proper applications and correct appreciation. In thus direct-
ing their aims in a special direction, it does not, however, appear
that space is obtained by omission of any subjects as too unimpor-
tant in character, but rather by apportioning the amount on each
topic to its relative value, and treating these subjects in as con-
cise a manner as may be consistent with perspicuity. In the dic-
tionary form necessary to a work of this kind, considerable effort
is necessary to prevent a repetition of statements and facts under
the different heads in which they maybe appropriately introduced,
and at the same time to avoid too frequent references from one
head to another. This effort has apparently been made with con-
siderable success, by passing in review all the parts connected
with any particular subject, referring to their distinct heads, and
giving but few words to that which has been elsewhere noticed,
and where a sufficient explanation has been given under the gene-
ral subjects, referring to the principal subjects under each distinc-
tive title. Thus, under bile and blood, the constituents of these
complex organic fluids are given, and either separately commented
on, or reference made to them, as “ see Hematin and Globulin
or under the special names we have a reference to these subjects,
as “ Fulvic Acid,” and “ Taurin, see Bile,” &c.
Some few omissions and inadvertencies of expression, however,
have been noticed, which have escaped the attention of the authors;
thus, under “ Hydrometer,” no mention is made of the applica-
tions of the same principle in the urinometer. Under Urea, it is
stated that it is prepared artificially by mixing “ 28 parts of dry
ferrocyanide of potassium, and 14 of peroxide of manganese,” and
“ 20 parts of crystallized sulphate of ammonia and immediately
below “ from 5—6 ozs. of urea may be obtained from the above
proportions.”
In revising the proofs, uniformity of orthography has not received
as full attention as the scientific portions of the work; thus the
phrase “ wear and tare ” is twice repeated within three pages.
In the one page there is fellinic and twice fellanic acid ; although
not here important, the change of a single letter may in other in-
stances of organic compounds indicate a marked difference in
composition, of which an example may be given in butyrene C8 H§,
butyrine C14 H14 0 , butyrone C14 H14 O2.
The illustrations consist of wood cuts introduced under the dif-
ferent subjects requiring them, and nine plates of more general
reference, and not well adapted to the body of the work.
In conclusion, we would state, that as a work of reference, the
Cyclopedia will be found very useful, as embodying a large amount
of practical information gleaned from a great variety of sources,
and from personal experience up to the time of its publication,
upon the accuracy of which the well known knowledge and judg-
ment of the authors would lead us to place great reliance.
R. B.