Microscopic Analysis of Metals

Abstract

THIS book is a translation of a French edition embodying several papers published by M. Osmond between 1895 and 1900. The editor, Mr. Stead, in a somewhat florid preface, states that he has confirmed most of Osmond's assays, and claims that the book must be regarded “as a standard work on metallography.” This claim will be difficult to justify, since an ex-parte statement of the views of the leader of the allotropic school of metallurgy can hardly constitute a standard work, in which necessarily the facts and theories of both schools of thought should be impartially set forth and enunciated. Again, the work is to some extent unsystematic, as in its early pages gold, steel, silver and bronze are mixed together in a somewhat puzzling manner, and such important alloys as white metal and brass are not dealt with at all. Most of the photomicrographs are excellent, whilst a few are very indifferent.

Microscopic Analysis of Metals.

By Floris Osmond, Paris. Edited by J. E. Stead, F.R.S. Pp. vii + 178. (London: C. Griffin and Co., Ltd., 1904.) Price 7s. 6d. net.