A Manual of Determinative Mineralogy

Abstract

WE have here an excellent guide to the recognition of mineral species. It is not intended to supersede the use of a standard work on mineralogy, but to train a student to acquire a first-hand knowledge of minerals and their distinguishing characters and ultimately a facility in identifying the commoner species at sight. There is a general classification occupying more than 130 octavo pages based on physical characters, especially streak, colour, and hardness, in the order named. After a rather full account of blow-pipe and other convenient chemical tests, including some which are not commonly employed in this country, there is another classificatory table of 70 pages constructed to assist in the identification of minerals by this means. This is followed by a third table based on the crystalline system and hardness. Perhaps greater stress might have been laid on specific gravity, the determination of which is frequently one of the most rapid means of "running down"a doubtful mineral. Also no mention is made of the use of a permanent horseshoe magnet with special adjustable poles by the help of which the comparatively weak magnetic character of minerals like monazite can be easily recognised even in the field.

A Manual of Determinative Mineralogy.

Prof.

J. Volney

Lewis

By. Third, revised and enlarged edition. Pp. v + 298. (New York: J. Wiley and Sons, Inc.; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1921.) 16s. 6d. net.