12 FEBRUARY 1881, Page 22

Elements of Chemistry. By W. A, Miller. Part III., "Organic

Chemistry." Section I. Edited by II. E. Armstrong and C. E. Groves.—This is virtually a new book, in arrangement, iu treatment, and in substance. Under the fostering care of Dr. Armstrong and Mr Groves, the third volume of the late Professor Miller's " Elements " has been expanded into a systematic and independent treatise on the chemistry of carbon compounds. The first section of this treatise, comprising no less than 1,014 pages, is now before us. With the fullness of treatment which the editors quite rightly adopt, two more

volumes will, wo imagine, be needed to completesthe work satisfac- torily, although we are promised only one. The present volume has been almost entirely rewritten, and is worthy of the highest com- mendation, not from the philosophical side only, but from the descriptive also. The subjects discussed in the present instalment of this work include hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, and the fatty or " paraffinoid" acids.