25 DECEMBER 1886, Page 22

Chip; from the Earth's Crust. By John Gibson. (Nelson and

Sons.)—Mr. Gibson has collected in this volume a number of essays

—there are twenty-eight in all—contributed during some years past

to the Sco'sman. He explains in the preface that they have been somewhat enlarged, and that the details of information have been

brought up to the latest state of knowledge. Mines of all kinds, diamond and coal mines among them, earthquakes, meteor showers and meteorites, and American tornadoes are among the subjects which he discusses. By lads of an inquiring turn of mind this interesting volume should, we think, be much prized.