27 MAY 1905, Page 23

The Preservation of Antiquities. Translated from the German of Dr.

Friedrich Rattigen by George A. Auden, M.D., and Harold A. Auden, D.Sc. (Cambridge University Press. 45. 6d. net.)—Iii this "Handbook for Curators" are described the changes under- gone by antiquities in earth and air—gold is affected only through the. metals with which it is alloyed—and the methods for pre- serving them. The objects are divided into inorganic and organic, and these are subdivided again. There are interesting illustrations, as figures 11 and 12, which show a bronze in its deteriorated condition, and after treatment by Finkener's method. This method is electrolytic, Daniell cells being used, and the object immersed in an aqueous solution of potassium cyanide.