NEW BOOKS AND PUBLICATIONS.
Mineral Resources of the United States, Calendar Year 1885. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1886. Pp. 576.
This is a carefully compiled volume, giving the statistics for mineral products in the United States. Coal, coke, petroleum, and natural gas are first treated of; the metals, from iron to zirconium, come next. Under aluminum the work of Col. Frishmuth, of Philadelphia, and of the Cowles Smelting Company, of Cleveland, are noted. In view of the demand for zirconium pencils for the oxyhydrogen light, the section on the sources and preparation of the oxide, by Mr. David T. Ray, is of special interest. Other subjects treated are structural materials, abrasive materials (buhr stones, etc.), precious stones, fertilizers, glass materials, and, under many other headings, a complete review of the titular subject appears. We also note a section of much interest on mineral paints, by Mr. Marcus Benjamin, F.C.S. In it the preparation of barytes as an adulterant for paints is described at some length. In some instances an elaborate explanation of the classification of paints as adopted is given. In other cases it is entirely omitted. The first system is certainly preferable. A very full index closes the work. It can be had on application to the Director of the United States Geological Survey, Washington, D. C., the cost of printing and binding (40 cents) being at the same time remitted.
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Best tempering fluid known—Mercury, potash, and hydrochloral. $2.00 per gallon. Samples, 25c. Address Chemical Works, New Albany, Ind.