BOOK NOTICES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17455, 25 October 1918, Page 6

BOOK NOTICES

A Textbook of Mining Geology." By Professor James Park. Fourth edition, 4- revised and enlarged. London: Charles Griffin and Co., Ltd. (9s netj.

In a recent issue of The Bookman it was stated that 96 per oent. of the books published in England and America never survive the first issue. As -with all commodities, it is tile demand that regulates the supply; hence when a book passes into its fourth edition there is good reason to believe that it has established itself as a standard work. Professor Park's book is widely used in English and American Universities, and having a -jiumerous con-' strtuency, the author is given the opportunity of frequent revision. The book, as its name implies, deals mainly with the mode of occurrence, genesis, and distributional of'mineral deposits and ore veins. Much of the matter forms interesting reading to the general reader. Thus in his discussion'' of vein-filling the author says: "The formation of most ore-deposits took place during, or soon after, the periods, of orogenic folding that built up the existing mountain chains." The periods of diastrophic activity—that is, of crustal deformation, —ware distinguished by magmatic intrusions that originated tho whole series of aftereruptive processes, by which many valuable ore-deposits were formed. Joints and fisProfessor Park tells us, are merely the visible expression of crostal stresses, and faulting arises from the constant effort ot the crust to establish isostatic equilibrium. Not the least interesting part of the book" is the_ author's discussion of magmatic differentiation dealing with the separation of minerals from a glassy lava as primary constituents. Here -we have a comprehensive review of tho work of JohnstonLavis, Loewinson-Lessing, Daly. MiehelLevy, Schweig, and Pvissoru The author challenges the view of the nickelbearing sulphide ores of Sudbury are of magmatic origin; and the recent investigations of Tolman_ and Rogers seem to confirm this contention The occurrence, .uses, market value, and preparation of the useful minerals isj fully dealt with, and the sections on mine-sampling and ore-valua-tion, and on the examination and valuation of mines, have always been among the useful features of this work. The present edition will be welcomed by all who are interested in the economic side of neology, and in the development of the mineral resources of the dominion.

"Agatha's Fortune." By Harold Bindlols. London "Ward, Lock, and Co. (Cloth, 5s net.)

This is a story of the Canadian backblocks, and, like' all Mr Bindloss's work, it lias a strong under-current of practical idealism, straight thinking, and unselfish action. The hero, Jim Thirlwell, makes an im'mediate appeal to tho reader's sympathies by his refusal of an easy billet in England because he does not liko the business methods of the man who offers it to him, and_ prefers to continue in a position as mining engineer to a small concern in tho North-West. The mine does not pay well, the work is hard and thankless, the winter climate terrible, and there are no comforts, scarcely common decency; but his employers are " straight," and he lias almost promised to "see them through." Moreover, "the call of the wild " is in his blood. Agatha Strange is the daughter of an old prospector who once found a silver lode—and lost it. Disappointment drove him to drink, and he was drowned' under suspicious circumstances. It had been Thirlwell's duty to write to Agatha of her father's death. Now ho was about to see her and give her further particulars. She, on her side, told him full details of tho story, showed him specimens of tho ore, and declared her intention of personally seeking tho lost mine. Thirlwell docs his best to dissuade her, emphasises the difficulty of such a search, especially for a woman. Ho himself does not believe in tho existence of tho lode, but,, finding that she is determined, offers to give her all the help ho can. Thenceforth tho story follows tho lost trail, and the reader shares in a hundred exciting incidents, until at last, their provisions being almost exhausted, the prfrty know that they must turn back or perish in the wilderness. Then—at the last moment—they find tho lode. Tho story is admirably told, full of life, go, and,, interest. 1

"Stephen Vale." By Paul Trent. London and Melbourne: Ward, Lock, and Co (Cloth, 55.)

Is it ever permissible to do evil that good may come? Sir Anthony Vale ia a solicitor in large and lucrativo practicc, implicitly trusted by a circlo of influential clients and the repository of secrets involving- the honour and happiness of a large number of men and women in high places. These ho keeps in a safe, not in liis office, but in his private house, carrying tho key always on his person. Ho dies suddenly, and the safe, with his other property, falls into th© hands of his only child, Stephen. It is a fateful legacy. The doouments are strictly confidential and some of them of the meet incriminating character. He feels that ho cannot destroy them unread lest they should bo demanded from. Ids custody, and after ho has looked with horror into one or two he shrinks from tho task of reading them! He therefore calls to his assistance his greatest friend named Travers, who unfortunately has not a very nice sense of honour, and believes that in certain cjlscs the end justifies tho means. The storv ehcnvs the use that -was made of eoipe of the papers when they fell into the hands of" persons who were not greatly concerned bv ethical considerations. The tale is well told, and the plot is original and striking. Problems in Land and jVlino Survevin o, " D. Da vies. London: Charlis Griffin and Co. (Cloth. 7s 6d not.) This book contains WO questions and answers, nearly 300 of which are fullv worked out, numerous sketch diagrams and notes on tho use of logarithms. The scope of the questions would indicate that tho author had in mind the compilation of problems , mainly intended to assist oollierv 9tudents in their homo work when preparing for examination. Most of the questions relate to problems connected with mensuration. geometry, scales, computation of earthwork. amount and direction of dip,.and drivage through faults. Tlie methods' bv which tho results are arrived at are s : mple, and. as a rule, set out in great detail. To students whose knowledge of mathematics is elementary, the eleamess and simplicity of treatment achieved by. tho author will bo

most welcome. Tho problems relating to forts, lighthouses, and balloons seem somewhat out of place. 'Iho sections dealing with tho computation of areas and the theodolite traverse are weak; and this tends to limit the usefulness of the work, except for those wiio employ the compass for tho observing of bearings. These shortcomings, bo it said, are not so much the fault of tho author as of tho antiquated system of surveying still recognised by tho Home Office. In any case they do not seriously 'iletraci from the merit of the book, which 04 a whole fuliils the object for which, it wad written. ' Scot's Treasure." By Frederick Niven. London: W. Collins, Sons, and Co. (Cloth, 55.) Uiis is a pleasant Canadi*oi story > of the Cartarct Block, situate on tho very extreme ol civilisation— *' tho last new patch in tho North- VV est, because just beyond it is virgin hind. At the centre of this wild land, at i>t. Anthony s Crossing, the reader is introdu*3ed to some interesting types "-of backblocks character, and; quickly becomes curious as to the fate of .'lll old prospector, known by tho name of Fenny Scot, given to him in lieu of his own because " he was a ttcot who showed up in this country with copper instead of silver in his pocket." Penny fcicot made money by selling his different claims, which ho found and worked alone. He kept his money about' him, tor ho distrusted banks. Then 110 disappeared. The story tells how two of his acquaintances —4ie had no friends—set forth to discover what had becomo of him and his supposod " treasure." The description of their experience in the almost trackless forests, and of their sufferings from tho terrible loneliness of that great lone land ' is most powerfully told, and bears all tho stamp of personal experience.

"Napoleon and the War." By E. George Marks. Sydney: Dymock's Book Arcade. (Paper, 2s 6d.)

As the name suggests, this volume institutes a - parallel between tlio i-'tr-f strategy, and general system of Napoleon aud the conduct of tho present war. In many respects the pareilels are very striking, and in every ease they show the author s extensive knowledge arid mastery of his subject. Tho work is intensely interesting and suggestive; wliile to thncp mistaken pereons who think that study ia n ? good,", it may perhaps serve to awaken their consciousness to tho truth of the old saying that " History repeats itself."

High Altars." By John Oxen ham. Lonetiluen a nd C_. (Paper; Is 6cL) , Osonham's new booklet treats of tho battlefields of Prance and Plandere as he saw them. Of course, it offers only a kaieidoscopio vision of the front: of those thingtf which remain most vividly in the nuiid and return to it again and again. Chief among these are the vast desolation, tile misery of the life of the trenches, tho ™fveUous organisation behind the and the ■ immense courtesy and unfailing Kindness extended everywhere and at all times to the writer.

"The Mud Larks." By Crosbie Garstin. London: Mathuen and Co. (doth; 3s od net.) These rollicking sketches of army life in Irance which have appeared in the pages of Punch, have been said by certain readers with inside knowledge to have more of the spirit of the lines" in them than most of the more serious analytical war studies. Ihe sketches are eminently cheerful and humorous. They abound in laughter-pro-vokmg incidents, and yet there i 8 below the fun a substratum of sarious and suggestive truth which may well cause the uninitiated to ask themselves a few anxious questions. "

"Rasputin, the Rascal Monk." By William I*3 Queux. Melbourne: Melville and Mhllen. (Paner; Is 6dJ

In extracts from a mass of official and private documents, _ the latter including many letters and telegrams from the very highest personages m Russia, Mr Le yusux gives to the public an astoundincr disclosure of tho sinister practices of the man -who controlled the-"dark forces" in .Russia and of tho secret activities of tho ex-Ozarma. Thoy constitute some of the most. appalling revelations of biimnn wickednes9 on record.