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Abstract

THIS is a brochure one-third of which is devoted to an “avant-propos” explaining why the paper does not appear in the Annales de Chimie et Physique, and making certain statements relating to M. Berthelot's recent work, “Les Origines de l'Alchimie.” The remaining part contains a discussion of a paper on molecular volumes of liquids which appeared in the Annales. In 1869 Prof. Kopp published, in succession to his “Geschichte derChemie,” a volume of “Beitrage” to the history, explaining more fully the principal epochs in chemical history, more especially in relation to alchemy. In 1885 M. Berthelot published his work, which had occupied more or less of his attention since 1869. Its general character is very similar to the “Beitrage,” though much less complete, and Kopp complains that no reference whatever is made to his book. Berthelot, in reply, states that he was unaware of the existence of the “Beitrage,” yet he quotes references to works in which this “cahier” (as he calls it) is repeatedly mentioned. The oversight is a very grave one, when we remember that the “cahier” is a contribution of over 800 pages, and when we consider the position which Prof. opp holds as an historian of chemistry, a position which demands that due regard should be paid to his writings.

Mémoire sur les Volumes moléculaires des Liquides, avec un Avant-propos.

By Hermann Kopp. Pp. 47. (Heidelberg: C. Winter, 1886.)