May 28, 191o. THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN. 1137 Theoretical and Practical Determination of the Heat Balance Sheet of the'Coke Oven (Theoretische und praktische Ermittlung von Koksofen-Warmebilanzen). —. Krueger. “ St. u. E.,” May 6, pp. 477-83; illus. Importance of Chemical Control in Gas Purifying Plant (Ueber die Bedeutung der CKemischen Kon- trolle im Reinigerhausbetriebe). —. Madsen. “J. Gasbel.,” May 1, pp. 234-37; illus. XXIV.—Fuels, Testing, etc. The “ Cracking ” of Oils and its Commercial Use. “ Nature,” Apr. 29, p. 231. Lignite. B. F. Haanel. “ Mine, Quarry and Derrick,” Apr., 14, p. 195. The Utilisation of Solar Energy. A. S. E. Ackermann. “Journ. Roy. Soc. Arts.,” Apr. 30, p. 537; 10 fig. Extraction of Oil from Coal. F. R. Wadleigh. “ Coal Age,” Apr. 24, p. 720. Coke as a Boiler Fuel. ” Times Eng. .Suppl.,” Apr. 30, p. 79. Catalytic Agents. ‘‘Times Eng. Suppl.,” Apr. 30, p. 83. Practical Operation of Gas Producers : Pressure and Suction Types “ Pract. Engin.,” 7 fig. Note on the Heating of an Open Hearth Furnace by Means of Tar. A. Greiner. “ Engineering,” May 14, p. 558. (Paper read before Iron Steel Inst.) Recent Progress in Pyrometry. C. R. Darling. “ Journ. Roy. Soc. Arts,” May 14, p. 589; 12 fig. Selling Coal by Sample : Some of the Difficulties. “ Black Diamond,” May 1, p. 378. The Purchase of Coal. M. B. Smith. “ Coal Age,” May 8, p. 801; 1 fig. The Composition of Gas in Relation to its Calorific Value. “ Observer.” “ Gas Wld.,” May 15, p. 563. Feasibility of Erecting By-Product Recovery Peat Pro- ducer Gas Power Plants in Canada. B. F. Haanel. “ Journ. Canad. Peat Soc.,” Dec. 1914, p. 81. Coal Tar Products and the Possibility of Increasing their Manufacture in the United States. H. C. Porter. “ Coal Tr. Bull.,” May 1, p. 35. Comparison of Coal Consumption with that of Other Fuels.' A. A. Potter and W. A. Buck. “ Coal Age,” May 15, p. 848; 4 fig. The Sulphur Content of Austrian Coals and Lignites (Ueber den Schwefelgehalt unserer Stein- und Braun- kohlen). —. Ehrendorfer. ‘‘Wiener Dampfk. Z.,” Mar., pp. 34-5. The Combustion of Benzol in Internal Combustion Engines (Ueber die Verbrennung von Benzol in Explosionsmotoren). —. Terres. ‘‘ Oel- u. Gas- masch.,” Apr., pp. 4-6; illus. XXV.—Steam Engines and Boilers : Gas Engines. The Design of Steam Boilers and Pressure Vessels. G. B. Haven and G. AV. Swett. London : Chapman and Hall. 12s. fid. net. Some Notes on Feed Check Valves 'and Internal Feed Pipes. J. R. Edwards. ‘‘Vulcan,” May, p. 227; 19 fig. Boiler Water and its Troubles. C. M. Young. “ Coll. Engin.,” May, p. 527; 1 fig. Thermal Efficiency of Mining Steam Plants. J. D. Paton. “ Colliery Guard.,” May 14, p. 1018. (Abst. paper read before Manchester Geol. Min. Soc.) Recovery of Oil and Pure Water in Condensation from Exhaust Steam (Gewinnung von Oel und oelfreiem Kondensat aus Abdampf). M. Vahle. “ Gliickauf,” Apr. 24, pp. 409-12; illus. New Patents Relating to Boiler Firing Appliances (Neue Patente auf dem Gebiet der Dampfkesselfeuer- ung). —. Pradel. “Z., Dampfk. Betr.,” Apr. 9, pp. 125-27; Apr. 23, pp. 143-45; illus. Heat Utilisation and Control in New Steam Power Plants (Die Warmeausnutzung neuerer Dampfkraft- werke und ihre Uberwachung). —. Guilleaume. “ Z. d. Ing.,” Apr. 10, pp. 300-3.; Apr. 24, pp. 341-44: illus. Improving the Economy of Steam Power Plants by the Utilisation of Exhaust and Intermediate Steam). —. Blau. “ Z. Dampfk. Betr.,” Apr. 9, pp. 123-25; illus. New Type of Water Turbine Plant ’for Heads of 6-100 ft. (Eine neue Bauweise fur Wasserturbinen- anlagen mit Gefalle von 2 bis 30 m). —. Hallinger. “ Z. Turb. Wes.,” Apr. 10, pp. 113-14; illus. The Efficiency of Steam Boilers (Zur Frage des Wirk- ungsgrades von Dampfkesseln). —. Seyboth. “ Feuerungstechn.,” Apr. 15, pp. 175-78; illus. Tests on Diesel Engines Running Light (Versuche fiber die Leerlaufarbeit von Dieselmotoren). —. Balog. “ Oel- u. Gasmasch.,” Apr., pp. 1-4; illus. Fire Control in Steam Boilers (Feuerregelung bei Dampfkesselfeuerungen). —. Pradel. “ Braunk.,” Apr. 30, pp. 51-6; illus. Researches on the Economic Prospects of the Gas Tur- bine (Untersuchungen fiber die Wirtschaftlichen Aussichten der Gasturbine). —. Magg. “ Z. Turb. Wes.,” Apr. 30, pp. 133-37. XXVI.-—Compressed Air. The Use of Compressed Air on the Rand. J. H. Rider. “ Colliery Guard.,” May 21, p. 1066. (Abst. paper read before Inst. Elect. Engin.) Measuring Processes for Ascertaining the Capacity of Air Compressors (Die Messverfahren zur Bestim- mung der Forderleistung von Luftkompressoren). —. Jahn. “ Z. Kompr. Gase.,” Alar., pp. 38-41. XXVII.—Electricity. Bearings of Electrical Machinery. ' A. Gibson. “Iron Coal Tr. Rev.,” May 7, p. 642; 15 fig. (Paper read . before Assoc. Alin. Engin.) Some Notes on Commutating Pole Alachines. G. W. . Worrall. “ Vulcan,” Alay, p. 233. High-Tension Switchgear Arrangements. ” Engineer,” May 7, p. 461; 5 fig. Developments of a Circuit Controller. A. R. Andersom Coal Age,”.Alay 8, p. 803; 4 fig. Problems of an Electrically-operated Coal Aline. H. W. Smith. “ Coal Age,” May 8, p. 807; 5 fig-. Operations in the New River Field. AV. Z. Price. Coll. Engin.,” May, p. 533;.9 fig. (A large elec- trification scheme in W. Virginia.) Standardisation Rules for Electrical Alachinery. “ Electr. Rev.,” Alay 21, p. 742; 4 fig. (Rules issued by the B.E.A.AI.A.) Oil-Switch Explosions : Their Causes and Prevention (Oelschalterexplosionen, deren Ursache und Verhfit- ung). —. Weinberger. “ E.T. Z.,” Apr. 8, p. 157; illus. Dielectric Properties of Various Insulating Alaterials (Dielektrische Eigenschaften . von verschiedenen Isolierstofien). —. Wagner. “ E. T. Z.,” Apr. 8, p. 163; illus. XXVIII.—Surface Transport and Storage. Coal Conveying at Wharnclifie Silkstone Colliery. “ Iron Coal Tr. Rev.,” Alay 7, p. 637; 1 fig. Annual Cost of Locomotive Upkeep. “ Engineer,” Alay 7, p. 453. Narrow Gauge High-Capacity Wagons for the Burma Alines Railway. “ Rly. Gaz.,” Alay 14, p. 503; 9 fig. Storing Coal Under Water. “ Commercial America,” Apr., p. 41; 1 fig. (Plant at Indianapolis.) A Special Type of Colliery Locomotive. “ Colliery Guard.,” Alay 21, p. 1069; 1 fig. A Coal-Handling Plant at Camden Town. “ Collierv Guard.,” May 14, p. 1029; 2 fig. Recent Improvements in Alechanical Loading and Unloading Appliances for Ships and Vehicles (Die neueste Fortschritte auf dem Gebiete des mechani- schen Ladens und Loschens von Schiffen und Fahr- zougen). —. Brecht. “ Ann. Glaser.,” Apr. 15, pp. ’ 193-97; illus. XXIX. —Sanitation, Diseases, etc. Housing and Town Planning in the Doncaster Coal- fields. P. Morris. “ Journ. Soc. Archit.,” Alay, p. 251. (Paper read before Munic. Cty. Engin.) German Social Insurance and the War (Die deutsche Sozialversicherung und der Krieg). “ Gliickauf,” Apr. 24, pp. 418-20. XXX. —Mining Laws, Royalties. Abstracts of Current Decisions on Mines and’ Mining, 1913-14. J. AV. Thompson. “Bull. 90 (Law Serial 3),” U.S. Bureau of Mines. German Official Regulations on Prospecting (Die Berg- polizeivorschriften fur Schiirfarbeiten, mit Erlauter- ungen. H. Zausch. W. Knapp, Halle, 1914; 4-60 mk. BOOK NOTICES. Geology of To-day. (A Popular Introduction in Simple Language). By Prof. J. W. Gregory, F.R.S., D.Sc. With 58 illus., pp. 328, 7-|in. x 5 in. x London: Seeley, Service and Company Limited; 1915. Price, 5s. net. Those who work in mines, of all men, should take an interest in geology; and the notion of a popular treatise in simple language by an acknowledged master of the science is attractive, if only for the reason that the geology of to-day has become so abstruse a study as to seem almost repellent to those who are unfamiliar with its technicalities. The author professes himself appalled at the magnitude of the task of writing such a volume on a science which has grown so rapidly, that a perusal of eight separate works a day would alone suffice to keep a reader abreast of current literature. Yet Prof. Gregory has accomplished this task with great skill and undeniable success. He has given us a Geology of To-day in a surprisingly small compass, but replete with modern views on every branch of this complex study; and the language is intelligible to every class of reader. In four introductory chapters, the author describes the development of modern geology, the birth of the earth, and the materials of which it has been made. The next six chapters deal with the physical processes by which the surface of the earth has been brought to the condition in which we now see it. The phenomena of earthquakes, volcanoes, and the origin of mountains are discussed in considerable detail, and the evidence of the skilled hand is clearly shown in the treatment of this portion of the subject, the interest of which is intensified by a striking series of photographic illus- trations, many of which are new to text-books of this standard. The age of the earth is a problem of universal interest, and a chapter is devoted to its discussion. The solu- tion, of course, has not yet been found; but the reader will find here a trustworthy account of the attempts that have been made to find an answer to this question. Perhaps the author’s confidence in the efficacy of radio- active changes to provide a reliable measure of the age of uranium minerals may not be shared by everyone, but he has very fairly set forth the various uncertainties of this method, and he may be allowed a certain degree of optimism in its future promises. About half the book is devoted to historical geology, which is handled in an original and interesting manner. The author makes the evolution of life the basis of his stratigraphical descriptions. This, of course, is scien- tific, and has, moreover, the merit of being more generally attractive to lay minds than the usual litho- logical treatment of the geological formations. But the character of the various sediments is by no means neglected, and the author has contrived to weave into the life history of the earth a clear account of the building of the British Isles, and an insight into the geological structure of many other parts of the earth as well. Lastly, the geological history of man is dis- cussed in the light of modern research. The evidence of “ eoliths ” is cautiously handled, and the author does not expect to find human remains in earlier deposits than the pleistocene. A useful feature of this book is the reference, in every chapter, to authorities to be consulted by enquiring readers who may desire fuller information upon the subjects treated. AVe know of no single volume giving so suggestive and illuminating an account of geology of to-day, nor any book in which the ordinary reader will find presented, in an attractive form, so many of the latest views upon geological science. It is not only a book for geological students, but one to inspire readers to become such. LAW INTELLIGENCE. HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE. KING’S BENCH DIVISION.—May 14. Before Mr. Justice Rowlatt. “ Restraint of Princes.” Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers Limited v. W. Cory and Sons Limited.—This was an action brought by the Associated Portland Cement Alanufacturers Limited against Alessrs. William Cory and Sons Limited, raising a question of considerable importance to all interested in shipping, viz., whether a long contract, extending over a number of years, must be held to be dissolved by reason of the war. In Alarch 1910, the defendants, who are ship- owners, entered into a contract, lasting till 1916, to provide the plaintiffs with tonnage for the carriage of cement from the Thames to Rosyth, the plaintiffs being under contract to supply cement to the contractors to the Government for works at the 'Rosyth naval base. When the war broke out, the defendants questioned whether they were relieved from their obligations, and a temporary arrangement was come to, by which the plaintiffs agreed to pay 6d. per ton extra. Freights rose, and in December the defendants said they would not continue unless they received another '2s. a ton. The plaintiffs said they had the right to have their cement carried at the contract rate of 2s. 2d. per ton, while the defendants considered that the contract was cancelled ,by the war, and demanded the market rate of freight. This was paid by the plaintiffs, and they now claimed payment of the difference as damages for breach of contract. . The defendants pleaded that the contract w-as entered into in contemplation of peace conditions, and that, they were absolved from liability under the “-restraint of princes ” clause, and they set up the provisions of the Defence of . the Realm Act, which gave the Government power to .take any ships which they required for war. His lordship, in giving judgment, said it was apparent that there was danger attending these voyages. The ques- tion he had to consider was whether the defendants were entitled to claim that the contract as a whole was suspended, owing to new conditions brought about by the war. While the'defendants had been hampered by the outbreak of war, the Government had not done anything to stop all the voyages of the defendants’ ships, and the requisitioning of a number of ships, or the making it awkward for the ships to perform the voyages, did not entitle the defendants to say that they had been prevented from performing their con- tract by “ restraint of princes and rulers.” The Defence of the Realm Act afforded no. justification for the course which the defendants had taken, and it was impossible for them to contend that the restrictions imposed by. the Government prevented them from fulfilling the wffiole of their contract. Under these circumstances he gave judgment for the plaintiffs for the amount claimed, with costs. SCOTTISH COURT OF SESSION. FIRST DIVISION.—May 14. Before the Lord President, and Lords Johnston, AIackenzie, and Skerrington. Workmen’s Compensation : Accident Following Epilepsy. Mrs. Cuthbert v. Robert Kerr and Sons. — This was a stated case under the AVorkmen’s Compensation Act,, in which Mrs. Mary Gibson or Cuthbert, Kirkland-place, Irvine, appealed against a decision of Sheriff AIackenzie at Ayr, refusing her claim for T273 as compensation in respect of the death of her husband, Robert Cuthbert, engine fitter, who was employed by'Robert Kerr and Sons, Caledonia Forge, Irvine. On Alarch 30, 1914, Cuthbert resumed work after recovering from an epileptic fit with which he had been seized while at his work on Alarch 27. On April 6, 1914, while engaged at his work, he was again Seized with an epileptic fit, became unconscious, and fell backwards on to the floor, which was made of cement. In consequence of his fall he fractured the base of his skull,' and died on April 17. The Sheriff found that the appellant had failed to prove that the deceased died from personal injury arising ’ out of and in the course of his employment with the respon- dents, assoilzied them, and fotmd the appellant liable in expenses. The question for the court was whether the Sheriff was justified on the facts in finding that the. .appel- lant had not proved an “ accident ” within the meaning of the Act. It w7as argued for the appellant that the risk incidental to his work which the deceased incurred, and which caused the accident, w7as standing on a hard cement floor. The Division answered the question in the affirmative, and found the appellant liable in expenses. The Lord President said the sole question w:as ..whether the accident arose out of the employment—in other words, wras’the risk which the man undertook a risk incidental to his work? In effect, the arbitrator came to the conclusion that the risk w’as not incidental to the man’s .employment, but wras just such a risk as members of the public were liable to, and on that question of fact the arbitrator w7as final. The other judges concurred. Grimsby Coal Exports. — The official return of coal exported from Grimsby during the week ending Alay 21 was as follows :—To Christiansund, 920 tons ; Dieppe, 528 ; Gefle, 1,828; Afahno, 1,726; Rotterdam, 2,440; and Stock- holm, 1,769—total, 9,211 tons, all foreign, there being no coastwise shipments this week. The corresponding figures for last year wTere : 19,450 tons foreign, and 699 tons coast- wise. . ‘ ' .