New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-02-09
NEW PUBLICATIONS.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.
spscrRun ANALYSIS y"e i I.s E'f So ~ Ca
ser'soer "e'o" 70 a learned teacher OF
-, - an Cologne has given Pop"' "0'oS 80,
AZ the nature and phenomena y. - ~, aI oaroa,jon
. ,,o,v 20 enabling persons Oi V"'' ~ ~. a.
a. master the details OF tuo nio, 1a srn,oot
!" m" he century. Hc treats tue sutVec'
eo'eiy S,otons TO physics, chemistry, technoI'
Al ''' .,sio,orv and astronomy, ana eNplaihs
a. i,rortant bearings almost every orahch OF s''en
.,r investigation The term spectrum denotes inc COZ
- image which Is obtained by the passage OF hght
,hroueh prism OF triangular piece OF glass 10 tho
naked eve there is difference In the light from INC
nAavenv bodies and that from various artificial sources
.xcort variation in color and briliancy. the case Is
totally changed when the prism.
We then sec images spectra OF singular beauty VI
ooor the constitution Of which depends on the substance
emitting the light. Every substance, when luminous ~
gaseous FORM presents peculiar spectrum, wmch pe
Homes only 10 that particular substance. Hence
when the spectra OF different substances have been
determined II is easy 70 infer, from the form OF inc
.pectrnm which body Of unknown constitution
presents. the individual substances OF when IL Is cum
posed This h the briefest statement OF the nature uu
functions CT Spectrum Analysis. 1t differs from inc
method Of the chemist who his alemcs ana re'oIs
IN anavzng bodies and by Of the specra gwen py
substances in state Of intense luminosity discovers
their constituents parts. Not that 1t takes the pace Vi
the usnal chemical analysis Its function is OF amer
snt nature IL neither decomposes nor combines DOues
M she contrary II reconnofters unknown territory,
and roport TO the ply sics the chemist and the asrono
nor the presence of any substance which II mas ue
tected in its subtle scrutiny. The exceeding hnenesS
with which it accomplshes its task is Ik'
the grinding In the mills OF the gods" IL Is
neycrata loss never hestates for lack Of resources
nor substitutes o blunderiug guesswork for precise
knowledge. The balance. the microscope ana oihef IN
struments employed by the physicist oiter lan
OF their purpose. But seldom indeed can sun
stances elude the vigilance OF the specIio
scope II pound Of common salt for instance be d.
vided into equal parts the chemist car place one
OF these particles In his scales, and determine It's
weight But he cen scarcely detect IN such
particle by chemical means, the presence or So
dinm the chief element of salt Now subdivide
this minute point into three million parts 1t becomes
speck beyond the notice of the senses yet Is re-
vealed with the certainty Of Gospel truth, 10y the action
spectroscope You have only to strike together the
pages OF old dusty book and win sec In the spec
line of yellow light which betrays the presence OF
sodium less surely than the flavor OF wine indicates
the soil OF the vineyard. Among the earliest
trophies OF Spectrum Analysis was the discovery
Of two metals cesium and rubidum, by the Heidel-
berg professors, Bunsen and KiTchoh to which TWO
Others thalum and indum have since been added
But the results of the process in physics and chemistry
have been far surpassed by those in astronomy New
tons law Of gravitation enables to calculate the
courses Of the heavenly bodies. 1t projects the ORBITS OF
the earth, the planets and the comets, explains tie
mysteries Of the tides, and the onlInous occur
renee OF eclipses and occultatiOns But Gavitation
chains man 70 the earth and fOrbds him TO leave
It, He must take the wings OF light to obtain
Gdngs Of the vast and solemn orbs by which he is sur
rounded or even TO learn their existence 1t the light
alone that proceeds from those mysterious worlds which
inform him of their being and nature. Spectrum
Analysis has transformed the light into Jacobs ladder
En- which the human mind ascend into Understandable
.pace can rise millions and millions Of miles into in
unity can discover the secret of the silent stars. and
determine their chemical constitution and physical
conditions 1t is but little than ten years since
spectrum Analysis was enlisted in the service OF
astronomy During that period its achievements have
been astounding The prism decOmPOses into its COM
pOnent parts the Light OF the the planets the fixed
stars comets and nebula obtaining their specra in the
way that luminous substances of terrestrial
origin. Comparing the spectra OF tho stars with the
spectra OF earthly substances. we can ascertain WIN
almost mathematical exnctness whether the same sun
,,,Dcas tst an the heavenly bodes-Ehe apphceuon OF
u,..,.a terrestrial substances ana 10
aycnlv bodies streated with great copiousness and
,r.,aitv of detail In the present work. Rarely has
herman scientific writer exhibited so facle command
Of expressive language and apt illustration rs Dr.
scbelI,n and the translation has evidently been made
With degroc OF fidelity and skill that has left the merits
N q the orgna, unimpaIed. The volume is accompanied
win an abundance of admirable engrayinGs presenting
clearly U the cyc the Instruments the methods aud the
rt6Ults ~ the curious and interesting process