28 JANUARY 1871, Page 24

A Digest of Facts relating to the Treatment and Utilization

of Sewage. By W. H. Coifield, M.A. (Macmillan.)—Mr. Corfield prepared this treatise for the Committee of the British Association. It carries out very thoroughly the purpose which its modest title states. The author has evidently used all possible diligence in collecting facts, and, having collected them, knows how to deal with them. He has come to the conclusion—to mention one point which is now much discussed—that the "earth-closet" system is, at all events, inapplicable to great cities. What else are we to think if for London the annual consumption of earth would be 200 acres dug to the depth of six feet? We shall content ourselves, however, without going into details, by emphatically recommending the book to our readers.