]46 headings: where to explore (geographic and geologic environment); what to look for (size, shape and depth of the deposit); main uses; selection criteria (properties affecting the value of the product); prospecting methods; and a list of references for further informa- tion. This book is not a true manual, but it does give a good summary of a topic that is poorly understood by most geologists. The book is ideally suited as a supplementary textbook for courses in mineral exploration. It is also a useful reference for all explora- tionists who have at least a rudimentary knowledge of French. G.A. Armbrust, Denver, CO ENGINEERING GEOLOGY M.C. Ervin (Editor), 1983. In-situ Testing for Geotechnical Investigations. Balkema, Rot- terdam, vii + 131 pp., no price given. This book is based on an Extension Course on In-Situ Testing for Geotechnical Investigations organized by the Sydney Group of the Australian Geomechanics Society. In-situ testing is an essential part of the civil engineering process. Its neglect has been the cause of many structural failures. Its proper application can provide the de- tailed knowledge of ground conditions which leads to greater safety and economy in de- sign. The nine chapters, written by different authors, cover, in a practical manner, all the commonly employed in-situ testing methods for geotechnical investigations. Standard penetration test, quasi-static penetration test and vane test in both onshore and offshore environments are described in some detail. Reference is made to the current status of standardisation of test procedures and re- cent equipment developments are discussed. A background to the development of the pressuremeter and the basic analysis tech- niques are presented, together with some discussions of the limitations of the text and the potentional future equipment develop- ments. Chapters are also devoted to plate loading tests, recent developments in the ap- plication of geophysics to geotechnical in- vestigation, and in-situ permeability testing in soil and rock. In the final chapter the pur- poses of a soil instrumentation programme are reviewed, with emphasis placed on the use of data obtained as an aid in design or the control of construction procedures. Case histories from soil engineering practice are presented. Line drawings are used wherever possible to give a clear explanation of equipments and techniques. Each chapter is a fairly comprehensive subject entity to itself. The references are very good. Every chapter contains an ex- haustive list, international in character. This book should prove a valuable refer- ence to research and practising workers in the field of geotechnical engineering. It rep- resents a comprehensive text on current in-situ testing practice for geotechnical in- vestigations and gives a thorough insight into who's doing what in this expanding interna- tional field. This volume definitely should be among the reference works for civil engineers and engineering geologists as well as any others having an interest in geotechnical engineer- ing. M.E. Popescu, Bucharest GENERAL GEOLOGY M. Moullade and A.E.M. Nairn (Editors), 1983. The Phanerozoic Geology of the World, I1. The Mesozoic, B. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 450 pp., U.S.$ 112,75 (U.S. and Canada), Dfl. 265.00 (rest of the world). Hardcover. This is the second of the three volumes to be produced describing the Mesozoic geol- ogy of the world. This contribution covers most of South America, Mexico and the Caribbean, the Arctic and Atlantic seaboards of North America, the Indian subcontinent and Antarctica, while the inclusion of Papua-New Guinea almost completes Australasia, left over from the earlier volume. The completion of the Americas, Europe and various parts of Asia must wait for the final volume which also promises articles on more general issues. If the series is to be COm- plete, then the third volume will be immense! The editors ask that judgement be delayed