954
NEW BOOKS
The treatment of the several subjects varies greatly, not only in emphasis and detail, but in manner of presentation. For example, some subjects, such as “Thermionic Vacuum Tubes,” are represented by clear and adequate outlines of their general principles and applications. In other cases, as the section on “Molecular Weights,” there is a good detailed description of the more important experimental methods. A few chapters, the one on “Reaction Ilates” being a particularly bad example, consist of very elementary theoretical discussions followed by the directions for a few experiments of the type commonly found in the older laboratory manuals of physical chemistry. Some topics which are of theoretical and practical interest have been omitted entirely. Amongst these we might mention propagation of flames, gaseous explosions, diffusion, and the rates of dissolution, evaporation, and crystallization. Photochemistry, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence receive scant mention in the section on the “Photoelectric Effect.” Perhaps the greatest single improvement is the introduction in the edition of an extensive classified bibliography of specialized works on physicochemical methods. On the other hand, i t is to be regretted t h a t the excellent index of the second edition has been replaced by one so brief that i t is practically useless. The new edition shows a decided trend toward subjects of practical interest. I t includes sections on such chemical engineering topics as ‘(Plant Design and Press Filtration,” but devotes relatively less space than formerly t o the refined methods of specialized research. Several of the new chapters have been written by specialists in the subjects concerned. In contrast t o these practical subjects, the authors have introduced a rather abstract discussion under the general title “Measurement and Units.” This chapter, 53 pages long, was written by Professor O’Rahilly. Without questioning the correctness or utility of Professor O’Rahilly’s concepts and terminology (the reviewer lacks courage t o cross cudgels with one who boasts (p. 92) t h a t he has exploded the dimensions of the electrical text books,with one swoop), i t appears that this chapter is entirely out of place in a book which is devoted to the practical methods of physical chemistry. d The book is clearly printed and well bound. I t appears t o have been carefully edited. While the illustrations are adequate, the draughtsmanship of some of them could be improved. ROBERTLIVINGSTON. MIALI,. 22 x 15 cm. ; xv A New Dictionary of Chemistry. Edited by STEPHEN
+ 575
pp. London, New York, and Toronto: Longmans, Green and Company, 1940. Price: 42 shillings net. This dictionary covers all branches of chemistry, including inorganic, organic, physical, pharmaceutical, and industrial, and also contains biographies of leading chemists. A table at the end gives the physical properties of about eighteen hundred organic compounds. The information in the inorganic and organic sections surprisingly complete and up t o date, and although the sections on physical chemistry are very brief they give much useful information to non-specialists. The book is one which is likely to prove very useful in libraries and t o those wishing t o obtain information rapidly, and i t may be recommended with confidence. J. R. PARTINQTON. Molecular Spectra and Molecule Structure. I. Diatomic Molecules. By GERHARD HERZBERQ.In the recent review of this book (This Journal 44, 682 (1940)),i t was not stated t h a t the translation into English was made by Dr. J. W . T. Spinks of the University of Saskatchewan.
