conceptions t o account for the high sensitivity of the molecule toward oxidation by air in alkaline solution (cuprammonia) or suspension. No mention is made of the results of Jackson and Hudson (1938) on the hydrolysis of periodate-oxidized cellulose to glyoxal and erythrose, a result which was a beautiful confirmation of the presence of the 2.3-glycol grouping. Mare emohasis mieht be eiven to the structural and chemical imnlications " of the h ~ t e r ~ g e n e oand u ~ conlplete d~uteriumexchange rcartion of rrllulure as meamred hy Champetier s r ~ dViallard (1938). In the section on hasc-exchange propertie, hy Soohnr and Hami* a carboxyl gronp suddenly appears in the cellulose molecule, albeit in a rather doubtful status for "native" cellulose. An excellent exposition of the kinetics of cellulose hydrolysis is given by Mark and Harris. I n the discussion by Rutherford and Harris of the behavior of cellulose toward oxidizing agents and light. no mention is made of the extreme sensitivity of cuprammoninm solutions of cellulose toward these agents. The development of the application of the x-ray techniques to cellulose as outlined by Sisson, constitutes a fascinating chapter in cellulose chemistry. The reviewer has never been satisfied with the terminologyof thecellulose x-ray workers. After having spent some years of work in laboriously attempting to crystallize sirups, it seems sacrilegious to term glibly a material like cellulose "crystalline." Some othek name would be desirable. The situation is not improved by employing the term "crystallite" for "micelle." After having placed cellulose on a "crystalline" basis, the direction of matters is now reversed and throughout the book the old but recently revived concept of "crystalline" and "intercrystalline" portions of cellulose seems to be the fashionable theme. It becomes the universal elixir, the panacea for all difficulties, and is used to explain well nigh anything. A peculiar, wavering treatment of the cellulose particle theory by Sisson is finally settled by a small footnote reference t o the electron-microscope work of Barnes and Burton. As painted out later in the text, the particle theory of cellulose structure did stimulate a great deal of work. The reviewer doubts the quotation, on page 281, from Japanese workers, that any form of cellulose, even "water cellulose," is stable toward mineral acids. The essay by Norman on the carbohydrates normally associated with cellulose in nature, shows that this difficult field is admittedly in a very elementary state. The reviewer recommends the lignin chapter by Brauns as a brief and clear summary of the structurally significant portions of the many publications on the subject. The section on cellulose derivatives is noteworthy and authoritative. Although these materials are soluble and optically active, no rotatory data are cited for any. The extremely interesting reaction of denitration by hydrosulfide is barely mentioned. More information is needed on the properties of cellulose sulfates, particularly in relation t o cellulose nitrate stabilization. I t is the reviewer's experience that some carbohydrate sulfates are remarkably stable toward hydrolysis. It would appear that the alkali cellulose problem might be illuminated by more assiduous attempts to apply equilibrium concepts, so successfully accomplished for the nitration reaction. After a little laboratory experience, the reviewer is interested to note that even the industrial experts admit that "the production of cellulose ethers still remains an art that is learned by experience." An excellent summation of the present status of the physics of the high-polymer conception of cellulose is contained in the section on the physical properties of cellulose and derivatives. The contributors t o the theoretical development of this subject are Spurlin, Huggins, and Mark. Some technical aspects are discussed hy Pfeiffer, Osborn, and Nickerson. T o the reviewer, ensconced in his vine-covered cloister of academic uselessness, the essay by Gloor on the technical applications of the physical properties of cellulose and its derivatives. is extremely fascinating although no doubt it is rather trite reading far the industrial chemist. I n accordance with what mieht be exoected from a arouo " - . of ccllulosc experts, the quality of paper stock in the bwk is above the present national average.
To summarize, the reviewer believes that this book very adequately fulfills a great need for a modern and authoritative treatise on cellulose and its technology. While the structural end is not neglected, perhaps the main emphasis has been on the treatment of cellulose and its reactions from the standpoint of the new concepts of high-polymer chemistry. This is in order. That the field of cellulose chemistry is vital and active is illustrated by the fact that just before the b w k went to press, a considerable amount of work appeared on the investigation of cellulose by the electron microscape technique. Most of these publications are merely cited and time did not allow of their discussion. Thus it should be evident that the field of carbohyhate chemistry is still a very active one and not all of the work therein was rompleted by Eniil Fischer and his coworkers. M. L. WOLFROM T n e Omo S r m s U N X V ~ P S ~ N Col.axa~rs,Onro
A MANUAL FOR EXPLOSIVES LABORATORIES.Supplement Number Two. G. D. Clift, B. T.Fedoroff, and D. G. Young. Lefax Soeiety, Inc., Philadelphia, 1943. 1% pp. 9.6 X 17.6 cm. $1.00. "Manual for Explosives Laboratories. Supplement Number Two" is a most welcome addition to the Manual and Supplement Number One (see JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, Augnst. 1943). The second supplement contains an excellent subject index, as well as descriptions of laboratory methods not found in the previous sections. They include methods used in the explosives industry and methods used in other fields, such as fuels. water purification, mineral acids, sodium sulfite, etc. This manual will not only he welcome t o the men working in explosives laboratories, but i t should be used in the technical laboratories of universities. It shows the broad scope of the activity of the analytical chemist in one of the most modern industries. E. BERL CABN&OIB I N S T I ~ T Bon TBCRNOLOEY
P I T T S B U B OPBNNSYLVANIA ~,
HANDBOOK OII CHEMISTRY, Norbert A. Lunge, Lecturer in chemistry a t Cleveland College of Western Reserve University, Compiler and Editor; assisted by Gordon M. Forker, General Electric Company, Cleveland. Ohio; with an appendix of mathematical tables and formulas by Richard S. Burington, Associate Professor of Mathematics a t Case School of Applied Science. Fifth Edition. Handbook Publishers. Inc., Sandusky. Ohio. 1944. 2092 pp. 14 X 20 cm. $6.00. The most important change claimed for the fifth edition of this well-known handbook, now in its 11th year, is the complete revision of the Tables of Physical Constants of Organic Compounds, where 6507 compounds are listed with a corresponding list of more than 3500 synonyms. Where possible, Beilstein references are included. Other tables which have been revised are the following: Organic Reagents for Inorganic Analysis; Common Hazardous Chemicals; Vitamins; Drinking Water Standards; Standard Calibration Table for Chromel-Alumel Thermocouples; Probable Values of the General Physical Ccnstants; Densities of Aqueous Solutions of Hydrochloric, Nitric. andSulfnric Acids; and Trade Names of Chemicals. The 200year calendar hasbeenincreased to 300 years. New tablesinclude Deming's Periodic Table and lists of Flammable Liquids; Flame Temperatures; Plastics; Fluorescence of Chemicals, Minerals, and Gems; and Water for Industrial Use. The quality of the paper used in this war edition is excellent. the flexible binding is very satisfactory. permitting the book to lie open a t any page, and the type style is very readable. The editor is to he commended for the continued excellence of this useful handbook. LAURENCE S.FOSTER
