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Adrarices in E n z y n i o l o y ~ . T’ol, 7 . Edited by F. F. SORI). xi 665 pp. 215 Fourth X v e nue, S e n York: Interscience Publishers: l n c . , 1947. Price: SS.75. This seventh annual review maintains the high standard set by previous issues. Some t\vo or three years ago the editor, D r . F. F. S o r d , included articles in areas of biochemistry not primarily enzymatic in nature but dealing viith yarious phases of natural phenomena t h a t at some point arc’ involved in enzymatic processes. T h e same is true of this volume. .I lucid survey of the properties of protoplasm by William Seifriz follows a discussion of t h e use of enzyme rcactions t o study ccll permeability, the latter article by P.C. Brooks. Optically active syntheses (both biological and chemical) are surveyed by P . D. Ritehie, Professor G . Hevesy has collected the most important work on the use of radioactive phosphorus, sulfur, and iodine in turnover studies, in which field he is preeminent. Tn-o articles deal with the important field of the porphyrins-the general chrniistry of the tetrapyrroles and their metallic derivatives is considered by S. Granick anti H . Gilder, while H . Theorell has n-ritten a n accompanying article on heme-linked groups and t h e hemoproteins. TKOrevien-s treat more directly x i t h enzyme systems. Frank H . Johnson describes t h e work done on luminescent bacteria, a field in xvhich he and E. S . Harvey have contributed much; a major portion of the paper considers the physicochemical principles involved. I n a paper entitled “Kidney Enzymes and Essential Hypertension” Schales discusses the enzymatic nature of renin and of hypertensinase as well as the balance betn-een their actions, and concludes with a consideration of the clinical aspects of hypertension. Xttention has recently turned t o the need evidenced by microorganisms for vitamins; these bodies yield interesting studies on the rates of reactions involving intermediate metabolism. A chapter dealing particularly with nicotinic and pantothenic acids comes from the pen of Henry 1IcIln.ain. T h e list of antibacterial substances obtained from fungi and green $ants has grown very rapidly since the first observations on penicillin. F. Bavanagh lists thirty-eight compounds which have been definitely characterized; in addition he notes others which have not been as thoroughly studied. Froniageot has a p a p e r on the oxidation path in t h e animal body of the major sulfur compounds. The last chapter by F. A I . Hildebrandt is a very readable survey of the recent problems and advances in t h e field of industrial fermentations. D r . S o r d has again rendered biochemistry a distinct service in securing outstanding workers t o m i t e the twelve articles; the international scope is indicated by the fact that, five of the surveys lvere prepared in England, Siveden. and France. Subject, and author indexes for this volume are appended, as well as a cumulative index for the first seven volumes. IT. 11, SAXDSTROX.
Colloids. T h e i r Pyoperties a n d A p p l i c a t i o n s . By A . G . WARD. 133 pp. S e n J-ork: Interscience Publishers, Inc., 1947. Price: $1.75. This little volume on colloids attempts t o cover the field of colloid science as completely as possible but in a very elementary way. T h e author divides t h e Lvork into three parts: I. T h e S a t u r e of the Colloidal State. 11. The Colloidal Systems. 111. Colloids in Indust r y and in Living &ratter. T h e discussion of all phases of the subject is reasonably well brought up t o date. An elementary description of such research instruments as the ultramicroscope, the surface balance, and the electron microscope is given in order t o show their usefulness in experimenting with substances in t h e colloidal state. I n order t o emphasize t h e relative size of substances in t h e colloidal s t a t e the author feels t h a t t h e average student ~vouldbetter understand these relations if he had a supermicroscope 15 hich magnified 100,000,000 times. He could therefore follow each dimension in the book with a parenthetical figure obtained by this multiplication. This may appeal t o t h e student T h o is just beginning t o study t h e subject . The volume is written in a pleasing manner and may be considered as a non-matheniatical
