MODERN PRACTICE IN LEATAER MA NU FACT^^. I.A . Wilson, Sc.D.. Consulting Chemist to the Leather Industries. First Edition. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York City, 1941. xxxiii 711 pp. 460 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $9.50. The publication of a new book on leather is something of an event. Consequently, one approaches MODERNPRACTICE IN LEATHERMANuFA~UREwith pleasant anticipation. The author's purpose is to give to tanners "all the details of operation involved in making each of the many different types of leather and the fundamental principles underlying each operation," and "to pause and portray the new and higher level reached by the industry.. . ." Few men in the leather field have the technical aualifications. thc knowledge of the industry, and the ability to arrumulntc and organize the wealth of material which the author prrwnlr in this volume. H e has drawn not only on his own experience but has procured information from an imposing list of contributors. While i t is so comprehensive that it cannot be authoritative on all phases of the tanning industry, i t is infinitely superior t o any of the "cookbook" types which have been so commonly written about leather. As a reference book and with its excellent index and wealth of references it will find a definite and important place in tannery practice. From a standpoint of chemical education. MODERN PRACTICE IN LEATHER MANURACTURE should prove of value when details of operating procedure or equipment are in question. The wealth of illustrations, photomicrographs, diagrams, and data cover most of the points about which a student might have questions. This book should prove a welcome addition to school reference libraries. KENNETH E. BELL
ORGANICCHEMISTRY. AN INTRODUCTION TO THE CARBON CDMPO~NDS.N . D. Cheronis. Professor of Chemistry, Chicago City Colleges. Thomas Y. Crawell Company, New York City, 1941. xv 728 pp. 44 figs. 115 tables. 15 X 23 cm. $4.00. The arrangement of subject matter in this text departs from the usual order of presentation. One of the most notable deviations from general practice is the somewhat intensive treatment of the hydrocarbons in the early chapters and an introduction t o the study of benzene in Chapter 9 in connection with cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbons. The usual separation into aliphatic and aromatic comoounds is not made. In the preface attention ir called to the dificulties encountered hy the beginner in organic rherni~tryand to the confusion which too frequently results. The purpose of the present change in order as expressed by the author is "to provide a clearer and more logical method of approach." An interesting and worth-while innovation is a brief statement in the table of contents of the "objective" of each chapter. The objective of the first chapter is: "To project the study of organic chemistry against a background with which the student is assumed t o be familiar; namely, inorganic chemistry." I n general the first four chapters provide an orientation and survey of the field to bestudied. Although the study of benzene is introduced quite early for the purpose of aiding in the "acquisition of a unified knowledge." the discussion of the more complex aromatic compounds is postponed t o thelatter part of the tent. A clear introduction to electronic formulas is given in Chapter 4 which deals with the structure of atoms and molecules. A judicious use of electronic formulas is also made in subsequent chapters whenever the author believes they are necessary t o give a better picture of relationships. Following Chapter 13 on the amines there are two chapters on FLUORESCENT LIGHT AND ITS APPLICATIONS. H. C. Dake, the theories of organic chemistry. I n these chapten the more elementary theories of organic chemistry are reviewed and exEditor. The Mineralogist Magazine, Ca-author, "Quartz Family Minerals," Honorary President. Northwest Federa- panded and correlated with factual material which has already been given. I n Chapter 39 on physiologically active compounds tion of Mineral Societies, and 3. DeMent, Associate Editor, The Minerdogirt Magazine, Research Chemist. The Mineralo- there is presented an integrated discussion of alkaloids, vitamins. gist Laboratories. First Edition. Chemical Publishing sterols, hormones, and synthetic drugs. The last chapter, on Co., Inc., Braoklyn, N. Y., 1941. xiii 256 pp. 25 figs. synthetic polymers, gives an elementary introduction t o the synthesis of polymers and their applications including a brief de15 X 23 cm. 53.00. I n writing this book, the authors have undertaken the rather scription of the moat important commercial synthetic resins, ambitious project of discussing all phases of luminescence which rubbers, and fibers. I n general the subject matter of the forty-one chapters has might be of practical interest and importance to readers of all degrees and types of training. As a result, most readers will find been carefully selected and well organized. The treatment is only a portion of the book useful. Its wide scope naturally modern and up to date. Controversial subjects are neither Leads to a superficial treatment of many of the specific phases ignored nor discussed in too great detail. The styleis clear and considered. Nevertheless, students of luminescence, particu- should be easily followed by the student. The typography. paper, and binding are attractive. A liberal use of equations, larly those interested in mineralogy, will find FL~ORESCRNT LIOHTAND ITSAPPLICATIONS of use as an introduction, both be- structural formulas, and tables adds to the value of the book. cause of its elementary treatment of many aspects of the subject Teachers of organic chemistry should give this text careful consideration. and because of its lengthy bibliography. GEORGE H. COLEMAN Unfortunately, the reader will find many errors and omissions ST*,'= UNlVBPSITY 08 IOW* in the text. He may also find the type used in some of the l o w * crru, low* mathematical equations rather puzzling. J. WILLIAMZABOR CHEMISTRY FOR P~OTOGRAPHERS. A. R. Gmenleaf. American
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Photographic Publishing Co., Boston, 1941. xi 177 pp. 13.5 X 19.7 cm. 1fig. $2.00. ANALYTICAL RECORDS FOR QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS. This book contains chemical information required by the M . G. Mellon, Ph.D., Sc.D.. Professor of Analytical Chem- photographer for an intelligent understanding of his work, withistry, Purdue University. Edwards Brothers, Ann Arbor. out being an exhaustive treatise on the subject. I t is simply Mich., 1941. 25 176 pp. 15 X 23 cm. $0.60. presented, with definitions of chemical terms in the first chapter This book represents the essence of the author's experience of the book. The next fourteen chapters deal with the various with the problem of keeping laboratory records that will meet chemical orocesses involved in ohotaeraohv. " . . followed bv a the requirements of patent and other legal case?. Although the chapter oitlining dnrkroont procehures and giving a list of'thr notebook is primarily a blank book for the recording of data, it neccssnry nlinimunl equipment. Chapter 17 gives weights and presents briefly the main points involved in keeping such rec- measures, with simple factors for the interconversion of formulas ords, together with a number of typical examples. A small expressed in the different systems. The formulary a t the end logarithm table and the 1941 atomic weights provide for the contains representative recipes for the guidance of the amateur who wisher to make up his own solutions. The book is designed necessary calculations. The notebook should prove particularly to provide a sounder basis for successful work in photography. helpful to students. W ~ G L ~ A M S T O W NMASS&CBUJBTTS ,
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