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properties of liquids, had until recently appeared. The recent work of Eyring, Altar, and others suggests t h a t a good s t a r t has now been made in this direction; i t is unfortunate t h a t Eyring’s contribution to the Discussion was not of a more general and less mathematical nature. Eyring’s idea is t h a t a liquid contains a considerable number of holes. The total number of degrees of freedom in a liquid may be divided into a number of smaller groups, and each of the small groups is supposed t o maintain a small spherical cavity in the liquid, the liquid surrounding the hole as if i t n-ere an incompressible fluid, so t h a t the laws of hydrodynamics may be applied. The state of motion of a liquid on this basis depends on the total surface, composed of all the internal boundary surfaces. Whilst such ideas may be physically a little crude, they are a t the present time allowing partition functions to be expressed, which is a considerable advance in the statistical theory of liquids. Bernal in his paper extends the ideas and possibilities of the distribution function of x-ray analysis, and, whilst rigor is disclaimed, his paper is extremely suggestive and valuable on the structural side. The valuable papers of London and Simon should also be mentioned. Raman spectra of liquids are discussed by hIagat, and the reduced temperature scale is used with effect by Bauer, RIagat, and Surdin in a general discussion of properties. The general quality of the papers in this volume is very high, and perhaps enough has been written to indicate t h a t both the quality and the interest of the work contributed are also very high.
J. T. RANDALL. Verofentltchungen aus dem Katser Wzlhelm-Institut fur Silikaijorschung in BerlinDahlem. 30 x 21 cm.; pp i 188. Braunschaeig: Fr. Vieweg und Sohn, 1937. The practice of issuing the collected papers pertaining to research on silicates from Dr. Eitel’s laboratory continues, and the present volume contains the published work of 1936. Such a practice must always lead t o volumes and parts of volumes of unequal merit. Eighteen papers are collected together, and mention of a few of the more interesting only will be made: Bussem and R e y l discuss the structure of glass in a useful survey paper covering physicochemical work, as well as the more recent x-ray work. T. v. Takats discusses the reaction of silicates with sulfur dioxide; W. Eitel writes on the sillimanite-mullite problem; Bussem discusses the water content of various hydrated calcium sulfates; and Haegermann and Schweite have investigated certain cements used for street buildings. W.Eitel and Oberlies write on the properties of glass fibers. J. T. R.4NDALL.
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Atomic Structure and Atomic Spectra. By G. HERZBERG. English translation by J. W. Spinks n i t h the cooperation of the author. 257 pp ; 80 fig. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1937. The topic covered in this volume is clearly indicated in the title. The treatment is most concise and matter of fact. To this end the author has not included i n the text any complicated mathematical developments, but he has stated the needed propositions simply and 15ithout proof. For example, the famous expression of the hydrogen series is gi\en on p. 11 without any detailed and cumbersome dcrivation. This form of treatment makes the book very readable to the informed individual, for i t furnishes a compact summary of the field under discussion. Hoveever, the beginning student TTill have t o supplement his study of the subject by further reading of other work where the topics are treated on a more analytical basis. The modern views of atomic structure are introduced a t once in the first chapter by a brief formu-
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lation of the important concepts of wave mechanics. These results are used throughout the volume wherever needed. The six chapters cover the usual material: hydrogen spectra; Bohr theory of the atom; energy diagrams; wave mechanics; alkali, helium, and alkaline-earth spectra; multiplet structure of line spectra and electron spin; Zeeman and Stark effects; Pauli principle and periodic system of the elements; intensities of spectrum lines; types of coupling; hyperfine structure; isotope effect and nuclear spin; magnetic susceptibility and chemical considerations. The book is a valuable addition to the existing literature on the subject. GEO.GLOCKLER.
Absorption Spectroscopy in fhe Cltra-violet. By F. ELLINGER. Reprint from Tabulae Biologicae, Vol. X I I . 52 pp.; 188 fig. Den Haag: Verlag Dr. W.Junk, 1937. This pamphlet consists of a collection of absorption curves of biologically import a n t substances: proteins, carbohydrates, fats and related compounds. Biochemists should find i t useful in their viork. GEO. GLOCKLER.
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La Fluore.scence en Biochiniie. By CH. D ~ f i ~ k 25 , . x 16 cm.; xii 318 pp.; 27 plates. Paris: Les Presses Universitaires de France, 1937. Price: 80 francs. The author of this volume is well knoTm as a n authority both on the study of fluorescence phenomena and on certain branches of biochemistry, and in producing this exhaustive compilation he has performed a notable service to both branches of knodedge. His firm belief in the spectroscopic method of approach is reflected in the book, which is concerned mainly with this point of view to the exclusion of the more familiar visual technique commonly referred to as fluorescence analysis. It also explains certain omissions (for example, of that most valuable aid t o the study of fluorescence in biochemistry, the fluorescence microscope), and as a consequence, makes the title a little misleading. The book deals firstly n ith experimental methods, and then systematically and thoroughly with the results obtained TT ith various classes of substances of biochemical interest (including sugars, fats, proteins, alkaloids, plant substances, porphyrins, vitamins, hormones, enzymes, organisms and biochemical fluids such as sera, blood, etc.). I t concludes with a n appendix of fifty-six typical spectrograms. The book is t o be recommended strongly to physical chemists in general, as well as to the specialists in biochemistry for whom, doubtless, i t is principally intended. JULIUS GRAXT. Kolloidchemische Grundlagen der Textzlveredlung. By DR. EJlhfERICH V A L K ~701 . pp.; 346 fig. Berlin: Julius Springer, 1937. Price: unbound, 57 R l I ; bound, 60
RLI. During the years which have elapsed since the World War, the attention given to textile materials and processes by research workers throughout the world has resulted i n the accumulation of sufficient knodedge for textile technology to take its place as a branch of applied science. Hitherto, such knowledge was to be found only in original papers in the scientific and technical journals, and Dr. Valk6’s book, which provides a n admirable summary of the striking advances which have been made, will therefore be especially welcome. Although its price is unduly high, the book will undoubtedly come to be regarded as the standard reference book for students and research workers in textile technology, color chemistry, and dyeing. Commencing with a n account of the chemical constitution, morphology, histology, and crystal structure of the various textile fibers, the author then discusses .rvater adsorption in great detail, paying particular attention to cotton and wool. There-
