attractive and interesting, it still must be considered an out-of-date text. To substantiate this statement, it is only necessary t o glance over the b w k and see the many omissions of important recent developments. For example, the vanadium pentoxide method for the manufacture of sulfuric acid; the use of quartz and glass in hydrochloric acid manufacture; refrigeration based upon absorption; mode m continuous methods of fractionation, especially in the methyl and ethyl alcohol industries; synthetic lactic acid; alcohol motor fuels with anti-knock properties; phenol manufacture from chlorbenzene; deoxidants for rubber; and the partial oxidation of natural gas. There are, of course, several misstatements of f a d due to the lack of knowledge of the particular subject by the author. These, however, should be expected. I t is very difficult to see how that could be avoided entirely. The selection of material is not necessarily what many readers would expect; for example, considerable space is given t o the Dubbs cracking process while the Holmes-Manley, a modem and efficient process, is barely mentioned. The chapter on lacquers occupies less than s page and gives a rather poor picture of this new and enormous industry. I n the chapters on appliances, no mention is made whatsoever of stills, columns, or scrubbing towers. On the other hand, there are several chapters that should be specially commented. O n e is on patents and the other on artificial silk. Several of the chapten on appliances are exceedingly good as is also the chapter on the materials of construction. I n spite of the adverse criticism of this book, the reviewer wishes to point out that he has never read a more nearly upto-date and more entertaining book on this subject. The book can be most heartily recommended to students, but its sale will be handicapped by its high price. D. B. KEYES UNIVERSITY O* ILLINOIS
Traditional Examinations and New-Type Tests. C. W. ODELL,Ph-D., Assistant Director, Bureau of Educational Research, University of Illinois. The Century Company, New York and London, 1928. xiii f 469 pp. 13 X 20 cm. $2.50. Several texts on the general subject of examinations and tests have recently come from the press. The present text covers the usual range of topics including historical background of the testing movement, discussion of advantages and disadvantages of the new-type tests in comparison with the traditional examinations, instrudions on how t o use new-type examinations, how t o interpret the scores and instructions, and how t o make examinations and tests with illustrations of several types that have found application. This work is unique in that no treatment is given of the so-called standardized tests. The book is descriptive and argumentative but the author seems t o have made a minimum use of the data which are offered as objective evidence of the issues of argument. This criticism seems especially applicable t o the chapters on Merits and Limitations of Traditional and New-Type Examinations. The illustrations of test items are extremely varied in nature and cover a wide range of subjects. But, here again objective data for evaluating the different types are lacking. Any one even fairly familiar with the testing movement is aware that the different f o m s of test items illustrated are not equally applicable and that some are hardly applicable a t all. The book, which has been prepared t o meet the needs of teachen actually in service and as an introductory text in the field, may he expected to serve a useful purpose. Chemistry teachers who wish to become familiar with the discussions relating to the traditional and new-type tests as well as those looking for practical suggestions relating t o the questions of how to make and how to use examinations will 6nd much of interest in it. An appended
VOL. 5, No. 12
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istry for use as optional material for the better students; such material often adds greatly t o the interest of the course. The twenty drawings of apparatus are excellent hut i t may be questioned if perspective drawings are as well adapted for Laboratory Manual of High-School Chem- elementary instruction as are the simpler istry. GEORGE HOWARD BRUCE, line drawings. Where students are required t o draw the apparatus used in an Horace Mann School for Boys, Teachers' College, Columbia University. World experiment, there are few who can do perBook Company, Yonkers, New Yark, spective well, while most pupils can do an 101 pp. Twenty illnstra- acceptable line drawing. 1928. ix The appendix contains the usual useful tionsof apparatus. 13 X 19cm. $0.76. tables. The directions t o students a t the I n the preparation of this manual the author states that he has tried t o keep in beginning of the book contain much useful and valuable advice as to laboratory promind the point of view of the student. cedure. The experiments with the accompanying The hook is well printed and bound. I t directions have been tried out in the classwill form a welcome addition t o the list of room in mimeographed form, in proof, and laboratory manuals in which teachers of in the first edition. Clearness of direction chemistry should he interested. and ease of manipulation have been talked C. H. STONE over with the students. The result of this ENGLISH HIGH SCHOOL, painstaking effort is a series of experiBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS ments which are well within the understanding and manipulative skill of the. The Development of the High-School average boy or girl. No difficult experiCurriculum. Sixth Year Book, Dep't ments have been included. So-called of Superintendence of N. E. A,, The demonstration experiments have been Nat. Educ. Assoc., 1201 Sixteenth St., omitted as more suitable far a teacher's N. W., Washingon, D. C., 1928. 584 handbook than for a laboratory manual. pp. with 53 tables. 15.5 X 23 cm. The hook is issued in both the hound $2.00. form and the looseleaf form. The latter This volume is but one of a series of would, perhaps, be more readily adaptable for use with other tents than the author's year hooks, which have emanated from High-School Chemistry which this manual the same source, upon curriculum conwas written to accompany. By making struction. Former titles are: Elementary suitable change in the order of experi- School Curriculum; Research in Conments, this manual might be used with any structing Elementary School Curriculum; of the usual high-school texts in elemen- The Nation a t Work on the Public School Curriculum; and The Junior High-School tary chemistry. The experiments offered are those usual Curriculum. "The Development of the HighSchoJL t o the beginner's course and include little that is new or markedly different. But Curriculum" is the work of twenty-four the experiments are well thought out, the committees. The first twelve chapters directions are clear snd simple, and the deal with twelve outstanding issues which questions are intended to direct the stu- all local school systems must face before dent's attention to essential points in the entering upon an extensive program of procedure or to stimulate thought on the revision of secondary school curriculum. Among these chapter titles are: The Needs matter in hand. Some teachen would, doubtless, wel- of American Youth; Objectives of Seconcome more experiments on applied chem- dary Education; Curriculum Problems of bibliography, selected and annotated, adds to the value of the work. S. R. PoWBns
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