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Recent Books
College Chemistry. Lvuahr C. NBWHLL. D. C. 645 Heath & Co., Boston, Mass., 1925. vi pp. 13.5 X 19.8 em. $3.00.
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"This b w k is based on the courses in general chemistry given by the author a t Boston University during the last tenor more year.. Throughout its preparation the need of the student has been kept constkotly in mind, particularly his need of a book from which he can readily learn the fundamentals of chemistry. This thought has determined largely the style, arrangement and scope, especially in the fint half of the book." students, especially thwe who have had no high-school chemistry, are likely t o have difficulty with the first half of the hook because of the concentration of theoretical matter, much of which might well have been left t o a more advanced This is particularly true of some of the formals~r.such a, the equation for fhr kinetic.. rnolcrular theory of xa*e?. T h r oomrrhat mcngsr trcnfmcnr of the rhrnd-try of the melals comeas an anti-climax. A more balanced presentation would have seemed desirable. A number of questionable points present themselves. Among these ie the assumption t h a t "nascent" ompen causes the oxidizing action of hypochlorites, nitric acid, and several other substances. I s it not more reasonable to assume that &dation is associated with a changein thevalenee of the chlrmne or nitrogen? This would eertainly he more in accord with the author's method of balancing equations by valence changes, and with his broad definition of oxidation. It is not clear what is meant by "chemical encounter of rnoleeulcs" in explaining chemical equilibrium. he d d e r ideas of differentiating between primary and secondary products of eleetrolyris is adhered t o and unneeersary assumptions are made t o explain the products of electrolytic decomposition. Some lawn, such as t h a t of Gay-Lussac, are not accurately stated. The book contain. much valuable information, interestindv -. .oresented. The atvle is d e a r and forceful and the entire format is commendable.
eacreises. No single n o u p of students will have the time t o perform all there experiments, nor is i t the intention of the author that they should be pufmmed during any single course. The number has been made large "so that the college teacher can select an adequate number of experiments adapted t o the preparation of students, t o the time and equipment available and t o the purpose of the course." The book is an excellent one. The subjectmatter is well chosen and well arranged. Lists of eaperimentn are suggested in the appendix from which may he chosen those adapted to the preparation of students according t o the "equipment of the laboratory and the scope of the COU~.~.''
M. C. SNBBD B~cteriology. SIANLBY TAOXAS.M S . and MA.. Assmiate Professor of Bacteriology. Lehigh University. First edltion. Cloth. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1925. riii 201 pp. 23.5 X 15 em. $2.50.
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The writing of a text-bwk on bacteriology has become a very di5cult matter because of the ~oluminovstiterature on the subject, and further; because there are still pronounced differences of opinion on many phases of the subject. The ~- volume has taken for his task the author of this preparation of a general text t o be employed in teaching elementary bacteriology t o mired el-es of undergraduate e n g i n e a , chemists. premedical students, and general arts and sdenee students. On the whole, the text covers this field very nicely. I t should, therefore, make a definite place for itself. The rubjst-matter is handled in twelve chapters, under the following captions: Introduction, History of Bacteriology, Cl-ifiention of Bacteria, Morphology of Bactaia, Physiology of Bacteria, Bacterial Enzymes. Miera6rzanirmr other than Bacteria, Bacteria in Foods. Pathogenic Bactaia, Immunity, Hygiene and Sanitation. and Bacteria in Industry. The manner of presentation is clear, and s o m c M. C. S N ~ B D times, possibly, a little too brief and concise. I t would seem to the reviewer that certain topics Experiments in College Chemistm. LYYANC. should be supplemented by lectures. The scD. C. Heath and Co., Boston, Mass., NBWBLI,. quenee and pedagogic arrangement are aomb 320 pp. 111 figures. 13 X 19.7 1925. vi what unusual, but should prove excellent. The cm. $1.60. author has omitted the deeription of s p e d u and has not confused his text with laboratory direcThis book includes experiments for students tions, thus trying t o cover the field of both tatwho enter eollege either with or nithont credit book and laboratory manual. He has, however, in hiph-school chemistry. I t contains 329 main used illustrations and refwnees rather sparingly. experiments, many of which are followed by supThe introduction is intended t o eve n general p~ementarg experiments, questions, and ~pedfie
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conception of life and life procerseo. It was written especially for those students who take i n elementary course in bacteriology without having had any previovs training in biology. The author h l s employed the classification reeentlr adopted by the American Bacteriological Association. H e in t o be commended for the manner in which he has handled this subject, in its p r e s e t state. On the other hand, the render is left somewhat in doubt as t o the advisability of teaching this classification, at present, t o students in elementary bacteriology unleos they have had some grounding a t least in laboratory work. The chapters on Bacterial Enzymes, Hygiene and Sanitation, and Bacteria in Relation to Industm are especially good. The index is alro generally complete. A word should be said in commendation of the publishers in their preparation of this hook. It is printed on a good quality of heavy paper, in very elear type, and is well bound.
E. M. PlCxL%ss Chemistry, Incluludira Recent Examination Questions. M. H. K ~ s s u ~Globe . Book Compbny. New York, 1925. 112 pp. 15.5 X 22.5 em.' $0.67. This tittle book, written for "students preparing for examinations in e h e m i s w gives a summary of the information that a student might be expected t o have a t the end of his high-echo01 chemistcy course. The principal chemical laws and theories are listed, a considerable number of problems in chemical arithmetic are given, short laboratory experiments are desoihed and apparatus pictured and the -menee, preparation and properties of the more important elements and compounds are mentioned. Besides these, a few qualitative teot. are deserib~d. At the end of the book are sets of typical examination questions which might be of value as a guide in review. Sioee ail this is done in about a hundred pages, statements are necessariiv concise and in but tittle detail. Some question might be raised as to the treatment given molecular weights and weight of a liter of gas hn vapor dennity, electrolysis of brine, nascent oxygen and the avoidance of more d i s e v ~ ~of i athe ionic theory. hut in its place the book can serve and no doubt will. For review and preparation for examinations. it ought t t o be valuable. Taolanr B. BRronMN Chemistry and Civilization. Wusron Cusalam, A.M., Pa.D. Director of Industrial Rerearch, Washington, D. C New and revi~ed edition. E. P. Dutton, New Ymk. 1925. ix I67 pager. 6 illustrations. 15 X 2 1 em. $2.50.
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"Chemistry in the s u v i e e of man ir t h e author's theme in this volume, founded upon theseries of
lectures delivered by him a t the Wagner Institute of Science. Philadelphia, under the Richard B. Westbraok Lectureship Foundation." The method of prerentation is largely histatical and the book I h t diseusseo memie chemistry and the advances made by man as he progresred in civilization. The works of the alchemists and phlogirtonists are reviewed and then the dis. coveries of Lavoisier, Dnvy, Paraday, Liebig. and Pasteur, are presented in a popular way. The apptieation of chemistry t o the hasic industries and the rise of organic chemistry is treated in an entertaining manner. The subject of nitrogen fixation has been brought up to date and in this connection the topic. "Chemistry and war," receives adequate treatment. The last three chapters deal with "Chemistry and the Future." The discovery of X-rays and radieactivity is firat discussed and then the author outlines some of the conclusions which can be drawn from these facts. A simple and readable outline of the Einstein theory is included. The subject of colloids and dispersoids is next introduced and a brief treatment of the thcories of roiutions follows. The story of helium is related in a very interesting way and the author makes some predictions as t o the future promeoo of the race. The final chapter tells about the modconcepts of matter and en-. After an historical introduction the modem views are simply snd clearly stated and the book a d s with some p r c dictions concerning the modern transmutation
chemistry is necessary for tiberal culture. All chemistry teachers should attempt t o "humanize knowledge" and this hook is distinctly valvable for this purpose. Technical details are necessary for the scientist hut ail others should be given an opportunity t o realize the relationship of "Chemistry and Civilization." R. N. MAXSON The Use of Solvents in Synthetic Or.wnis Chemistry. DONALD W. MACABDLU,S.B., Arst. Prof.. Boston University. Vol. I. D. Van Nostrand Co.. New York. 1925. vii 217. 15 X 23 em. $3.50 net.
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The author stater in his preface, "This volume is planned as the first part of n treatise on the opcraGve technic of synthetic organic ehemistry, similar in a general way t o the first sections of the well-known German works of Lamar-Cohn and of Weyl." There is no question hut what such a series of books written in English and brought up to date will he of genuine value, not only t o the rerearch and university worker, but also t o the industrialist. The author has the reviewer's respect and admiration for attempting a piece of work of s m h magnitude, and hc should be
