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(15) MASSON, D . 0 . :Phil. Mag. 8 , 2 1 8 (1929). (16) RANDALL, M., AND ROSSINI,F. D.: J. Am. Chem. SOC.61,323 (1929). (17) ROSSINI,F. D.: Bur. Standards J. Research 4, 313 (1930). (18) WALLACE, W. E., AND ROBINSON, A. L.: J. Am. Chem. SOC.63,958 (1941). (19) WYMAN, J., A N D INQALLS, E. N.: J . Am. Chem. SOC.60, 1182 (1938). (20) YOUNG, T. F., AND VOGEL,0. G. : J. Am. Chem. SOC.64,3030 (1932). (21) YOUNG,T. F., A N D GROENIER, W. L. : J. Am. Chem. SOC.68,187 (1936).
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Fluorochemistry. By JACK DEMENT. 6 s 92 in.; svii 796 pp. Brooklyn, New York: Chemical Publishing Co., 1945. Price : $14.50. The author presents a summary of the facts and to a lesser estent the theories of luminescent phenomena, ranging from the methods of preparing solid phosphors t o Gurwitsch’s mitogenetic rays and the “Plotnikow-Plait scattering.” Probably as a result of the attempt to make the book all-inclusive, certain aspects of the subject (especially the fundamental theories) are treated in a rather superficial manner. The author uses a surprising number of newly coined words. While for the greater part this is only a minor nuisance, in a few cases where terms well established in physics are used with unfamiliar meanings i t is more confusing. As an example of the latter, on pages 35 and 53 “quantization” is identified with “excitation.” A number of old ideas appear in the guise of new and somewhat grandiose principles, as the following quotation (page 2) will illustrate: “ I n 1942, J . DeMent enunciated the fundamental principle underlying all processes of a luminescent nature. Based on theoretical considerations alone, the first law of fluorescence states t h a t before emission can occur from a luminescent system, absorption must Jirst take place. DeMent’s rule is the analog of the Grdtthuss Draper law of photochemistry.’’ It should not be assumed from the foregoing t h a t the book is without merit. I n spite of the curious and unnecessarily complex terminology, the basic facts of fluorescence and phosphorescence are presented with reasonable clarity. The more obscure phases of the subject are discussed with unusual completeness. The bibliography is extensive and appears t o be unbiased, if in part uncritical. However, the subject of luminescence is st.ill in great need of a sound, modern monograph. The book is clearly printed on glazed paper. The diagrams fall far short of the standard set by most American publishers. I t is perhaps unnecessary t o point out t h a t the price ($14.50 for an 800-page book with 30 poor’illustrations) is outrageous. ROBERTLIVINGSTON. Bioenergetics and Growth. By SAMUEL BRODY. 1033 pp. New York: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, 1945. Price: $8.50. “The primary purpose of this book is to present quantitative analyses of metabolic processes of the organism as a whole i n relation t o the energetic efficiency of agriculturally productive transformations.” To achieve this end Professor Brody has written a compilation and appraisal of the vast experimental data on energy relations i n growth and animal production and has very capably presented new interpretations. He has devoted a chapter t o the principles of energetics and the relation of thermodynamics to, biology and agriculture; another t o experimental methods; twelve chapters t o energy and nitrogen metabolism, growth, aging, and such productive processes as milk secretion, egg production, and muscular work. Factors which influence productive efficiency-nutrition, enzymes, hormones, seasonal and diurnal rhythms, and temperature-comprise the material for eight additional chapters; and three interspersed chapters serve t o introduce, integrate, and summarize the
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subject matter and t o consider its economic and social implications. The author summarizes the content of each chapter as he proceeds-frequently he also summarizes the sections within a chapter-and the first, tenth, and final (25th) chapters are devoted t o an integration of the whole book. As a result the specialist may recognize considerable repetition of facts from his own field. But since no one can qualify as“expert” in all of the fields covered in this book (Professor Brody, however, seems t o be thoroughly familiar with them), each reader will find t h a t the system of frequently occurring summaries helps him obtain the essence of those sections with which he is less familiar. While the greater emphasis is placed on the organism as a whole, some consideration is given t o the mechanism of intracellular biological processes. But, if enzymes and biological oxidations were t o be discussed a t all, i t would seem more in keeping with the general theme of the book if the coupling of osidation-reduction reactions with energy-utilization processes had been presented i n sufficient detail t o give the reader some acquaintance with this extremely important phase of energy metabolism. It is unfortunate t h a t the only phosphorylation reaction treated thermodynamically and cited as a n illustration of “the main form or source of anaerobic energy” i s one in which low-energy phosphate bonds are involved (AFO for the reaction-hydrolysis of glycerophosphate-should be 2.3 instead of 23 calories), for the energy liberated during such hydrolyses is not known t o be available for metabolic work. One of the estimable features of the book-stemming from the author’s scientific publications-is the presentation of rational, empirical equations which reduce to general principles “cumbersome data” relating various aspects of structure, size, function, environment, and nutrition of animals. There has been great need for a summary and interpretation of the experimental results on the energy relations in nutrition, growth, development, and productivity of animals. This monumental work fills t h a t need and will become a standard reference i n these and related fields. HENRY A. LARDY.
Tables of Associated Legendre Functions (Mathematical Tables Project). 304 pp. New York: Columbia University Press, 1945. Price : $5.00. This project, conducted under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, wa6 begun under W. P. A . of New York City and was completed with the support of the Office of Scientific Research and Development. Dr. Lyman J. Briggs was Official Sponsor. Dr. Arnold N. Loman, Project Director, was assisted by a technical staff of seven and by seven supervisory and editing assistants. The present tables give values t o about six significant figures at intervals of 0.1. It is realized t h a t interpolation i n these functions is not everywhere satisfactory. Publication is now made in the hope t h a t further material can be completed and published in a subsequent volume. S. C. LIND. Table of A r c Sin X (Mathematical Tables Project). 124 pp. New York: Columbia University Press, 1945. Price: $3.50. These tables were prepared under the same direction and support as the ones on the Legendre Functions (see above) and with almost the same group of assistants. The values are carried out t o twelve decimal places with full instructions and examples i n the Introduction explaining their use and methods of interpolation. S. C. LIND. Semi-micro Quantitative Organic Analysis. By R. BELCHER AND A . L. GODBERT.23 x 15 cm.; 168 pp. London, New York, and Toronto: Longmans Green and Company, 1945. Price : 10/6d. The last twenty years have brought about a revolution in the field of analytical chemis-
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