D a s A U S B L ~DER N SALZE(The Efflorescence of Salts). Karl Schultze, Hygienic State Institute of Hamburg. First edition. Theodor Steinkopff, Dresden and Leipzig, 1936. ii 99 pp. 36 figs. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $1.60 net. This book is by no means a new textbook, but rather a compilation of researches which have been made upon the subject of efflorescence. The author has done an excellent piece of work in including so much accurate material within a relatively small number of pages. While the publication is of an introductory character, the material therein constitutes a comprehensive survey of efflorescence and its many applications. The volume is divided into seven topical divisions as follows: 1. Variety of Names and Early Writings 2. Efflorescence in Soils 3. Climate and Micro-climate 4. Efflorescence of Building Materials 5. Researches Directed toward an Understanding of the Mechanism of Efflorescence 6. Capillary Theory of Efflorescence 7. Influence of Dispersion I n the book the author discusses in meticulous detail the various aspects of the subject and hrings the available information relative to efflorescence up to date. To supplement the theoretical discussion, the publication is adequately illustrated with both line drawings and photographs, all of which are carefully and accurately made. Throughout the volume, careful attention is given t o the continuity of reference material. I n the opinion of the reviewer, the author has succeeded very well in his attempt t o treat the subject of efflorescence in a comprehensive manner. I t is recognized, of course, that it is not possible to treat every phase of the subject in equal detail within such a comparatively small number of pages. The author, therefore, deserves credit for the line publication. As previously stated, the book is not intended for use as a text, but rather as a source of reference material for anyone engaged upon a piece of research which may involve efflorescent materials and their behavior. The completeness of references is deserving of mention inasmuch ds there is a total of one hundred sixty-three references tabulated a t the end of the descriptive material. Their selection shows a wide acquaintance with the prevailing literature on the part of the author. From the standpoint of chemical education, the reviewer wishes to compliment the author and commend the volume t o the attention of the research worker. R. K. CARLETON RAODBISLANO STAT=COLEDE
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groups. At the end of the chapter is to be found (1) a list of equations, (2) a summary and review, and (3) a list of problems and laboratory exercises. The remainder of the cation analysis is treated in a similar manner in Chapters VIII t o XI11 inclusive. The treatment should he valuable to both the student and instructor. What is ordinarily cation group 111 is divided into two parts, the first part including iron, chromium, and aluminum and being designated as group 111, and the second part including zinc. maneanese. cobalt. and nickel. and beine desi-ted as group IY. It would seem more convenient to desigmate these two groups as Illa and I I l b The meatest deviation from usu4 practice is a separate rrcatment of thc arsenic, antimony, and tin group, which may be omitted or included as desired. Chapters X N and XV treat the identification of some simple acid radicals. This treatment is inadequate for more than the simplest cases, which are apparently all that the authors have intended should be included. Chapters XVI and XVII take up the analysis of dry unknowns and appear to be only moderately well done. In the cases of several of the cations with which the student frequently has dif6culty several good tests are given, e. g.. bismuth, arsenic, and manganese. Under the tests for manganese is included the oxidation of manganese by periodate, which so far as the reviewer knows has not previously been included in a hook on elementary qualitative analysis. On the whole this b w k is unusnallv well done and should find a wide usefulness.
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INVENT~ON IN T A6 %NTTRT~ CHEMICAL DlscovEn~ AND -~ ------CENTURY. Sir Wil2iam A. Tildes. D.Sc., LL.D.. 2c.D. F.R.S. Revised by S. Glasstone, D.Sc., Ph.D.. F.I.C., Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Sheffield. E. P. Dutton & Camp a w . Inc.. New York City, 1936. Sixthedition,revised and reset. xvi 4 9 2 ~ ~13.6 . X 21.4 cm. 12 portraitsand 131 other illustrations. Price $4.00. ~
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For nearly twenty years this book, the first edition of which appeared in 1917, has made chemistry interesting, and its accomplishments significant and comprehensible to a large public untrained in the mysteries of the science. The same public since 1917 has been offered many other works of popularization, but the present book remains one of the best of them. While one may reasonably have doubted in 1917 whether the chemical discovery and invention of the seventeen years just past were KINQSTON. R ~ O DISLAND B sueiciently important, sufficiently m e r e n t from the chemical discovery and invention of the nineteenth century, t o deserve a FUNDAMENTALS OF QUAL.ITAIIVE CHEMICALANALYSIS. Roy K. new and stout book about them-there ,mn'now, twenty years McAlpine, Ph.D., and Byron A. Soule, 2c.D.. University of later, no longer be any doubt that the twentieth century deserves Michigan. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., New York City, a hook for itself. A revolution has occurred in physics; new 1936. ix 325 pp. 3 figures and 12 tables. 15 X 23 cm. foundations, laid largely since 1900, have been accepted and a 52.40 net. new structure of chemistry has been erected upon them; new This unusudly well written book is suitable for the second- products of organic synthesis have come into common use; semester course in college chemistry in which qualitative analysis vitamins and hormones are discussed in the ,&ily newspapers. is presented. I n Chapter I is presented some timely review mate- The book treats both of the theoretical background and of the rial which indudes a list of simply stated definitions. Chapters practical achievements of contemporary chemistry. 11, 111, and N treat the topics Chemical Arithme&c, Formulas The hook is divided into four sections. The first deals with and Equations, and Ionization Theory in Analytical Processes, chemical laboratories and the work which is done in them; respectively. I n Chapter V are described in detail several im- the second with modem discoveries and theories, the principleo portant laboratory manipulations, vie., precipitation, addition of of chemistry, the electric discharge in gases. the elements of the a reagent, folding and fitting a filter paper, filling funnel stem chemist, the discovery and properties of radium, the structure with water, washing precipitates, and removing precipitates and disintegration of atoms, solutions, electrolysis. the architecfrom Bter paper. Also, directions far several preliminary ex- ture of molecules, catalysis, and colloids; t h e third with modern periments are given. applications of chemistry, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, the metals Chapteq VI treats the lead, silver, mercury (011s) group. and some of their compounds, luminosity of &+mes,petrol, coal First, common compounds and reactions are described. Second, tar, the production of dyes, drugs, hormones, and vitamins, the precipitation of the group is described. Third, directions for perfumes and essential oils, vegetable fiber and cellulose, rubber the separation and identification of the cations of the group are and plastics, explosives, and the fixation of nitrogen; and the given. Next follows a critical review of cousideration~inv~lved fourth part with modern DromesS in oreanic chemietrv. . >.suears. in evaluating observations made and the proper use of these protcins, natural colors, eni.ymr,, etc. The trt~ntmmt,as might observations in reporting the group. This is followed by an be expected, conforms rather to Rririvh industrial practice than excellent discussion on the relation of the group to other cation to American, hut the difirrrnms are not rmportant except to the
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technician and, on occasion, t o the teacher who wishes for perfect accuracy in his teaching. The terms by which some of the materials are designated are not the usual American ones, but the lanrmam is clear and intellieihle. The book oueht t o be in every hir~.&ol librarv. ~,I t is iuit the book.. too.. t o .out into the hands of an intelligent person who wishes to be informed of the things that are going on in the world about him, or to examine the claim that chemistry is a dominant factor in determining the character of twentieth century civilization. TENNRY I,. DAVIS ~~~
SYNTHETIC INORGANIC &EMISTRY. Arthur A . Blanchad, Ph.D.. Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, Joseph W. Phelan, Ph.D., Late Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, and Arlhur R. Davis. Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry, a t the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Fifth edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1936. xii 385 pp. 25 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $3.00 net.
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Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry is designed as "a course of laboratory and classroom study for first-year college students." It was first nublished in 1908. As stated in the refa ace t o the MASS*CA"SBTTS INSTITYTZ OF TIIC"NOLO(~Y lifth edit~on.".4 run4rrabl+ portton of the trxt hrs hew wholly CIIQIUDOE.MASSACHUSP.TTS rvwrittc!l, and the e n t m text has Iwcn suhjrcted to revision nrtd rearrangement. Specific new exercises and discussions which LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. have been introduced include such topics as the determinations Arthur K. Anderson, Ph.D.. Professor of Physiological Chem- of vapor density and molecular weight, the standardization of istry, The Pennsylvania State College. John Wiley & Sons, acidsand the titration of acids and bases, Faraday's law, and Inc., New York City. 1936. vii 224 pp. 20 figs. 15 X 23 cm. the use of the pH scale of hydrogen-ion concentration. Several $1.50. new preparations have been introduced, and a few of the old This hook is designed to serve as a laboratory manual to ac- ones have been discontinued. A complete list of apparatus and company the author's Esrentials of Physiological C h d s l r y , chemicals required in the course has beeu added to the appendix." The textbook is used with the large freshman dass a t the published in 1935, and may therefore be assumed t o be designed for the same group of students as the earlier book, i. c., for Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who should have met students with a Limited background of chemistry and biology. an entrance requirement in chemistry. The entire year's work I t is adapted not only t o the needs of students in home eco- for both laboratory and classroom is outlined in the book. Paees 1-3 nive Directions for Work followed bv Dazes . 18 . . denomics whose interest is primarily in human nutrition, but also to the needs of those desiring a more general course in physiologi- voted t o ~ o t e son Laboratory Manipulation. The manual cal chemistry, premedical students, and students in agriculture, contains eleven chapters entitled as follows: I . The Quantitative biology, or bacteriology. The experiments are not designed for, Aspectsaf Chemistry; 11. Water and Solution; 111. The Theory nor are they suitable t o meet the needs of medical students. of Ionization; IV. The Non-Metallic Elements in Binary ComWith the proper selection of material, as indicated by the author, pounds; V. Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals; VI. Elements the work may be completed in six hours of laboratory work in one of Group 111; VII. Heavy Metals of Groups I and 11; VIII. The Oxy-Acids and Salts of the Non-Metals; IX. Elements of semester. The questions which follow each experiment are well chosen and Group IV; X. Elements of Group V; XI. Heavy Metals of should stimulate reading of the companion text whose use with Groups VI, VII, and VIII. There are 73 preparations in the manual, and the instructions a manual of this type is t o be assumed. The directions are clear and concise. While the reviewer sympathizes with the desire are clear and adequate. There are also many excellent questions of the author t o avoid anticipating the results which the student and problems. The textbook also contains an extenaivc appendix which gives may be expected t o obtain in the laboratory, he feels, nevertheless, that somewhat more detail in explanation of the conduct much valuable information. Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry is a conservative book. The and purpose of the experiments is desirable. Thus, in the experiments concerned with the formation of osazones on page treatment of the theory of ionization (p. 82) is an example. The 62, some mention of the fact that the osazone derivatives of modern definitions of bases and acids are not given. The recertain sugars form rapidly and are sufficiently insoluble t o viewer has not found much to criticize. On page 74 a mold crystallize out in the boiling solution should stimulate the student solution is defined as follows: "A molal solution contains one mole of dissolved substance in 1 liter of solution, e.g., 40 grams t o more careful observation. An excellent feature of the baok is the inclusion, wherever of NaOH or 98 grams of HdO,." This is pretty generally given possible, of quantitative material rather than the older type of as the definition of a molar solution, while a molal solution is defined as one containing 1 mole in 1400 grams of water. On qualitative experiments. I t is the reviewer's experience that students weary of and ultimately perform perfunctorily the long page 354 one finds the following statement: "The nuclei of all series of the older type of qualitative experiments, but carefully elements consist of closely packed aggregates of protons and electrons." I t is now considered likely that nuclei are built of and enthusiastically carry out even the simpler experiments with a quantitative background. Biological chemistry has beeu slow protons and neutrons. The total mass of the nucleus can be to incorporate such material, particularly in the more elementary accounted for by assuming that the nucleus is composed of courses. Professor Anderson, realizing this need, and also the protons and neutrons. Both authors and publishers have .done their part well. limitations in the preparation of the students for whom the book is designed, has included, t o make good this lack of chemical Synthetic Inorganic Chemietry has been ,one of our standard background, a brief but well-selected series gf experiments an manuals for many years. I t is a book designed to lay a solid foundation in chemistry, and its usefulness will nodoubt be much the fuudamentsls of quantitative procedures. Certain procedures which are not usually classed as chemical rnhanced hy the latest revision. are included, notably, the determinations of the white and red blood cell counts. I t would hardly seem important for students in the preliminary non-medical branches to be taught the difficult differential white blood cell count, whose importance and significance can hardly be understood by them. Similar criticism might be made of the inclusion of the determination of the basal ED~~ATIONAI., ?SYCHOLOGICAL, A N D PBKSONALITY TESTS OP metabolic rate in so elementary a course. 1933, 1934, AND 1935. Oscar K . Buros, Rutgers University. The book should be useful to those who must teach students Published by the School of Education, Rutgers University. without detailed preparation in chemistry and may be recom1936. 83 pp. 15 X 23 cm. Paper-bound, $0.50. mended to those who have neither the time nor the inclination to lormulate their own laboratory directions. Descriptive bibliography; 503 titles. The pamphlet includes HOWARD B. I,F_WIS an introduction, key to classification, publishers' directory and IINIYYSSITY OF MICHIUAN index, and author and titlc indices. .\vv Aasoa. M I C H I C . , \
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