The book is strikingly free from typographical errors and exhibits much careful and painrtak. iag work. Its clarity of presentation, and discrimination in the choice of tests to make the identification of elements more positive and cer. tain, are features which speak decidedly in its favor. T. F. BUBHPSP
A Treatise on Physical Chemistry.
Edited by
rellenee. That, however, is traceable to the c a u s e indicated above. It is also unkind t o judge book8 by the errors in printing. etc. I t is the "spirit of the book" that should concern a reviewer, and in that respect the book is a decided relief from others that have flooded the market. Personally, the reviewer would be ~atisfied,if he had to make such a choice, to give up all the works in physical chemistry he has in his possedon if he could retain this treatise.
HUGH S. TAYLOR, DSc. (Liverpml), Professor of Physical Chemistry. Princeton Uniuenity, Princeton, New Jersey. D. Van Nostrand Compsny. New York, 1925. Vol I. xi 644 p p Illustrated. Vol. 11, ix 700 pp. Illustrated. 23 X 15 cm. R i c e $12.00.
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The aim. of these books are stated by the Editor in the preface: "The prenent treatise on phyrical chemistry repraento, therefore, a eooperative effort on the part of a number of physical chemists to cover generally the major portions of their seenee by contributions in those portions of the subject which their particviar inclinations have led them more espedally t o study and t o which they themselves may have contributed by their own effort and reearch. It is hoped that, in this way, a more authoritative treatment of the several branches of the subject may have been nchieved: perhaps, also, a fresher erpositirm of the subject in its various phases may have been realized." That these aims have actually been realized, would undoubtedly ,be admitted by even the most uaeting critic. Most of the chapters of the treatise contain a wealth of information, and are full of ~ " g g u t i r mfor ~ the s ~ e k e rof the truth. We fully agree with the editor that the divergent opinions in regard t o some concepts, held by different writas of the chapters, while confusing t o the beginner, are yet stimulating t o the advanced student in designating the avenues of research still open and the necessity of more fundamental eoneepts. Beside the authoritative treatment of most of the chapters, the treatke ha. a tremendou. lure in that it preseob the ~ u b i e c tof physical ehemistry as a growing sdenee. This fact is primarily aecrmnted for an the h a J i ~that thesublectmatter har heen preseoted by investigators actually working in the fields of which they wrote. one can almost feel the enthusiasm of the w r i t e r s s o m e of them become so enthused that they just "bubble over." The book i= inspiring from that standpoint. The treatise certainly is an improvement over other books where the writer merely decided to m i t e a book, not because he had any new conc e p t ~t o eontribute, but merely to see his name in print. T h e e "compilations" are dreadful hares, for a great deal of the time the writer d o e not have first-hand information of the subjects he in presenting and the hook, therefore, ha^ not any stimulating effect. Undovbtcdly the treatise is not of uniform o-
M. S. K n a a ~ s c ~
Makers of Modern Chemistry.
S m Pa-ULLA CHANDB* RTY. Chuekervertty, Chatterice and CO., Ltd.. C a l ~ f f a ;Robsthain and c o . , Lcndon. First edition, 1925. viii 110 pp. 13 itdl page picture% including 7 emincot chemists. 14 X 211/z cm.
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Thia hook contains sir historical lect~res; alro "The Story of the Discovery of Oxygen." The first five lectures were given. by invitation, in the University of Dacca, in which the author is professor of chemistry. Lecture I deals with the phlogiston theory and with the work of Jean Rey and John Mavow. I n the words of Mayow, who died in 1679, "Combuotion k due to that portion in the air which occvrs in saltpeter, which is alro helpful for respimtion." Lectures I1 and 111 deal largely with the work of Priestley, Scheelc. Liebig, and Davy. Lecture IV is devoted t o Davy's work on the elementary nature of chlorine, t o Paracelrus, Bovle. Berrehus. Liebiz. . . Berthollet.. Gav-Lurrae. . -. and others. Lecture V is devoted to John Dalton m d his contributions t o chemistm. Lecture VI deals with India's gifts to the world. Attention is culled t o the oon-corrosive quality d the metal in the iron pillar near Delhi. This pillar of pure iron is unrunted after exposure to the e1emmts for about fifteen centuries. I t is also shown that the Hindus knew the difference between sodium carbonate and potassium ear bonate 2000 years before the remarkable diecoveries of Jmeph Black. Indeed, they knew how to prepare caustic potash by treating slaked time with pot-ium carbonate. "This method, you will look for in vain in any European treatise briore the 16th or the 17th century." DI. Ray is an authority oo matters pertaining to the Indians of the past, having written a fwo-volume work entitled "A History of Hindu Chemistry." The "Makers of Modern Chemiatry"is beautifully and entertainingly written, and deserves a place in the library of all who are interested in the history and development of the science of chemistry. I t is very valuable t o get the viewpoint of an eminent teacher and scholar who is thoroughly familiar with the part and present intellectual life of India. WILLIAMF O S ~ P
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