"Mineral Nutrition of Plants," F. G. Gregory (pp. 557-78): "Organic Acids of Plants," T. A. Bennet-Clark (pp. 57994); "Biochemistry of Bacteria." C. 8. van Niel (pp. 595620); and "Immunochemistry," K. Landsteiner and M. W. Chase (pp. 62144). The volume also contains author and subject indices. OTTO R e m n
THEUNIYERSESURVEYED.Harold Richards. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc.,New York City, 1937. xvii 722 pp. 94 figs. 15 X 22 cm. $3.50. I n the preface Professor Kirtley F. Mather, chairman of the department of geology a t Haryard University. states that the hook is intended "as a text for the junior-college or freshmanyear course designed t o give a general introduction to physical science." It is an integration of some of the fundamental ideas of physics, chemistry, astronomy, and geology. The main portion of the hook is divided into four "units." The word "unit," however, does not have the specific meaning used by students of the Morrison Plan. The introduction is a general discussion of the relation of science to the modem word and t o philosophy. Unit 1, "The Earth as an Astronomical Body and Our Neighbors in Space," requires eighty-five pages, and is subdivided into three chapters. I n the chapter "Falling," a long excursion into history is taken, from Aristotle's early views to Newton's Law of Gravitation. I n the chapter "Some Consequences of Gravitation," nineteen diverse topics such as centrifugal force, molecular motion, and sunset phenomena, are discussed. I n the chapter "The Origin of the Solar System" the age of the earth and tidal action are discussed, and, after the falsity of the nebular hypothesis has been shown. the planetesimal hypothesis is presented. Unit 2, "The Nature of Matter and Energy," requires one hundred eighty-two pages and consists of six chapters. I n the chapter "Background for Energy,'' the author enters the philasophical question of the nature of reality, and this thorny subject recurs many times throughout the hook. I n the same chapter, in another historical excursion, the knowledge from the Greeks to Newton is summarized. I n the chapter "Conservation of Energy" seventeen diverse topics such as kinetic energy and work, "definitions versus reality," peculiarities of water, and a "triumph of youth" are discussed. The remaining chapters follow the same plan. The content is indicated by the titles: "Atoms and Molecules," "Chemical Transformations," "The Nature of Heat," "Electricity and Matter," and "Radiant Energy and Atomic Structure." Unit 3, "The Controlled Changes, or Forced Evolution, of our Physical Environment," requires one hundred ninety-three pages. It is essentially a discussion of the practical application of physical sciences. It is subdivided into four chapters: "Science and Invention," "The World's Work," "Materials," and "Communication." Unit 4, "The Uncontrolled Changes, or Geological Evolution of Our Physical Environment" requires niuety-five pages. I t is subdivided into three chapters: "The Weather," "Some Geological Processes a t Work, " and "The History of the Earth." I n the "Conclusion: The Frontiers of Physical Science," topics such as relativity, quantum theory, transmutation of elements, the principle of uncertainty, and the expanding universe are discussed. The "Astronomical Supplement" is essentially a guide to amateurs for observations in the sky. The appendix contains a list of eight hundred fifty true-false statements, which may serve as a review. As it appears from the preceding discussion, the h w k is mmprehensive in scope and will commend itself to anyone engaged in teaching such a course. The major divisions are reasonable, and the space alloted t o each is well balanced. The author seems to possess considerable erudition, and the information contained in the hook, though not always stated with scientific precision. is essentially accurate. Its usefulness as a text, however, will
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depend upon the desirability of certain peculiarities of the hook. The book is synthetic in character. The origin, development, and the various implications (philosophical, social, political, economic) of the scientific concepts are discussed, but the concepts themselves are not treated analytically. The experimental hackground and the logical derivation of the concepts therefrom are rarelv The conceots are not clearlv exnlained and often . even. . they are not defined. Scientific terms are copiously introduced without any forewarning, and, if an explanation follows, the relation is seldom made clear. The reader will he unable t o follow unless he is already familiar with the field. The style of the hook is subtle and partakes something of adventure. While it is inspiring in many places, the frequent lapsing into ecstasies is likely t o give the impression of superficiality. Further. while a simile or a m e t a ~ h o ris refreshine t o one who understands the relationships, it is likely t o he confusing to one not acquainted with the field. The beginner would he thankful for simpler and mare direct language. It is regrettable that the logical organization of the major divisions is not carried into the chapters. Many topics having little in common fundamentally are treated in the same chapter. Digressions are numerous, and apparently mnsciously made. Many ideas are discussed without regard t o their logical sequence. For example, molecular motion is discussed in "Consequences of Gravitation," long before "Atoms and Molecules" is studied. Finally, the reviewer does not feel that the space and emphasis devoted to the question of the nature of reality in a hook of this kind, is desirable. Statements such as "evidently a few equations are t o he regarded as the only language in which the underlying nature of the material universe can he adequately expressed" (p. 586), aside from the fact that they are debatable, tend t o mystify and confuse the student, without imparting any definite ideas.
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ANNUALSURVEY oa AXERICAN RUBBERC ~ M I S T R POR Y 1936 Webster N. Jones, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 40 pp. 15 X 23 an. "For ten years (1925-1935) the National Research Council sponsored the Annual Survey of American Chemistry. . .Unfortunately, because of the lack of financial resources, the National Research Council has discontinued the Infornational Service under which the Annual Survey has been prepared. "In order t o insure continuity of the Survey of American Rubber Chemistry, and with the hone that future ~uhlication - will he ~resumed, the City of Pittsl,ur~hsponsored this study, which used workers provided by the Civil Works Administmtion and the Works Progress Administration. The CarneRic Institute of Technology furnished the supervising personnel and the facilities necessary for carrying on the work. Through the cooperation of Dr. Robert E. Doherty, President of the Carnegie Institute of Technology, this bulletin has been made available to the public."
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CHEMISTRY AND COOKERY.Annie Louise Macleod, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Home Economics, Syracuse University, and Edith H. Nason, Ph.D., Professor of Fwds, Syracuse University. Second Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 568 pp. 25 figs. 14.5 X 20.5 cm. New York, 1937. xiv $3.50.
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The authors recognize the difficult task of selecting from the vast fund of chemical information and principles the material most suitable for the needs of the home economics student. Educational pressure bears down on specialized fields a t the exDense of a broad backmound of fundamental trainine. The sccond edition of this buok will cunrinw to meet the nerds of a condens~dcourse. I he pwposc of which will be to lay a foundation for cookery processes with the chzmistry necessary to explain the
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composition of foods and the changes that occur in foods during cooking. In the second edition of CHEMISTRY AND COOKERY,the theory of ionization, hydrogen-ion concentration, and addimetry and alkalimetry are treated in accordance with the Debye-Hiickel and Brdnsted theories, which brings this work in line with recent conceptions. Likewise, the chapters relating t o egg and meat cookery have been revised to include the ideas recently developed through experimental work in foods. Especially interesting are the applications of chemistry t o home economics problems in relation to the use of foods which leave a basic residue in the body, the inhence of acid in the formation of fruit jelly, solution tension in cleaning silver, and the position of an element in the electrochemical series and its usefulness in making household utensils. The transition from inorganic t o organic chemistry is nicely made through a review and invaductorv chanter. Cantinuine " the studv of oreanic chemistry, the following types of compounds are discussed: hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, acids, tswrs, oils and fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and cyclo-organic compounds. These organic compounds are discussed in relation t o the foods of which they are a part; for example, the proteins of meat, eggs, flour, and cereals, the organic acids of fruits, the esters present in flavoring extracts, the composition of vitamins and of the pigments of fruits and vegetables. The textbook includes a laboratory manual of chemistry and cookery. T o the reviewer, the laboratory work in chemistry seems entirely inadequate from the standpoint of contact with materials and of experience in setting up apparatus. Especislly desirable are such related lessons as supersaturated solutions and candies and frozen desserts, normal solutions and concentration of acids in vinegar, fruit juices and sour milk, colloids and mayannaise salad dressing, starch cookery, and gelatin desserts. The chapters in the text and the experiments in the manual lead in desirable sequence from one to another, each making use of principles previously studied. For such a condensed course in chemistry and cookery, the material is carefully chosen. The book is well bound and printed. NELLIEM. NAYLOR IOWA S r n e COLL&DB AMBS.IOWA
HANDBOOK oa CHEMISTRY.Norman A , Lance, Lecturer in Organic Chemistry a t Cleveland College of Western Reserve University. Second Edition. Handbook Publishers, Inc.. Sandusky, Ohio, 1937. xvi 1501 pp. f 249 pp., mathematical appendix, 30 pp., indices. 13.2 X 19.2 cm. $6.00.
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The &st edition of this handbook, which appeared during the closing months of 1934, was so well received by industrial and academic chemists, that it was only natural that a revised and enlarged edition should be forthcoming. The second edition is a thorough revision of the first, with changes on over four hundred pages. Gravimetric and volumetric factors, as well as molecular weights, have all been changed t o conform with the new 1937 atomic weights. The page width has been slightly increased to make far greater accessibility of subject matter along the inside margin. This extensive revision and inclusion of new material has increased the size of the volume by two hundred thirty-seven pages. The section on the nomenclature of organic compounds has been enlarged. It includes a discussion of the older and Geneva systems in addition to thirteen pages of the more important organic ring systems giving names and numbering. The Beilstein references given in the first edition have been augmented to include references of later volumes. Three thousand nine hundred compounds are listed in the order of their refractive indices. Several thousand organic compounds are arranged in accordance with the values of their melting points. The formula index of organic compounds is arranged in essentially the same method used in Richter's LEXIKONDER KOHLENSTOPF VERBINDUNGEN.There is a new and enlarged section on organic re-
agents for inorganic analysis. The following new tables are offered. Organic Ring Systems Formula Index to the Compounds Listed in the Table of Physical Constants of Organic Compounds Melting Points of Organic Compounds Arranged in Ascending Order of Melting Points Refractive Index of Isotropic Solids, Uniaxial Positive and Negative Crystals, Biaxial Positive and Negative Crystals, Pure Liquids, Water and Aqueous Solutions of Halogen Acids, Aqueous Solutions of Alcohol, Aqueous Solutions of Glycerol Formula Index for Finding Organic Compounds Listed in the Refractive Index Table Calculations of Refractive Index Table for the Conversion of Immersion Refractometer Reading to True Refractive Index Viscosity of Aqueous Glycerol Solutions for Calibration of Viscosimeters Formulas and Properties of Denatured Alcohols Authorized Use of Denatured Alcohol Formulas The author and publishers have enhanced the value of this excellent handbook in its revised and enlarged form. It is heartily recommended by the reviewer. M. H. DASKAIS
TEEWOW OP ATOMS.Arthur Haas, University of Notm Dame. Translated by George B. Welch. Second Edition, enlarged and revised, D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., NewYorkCity, 1937. xiv f 183 pp. 54 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $3.00. This is a well-connected and entirely non-mathematical account of the development of atomic physics. The reader is led naturally t o appreciate the evolving concepts of the theory by a lucid and pictorial description of the experiments responsible for their introduction. The b w k is highly recommended t o the interested layman, and t o the medical practitioner engaged in radiation therapy. Also, i t shonld be a stimulating and informative addition to the reading of students of elementary physics and chemistry. The present volume, which is a revision of that published in 1928. ~.has been modernized to about the middle of 1936 bv the introduction of much new matwkrl, including additional lectures on ihr rrsults of atomic disintegration, and on cosmic rays. The latter are a~vompaniedby numerous excellent reprodwtions of cloud chamber photographs.
INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY.Emil Raymond Riegel, Ph.D.. Professor of Industrial Chemistry, University of Buffalo. Third Edition. Reinhold Publishing Co., New York City, 1937. xiii 851 pp. 275 figs. 15 X 23 cm. 55.75.
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Anyone who has the courage to write an INDUSTRIAL CHEMIShas our sincere sympathy and respect. The new edition of Dr. Riegel's book is well worth serious consideration by all teachers of industrial chemistry. As the author states, certain material has been added, notably recent work on polymerization, solvent extraction, glass, ammoniated superphosphates, sugar from wood, new solvents, synthetic rubber, new uses for rayon, recent developments in stainless steel and other alloys. The principal addition is the appearance of more production figures which are always of intere-t t o the instructor. I b c outstanding chapters arc perhws the 6r,t eleven in which such common subjects are covered such as sulfuric acid, caustic soda, synthetic ammonia, ctc. Othrr important chapters are on wood distillation, fermentation, dyes, and metals.
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