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.
+
"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.
+
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
