I
Recent Books
Physical Chemistrg. Its Bearing on Biology and Medicine. Jnuas C. P m n r ~ , O.B.E. D S e . , F.R.S., Professor of Physical Chemistry Imperial College of Science and Technology. L o ~ d o n . Third edition. Longmann. Green and co.. New York; Edward Amold, London. 1925. uii 367 pp. 32 figures. 12.5 X 18 cm. $2.80.
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questions asked about the illustrations which can be anwered from a study of the diagram or picture. The page is attractively arranged so t h a t the important material, the experiments, and other types of material are easily di3tin. guirhed. Each chapter contains topics for discussion, field studies, directions for finding materials needed for experiments. questions for review, and experiments both for home and clam use. At the end of each chapter there are mum"US 3uggestions for further study which provide ample matexhi for selection. The ehapten are unusually long, but the material is so arranged t h a t the sections could be used separately or certain sections might he omitted. The material is up-to-date and the tert ir a b w k of method as well as subject-matter. An unusual feature of the book is the senion on "studying the Mind at Work" and the section devoted t o a diseusrion of elementary psychology. heceding t h e index there are given directions for uring as follows: (1) finding any given topie: (2) finding pictures; (3) finding e>periments. The pumorc of t h e book, as stated in t h e preface, is t o "ereate a pmiiminary widespread interest in science as a thing of pvrona1 importance" and the text "stsrts with an investigation, experiment, studies: but i t will never compie* or exhaust a fopie. Pupils will always feet free t o seek more, teachers t o read further." The purpose of the book is surely realized in t h e variety of topics offered, the app1icatioos sugg ~ r t c dand the empharir in each chapter on t h e hygiene and personal relation to the fopie dincursed, The book should prove a valuable addition t o our library of general ~ e i e n c etexts.
The author delivered the substance of this volume as a course of lectures t o hioloeieal students at the University of London in 1909. I t is presented as a sketch of t h e phyrico-chemical basis for t h e modern treatment of biological and physiological problems." This "physical chemistry" deals chiefly with the properties of solutioos, including colloid solutions, t h e treatment centering on ormotie pressure and the interaction between t h e living cell and its avid environment. There ir perhaps rather more biology than t h e title would sumerf, but e v v r y m r r t l l h a w hi\ toan idel rr l o horn the dirlrion 5hW,l
