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arrangement of the tests which attract the reader. Chapter I describes manipulative methods for handling small amounts of materials. Such subjects as solubility, decantation, filtration, sublimation, distillation, etc.. are taken up and technic and apparatus described. Chapter I1 suggests methods of applying reagents, so that dependable and diagnostic reaction products can be reproduced under definite and controllable conditions. The experienced microanalyst appreciates how important this is. Chapters I11 t o X, inclusive, describe in detail tests far the various elements, these being taken up according t o the grouping in the Periodic Classification. Chapter XI in 76 pages gives a comprehensive and methodically arranged scheme for the identification of the anion of a salt. The common organlc acids, such as acetates, oxalates, and tartrates are also discussed. Chapter XI1 deals with special reagents which give reactions with a number of elements. The reagents which have been found useful in this connection are henamethylenetetramine, potassium ethyldithiocarbonate and zinc sulfide fibers. The separation of metals based upon differences in electrical potentials is also referred to. Chapter XI11 presents a practical w o r k i i scheme for handling material of unknown composition. The Appendix furnishes useful information for the preparation of special reagents, a list of reference works on microanalysis, etc. There are several interesting features about this work which should appeal t o the working analyst and also t o the teacher of microscopical qualitative analysis. The grouping of the text descriptions is very convenient for a working handbook and together with the well-arranged index affords ready reference. The descriptions are not too brief but replete wlth notes drawn from the authors' experience with those tests in their own laboratories. The pointed suggestions t o protect the analyst from pitfalls due t o erroneous interpretations are timely, since all too
Auousr, 1931
often a good microchemical test has suffpred due t o weless attention t o directions and ultimate misinterpretations of results. The illustrations of the crystalline precipitates, the end-products of reactions taking place under the microscope, are exceptionally good and are produced on paper well chosen to bring out the details. The numerous references to the literature throughout the text are most valuable to the research worker. From an educational standpoint such a handbwk (in conjunction with Vol. I ) could not but be most useful t o the teacher of chemistry. Developing the ability to observe and interpret phenomena under the microscope are valuable t o the beginner in science and, of course, quite essential in chemical microscopy. It so frequently happens that the laboratory worker is confronted by such meager portions of material for ~dentifying substances by the usual methods that his resourcefulness is severely taxed. unless, perchance, he has been fortified somewhere in his chemical training, by an acquaintance with such valuable short cuts as microchemical tests. This handbook of Chamot and Mason presents in a logical and teachable form the results of years of experience in this specialized field of chemistry. By following the experiments scattered through this text the student cannot fail to recognize diagnostic differences on a small scale and with practice be able t o draw trustworthy conclusions from the crystal pictures he sees under the microscope. GEO.L. KEBNAN
Elementary Textile Microscopy, JOHNH. SRINKLE, S.B.. Instructor in Textile Chemistry and Microscopy, Lowell Textile Institute. Foreword by LOUIS A. OLNEY,D.Sc., Professor of Chemistry and Dyeing, Lowell Textile Institute. Directing Editor, American Dyestuff Reporter. Howes Publishing
VOL. 8, No. 8
RECENT BOOKS
Company. 440 Fourth Avenue, New York City. 1930. 144 pp. 95 figs. 14 X 20 cm. $2.50. The author states in the preface, "It (the book) is intended as a mmbination text and laboratory manual for the author's classes in microscopy a t the Lowell Textile Institute but it is also intended to he of aid to the independent worker in the industry who may or may not have had a college education or the equivalent in optics. I n brief the object of t h ~ sbook is to collect in one volume enough of the fundamentals as to apparatus, methods, and data on the fibers to introduce the reader to the large subject of Textile Microscopy." The book is divided into seven parts. Part I takes up apparatus describing equipment which cot~ld be used in a textile microscopy laboratory. Part I1 deals with methods used in making longitudinal mounts and cross-sections. It discusses briefly micrometry and microchemical reactions. The author seems to lose himself, in the Shaw fashion, in his discussion bf Longitudimal mounts. The description of the cutting of cross-sections is very good. Part I11 is called Identifications. The first part of this section is devoted to the microscopic identification of starches. The second part takes up the microscopic identification of textile fibers. On first reading, i t appears that undue emphasis was placed on identification of starches but when i t was remembered that the book was written in a cotton manufacturing locality and the importance of starch as a cotton filler,the reason for the introduction of this subject was understood. There are a number of photomicrographs in this chapter, several particularly clear ones of cross-sections of various rayons. Part IV discusses LowPower Microscopy in quite an introductory way but with same interesting photomicrographs. Part V takes up Photomicrography. This seems in the opinion of the reviewer to be unusually well written. It very simply and clearly describes types of apparatus, photo-
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micrographic manipulation, exposure time, color photography, etc. Part VI gives a list and description of a variety of good experiments which could be covered in a very short time and give some knowledge or could be expanded to give a very thorough knowledge of the field of textile microscopy. Part VII includes various formulas, descriptions of the microscopic appearance of textile fibers, and bibliography. The text contains a large number of illustrations considering the total number of pages. The illustrations are on the whole very good considering the difficulty of photographing the subject matter and printing. I n the opinion of the reviewer, the author has succeeded admirably in carrymg out the primary purpose of the hook. Its value from the standpoint of chemical education is diRicult to estimate as the author places chemistry in the background and emphasizes simplicity. This seems to be necessary in order to fulfil the purpose of the bwk. This book would be helpful as a reference for those beginning the study of textile microscopy or to those working in this field in the industries. It would be an up-to-date and worthwhile addition to the library of any one interested in Textile Microscopy. MARYL. WILLARD T A E PBNNSYLVANIA STAT* COLLBOB Sr~m COLLBCB, PBNN*.
Essentials of Organic and Biological E. W ~ ~ r ~ e r nPh.D., r, Chemistry. Professor of Chemistry. University of Arkansas. The Chemical Publishing 175 Co., Easton, Pa., 1931. vi pp. 7 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $2.50.
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This volume was apparently written for a very special group and will be of value only to that group. It is an ambitious undertaking to attempt to cover in 175 fairly open printed pages even the "essentials" of both organic and biological chemistry. The volume is designed as a text for a combined course in organic and biological
