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Recent Books
An Introduction to the Chemistry of Plant Products. PAUL HAAS,DSc., Ph.D., Reader in Plant Chemistry in the University of London, University College; and T. G. Hill. D.Sc., A.R.C.S., Reader in Vegetable Physiology in the University of London, University College. Fourth edition. Volume I: On the Nature and Significance of the Commoner Organic Compounds of Plants. Longmans, Green and Company, 55 Fifth Avenue, New York, 1928. xvi 530 pp., one text figure. 14 X 22 cm. 56.50net. Printed in England.
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The book is described as "a work primarily intended for students of botany reading for an honours degree and for those who require information on plant chemistry. The subject matter deals with the occurrence, chemistry and biological significance of the chief products of the plant's activity; viz., fats, carbohydrates, glucosides, tannins, pigments, proteins and enzymes. The great increase in biochemical investigations during recent years has necessitated a thorough revision of the book which, for the most part, has been re-written." The present volume is an improvement and modernization, as i t were, of an already well and fwarahly known text. The authors have very carefully adhered to their purpose as quoted above. The honors graduate in botany, after an undoubtedly profitable reading of the hook, can expect to use it t o look up the chemistry of substances mentioned in his hotanical reading. The text and format are designed for easy reading and the index and table of contents are prepared for convenience in reference. To reduce the mention of strictly animal physiology the section an co-enzymes in the last edition has been removed because it drew mostly
upon work with animals. The treatment of this subject is in the section an activators. The vitamins are not mentioned, probably for the same reason. Sections on lignified membranes, nucleic acids, and the colloidal nature of protoplasm have been added. Directions for the preparation of solutions to he used in experiments are now given, and in nearly all of the sections a more logical and easier presentation has been striven far through rewriting and rearrangement. New work, including some papers of 1928, has been mentioned, resulting in a general expansion amounting t o over a hundred pages. For the student whose major subject is chemistry and whose minor is botany, as distinguished from the botanist, the use of this book as a foundation textbook in the United States might not be so felicitous. He should know it as a reference book, but it is rather specialized as a British text for botany students. Many of the references are likely not t o be available in the smaller libraries in the United States and the collateral reading assignments are in the main in other British volumes. The correlation with American analytical practice, textbooks and literature would devolve upon the instructor. The American student of chemistry iuterested in botany should be given, far eaample, frequent and pointed reference to the Methods of Analysis of the American Association of Official Agricultural Chemists. E. L. GREEN WASHINGTON AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Essentials of Qualitative Chemical Analysis. JOHNC. W m , Sc.M., Ph.D. First edition. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York City, 1928. 11 figures, 30 tables, 17 illustrations, 6 color plates.
VOL. 5, No. 12 xii net.
+ 351 PP.
RECENT BOORS
15 X 23 cm. $3.50
"Essentials" means necessities. That is what this book contains-verything that is necessary to make a well-rounded course of qualitative analysis with the idea that this is an essential part of the foundation necessary for the chemist in whatever line of work he may undertake. Thus the author justifies the inclusion of applications of theoretical principles by stating in his preface, which he says is written primarily for the student, "You never lose sight of the fact that qualitative analysis is not necessarily an end in itself but a most efficient means of developing chemical reasoning power which may prove invaluable in later research work. Your final goal is surely not t o be a weigher of samples in a large routine laboratory." The book is divided into five parts. Part I consisting of 84 pages shows the application of principles of homogeneous and heterogeneous equilibrium to reactions which are used in qualitative analysis. The usual principles are developed in a clear snd easily assimilable manner and are followed by exercises along these lines for the student. Part 11, consisting of 140 pages, gives preliminary experiments to he performed on solutions of the individual metal ions and directions for analyzing mixtures or unknowns containing one or more of these ions. The order of studying the groups begins with the silver group. Following the experiments on the cations of each group is a discussion which summarizes the properties which have been observed and shows why those to be used in the analysis were chosen. The directions are followed by notes explaining details af the procedures by alternative tests which may be used and by a tabular outline of the separation. The cations are separated into the usual groups by the ordinary group reagents. Group IIB is separated from Group IIA by means of sodium polysulfide, but by carrying out the operation a t room temperature mercuric sulfide is said t o be left in Group
IIA.
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This is contrary t o such authorities
as Treadwell-Hall and Fresenius and t o the experience of the reviewer.
Part 111, in 61 pages, deals with the anions in much the same fashion that Part I1 does with the cations. The identification of the anions consists of individual tests after heing approximately identified by using silver nitrate, a mixture of barium chloride and calcium chloride or dilute hydrochloric acid followed by hot 12N sulfuric acid on separate portions. Part IV consisting of 32 pages correlates the analysis for both cations and anions and introduces the subject of the complications caused in cation analysis by the presence of anions such as phosphate, oxalate, acetate, etc., and gives directions for analysis in their presence. This part also includes directions for dissolving nonmetallic solids, metals, and non-ferrous alloys. Special directions for gold and platinum alloys and for silicate analysis are given. Part V contains outlines for one or two semesters of laboratory work, solubility tables, directions for preparing reagents, list of apparatus required, and atomic weight table. The innovation which this book introduces is the six color plates, giving the student some idea of colors which precipitates, fusions, beads, flame tests, etc., should have. The reproduction of the colors, particularly those of the flame tests, is none too good. The colors representing the precipitates are better, but being solid colors cannot replace entirely the memory of a precipitate with both its form and color. The seventeen illustrations are Halftone reproductions of photographs of various control and research laboratories. By seeing them the student will realize the great diversity of manufacturing plants which require analytical work and thereby be stimulated to learn more about the subject. As a whole the book is well written with few typographical errors and should find a place among the many texts already used
in this field but the above-mentioned discrepancy in separating Groups IIA and IIB should cause this procedure t o be accepted with caution. CARLOTTO OP MAINE UNIVERSITY
requirements to a marked degree. While the use of qualitative tests would permit the covering of more material, it also would fail to develop technic which is a serious drawback. Such tests a t best leave but fleeting impressions on the mind of a beginner and are soon forgotten. A proper technic developed by the use of Elementary Laboratory Experiments in preparations, however, remains an asset Organic Chemistry. ROGER ADAMS, always and permits the student to adProfessor of Chemistry, University of vance as rapidly in the laboratory as his Assistant theoretical background may permit. Illinois. JOHNR. JOHNSON, Professor of Chemistry, Cornell UniThe preparations are well chosen and versity. First edition. The Macmillan cover very well the simpler typical orCompany. New York, 1928. xi ganic reactions and compounds, with one 305 pp., 19 figures. 14 X 21.5 cm. exception: the proteins. Due to difficulty $1.90. in ~ n.. tests minht .r e.~ a r a t i .o aualitative . be This laboratory manual is designed for used to advantage in this casc. This manual is indeed a very valuable the use of students who are beginning the contribution t o the teaching of elementary study of organic chemistry, and is comorganic chemistry in the laboratory and piled with the idea of placing before the will, no doubt, be most welcome t o many student the more important laboratory engaged in this work. procedures and technic of organic chemJOHNJ. DONLEAW istry. YALEUNIVERSITY The hook is divided into two major parts: The first is devoted t o a clear exposition of the various physical operations Laboratory Manual of Elementary Physiutilized for the .purification of organic MACK,JR., cal Chemistry. EDWARD compounds. Such operations as distillaAND WESLBYG. FRANCE, Ohio State tion, recrystallization, filtration, etc., are University. D. Van Nostrand Company, described and the student, by experi195 pp., with 40 New York, 1928. xi ment, becomes thoroughly acquainted figures. 14.5 X 22 cm. Cloth, $2.00. with the unit orrerations of the laboratory Experience has shown that these experibefore applying the same to the preparaments "are quite workable, that they tion of simple organic compounds. The second part is devoted to the prep- arouse and sustain the interest of the aration of typical organic compounds. students, and t h i t the present selection of Here the student applies the unit opera- topics distributes the emphasis somewhat more appropriately over the entire field of tions of Part I t o the synthesis of pure organic compounds. Detailed directions physical chemistry than has heretofore and pertinent questions accompany each been done in some of the manuals." Less preparation and, in a few instances, quali- time than usual is devoted t o molecular tative tests are introduced to illustrate weight determinations, and in addition t o the type of experiments usually included in simple tests or reactions. Any laboratory manual in organic physical chemistry, Lhe b w k contains exchemistry should accomplish two objects. periments dealing with thermionic tubes, First, i t must train a man in the technic of thermal conductivity of gases, size of molethe science, and second, it must illustrate cules, rate of settling of fine precipitates, clearly the application of reactions learned and light absorption by solutions. There are thirty-five experiments, about twoin the dasrroom to practical problems of synthesis. This manual satisfies the above thirds of which sre expected to be done by
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