RECENT BOOKS THE ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE AND PROPERTIESOP MATTER. C. H. Douglas Clerk,University of Leeds. Volume I . John Wiley & Sons. Inc.. New York City, 1934. xxv f 374 pp. 33 F i . 14 X 23.5 cm. $5.50. As is stated in the title and is further emphasized in the preface, the wark is intended as a general introduction to the whole subject of "the properties of matter in terms of electronic constitution." The present volume consists of a "General Introduction" (Part I) and a discussion of physical properties as related t o molecular constitution (Part 11). The topics dealt with in Part I include the following: the periodic classification of the elements and theories of atomic structure, electron configurations of atoms and quantum numhers, line spectra, the transitional and rare earth elements, and valency. I n Part I1 the topics discussed are as follows: melting and hailing points, atomic and molecular volumes, atomic and ionic radii, electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, atomic magnetic moments, cohesional properties. and the third law of thermodynamics. While the discussion of each topic is necessarily brief, it touches adequately upon the most important aspects and gives a great deal of detailed information. The value of the presentation is increased by the extensive bibliography which accompanies each chapter and in which the title of each paper is given, as well as the reference. Furthermore, reviews or summaries are mentioned in preference to papers dealing with specific details. Undoubtedly, the work should serve as an excellent summary of recent advances in different fields of atomic physics and chemistry. The only criticism that the reviewer would offer is t o the effect that the author has not been sufficiently critical in presenting different theories and points of view. However, this is t o be regarded as a minor criticism. There are few misprints and the printing and binding are very satisfactory. S. DUSHUAN RBSBABCB LIBOR&TORIBS
advantages of these two methods of studying structure are mentioned wherever corresponding experiments have been carried out. The chapter on the scattering of X-rays by liquids is rather completely taken up from the paint of view of the present status of the theory and the information which i t gives about the molecules in the liquid state. The information which experiments in this field give regarding the arrangement of the atoms in the molecules of organic compounds is discussed. A chapter is devoted t o the application af diffraction experiments t o the determination of the structures of various amorphous solids, of which glass is an outstanding example. Such problems as the determination of the alignment of the fibers in various forms of organic fibers such as silk, wool, and cellulose are also considered. A chapter is devoted t o investigations of surface films, c. g.. those due t o corrosion and adsorption, in which case the electron diffraction is found to be most useful. Other problems t o which electron and X-ray diffraction experiments may be profitably applied are painted out. One sees from this outline that many subjects have been treated and this has necessitated briefer discussions of some of the topics than might have been desired. Necessarily a rather small amount of space has been given to the matter of experimental technic. Anyone interested, however, in going more deeply into any phase of the snhject is furnished with a good bibliography a t the end of each chapter. The book is well illustrated, having about seventy reproductions of X-ray and electron diffraction photographs. An appendix contains tables of atomic structure factors, atomic and ionic radii, and values of sin x / x to four places for x equals 0 t o 100. For the chemist who is interested in the application of X-ray and electron diffraction methods t o problems of structure, the hook furnishes a good summary of the experimental and theoretical work which has been done and i t also gives an idea of the possibilities and the limitations which this method offers. E. 0. WOLLAN W A B ~ N ~ OUNIYBBSITY N
GBNBIALELBCIRIC COMPANY S C H & N B ~ * DN.Y Y. .
ST. Loms. Mlsrouar
EXPERIMENTS AND PROBLEMSFOR COLLEGECHEMISTRV. J. E. THE D ~ a a n n c n ooa~ X-RAYSAND ELECIRONSBY AMORPHOUS Belcher and 5. C. Colberr, assistant Professors of Chemistry. SoLrns, L~prnns,AND GASES. J. T. RandnU, M.Sc., a memUniversity of Oklahoma. Second edition. D. Appletonber of the staff of the Research Laboratories of the General Century Company, New York City, 1934. x 195 pp. 18 Electric Company, Ltd., Wembley. England. John Wiley & line drawings. 28 X 21 cm., hound in heavy waterpmf Sons. Inc.. New York City, 1934. xii 290 pp. 197 Figs. paper. $1.50. 14 X 22 cm. $5.75. This is a laboratory manual of thirty-six units of experimental This volume brings together results of the experimental and work, plus fourteen units of enercises in chemical arithmetic. theoretical work which has been done on the application of X- two tables, an apparatus list, and a comprehensive chart showing ray and electron diffraction methods to the study of the physical exactly the amounts of various chemicals needed for the experiand chemical properties of matter of nou-crystalline or only semi- mental work. The manual is designed for use with the Smithcrystalline form. In spite of the newness of many aspects of this Kendall texts, but may easily be used with almost any of the field a surprisingly large amount of work has been done, and the standard college teats in general chemistry. present volume supplies a much needed summary of the subject. I n the write-up of each experiment a de6nite form is followed. The following are some of the topics which are included. The References t o Smith's "College Chemistry" and toSmith's8'Insubject is introduced by a brief chapter on X-ray crystal analysis. troductory College Chemistry" are followed by a clear statement The distinction hetween crystalline and amorphous solids leads of the objects of the Rmerimental work and a list of all apparatus to a discussion of the relation between the width of the powder and chemicals needed. After a general discussion of the prindiagram lines and the sizes of the microscopic crystals of which cioles uoon which the emerimental wark is based. directions are many apparently amorphous solids are made up. The thwreti- given for a series of experiments relating to the particular unit. cal and experimental investigations on the scattering of X-rays Wherever needed, a diagmm showing the sct-up of apparatus is by monatomic gases as a means of determining atomic structure given. factors and the distribution of the electrons within the atoms is Throughout the discussions an attempt is made t o induce the brieiiy discussed. From this subject the discussion naturally student t o think in terms of the chemical principles involved. leads t o the scattering of X-rays by polyatomic gases with its A number of questions are asked and a t each point an attempt is application t o the determination of the spacing and the distribu- made to induce the student t o deliberate and apply previous tion of the atoms within the molecule. The corresponding knowledge, refer t o the textbook, and consider other information, theory for the scattering of the electrons by gases is worked out in an attempt t o understand fully the principles involved. Acand the experimental results for this case are compared with companying the directions for each unit of experimental work those obtained with X-rays. The relative advantages and dis- are duplicate sheets with blanks on which the student may enter
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the data obtained in the course of his laboratory experimentation. In some cases, a series of questions is given and the student is expected, as a result of his experimental work, t o he able to enter the answers. When questions are given, the answers required are such as t o demand thoughtful deliberation on the part of the student Rarely is there a chance to guess, and the general style of the write-up is one which shows a careful attempt t o reduce greatly the amount of writing required of the student so that he will have more time to experiment and to think. The manual is in no sense an attemot t o relieve the student of work. On the other hand, it i< very drfinitcly a rnanual whirh attempts ro incrcaw fhc nrtual amount o l carcful delihcrnrivc work which can be demanded of the student. Following the experimental work of each unit is a short list of questions and problems which relate t o the experimental work, the problems, and the exercises. These are intended to assist the student in applying to new situations the general principles which have been brought out in the course of the experimental work. The second edition of this manual is a distinct improvement over the first edition and the authors have made a real contribution t o laboratory teaching. Two methods of using the manual are described in the preface. If the first method is used, a carbon copy of the data and answers t o questions is handed to the instructor a t the end of the laboratory period. This method is not as favorably recommended by the authors as is the second. I n using the second method, the student enters all data from each experiment and answers t o questions in the proper place on the record sheets, but makes no carbon copy. Instead, the duplicate sheets are removed and a t the end of the laboratory period and with no data a t hand, students are required t o answer all questions according t o their understanding of the results ohtained from the experimental work. Undoubtedly, many teachers will find in thismanual something which they have long sought, the means hy which a good strong laboratory course may be systematically carried out with an actual reduction in the labor required of the teacher. This manual is t o be highly recommended. Every college teacher of general chemistry should have a copy. J. 0. FRANK ~
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ANNUALREVIEW OF BIOCBEBIISTRY, VOLUME111. James Murray Luck. Stanford University, Editor. Edition of 1934. Stanford University Press, Stanford University, California, 1934. viii 558 pp. 22 X 15 cm. $5.00.
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This is the third volume of a series of Annual Reviews of Biochemistry edited under the auspices of an advisory committee-J. M. Luck. C. L. Alsberg, D. R. Hoagland. and C. L. A. Schmidt. I t would be impossible to cover all the literature dealing with the subject matter of the growing field of biochemistry in a book of its size; consequently, the contributors have necessarily been limited t o the citation of only the most important contributions in their respective fields of work. The various topics reviewed in this volume and the respective authors are as follows: (1) Water in Its Biochemical Relation, by R. A. Gortner; Biological Oxidations and Reductions, by A. Bertho; Enzymes, by E. Waldschmidt-Leitz; The Chemistry of the Acyclic Constituents of Natural Fats and Oils, by R. J. Anderson; The Chemistry of the Lipins, I, by Smedley-MacLean; The Chemistry of the Sterols, Bile Acids, and Other Cyclic Constituents of Natural Fats and Oils, by 0. Rosenheim and H. King; The Chemistry of the Amino Acids and the Proteins, by W. Pauli; The Chemistry and Metabolism of the Compounds of Phosphorus, by H. D. Kay; Carbohydrate Metabolism, by C. F. Cori and G. T . Cori; F a t Metabolism, by W. R. Bloor; The Metabolism of Proteins and Amino Acids, by Y. Kotake; Mineral Metaholism-Sodium, Potassium, and Chlorine, by A. T. Shohl; The Hormones, by
D. L. Thomran and J. B. Collip; Vitamins, by L. J. Harris; Nutrition, by S. Brady; Liver and Bile, by J. L. Bollman and F. C. Mann; The Metabolism of Brain and Nerve, by E. G. Holmes; The Biochemistry of Malignant Tissue, by E. Boyland; The Structural Chemistry of the Animal Pigments, by H. Fiscber and H. Orth; Animal Pigments, by A. E. Mirsky and M. L. Anson; Biochemical and Nutritional Studiesin the Field of Dentistry, by M. Koehne and R. W. Bunting; The Terpenes, Saponines, and Closely Related Compounds, by L. Ruzicka; The Biochemistry of the Nitrorenous Constituents of the Green Plants.. bv. H. B. Yickrry; hltnrralSutritiunof Plnnrs, by 11. T.undrgardh; hfelalw lisnt of Carlwhydrates and O r ~ a n i cAcids in Planti (b:rrlu.ive of Harteria and itmgi). hy W.Kuhland and J. Woli, The Chcmistry of Bacteria, by M. Stephenson. All chemists and biochemists are deeply obligated t o the services of these contributors for the completeness and clearness of their respective reviews. The hook reflects a generous spirit of co6pperation. and will be welcomed by every progressive teacher and researcher in chemistrv. From an educational m i n t of view. the book is of the greatest valuc for graduate students and advanced workers in hiochcmisrry. One of the hesr fcntures of the book is the extensive collection of literature citations.
THE NATURAL ORGANIC TANNINS. M. NNierenstein, D.Sc.. University of Bristol. First edition. J. & A. Churchill. Ltd.. Lon319 pp. 14 X 22 cm. 21s. don, 1934. xxiii
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This hook provides a very interesting review of the various investigations in the field of those rather vaguely defined materials known as tannins. The author has done a great deal of work on the subject, and does not always agree with theconclusions drawn by other notable workers in this field. The tannins are described as materials which are generally amorphous and astringent, and are widely distributed throughout the vegetable kingdom. The author divides the tannins into three groups: condensed, hydrolyzed, and unclassified. In testing for the presence of tannin, the author prefers the gold-beaters' skin method to the other commonly known methods which use as reagents iron salts, gelatin, alkaloids, and bichromate. A considerable amount of space is devoted to Freudenberg'r work on condensed tannins and the relation of the author's own findings to this work. Considerable space is also given t o the Catechn-tannins and other condensed tannins. The author divides the group of hydrolyzable tannins into the following snb-groups: gallotannin; acer-tannin, glucogallin, and hamameli tannin; ellagitannins; caffetannins and paullinia tannin. An historical review is given of the work on gallotannin. Fischer's work on this material is criticized and the author presents a very large amount of his awn work in support of his criticism. I n this group the ellagitannins are also treated in detail. In the unclassified group, the oak and sumac tannins are considered as the most important. The book contains a very interesting chapter written by McGregor Skene on the botany of the tannins. He deals not only with the distribution of the tannins throughout the vegetable kingdom but also with the parts of the cells in which the tannins are found, and the part they play in metabolism, in photosynthesis, and in protection against parasites. The book contains a rather complete bibliography that should prove very helpful to all students in the field of the tannins, and also a great many interesting footnotes. Even though a reader may not agree fully with all of the conclusions drawn, he will find the book very valuable and stimulating. JOHNARTHURWILSON J O n N Aarnoa W I L ~ O NIN^. , CONSULTINY TANNBXS AND C A = ~ S T S MILWAUB=B, WISEONSII
