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GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS By
NELLIE A. PARKINSON. Bureau of Chemistry, Washington, D. C .
NOTICE-Publications for which price is indicated can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C. Other publications can usually be supplied from the Bureau or Department from which they originate. Commerce Reports are received by all large libraries and may be consulted there, or single numbers can be secured by application to the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, Department of Commerce, Washington. The regular subscription rate for these Commerce Reports mailed daily is $2.50 per year, payable in advance, to the Superintendent of Documents. UNITED STATES T A R I F F COMMISSION
Barytes, Barium Chemical, and Lithopone Industries Including Costs of Production, 1919. Tariff Information Series No. 18. go pp. Paper, I j cents. Issued September 1920. The Crude Botanical Drug Industry. Tariff Information Series No. 19. 69 pp. Paper, I O cents. Issued September 1920. This pamphlet presents a discussion of the crude botanical drug industry, with special reference to those foreign and domestic articles of chief importance in the drug trade. The report is divided into two parts and an appendix. ( I ) Drugs are defined and classified, and the world trade, production, and consumption of these articles are discussed; a brief review of tariff treatment and policy is also presented. (2) This chapter classifies drugs according to their geographical source, and is chiefly concerned with the principal imported articles and those which have been or may probably be cultivated commercially in the United States. (Appendix.) The portions of the Tariff Act of 1913 referring to drug products are cited.
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tion of the trypanocidal power of drugs is recommended. A sharply defined minimum effective dose is observed, below which the drug has no appreciable effect upon the parasites of infectious diseases. Arsphenamine and neoarsphenamine have to be oxidized in the body before they can act upon the parasites. Treatment and Disposal of Sewage. Brief Descriptions of Methods, Processes, and Structures Used in the Treatment and Disposal of Sewage in the United States, with Bibliography. H . B. HOMMON, J. K. HOSKINS,H. W. STREETER,R . E. TARBETT AND H. H. WAGENTHALS. Reprint No. 580 from Public Health Reports. 36 pp. Paper, I O cents. 1920. Prevention of Stream Pollution by Dye and Intermediate Wastes. E. J. CASSELMAN.Reprint No. 581 from Public Health Reports. 23 pp. 1920. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
Mineral Resources of the United States in 1919. Preliminary Summary. Introduction by G. F. LOUGHLIN.Statistics assembled by M. B. CLARK. 128 pp. Issued September 8, 1920. Statistics of mineral production in the United States for 1919 reflect the reaction from intensive production for war purposes and the unsettled state of industry in general. Production of special “war minerals” rapidly subsided, although not to its pre-war status. The principal decline was due t o diminished production of coal and the major metals. The total value of all mineral products in 1919 was about $4,653,700,000, 16 per cent less than in 1918. The value of metal products decreased 36 per cent, but it is estimated that the value of mineral fuels and other nonmetallic products decreased only 3 per cent due to higher prices in 1919. A comparison of production in 1913 and 1919 indicates an increase of 86 per cent in total value PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE due to increase in price. With the exception of the “war minAcid Burns on Hands of Solderers. Experience at the Curtis erals” most commodities were below normal in output. Marked Bay General Ordnance Depot, South Baltimore, Md. H. W. increases in production are to be expected in 1921 and succeedKEATLEY. Public Health Reports, 35, 2161-3. The soldering ing years until normal output is reached. process, the problem it presents, the causes of the burns, and Cobalt, Molybdenum, Nickel, Titanium, Tungsten, Radium, preventive measures are described. Uranium, and Vanadium in 1917. F . I,. HESS. Separate Methods of Increasing the Efficiency of Rural Sanitation. from Mineral Resources of the United States, 1917, Part I. T. J. ROBINSON.Public Health Reports, 35, 2200-2. 61 pp. Published August 31, 1920. The various metals are “Fake” Orange Beverages. Public Health Reports, 35, treated separately, with the exception of radium, uranium, and 2204-5. Attention is called to the fact that these “fake” vanadium, which are handled as one group, and in nearly every preparations are generally lacking in the organic acids and the instance general conditions, production, uses, prices, imports vitamines which give medicinal value to the genuine orange and exports are described. juice. Gold, Silver, Copper, Lead, and Zinc in Colorado in 1918. C. W. HENDERSON.Mines Report. Separate from Mineral The Effect of Shaking Alkalinized Aqueous Solutions of Resources of the United States, 1918, Part I. 57 pp. PubArsphenamine and Aqueous Solutions of Neoarsphenamine in lished September 2 , 1920. The total value of the gold, silver, the Presence of Air. G. P. ROTH. Public Health Reports, 35, zzoj-IO. Shaking alkalinized aqueous solutions of ars- copper, lead, and zinc produced in Colorado in 1918 was phenamine or aqueous solutions of neoarsphenamine in the $34, I 60,I 72, a decrease of I g per cent from the value in I g I 7. presence of air renders them highly toxic, as shown by intravenous Petroleum in 1918. E. R . LLOYD. Separate from Mineral administration to white rats. The increase in toxicity caused Resources of the United States, 1918, Part 11. 201 pp. Pubby such shaking is presumably due to the oxidation of these lished September 20, 1920. The year 1918 witnessed the orcompounds to @-oxyphenylarsenoxide, inasmuch as shaking ganization of the industry on a war basis under the direction of a solution of neoarsphenamine in the absence of air does not in- the United States Fuel Administration, a quickening of activity crease the toxicity of such a solution. The conclusion drawn in all phases of the industry, and an active coBrdination of all from the investigations is that the toxicity of aqueous solutions its branches in a complete and unified organization for the one of neoarsphenamine is greatly influenced by the manner in which purpose of supplying petroleum products for the necessary they are prepared for administration. operations of the United States and the allied nations in winning Quantitative Studies in Chemotherapy. I. The Trypanocidal the war. The one region of outstanding interest was northern Action of Arsenic and Antimony Compounds. CARLVOEGTLIN central Texas. The quantity of crude petroleum produced in the United States in 1918 aggregated 355,927,716 bbls. of AND H. W. SMITH,with the cooperation of M. M. CRANE,K. 42 gal. each, an increase of more than 6 per cent over the D. WRIGHTAND M. A. CONNELL. Public Health Reports, 35, 2264-73. A method for the rapid and accurate determina- former maximum yield of 33j,315,601 bbls. in 1917.
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Nov., 1 9 2 0
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Natural-Gas Gasoline in 1918. E. G. SIEVERS.Separate of separated water, sampling, laboratory examination, and basis from Mineral Resources of the United States, 1918, Part 11. of purchase. 35 pp. Published September 22, 1920. The quantity of naturalThe Two Common Failures of the Clark Standard Cell. gas gasoline produced in 1918 was about 30 per cent greater E. MCKELVY AND M. P. SHOEMAKER.Scientific Paper 390. than that produced in 1917; the increase in 1917 over 1916 was 12 pp. Paper, 5 cents. 110.5 per cent. The total quantity of raw gasoline recovered Automatic Apparatus for Intermittent Testing. G. W. VINAL in 1918 was 282,535,550 gal. The outstanding feature of AND I,. hf. RITCHIE. Technologic Paper 171. 7 pp. Paper, the industry in 1918 was the large increase in production by the 5 cents. compression plants in Oklahoma. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Arsenic, Bismuth, Selenium, and Tellurium in 1919; J. M. The Process of Ripening in the Tomato, Considered EsHILI,. Separate from Mineral Resources of the United States, pecially from the Commercial Standpoint. C. E. SANDO. 1919, Part I. 9 pp. Published September 16, 1920. Statis- Department Bulletin 859. 38 pp. Paper, I O cents. Issued tics are given showing the production, imports, exports, and price September 7, 1920. of arsenic and bismuth. I n the case of selenium, statistics showThe Castor-oil Industry. J. H. SHRADER. Department ing the production, imports, consumption, and price are given. There was a small demand for tellurium in 1919, but the stocks Bulletin 867. 40 pp. Issued September 3 , 1920. Experiments on the Toxic Action of Certain Gases on Insects, of tellurium are apparently large as compared with the annual Seeds, and Fungi. I. E. NEIFERTAXD G. I,. GARRISON.Deconsumption. partment Bulletin 893. 16 pp. Paper, 5 cents. Issued A Deposit of Manganese Ore in Wyoming. E. L. JONES,JR. Bulletin 7 I j-C. Sepzrate from Contributions to Economic September 8, 1920. Proceedings of Conference of Men Engaged in Grain Dust Geology, 1920, Part I. 3 pp. 'Published September 18, 1920. Explosion and Fire Prevention Campaign Conducted by the United Some Deposits of Manganese Ore in Colorado. E. L . JONES, JR. 13ulletin 715-D. Separate from Contributions to Eco- States Grain Corporation in Coijperation with the Bureau of nomic Geology, 1920, Part I. 12 pp. Published September Chemistry. 159 pp. Copies of this publication may be obtained upon application to the Bureau of Chemistry. 17, 1920. Articles from t h e Journal of Agricultural Research Geology of the Yellow Pine Cinnabar-Mining District, Idaho. Investigations in the Ripening and Storage of Bartlett Pears. E. S. LARSEN AND D. C. LIVINGSTON.Prepzred in cooperation with the Idaho State Bureau oE Mines and Geology. Bulletin J. R. 3fAGNESS. 19 (August 16, IgZO), 473-500. 715-E. Contributions to Economic Geology, 1920, Part I. COMMERCE REPORTS-SEPTEMBER, 1920 Published September 15, 1920. I I pp. Germany plans to release 30,000 to 50,000 tons of nitrogen, Deposits of Iron Ore near Stanford, Montana. L. G. WEST- which has been made by the Haber process from air, t o be exGATE. Bulletin 715-F. Contributions to Economic Geology, ported duty-free. The prices charged to German domestic 1920, Part I. 8 pp. Published September 16, 1920. fertilizer consumers will be reduced by the use of the receipts 0,' Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1917. Part 11. sales made abroad. (P. 1062) South. Atlantic Slope and Eastern Gulf of Mexico Basins. N. Bituminous limestones (asphalt) are being distilled in PilesC. G ~ O V E R G., C. STEVENS, A N D W. E. HALL. Water-Supply tine and Syria to meet the pressing demsnd for lubricating Papei. 452. 92 pp. Paper, I O cents. oil. (P. 1077) Surface Water Supply of the United States, 1918. Part IV. The Italian production of copper sulfate in 1920 i t is estimated St. Lawrence River Basin. N. C. GROVER,W. G. HOYT,A. H. will be ample to supply domestic needs. (P. 1099) HORTON, C. C. COVERTAND C . H. PIERCE. Prepared in coThe outlook for the London tin market is said to be more operation with the states of Wisconsin, New York, and Vermont. optimistic than for some time past. (Pp. I 10j-6) Water-Supply Paper 474. I I O pp. Paper, 15 cents. The Alsatian potash industry is reviewed. The production for 1920 is estimated a t 1,320,000 metric tons of crude salts; BUREAU OF MINES for 1921, 2,040,000 metric tons; and for 1922, 2,340,ooo metric Monthly Statement of Coal-Mine Fatalities in the United tons. Of the amount produced, about 33 per cent is utilized States, June 1920. W. W. ADAMS. 13 pp. Paper, 5 cents. in France and 66 per cent is exported. (Pp. 1108-12) BUREAU OF STANDARDS The production of santonin in Russia is reviewed. (P. 1113) Permeability of Rubber to Gases. J. D. EDWARDS AND Recent researches have shown that the amount of lignite S. F. PICKERING. Scientific Paper 287. 36 pp. Paper, I O existing in the subsoil of Italy in the deposits explored up to the cents. 1920. The permeability of rubber compounds varies present time may be estimated a t about 270,000,000 tons. with the composition, The relative permeability of rubber to (P. 1114) some common gases is shown in the following summary: The Government will not exercise the option extended by the Relative Permeability GAS (Hydrogen = 1) Reparation Commission upon impounded stocks of chemical hTitrogen.., . . , . , , , . , . , , . . , . . 0.16 drugs of German manufacturers or upon stocks of chemical 0.22 Air., . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Argon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.26 drugs manufactured during the months January 1920 t o June . . , , . . , . . 0.45 Oxveen.. .... ., 0.65 1920, inclusive. It will, however, retain its right t o participate Helium. .................... Hydrogen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .oo in allotments from future daily production of chemical drugs Carbon dioxide.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . 9 Ammonia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 . 0 which may be manufactured in Germany during the next four Methyl chloride. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.5 and one-half years. (P. I 126) Ethyl chloride. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200.0 The United States Government has decided to exercise its Recommended Specifications for Volatile Mineral Spirits option upon German impounded dyestuffs, and has authorized for Thinning Paints. Prepared and recommended by the United States Interdepartmental Committee on Paint Specification the Textile Alliance, Inc., to purchase these stocks in the inStandardization, July 26, 1920. Circular 98. 6 pp. Issued terest of the American consumer. No dyes from these stocks may be imported which are either manufactured here, or for August 24, 1920. These specifications apply only to petroleum distillates, known as mineral spirits. General specifications are which suitable substitutes are manufactured here, on reasonable outlined and directions are given for the detection and removal terms as to price, quality, and production. (Pp. I 134-5)
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Attention is called to the importance of the mineral resources of the South Pacific Islands. Chrome, cobalt, and nickel are found in abundance; antimony, mercury, silver, lead, and copper have also been found. Nickel ore, nickel matte, and chrome ore constitute the chief exports. (P. 1139) The cultivation of the guinea oil palm is being encouraged in the Philippine Islands. It produces two classes of oil, one from the fruit itself and one from the kernel. The cultivation of this palm is said to be more profitable than that of coconuts. (P. 1144) It is estimated that approximately 44.4 per cent of the paper produced in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1913 was manufactured in the present territory of Czechoslov’akia. From April 15 to June 30, 1920, paper and pulp products held the first place among the Czecho-Slovak exports. (Pp. I 153-6) Statistics are given showing the imports and exports of vegetable oil and vegetable-oil material by Japan during 1917. 1918, and 1919. (Pp. 1174-5) Indications of oil are reported in Guppeland, Victoria, where the formation of the country is said to be similar to that of other oil-bearing centers. Bituminous shale, natural gas, mica, copper, and other valuable minerals are also believed to be present in this region. (P. 1180) Important deposits of barytes are now being developed in South Australia. Certified analysis has shown this product to be of unsurpassed purity. (P.1181) According to a recent agreement, Belgium will receive for two years 240,000 tons of Australian zinc ore. (P. 1197) Statistics are given showing the imports of rubber into Canada during the three years ended March 31, 1920. Since there is only one firm in British Columbia interested in the manufacture of rubber goods there is an excellent opportunity for Americanmade products. (Pp. 1208-12) The petroleum industry of Mexico, which ranks second in oil production and has the greatest demonstrated supply, is reviewed in detail. From the following table it will be seen that the Mexican production of oil has multiplied more than three times in the last seven years. The production is reported in barrels of 42 gallons. YEAR
................. ...................
1913.. 1914
Mexico Bbls. 25 902 439 X:i88:427 ,508 ,402 ,770 ,327 ,533
United States Bbls. 248 446 230 265:762:535 281,104,104 300 767 158 335:315:303 355 927 716 377:719:000
World Bbls. 384,667,550 399,667,168 426,370,894 459,433,319 505,362,367 514,729,354
......
(Pp. 1213-31) The total production of pig iron in Canada during the first half of 1920 was 502,667 short tons, as compared with a production of 524,977 tons during the first half of 1919, and 392,804 tons during the second half of 1919. (P. 1241) Statistics are given showing the imports and exports of vegetable oil and vegetable-oil material by Spain during 1917, 1918, and 1919. (P. 1251) The artificial silk trade of the United States, which is rapidly developing an absolutely new domestic industry, is reviewed. (PP. 1252-7) The following table gives comparative statistics of the export of rubber from the Straits Settlements: MONTH January.. February.. March.. April.. May. June. July.,
...........
1918 Tons 4,302 2,334 8,858 6,584 13 587 6’5 15 1:978
.......... ............ ............. ............... ............... .............. TOTAL.. ........ 44,158
1919 Tons 14,404 J5,666 20,908 10 848 15:845 5,059 7.818
90,543
1920 Tons 13,125 17 379 5:931 15 720 15’617 11’663 10:773
90,208
, (P. 1290)
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NO. I I
Statistics are given of the imports and exports of vegetable 02 and vegetable-oil material by Switzerland during 1917, 1918, and 1919. (Pp. 1300-1) The Chemical Works Department of Glasgow Corporation proposes to manufacture chemicals from gas residuals. The principal chemicals to be manufactured will be motor benzene, pure benzene, toluene, solvent and heavy naphthas, and carbonic acid. The advisability of making dyes and intermediates wilt also be considered. (P. 1312) The French commission charged with the study of all matters relating to the production and utilization of substitutes for coal in its first annual report urges the French government to occupy itself with research work in France and its colonies and favor private initiative engaged in the work of prospecting and drilling for oil. The government is also urged to develop the production of peat and lignite, to take an inventory of the wood resources of France, and to encourage the utilization of certain classes of wood for fuel. (P. 1315) The year 1919 was unfavorable for the Swedish dye industry. (P. 1316) Of the total amount of aniline dyes imported into China during 1919, over 50 per cent came from the United States, about 2 5 per cent from Japan, the remainder being of French and other origin. Prior to the war German dyes practically monopolized the China market. Some of the dyes sell for such ridiculously low prices that it seems safe to assume that they are imitations. (Pp. 1322-3) A new camphor producing center is reported a t Burma. (P. 1324)
The available supply of ferromanganese in India is seriously affected because of the shortage of many thousands of wagons on the Indian railways and the congested condition of traffic. (PP. 1324-5) A good market for American dyes is reported in Western Greece. The colors most desired are black, navy blue, brown, green, red, and orange. (P. 1331) Statistics are given showing the imports and exports of vegetable oil and vegetable-oil material by British India during the fiscal years ending March 31, 1918, 1919, and 1920. (P. 1336) The stocks of the German firms which in pre-war times controlled the Serbian trade in aniline dyes have been taken over by a Serbian company with a practical monopoly of the trade for the time being. (P. 1339) It is believed that the great number of chromium ore deposits in Russia and their nearness to metallurgical centers will give them much importance when conditions are again normal and proper methods of exploitation are adopted. The United States is the most important consuming country, using over 50 per cent of the world’s production. (P. 1342) Statistics are given showing the imports and exports of vegetable oil and vegetable-oil material by prance during 1917, 1918, and 1919. (Pp. 1353-5) Specifications of the special apparatus used in testing Portland cement in Chosen are given. (Pp. 1358-9) A board of administration for the promotion of the German textile industries on a scientific basis has been created. The purposes of the board are the scientific investigation of domestic and foreign vegetable fibers, the question of substitutes, the search for and utilization of vegetable fibers grown in Germany which, up to the present time, have not been used, and the improvement in the production of artificial fibers and substitutes. (P. 1364) At a recent meeting of the stockholders of the Potash Syndicate a t Wintershall the stockholders demanded that, in order to be sure of regular export orders, potash prices should be reduced, especially for America. (P. 1364)
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1920
T H E J O U R N A L OF I N D U S T R I A L A N D ENGINEERING C H E M I S T R Y
The mineral production in South Africa is reviewed, and a summary is given of the mineral production for May 1920. (P. 1366) A heavy increase is reported in the price of gasoline in the United Kingdom. Gasoline substitutes are expected to play an important part in supplying fuel for motors until the potentially rich fields commence production and others become accessible. (P. 1373) Possible developments in Russia’s chemical industry and trade are noted. It is anticipated that the dye and wood distilling industries will do business on a larger scale. The operation of factories for the treatment of fats will be delayed by the shortage of fats. The most important item of the chemical industry in Russia is artificial fertilizers. A project is under way to obtain nitric acid from the air. (Pp. 1397-1401) Specifications are given for Portland cement used by the Victorian Public Works Department and the Melbourne Board of Works. (P. 1402) Statistics are given showing the imports and exports of vegetable oil and vegetable-oil material by the United Kingdom during 1917,1918,and 19x9. (Pp. 1413-5) The juice of the nipah palm is said to contain IZ per cent of sugar. Experiments have shown that the process of extraction is commercially possible. I n British North Borneo there are about 300,000 acres of nipah palm. I n the Philippines, alcohol has been obtained from this palm for use as a beverage and as a fuel. (P. 1416)
1141
Considerable deposits of rock salt have been discovered in New Greece. (P. 1457) The rubber and rubber goods markets in Latin America are reviewed. (Pp. 1476-8) Statistics are given on the imports and exports of vegetable oil and vegetable-oil material by the Dutch East Indies during 1917,1918,and 1919. (Pp. 1491-2) The iron ore resources of the world are reviewed. (Pp. 14981507) SPECIALSUPPLEMBNTS ISSUEDIN SEPTEMBER FRANCE-76 BRITISH WEST INDIES-25b DOMINICAN REPUBLIo29a PORTUGAL-14a DUTCHW E S T INDIES-3OU LITKUANIA-16a SPAIN-~~U STRAITS SETTLEM6NTS-59U SWITZERLAND-20a BRITISH SOUTH AFR1cA-69~3 VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITSD STATES-77a STATISTICS OF EXPORTS TO
THE
UNITEDSTATES
Iron Leather Steel Lead Lead manufacturesr Creosote oil Tin Nitrogenous fertilizer Ammonium sulfate Copper Bleaching powder Aluminium CANADA-(P. 1469) Dynamite glycerol Paaer Gums -_-Chemical pulp Linseed oil Mechanical pulp CEYLON-(P. 1325) Rubber PORTUGAL-(P.1071) MADACASCAR-(P.1179) Rubber TRINIDAD-(P. 1338) Beeswax Graphite Tonca beans
Citrate of lime PALERMO-(P.1407) Citric acid Tartaric acid Sulfur oil NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES-(P. 1375) Ouinine Einchoha bark PHILIPPINE ISLANDS(P. 1144) Guinea oil
BOOK RFVIEWS Practical Standardization by Chemical Assay of Organic Drugs and Galenicals. By A. B. LYONS,F.C.S. 397 pp. Nelson, Baker & Co., Detroit, 1920. Price, $3.50. No other book covers quite the same field as this, and for years there has been a dearth of properly compiled information such as it presents. Twenty-two years ago Dr. Lyons published a rather brief “Handbook of Chemical Assay of Drugs and Galenicals,” which has served as the basis for this much more elaborate and comprehensive work. Dr. Lyons has been intimately in touch with the assay of drugs and medicinal substances for a great portion of his life, and is well fitted to speak with authority on the subject whereof he writes. The present volume goes much farther than the determination of alkaloidal or glucosidal constituents in drugs, and embraces also such subjects as the determination of solvents used in medicinal products; the valuation of some of the nonpotent vegetable drugs, for example, acacia, capsicum, licorice, mustard, etc. ; a very brief statement of the essential characteristics of those volatile oils most frequently used in medicinal compounds, and methods for determination of the chief constituents of a few of the most important; approved methods of assay for some 40 or 5 0 organic medicinal substances, chiefly synthetic, for example, acetanilide, antipyrin, benzaldehyde, camphor, chloroform, ethyl nitrite, glycerophosphatgs, iodoform, lecithins, nitroglycerin, phenol, etc. ; a brief chapter on the estimation of starch, cane sugar, lactose and glucose; one upon the assay of diastase, pancreatin, papain and pepsin, and some concise inforniation on the chemical assay of suprarenal and thyroid gland 5 . Wilhin so small a volume it would seem impossible to incorporate ?dequate information regarding the detailed testing of so large a number of substances, but the various assay methods are efficiently condensed and frequent journal references are given to the original source of information. 1 The book deserves a place in every laboratory having to do with the assay of medicinal substances, and, while primarily writtam for the experienced chemist, it will surely prove an
excellent handbook in connection with teaching of drug analysis. Chemists of experience in this particular line of work will not always agree with the author as to the preferred method of assay, bbt the entire field has been dealt with in a broad-minded way, and methods are given to suit varied conditions and different ideas. The book itself is of convenient size, of good typographical makeup and contains comparatively few typographical errors. Each paragraph is introduced by black-faced type, indicating its contents, and is also numbered for convenience of indexing and cross reference. Last, but not least in a book of this kind, it possesses a good index. PRANK 0. TAYLOR
Les Colloides Mbtalliques. Proprietbs et Prbparations. By PAULBARY,Consulting Engineer, formerly Director of the School of Physics and Chemistry and of the Central Laboratory of Electricity. viii 95 pp., 13 figures, 6 tables. Dunod, Paris, 1920. Price, 5 fr. 5 0 . The subject matter of this book is somewhat broader in scope than is indicated by the title; for, in addition to the metals such as Pt, Au, Ag, Cu, etc., C, P, S, Se, and Te are also dealt with in detail. The book is divided into four chapters. Chapter I, comprising z g pages, is devoted to the discussion of the fundamental properties of suspensoids. I n this limited space the treatise is necessarJy elementary and incomplete. On the contrary, Chapters’II and 111, dealing with the methods of chemical and electrical colloidation, have been written with a very considerable effort toward comprehensive thoroughness. Chapter IV, on applications, contains a review of the many uses to which colloidal metals have been put. Their .employment as catalytic agents is especially well dealt with, and the six pages of bibliography on this important phase of the subject will doubtless prove of great value to the chemist. The entire work is written in a pleasing scientific style devoid of flourish or circumlocution, and is well up to date. ELLWOOD B. SPEAR
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