VOL. 8, NO. 8
RECENTBOOKS
Essentials of Quantitative Chemical A Laboratory Manual for Analysis. Colleges. WILaneD W. SCOTT,Sc.D., Professor of Chemistry, University of Southern California. The Chemical Publishing Co., Easton, Penna., 1931. 219 pp. 18 figs. 15 X 23 crn. viii $2.75.
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This is the second edition of the author's hook, the first edition of which was published in 1926 under the title "Inorganic Quantitative Chemical Analysis." The text has been revised so as to include mare of the fundamental chemical theory underlying the procedures involved in quantitative methods. Considerable new material has also been added. The book is designed for students of college grade who are beginning the study of ouantitative chemical analvsis and mav be lookmg forward to either chemical engineering or medicine and pharmacy a . their -..-..l.i..f-e wnrk -- -. The reviewer is glad t o note that the author of this hook chooses to introduce quantitative analysis by beginning with gravimetric rather than volumetric methods. He believes this t o be the logical as wcll as the correct psychological order, contrary to the present-day tendency to begin the subject with volumetric
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Followinr - a brief hut clear discussion of general procedures used in gravimetric analysis there is a very good selection of determinations beginning with the simpler and progressing to the somewhat more complex, keeping, however, entirely within the scope of the beginner's field. The second part of the book deals with volumetric methods grouped according to the generally accepted order as follows: neutralization, oxidation and reduction. iodimetric, volumetric precipitation, and colorimetric methods. Fallowing the section an volumetric analysis are several short chapters dealing briefly with wme of the newer and more specializedmethods of analysis. The questions and problems have been placed together in a section a t the end
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of the hook instead of being appended to each chapter separately, so as to make revisions with the main object of changing the questions and problems easier. The text of the procedures has the fundamental virtue of being clear and brief enough t o be comprehensible to the average student. At the same time enough theoretical discussion has been introduced t o stimulate the student to a desire to investigate the subject further. I n the opinion of the reviewer this book, supplemented by recitations and by discussions of the theoretical chemistry involved, is very well adapted to its purpose as a laboratory guide in quantitative chemical analysis for college students.
H. W. BEWEAKER STAT= COLLBCB MINAATTAN. KANBA.
KANSAS
Handbook of Chemical Microscopy. Vol. 11. Chemical Methods a n d Inorganic Qualitative Analysis. BMILEMONNIN CHAMOT,B.S., Ph.D., Professor of Chemical Microscopy and Sanitary Chemistry, Cornell University; and CLYDEWALTERMASON.A.B.. Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemical Microscopy. Cornell University. John Wiley & Sans. Inc., New York City, 411 pp. 818 figs. 15 X 1931. ix
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23 Cm. 54.50. This is the second volume of a twovolume publication, based on the senior author's "Elementary Chemical Microscopy" (1921). The first volume was concerned with the principles and use of microscopes and accessories, also the description of physical methods for the study of chemical problems. The second volume is primarily a handbook of microchemical qualitative tests, together with descriptive methods of technic and manipulation. The authors make no claim t o originality except with respect to a small numher of the methods presented. Like any work on analytrcal chemistry. it is largely a compilation of tests already wcll known to chemists. I t is the unique method of presentation and systematic
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JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
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
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often a g w d 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
