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stripped and cut-an-ay chassis delineating the biochemical reactions characteristic Q f the vital processes of the human organism. The book is written in an extremely “human,” almost conversational, style and reads as though the author were sitting across the table from you and confidentially telling you (a novice) of the wonderful chemical mechanisms operating within your body. In fulfilling this purpose the author is admirably successful. The reader needs only a minimum amount of chemical background to profit by the reading of this book. Even a good course in high school chemistry should be sufficient. The book is thoroughly up to date and should prove of great value t o the individual who wishes to acquaint himself with the essentials of animal biochemistry. I t is also recommended for use in introductory courses in medical schools, for nurses, or similar groups of students. Certain physicochemical phases of physiology are considered in chapters XVIII and X I X (pp. 327-403). Here again extremely graphic illustrations are used. For example, in speaking of hydrogen-ion concentration and bodily reactions we read “Human life as a whole is like this. Let the blood become ever so slightly acidnot even as acid as distilled water that has absorbed a trace of COz from the atmosphere-and the patient dies in coma; let it become even so faintly alkaline as tap water is, and the subject goes into tetany. Between these two limits we have all our lives to try to steer a middle course.” . . . . “these two extremes do not differ from each other by as much as a millionth of a gram of hydrogen ions per litre of blood !” Each chapter has appended a list of literature citations so that the interested reader can follow up in detail such items as he wishes to pursue past the rather elementary treatment of the text. Ross AIKENGORTNER. Hydrides of Boron and Silicon. By ALFREDSTOCK.250 pp.; 36 figures. Ithaca, N. Y, : Cornell University Press, 1933. Price : $2.00. This volume contains a portion of the subject matter of the George Fisher Baker Non-resident Lectures in Chemistry, given by Professor Stock at Cornell University in the spring of 1932. The work for the last thirty years on hydrides by Professor Stock and his coworkers is so well known that it hardly needs comment. In the present volume these excellent researches are summarized and presented in masterly fashion. Every chemist should read this volume. The ingenuity and patience shown in the execution of the experiments move one to admiration. The importance of the boron hydride problem for valency theory cannot be overestimated. This problem has special significance in the development of our ideas of chemical bonds. Main Smith has said: “These compounds of boron must be regarded as a decisive test of any theory of valency.” Any theory of valency which cannot explain the structure of the hydrides of boron in a logical and self-consistent manner is doomed t o failure. It is obvious then that the volume before us is one of the very important additions to the literature of chemistry. The material is divided into thirty-two chapters. The individual hydrides are described carefully and methodically in separate sections. For cross-reference one finds complete chapters on the important reactions of these compounds. The investigator and reader desirous of looking up any certain point can find the information with the greatest ease. The apparatus used and especially developed for these researches is described fully in a special appendix. Here a warning regarding mercury poisoning is included. It is well known that Professor Stock has taken a leading position in advising research workers to use greater care in the handling of exposed mercury. The theoretical problem of the structure of these hydrides is
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treated fully in four of the chapters. Literature references are given in great detail. The physical make-up of the book is excellent. It has been a great pleasure and a privilege t o the mniter to have had the opport>unityof reviewing this splendid treatise. GEO. BLOCKLER.
Abridged Scientific Publications from the Kodak Research Laboratories (Volume XV, 1931-1932). Rochester, E.Y.: Eastman Kodak Company, 1933. This volume contains complete and readily understandable summaries of sixtyone papers which have been published in a variety of journals. The subject matter of the articles varies from the description of technical procedures of interest to commercial photographers to the presentation and discussion of experimental results of importance to theoretical photochemists and physical chemists. The typography and the reproduction of illustrations are excellent. ROBERTLIVINQSTON.
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Introduction to Physical Chemistry. By ALEXANDER FINDLAY. 21 x 14 cm.; vi 492 pp. London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1933. Price 7s. 6d. Any book from the pen of such an experienced and competent writer as Professor Findlay is certain to have a number of outstanding qualities, and the present work is no exception. The author is of the opinion that the historical method of treatment is the one which is most sound educationally and this has been adopted successfully in the book under review; the student will read that Cailletet was an ironmaster and Joule a brewer, and these human touches should lend interest to his studies! All the subjects normally included in an introductory course of physical chemistry are discussed in an up-to-date manner: the activity concept finds frequent reference and the Lewis and Randall symbols are used in connection with the first and second laws of thermodynamics; in the brief treatment of the Nernst heat theorem, however, the German symbols have been used. A few minor errors have been noted, but the only one likely to be misleading is the statement (p. 231) that “In the ammonia equilibrium . . . . the equilibrium constant varies inversely as the square of the pressure.” (The italics are the reviewer’s.) The book, which concludes with an appendix containing some one hundred and fifty numerical problems, is worthy of consideration by all teachers of physical chemistry. S. GLASSTONE. Laboratory Experiments in Organic Chemistry. By ADAMSAND JOHNSON. Revised edition. xiii 363 pp. New York: The MacMillanCompany, 1933. Price: $1.90. This is a new edition of the authors’ laboratory manual, first printed in 1928. The new edition retains all of the distinctive features of the old one, and, in addition there has been considerable expansion-sixteen new experiments being included. The expansion considerably improves the book and places it.in the first rank as a laboratory manual, for either the short or long courses. The list of supplementary experiments, somewhat more difficult than the average of those in the body of the text, is well selected. The printing and binding are excellent. LEE IRVIN SMITH.
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The Chemistry of Organic Compounds. By JAMES B. CONANT. x 623 pp. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1933. Price: $4.00. This new book by Professor Conant combines a wealth of information regarding the carbon compounds with an adequate, modern theoretical treatment. In simplicity and clarity of style the book is outstanding, and this, with the excellent choice
