course, a few careless slips, like the beginning sentence of the chapter on Nuclear Chemistry: "Lord Rutherford believes that Nuclear Chemistry is, in a sense, a new branch of knowledge." The most outstanding characteristic of this, as well as the earlier editions of the author's texts, is their "middle of the road" policy. I t may he assumed that this arises from the sincere conviction of the author, rather than the mere desire to sell more textbwks. Nevertheless, when one tries t o please everybody he often ends by never completely satisfying anybody. The increasing tribe of chemical reformers may find this text tao conservative; old timers and die-hards may find it too radical. The retention of such phrases as "practical molecule" and "effective fraction ionized" are examples of a desire for reconciliation rather than revolution. Its fundamental purpose seems to be to give the beginning student a sound and adequate enough theoretical knowledge of the nature of chemical phenomena to enable him t o understand the practical ways in which chemistry is contributing t o modem life and civilization. Most teachers will probably approve of the distribution of emphasis between theoretical considerations and the practical chemical arts. The descriptions of industrial chemical processes are adequate without being boring. Among the particularly good features is the chapter on colloids, the author's specialty, certainly one of the best treatments of this subject to be found in any of our elementary textbooks. On the other hand, it would seem that the importance of oxidation and reduction warrants a chapter heading, a t least. As it is, any general study of this topic necessitates piecing it together from brief and widely separated paragraphs. One can also agree with the author that the growing subject of photochemistry deserves a separate chapter, but a t the same time wonder why he chose to hide the generally accepted name under the pseudonym of Radiation Chemistry. The format of the book is the same as that of the earlier editions, except that the heavy cloth binding gives it a sturQier and more durable appearance. I t is practical, both outside and
sity of Tiibingen. This is an imposing volume of three hundred twenty-four pages and embraces between its covers the material required by the German universities in their "fonr-semester plan" for the study of general chemistry. To anyone who remembers the clear, concise language of the original text, this enlarged and more comprehensive volume will suffer by comparisan. A dose examination, however, reveals the retention by the translator of almost identical chapter headings as well as a method of presentation not essentially different from that followed by the originator of the book. Quite naturally much of the enlargement of the book is attributable to the rapid development of the science during the past fifty years which has necessitated the introduction of numerous new paragraphs, descriptive of the newer discoveries. I n the Dresent edition the author has entirelv ~~rcarrangcd the disrusiion of such topics a- cool, iron ores, and the silicates, while the scction trcnting #,I the electromotive series hos heen rhruughly rcvired. New srrrions dealing wilh atomic structure, atomic disintegration and the separation of isotopes have been introduced, while in conformity with the socalled "four-semester plan," brief discussions of modem metallurgical operations have been added, together with descriptions of the methods of obtaining sulfur from coke-furnace gases and the separation of the heavier rare gases from the atmosphere. The description of more or less obsolete processes, such as those of Deacon, Weldon, and LeBlanc have been omitted, thus securing space for the consideration of topics of greater impartame to the general student as well as to the prospective chemist. The book in its latest form may be recommended as a thoroughly up-to-date, comprehensive treatise on general chemistry. while the typography and hook-making leave nothing to be desired. FRsDERrCK H. GETMAN ~~
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TB WAVENATUREOF m E ELECTRON.G. K. T. Conn, M.A., Ph.D. Chemical Publishing Ca., New York City. 1938. iv 78 pp. 12 X 18.5 cm. $1.50. This little book has as its objecti%- the description and interpretation to the general public of one of the most remarkable scientific advances of our time. That the attempt has not been entirely successful is understandable and is not so much a reflection on the author's ability as a writer on physical topics as a comment on the magnitude of the task he undertook. Dr. Conn is aware of the nature of the problem: "To steer between the Scylla of the obvious and the Charybdis of the specialized rehuires great care.. . " The b w k is divided into seven chapters: Electricity and the Electron, The Atomicity of Electricity, Particles and Waves, The Failure of the Particle Electron, The Wave Nature of the Electron I, The New Mechanics, The Wave Nature of the Electron 11. While the material presented is entirely too sketchy to suit the "average reader," this book can be read with advantage by one who has a knowledge of elementary physics including atomic structure Superior students who have been exposed to the physics part of a science "survey" course can probably profit enough from it to repay them for their efforts E. J. ROSENBAUM Taa UNrvaasrrr os Carc*oo CIIICACO. ILLmOrs
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DER CHBMIE. Ira Remsen. E ~ E I T U N IN G DAS STUDIUM Translated and enlarged by Dr. Hens Reihlen of the University of T"bingen. Tenth Edition, completely rearranged. xv 324 pp. 59 figs. 4 tables. 12 X 19 cm. Theodor Stein.. kopff, Dresden, 1939. Bound RM. 10. A textbook which has undergone repeated fevlslons over a period of several decades may, in many respects, he likened to one of the cathedrals of the old world whose primitive design has undergone so many and such profound alterations with the passage of time that the casual visitor may fail to trace the surviving lines of the earlier structure among the more ornamental and amsting architectural features of a later period. Shortly after completing his INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY OF CHBMISTRY, Remsen in writing to his friend William Ramsay referred to his forthcoming book in these words, "It is somewhat on the plan of my organic chemistry, in this respect, that it deals rather fully with important matters, and but slightly with those which are less important, my belief being that in most courses in chemistry the mind is not allowed to dwell long enough on any one subject and to thus become acquainted with it, and that it is better to dwell longer on a few subjects, provided that these subjects be such as are well suited t o give an insight into the nature of chemical activity." This modest volume of barely five hundred pages measuring nine and one-half by fourteen centimeters was warmly received by American teachers of chemistry and very shortly was translated into several different foreign languages for use outside English-speaking countries. Of foreien the tenth German edition has iust .. the-se .---~"- editions ~ ~ appeared from the pen of Professor Hans Reihlen of the Univer-
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PRAC~ICAL CHEMISTRY.N. M. Shah. The Students' Own Book Depot, Dharwar, India, 1938. Fourth Edition. vi 66 pp. 14 X 21.5 cm.
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A SURVEY OF COURSE OP STUDY AND &HER CURRICULUM MATERIALS P ~ L I S H ESINCE D 1934. Benrice E. Lenry. U. S. De177 partment of the Interior, Wmhington, D. C., 1938. v pp. 14 X 23 cm. S.20
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