BOOK REVIEWS inevitable exponent of wrong sign and dsngling participles does occur (pages 116 and 158, for example). Considerable recent work ia included in most chapters as evidenced by the number of references since 1950. Suggestions as to the course of future work enhance the value of this volume for workers in the general field. There are numerous references to Volume 1, few specific in nature. In general, each chapter is self-contained, often with repetition of material, a feature justified by the editor on the basis of completeness of s subtopic. Volume 2 will, therefore, stand complete as a useful reference book without Volume 1. If Volume 1 was purchased, this volume ought to be used also. EMERSON E. GARVER Northern Michigan College Marpvclte Spot Tests in Inorganic Analysis
Fritz Feigl, Professor a t the University of Brazil. Translated by Ralph E. Oesper. Fifth English edition. Elsevier Publishing Co. Distributed hy D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York, 600 pp. 16 X 23.5 cm. 1958. xiii $13.25.
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The fourth edition of this book was published in 1954 under the title of "Spot Tests, Vol. I, Inorganic Applications," the companion volume being "Spot Tests,
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Val. 11, Organic Applications." The fifth English edition of the latter appeared in 1956 as "Spot Tests in Organic Analysis." In %pot Test8 in Inorganic Analysis," the fifth English edition, more than a hundred new tests and applications have been added and many old tests have been improved. The hook contains much new material published for the first time, most of it being experimental work conducted in the author's own laboratory. Experimental details and explanation of the chemistry of the tests have been brought up to date. The arrangement of the material and the description of tests is the asme as in the previous edition. The book contains seven chapters: Chapter 1, Development, Present State and Prospects of Inorgrtnie Spot Test Analysis (26 pp.); Chapter 2 (by P. W. West), Spot Test Techniques (30 pp.); Chapter 3, Tests for Metals, Cations and Anions of Metallo Acids (201 pp.); Chapter 4, Teats for Acid Radicals: Anions (103 pp.); Chapter 5, Tests for Free Elements (22 pp.): Chapter 6, Systematic Analysis of Mixtures by Spot Reactions (45 pp.); and Chapter 7, Application of Spot Reactions in Tests of Purity, Examination of Teohnioal Materials, and Studies of Minerals (88 pp.). At the end of each chapter is an extensive list of references to the literature, the total being more than eleven hundred. Chapter 7 is followed with a tabular summary (18 pp.) of the limits of identification attained by spot testa for (1) c& ions, (2) anions, and (3) free elements.
If a. reaction can be carried out in different ways, the limit of identification is given for the most sensitive procedure. Author and subject indexes conclude the book. R. E. Oesper, well-known tranalator of Feigl's books, is to he congratulated far making "Spot Tests in Inorganic Analysis" available in clear and concise English. Printing and paper are good and the book has an attractive flexible cloth binding. This volume, together with its companion volume on "Spot Tests in Organic Analysis" (1956), is s. useful and uptodate source of information not only to analytical chemists but also to organic chemists, phclrmilceutical chemists, biologists, and mineralogists, as well rte t o advanced students in r.hemist,rv. Re. sesreh workers in analytical ohemistry will find these two volumes stimulating and helpful. JOHN H. YOE Uniuersity of Virginia Chadottesville Nouveau Trait; de Chimie Minirale. Volume 4
Edited by Paul Pascal, Honorary Professor, Sarbonne. Masson et Cie, 974 pp. 87 fige. Paris, 1958. xxxix 18 X 26 cm.
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Beryllium, magnesium, calcium, atrontium, barium, and radium are the elements from Group I1 covered b y this volume of P a s o a h new treatise. With (Continued on page A l l d )
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the exception of some introductory remarks, the textual material has been written by authors other than the editor. The average number of pages devoted to each element is about 165, ereept far the 265 on calcium and 27 on radium. While the date of puhlieation for the volume is given as 1958, individual bibliographies show that no literature searches IT-eremade beyond 1956, and a few were not made beyond 1954. I t is felt that this is a defect in the volume and that later searches shodd have been made prior to final puhlieation. Yet the lack of a truly eom"rehensive inorganic chemistry reference work since the 1930's, ereept Gmelin, does not make this too serious a drawback, and several years must he taken to publish the complete set. A comparison with volumes of the treatise already published shows thet the generally good standards of the work are being mainhined. No change has been made in format and bibliographic devices, and continuity is being retained despite v a r i a u ~datesof publication. This volume and volumes published to date indicatethet this treatise will be a. valuable reference P P when ~ complete.
ROGER V . KRUMM Zlniuersity of Florida Gainesville
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