for acid-base are worked out but this is not done for red-ox systems. The electrode potentials are listed as reduction poten-
common practice, but the &dent might wonder why he must refer to other sources for "modern views on acids" (n. 60). The appendix contains a. discussion of the salving of quadratic equations, the use of logarithms and exponential numbers, care of platinum ware, tables of constants, and a five place table of logarithms. This book is well worth the serious oonsideration of teachers of a one semester course in elementary quantitative analysis in the conventional manner. PAUL K. OLABOE
W r m ~ ~ a r nCOLLEGE a SPRINRPIE~D, OAIO
The authors state that such a study presupposes no particular science or mathematical background. However, this reviewer feels that, since this ia not an examination of a few isolated ideas and facts about physical science, it will demand some very serious, concentrated, difficult study. A fairlv extensive biblioera~hv mo-
NOwEnU MIN-LE.
T R ~DE MCHIMIE VOLUME 1
Edited by Paul Pascal, Honorary Profassor, Sorbonne. Masson et Cie., Paris, 1956. xi 1101 pp. 275 figs. 18 X 26 cm.
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PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE Francis T. Booner, &thur D. Little. lnc., and Melba Phillips, Washington Univer. sity, Addison-Wesley Publ~shmgCo., Inc.. Reading, Massachusetts, 1957. mi 736 pp. 15 X 23.5 om. $7.50.
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THE authors, with a background of teaching the subject to non-science students in a liberal arts colleee. "resent in
It is their intent to develop an appreeiation, an understanding, and an interest in this field through conscious effort and serious study, even though the student msy have a non-science future. The study begins with the growth of the physical world fram the abstract geometrical astronomy of Greece and proceeds to modern chemistry, nuclear physics, geophysics, and stellar astronomy. Considerable emphasis is placed upon developing concepts of whet science is, how scientific knowledge has xtcoumulated and the relationship of the present status of ecienee to its past. The role of the planned experiment is stressed as a procedure essential to the production of seientific concepts. The elimination of the conventional bbundaries of the disciplines involved is well achieved and suw ceeds in creating an awareness, for the student, of the unified, interdependence of the physical sciences The book opens with Benjamin Franklin's definition of man as a "tool-making animal" who had questions that demanded answers. Then, it prooeeds to the solutions of problems which had varying degrees of success, each being dependent upon man's accumulated background of ideas. Special consideration is devoted to the fact that science has had 8.8 its considered objective the interpretation of natural phenomena. The book is well written, with sufficient eltamplea, illustrations and exercises that it makes very interesting reading for anyone. Consequently, it should provide a needed stimulus for the student.
TEE first volume of Pascal's "Nouveau Trait6 de Chimie Min6raleV begins a. 19volume set to be completed by 1960. This comprehensive wark of inorganic chemistry is intended to replace rather than to supplement the earlier 12-volume "Trait6 de Chimie Min6ra1e'.le" published in 1931-34. While this may be the reason so many references fram the past century appear in the bibliographies at the end of sections, the question does arise as to whether more modern sources might exist in some areas. It is stated that a critical seleotion and limitation had to be employed for the bibliography of sources, and it will be noted that the periodical literature is limited to 146 titles. Yet only two Russian journals are included, and they are under old titles which have changed or oessed publication years ago. As an de Soeiete Physicoexample, the Jou-1 Chivnipue Russe is listed, and it ceased publication in 1930 t o form two other journals, the present Zhurnal Obshchei Khimiz and the Zhurnal Fizicheskm Khimii. In 1954, the last year in which the literature was searched for this volume, Chemical Abstrae2s has some 369 abstracts from the former and ahout 219 from the latter. In view of the increasing importance of Russian chemical literature in recent years, it is felt that original Russian sources should have been included to greater extent. But the bibliography does include such abstracting ionrnnls as Chemical Abslraela. British Abstracts and Chemisehes Zentralblatt which could be used as secondary sources for other journals. The arrangement of the bibliography in the text is to he commended. The bibliographies of citations are gathered at the end of sections instead of into one unwieldy grouping a t the end of the volume, and notes at the bottom of each page of text tell on which page the next bibliography occurs. The bibliographies include data on periodical holdings and locations of the major libraries in France. A most vduable device in the bibliographies is the inclusion of the date of sources cited. The introductory materials, except for
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those on isotopes, and sections on air, water, and hydrogen were written by the editor, Paul Pascal, for the first 686 pages, while the sections on hydrogen isotopes were presented by R. Vidlwd, including one page on hydrogen of mass 4. Helium and the inert gases comprise the section written by G. Pannetier, and the final section, Radon, was written jointly by G. Bouissieres and Haissinsky. Pages 1087-1101 include the index and table of contents. In such an ambitious project to compile data and bring the comprehensive body of data on inorganic chemistry up to recent years into one set of volumes, it is possible to find faults, omissions, snd several areas of criticism. Yet the overall plan, the projected work, and the great need for s. modern comprehensive reference set in this area. of chemistry will make it possible to balance favorably the good points against the criticisms. If the other volumes of the set are completed ne planned and measure up to the generally good standards of the first volume, there is little doubt but that this wark will become a standard reference set required by libraries which provide chemical reference senrice. R. KRUMM U ~ r v e s s l wOP FLORIDA GAINEBYILLE. FLORID*
NOwEAlJ T M T ~ DE CHIMlE MI-ALE. VOLUME 10 Edited by Paul Pascal, Honorary Professor, Sorbonne. Masson et Cie., Paris, 1956. m i x 963 pp. 130 figs. 18 X 26 cm.
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VOLUMETen of Pascal's "Nouveau Trait6 de C h i Min6raleH is the second to be published of the 19 planned for the entire set. The introductory material is but a repetition of explanations, tables, and lists presented in the first volume about the aver-all plan and bibliography. In this connection, no other periodicals have been added as sources. The text is limited to an attempted comprehensive coverage of nitrogen and phosphorus, except for a few pages about elements of Group V as a whale. Literature searches were conducted into 1955, except for one section with a coverage into 1956. Only 234 pages are devoted to phosphorus, while the main portion of the volume is reserved for nitrogen. Ammonia. and ammonium compounds are included under nitrogen and are not treated as a section in the other parts of the set. The editor has written the introduction, the section on nitrogen, and the material about organic compounds of phosphorus. With the latter exception, the material on phosphonis is by R. Dubrisay. The excellent bibliographic arrangement of the first volume has been retained so that bibliographies are scattered a t intervals, with a. note at the bottom of each page of text to indicate where the bibliography may be located. An index and table of contents are a t the end of the volume. (Continued on page Al?W JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
