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acids and sterols, the cardiac aglucones, hormones, and vitamins. These chapters give the reader an excellent idea of the subjects mentioned, and constitute a valuable addition to the book. They bring the subjects as nearly up-to-date as could reasonably be expected. With regard to the rest of the volume, this is, as ever, stimulating. It must surely induce enthusiasm in a t any rate a few of those who come relatively fresh to the subject. It is a pity that the author appears to favor the views of certain schools to the exclusion of those of others whose contributions are quite as outstanding. For example, in the chapter entitled “Some Applications of Electronics,” one finds no mention of either Ingold or Sidgwick, and Robinson is named only once. This same chapter gives the reader the idea (p. 373) that our knowledge of activation within aromatic systems has not advanced appreciably in the last thirty years. The chapter called “Some Unsolved Problems” deds with some slight questions to the exclusion of others of much greater profundity: the Wagner-Meerwein theory is not mentioned in that section which refers to the problem of the pinacol-pinacolin and similar changes, and a stereochemically improbable formula for diacetylacetone is given credence. In the chapter dealing with “The Diphenyl Problem,” the reader must remember that the “Recent Advances” are those before 1931. This particular problem is presented in a straightforward manner, although more could have been achieved in the space actually taken. E. E. TURNER.
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Physical Chemistry. By FRANK H. MACDOUGALL. 15 x 22 cm.; ix 721 pp.; 97 figs. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1936. Price: $4.00. If one were to judge this book only by an examination of the table of contents and by a brief perusal of its pages, he might be led to believe that i t is only the Macmillan Company’s competing book in a field which seems already well-supplied with text books. With a more thorough examination of its contents and of the author’s style of presentation, i t becomes apparent that Professor MacDougall has accomplished something very worth while in the teaching of physical chemistry. The arrangement of the material is quite orthodox except that a short chapter (Chapter 11) appears early on energy and the first law of thermodynamics, as does his consideration of the structure of atoms (Chapters VI and VII). As the author says in his preface, “it is generally recognized nowadays that an adequate introduction to the science of physical chemistry must offer the student the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the elements of thermodynamics and with the more important thermodynamic relations.” This opportunity is given in this book in a most thorough and rigorous way. To one who has not offered such material in a course in elementary physical chemistry it may seem to present too much difficulty for the average student, yet the treatment is so detailed and straightforward that this difficulty has been reduced to its minimum. The author makes a point of his treatment of electromotive forces and potential differences, and his treatment of this subject is again characterized by both rigor and clarity of thought and expression. Beginning with Boltzmann’s theorem and Poisson’s equation he gives a derivation of the Debye equation for the activity coefficient of strong electrolytes. This the author admits is beyond the b3ginning student in physical chemistry, but he includes it in the hope that i t may be useful in later reference. There is so much material in its seven hundred-odd pages that some omissions wotlld in any event be made. On the whole the text seems to be an excellent one, and there is every reason to believe that i t will be enthusiastically received. T. R. HOQNESS.
