PHYSICO-Cmrnca~ M m o o s . Joseph RcilLy and William Norman Rae. Third Edition. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York City, 1939. Two volumes. I, xv 686 pp. 410 figs. 11, ix 580 pp. 437 figs. 15.5 X 24 cm. $17.50. These two volumes. the &st entitled "Measurement and hlanipulation." and the second. "Practical .\leasurementi," are 3 timely addition to the literature on rxperimcntal physical chemistry. S o t only should they be useful to workers in physiral chemistry laboratories, hut also t o other chemists who wish to employ physical methods. Practically all of the material of the second edition has been retained. Most of the topics have been amplified and several new sections added. The reorganization of the topics and se~arationinto two volumes make for efficient use whether one is interested primarily in physical chemistry or mercly wiqhcr to use it as a tool. Thr. latter person will find the book of great value. I n Volume I some of the important additions are: chapters on measures and units, high-pressure technic; and sections on manipulation of Pyrex and quartz, hydrogenation and low temperature measurements. Volume I1 contains all of the practical measurements described in the second edition brought up t o date and supplemented by chapters on mechanical separation, indicators, and radioactivity. Sections on electrical measnrements have been considerably amplified. References to the literature contained in the section entitled "Suggestions for Further Reading" are most helpful. The volumes are well printed and of a convenient size for use. Diagrams are profuse but in many instances could be improved. The reader should have no trouble in following descriptions of apparatus on technic. I n such a work a more complete index would be preferable. With the changes the hook is still of greatest value to the person interested in the methods of classical physical chemistry. There is still need for a co.mpletely modem treatise. JOHN P. HOW
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CHEMICAL EDUCATION, ~ a s t o iPa., , 1940. viii + i 7 2 pp. 20 illustrations. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $2.50 A biography of great interest t o chemists and teachers has just come off the press, a hook new and original both in subject and in treatment-the life story, in short, of Professor Ira Remsen, famous investigator, author, and editor, master of the art of teaching, and president of the'lohns Hopkins University. The author. Professor Frederick H. Getmw of Stamford. Connecticut, fortunately hadaccess to thelate Dr. Lyman C. Newell's rich store of Remseniana, to Professor E. Emmet Reid's scrapbook of personal reminiscences, to Remsen's travel diary, and to many memorabilia long treasured by the Remsen family. With the aid of this material Dr. Getman has successfully traced the entire life story, from Ira Remsen's boyhood in the profoundly religious and sympathetic companionship of his great-grandparents (who made a place for him in their home after the death of his mother and grandparents) to the closing years when he voluntarily and happily gave up his executive responsibilities and returned to his experiments in the chemistry building. Many of Remsen's maxims are well worth remembering: "Be a physical chemist, a n organic chemist, an analytical chemist, if you will, hut above all be a chemist." "The strength of a n argument is inversely proportional to the amount of heat developed." This biography is a valuable contribution to the history of chemistry in America. The many humorous quotations fram the pen of Ira Remsen make it, moreover, a delightfully pleasant volume to read. MARYELYIRAWEEKS UNrvsRsrrv
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PROPERTIESAND NUMERICAL RELATIONSHIPS OF TAR COMMON ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS. 3. E. Belcher and 3. C. Colbert, Assistant Professors of Chemistry. University of Oklahoma. Third Edition. D. Appleton-Century Co., New York City, 1940. ix 350 pp. 34 figs. 23 X 28 cm. $2.00. [Note: Those portions which cover the work of the first semester (Parts I, 11,111, and appendix) appear also in a separate binding under the title EXPERI~ENTS AND PROBLEMS FOR COLLEGE CHEMISTRY (nii 207 p p 17 figs. 23 X 28 cm. $1.75.)1 This rather formidable but friendly laboratory and recitation companion, which is designed t o guide the student through the introductory college year of general chemistry, is based upon the Smith-Kendall series of texts. I t is more than a laboratory manual; perhaps "semimicro text" would be a better term, for, in addition t o detailed directions for a well-oriented series of experiments, the authors have included discussions of principles. definitions, methods of solving problems. and elaborate cross references in the texts. Each experimentis introduced by chapter references t o the texts, followed by a general discussion of the pimciples involved. definitions. and emerimental difficulties. The directions for performing the cxprrimcnt are dear and direct At thr vlosv are pertinent problems. Thrsr direction sheets are interlcavrtl with writc.up lorms, in cluplh:ate, which conskt of leading qur,tirm\ and spaces for observations and conclusions. The authors recommend (1) that the duplicate sheets be detached fram the book and handed to the instructor a t the beginning of the laboratory period; (2) that the student keep his original notes on the remaining sheets; and (3) that, a t the beginning of the following laboratory period, the instructor issue duplicate sheets, t o be filled out by the students under test conditions. They have found that this system not only facilitates the original write-ups, but also lessens copying and stimulates study between laboratory sessions. Those already acquainted with the earlier editions will be pleased to know that the theory of ionization has been introduced with the first use of aqueous solutions and that ionic equations have consistently replaced molecular ones throughout. The inexperienced instructor will find the lists of apparatus and materials helpful; in their compilation of the latter, the authors have given the name of each substance;its formula, the amount required for each experiment, arid the total. I t is t o be hoped that the authors may find it desirable to indicate the average time required to perform each experiment. Most helpful to the student are the general discussions preceding each experiment, and the final checklist of experiment subjects and references, giving experiment numbers, direction sheets and write-up sheet numbers, and chapter and page numbers in the texts. The excellent treatment of acids, bases, and salts is conservatively up t o date and is followed up consistently from the introduction t o the end. Altogether, the authors have produced a very attractive work which can he adapted t o a wide variety of laboratory conditions. R. A. BAKER
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KINGZETT'SCHEMICALENCYCLOPAEDIA. Ralph K. Strong. Editor. Sixth Edition. D. Van Nastrand Co., Inc.. New York City, 1940. x 1088 pp. 14.5 X 23 em. $14.00. The sixth edition of this handbook of chemistry and its industrial applications has been strengthened on the physico-chemical side by the insertion of phase diagrams; has a new entry for pH values illustrated by a chart of indicators; contains a new article on solubilities, with tahles showing solid phases and solubilities of selected important salts; has an expanded article on chemical engineering, i n c l u d i i a consideration of materials, energy, apparatus, and economics. I n addition t o new items, there have been revision and expansion of articles. The makeup of the volume is pleasing, and heavy type has been used more generally and systematically in emphasizing important suhheadings.
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