NEW BOOKS Kolloidik. Eine Einfuhrung i n die Probleme der modernen Kolloidzoissenschaft. By A. v. B I J Z ~ G H323 . pp. Leipaig: Th. Steinkopff, 1936. Price: unbound, 15 RM; bound, 16.50 RM. The portmanteau word “Kolloidik” means colloid chemistry and colloid physics; in the language of a century ago, the natural philosophy of colloids. The author is evidently of a philosophical turn of mind, for the whole treatment of the subject is subordinated t o his classification of matter according to degree of subdivision primarily and to morphology secondarily. The systematics may become a little tedious t o English readers; experimental facts are mentioned strictly in their proper place according t o the system of the book. Too often, facts are touched upon only incidentally in the development of the system of classification, and sometimes selection is rather oddly made; thus as functions of dispersity, under the heading “physical,” are included transparency, hardness, photoelectric properties (of thin metallic films, which are apparently considered geod instances of the effect of thickness on an otherwise homogeneous state of matter, an opinion which the reviewer certainly does not share), and catalysis; as “physicochemical” are mentioned some cases where the ordinary laws of solution or of electrolysis appear, a t first sight, not to be obeyed by colloidal systems; and under “chemical,” Smekal’s theory of the mosaic structure of crystals. Later on in the book the author comes to rather closer grips with the results of experimental research; among many other things dealt with are the results of x-ray investigations into the structure of natural compounds of high molecular weight, liquid crystals, surface films, electrical double layers, the use of electron beams for studying surfaces, sedimentation volumes, theories of adsorption, peptization, swelling, coagulation, etc. But the treatment is rarely sufficiently profound or exact to give the reader a well-balanced idea of the essentials of the phenomena and of their explanation; and literature references are not sufficiently numerous or up-todate to guide one who wants to master the original literature quickly. It may be that the author has been seriously handicapped by his desire to treat everything logically and systematically from the standpoint of dimensions and manner of aggregation. These are not the fundamental properties of matter; they are sometimes very important and dominate the phenomena, but often they are overshadowed by specific chemical properties, which indeed control them. A natural philosophy of that vast miscellany of phenomena loosely classified as colloids must not forget this; nor indeed is i t generally profitable to treat experimental research as a mere handmaid t o a subjective scheme of things. The book is tolerably w l l conceived, but it lacks thoroughness, and shows little originality. N. K. ADAM.
Reports on Progress i n Physics. Published by the Physical Society. Volume 11. 25 x 17 cm.; iv 371 pages. London: The Physical Society, 1936. Price to nonFellows: 21 s. net. The second volume of this new venture resembles the first in being printed on excellent paper, with a dignified format and good binding, and in containing a set of reviews written by experts on the theoretical and applied sides, which provides material of the highest interest to physical chemists. The sections are (neglecting 933
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subsections) : general physics (Brownian movement, surfare tension, viscosity), quantum theory (including theory of valency), atomic physics, geophysical prospecting, radio-exploration of upper atmospheric ionization, sound, heat, electrical’and magnetic measur,ements, the charge on the electron, electron tubes, x-rays (including structures of substances), spectroscopy, and optics. It will be seen that the volume resolutely avoids a narrow view of the subject and overemphasis of certain very new fields. The latter receive proper attention and their due space, but it is rather necessary t o emphasize that this report does represent progress in physics rather than in a mere branch of physics, and its value to physical chemists is correspondingly enhanced. The volume is one which every physical chemist should read. J. R. PARTINGTON.
Gmelins Handbuch der anorganischen Chemie. 8 Auflage. Herausgegeben von der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft. System-Nummer 35: Aluminium, Teil A, Lieferung4. 26 x 17 cm.; pp. x 535482. Berlin: Verlag Chemie, 1936. Price: 18 RM. This part of the volume on aluminum deals with the alloys of aluminum with S, Se, Te, Po, B, C, Si (pp. 536-627), P, As, Sb, Bi, Li, Na, K , Rb, Cs, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra. The physical properties are given, with tables and curves, and the chemical properties discussed include corrosion. Literature references come to January, 1936. The volume is of particular interest from the chemical engineering point of view and the treatment is thoroughly sound. J. R. PARTINGTON.
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Gmelins Handbuch der anorganischen Chemie. 8 Auflage. Herausgegeben van der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft. System-Nummer 55: Uran und Isotope 279. Berlin: mit einem Anhang uber Transurane. 26 x 17 em.; pp. xviii Verlag Chemie, 1936. Price: 34.50 RM. The volume on uranium is complete in itself and includes the chemistry of uranium and its isotopes, with a brief account of very recent experiments on the artificial production of elements of atomic number greater than 92 (“Transurane”). There is also a rather brief account of the radioactivity of uranium in which only elements in the series of atomic number 92 are considered, the relation to the actinium series being left rather vague. There is a section on salts of uranium with organic acids. The highly systematized arrangement necessary in a work of this kind has its disadvantages, since there is, for example, no account of uranium X, and uranic acid and uranates are separated, the latter (with other compounds) being included under the various metals. The volume maintains the high standard of the series. J. R. PARTINGTON.
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Stereoscopic Drawings of Crystal Structures. Edited by M. VON LAUEand R. VON M ~ s n s ;drawing# by E. REHBOCK-VERSTANDIG; text by G. MENZER. Part 2. 18 x 17 em.; 56 pp. Berlin: Julius Springer, 1936. Price: in portfolio, 18 RM. This collection of twenty-four stereoscopic drawings of crystal structures forms a continuation of the series published some years ago by the same authors. I n the first volume the structures chosen were those of very simple types; here rather more complicated ones are depicted, although they are still comparatively simple, consisting of those of some of the elements which crystallize in a less regular way than most, and of compounds of two or three elements. Even for these relatively simple structures the advantages of the stereoscopic method of representation is very considerable. One has only to t r y first to make out the details of a structure from the drawing Rithout the use of the stereoscope, and
