INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS
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Ibert Mellan, Indushial Chemist and Consultant. Second Edition. Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1950. x 7% pp. 369 figs. 194 tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $12.
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THEsecond edition of "Industrial Solvents" is a completely rewritten volume expanded to 758 pages from the 480 pages of the first edition [reviewed, J. CHEM.EDUC.,17, 402 (1940)l. I t remains essentially a discussion of solvents far lacquers, varnishes, paints, and their individual components. In a separate chapter on the industrial application of solvents, many other uses are pointed out, but the emphasis remains an lacquers. The 61st section of the book (112 pages) deals with the genersl solvent properties in four chapters on the nature of solution, solvents, latent solvents, nonsolvents, vapor pressure, evaporation rate, boiling point, viscosity. The first two of these on theory lean heavily on the side of cellulose esters and ethers used in lacquers. The latter two are fundamental in presenting methods for determining vapor pressures, evaporation rates, and viscosity, graphical methods of presenting these data, tables of szeotropes, and general rules concerning these physical properties. The following two chapters (122 pages) deal with the industrial application of solvents and safe handling of solvents. Many figures and tables are given to show the uses of solvents in various industries, particularly newer uses. In the safe handling of solvents the Bilmmability, h s h and fire points. and explosive limits are stressed. ~oxiciiyis given for numher of &ups of solvents. Reference is made to the series of Chemical Safety Dats. Sheets and one is reproduced to show the detailed safety information available (though no list of components for which sheets are available is given). The largest section of the book (505 pages) devotes a chapter to each elass of solvents, as hydrocarbon solvents, halogenated hydrocarbons, nitroparaffins, amines, alcohols, furfural, ketones, acids, ethers, and esters. Each chapter is re~letewith tables and graphs of physical properties andadvent a6ility. The large amount of such data makes this book the first to which an investigator or engineer should turn for physical properties. Although the stress placed on cellulose derivatives will limit the general usefulness of the book to organic chemists and engineers, the large amount of data of a general nature presented here will make this book one that he will consult frequently to secure solvent ability for new compounds or physical properties for designinformation. KENNETH A. KOBE
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SPECTROCHEMICAL PROCEDURES
Charles E. Harvey, Consulting Spectrographer, Applied Research Laboratories. Applied Research Laboratories, Glendale, California, 1950. x 369 pp. 75 figs. 9 tables. 16 X 24 em. $7.
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Tars book is the result of Mr. Hasvey's long experience in developing new speetrochemical methods and apectrochemical equipment with ARL. It is written both for the practical speotrochemist and for the student. No attempt is made to duplicate the numerous and good theoretical treatments now available in many books. The emphasis throughout is on the practical side. The hook abounds in ex~erimentadetails. mauv of which have
appear8 to be adequate. After briefly considering the theoretical basis of spectrochemistry the author takes up in turn the instrumenta used, photographic calibration, qualitative, aemiquantitative, and quantitative analysis. Of pt~rticnlarvalue are the chapters on the spectra of the elements and on the variables in a speetraohemieal analysis (qusntitative). The former discu88~9,according to periodic groups, the elements most frequently encountered in spectrochemical analyses, giving their sensitivities and likely interfering substances, tcnether with a brief discussion of the apdicabilitv of s~ectrochemical methods for each group. In thechapter i n ~ i r i a h l e sin a Speotrochemical Analysis there is a very thorough treatment of the factors which may affect the reproducibility and accuracy of analyses. The beginning student and experienced wpectrographer will both find this chapter helpful. The h a 1 chapter, Setting Up a Laboratory for Operation, will prove valuable for those plant personnel who plan to install spew trochemical methods. The reviewer feels that this hook is s. "must" for every spectre chemical laboratory and should be available as a reference for everv student who tskes a course in the field. The wealth of ex-
frequently consulted in daily work. CONWAY PIERCE
Porom Comeoz C ~ ~ n a s r o C*YI.ORNI* a~.
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PLANT VIRUSES AND VIRUS DISEASES
F. C. Bawden, Head, Plant Pathology Department, Rothamated Experiment Station. Third, reviaed edition. Chronica Botanica Co., Waltham, Massachusetts, 1950. 335 pp. 5 figs. 54 plates. 59 tables. 18 X 27 em. $6.
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ALTXOUOX oreauic substances known as viru~eswere recoenized as being associated with both plant and aninul diecare in the 1890'8 their prccir role in cell ~rletabolienirontinues to be elusive. >limy forms cliuee no particul:rr dantaw to tlwir host^, but psthogens causing leaf mosaics in tobacco and potato plants a8 well as leaf curl in sugar beets, to mention only a few, are taking appreciable tolls in sgricultuml economy. The problems involved have received the attention of many biochemists and prtthologists in the last fifteen years. To correlate the information in the extensive litemtun on the subject has been the task of a distinguished worker in the field, Dr. F. C. Bawden at the Rothamsted Station in England. The third, entirely revised edition of his book witnesses the rapid accumulation of data on plant viruses in even the last eight years. After dealing with the recognized symptoms of infected plants the author considers the various modes on virus transmission and the nature of insect vectars in particular. I n the latter field of study, the work of Black on leaf-hopper transmission of a. clover virus, for emmple, has demonstrated the fact that this virus is maintained for twenty generations through the eggs, after a single, initial infection. The point of biochemical significance in this very recently reported case is that a given virus may play a similar role in the metabolism of both the insect and plant involved. Virus action mav be exoeedinelv .. oam~lex.. as the cha~teran virus atrhins indieatw. A particular virus, for ioatanre, may have quiw diRcrcrot vffwta ,111 diff~wnthoatn. Funhrrmort., nlated strain3 may prudurr u n iulribitory t.fivct on rwh other iu
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