JOURNAL OF CHEMICAt EDUCATION
390 motions through the crystsl. The emphrtsis throughout is on metals, but the same principles obviously apply to other solids. The only applications considered in any detail are those to crystal growth and to grain boundaries in metals. The author realkes, of course, that dislocations are of paramount importance in the field of mechanical properties-strength, plastic formation, work hardening, etc-yet he avoids the theoretmal treatment of these subjects. "Instead of reviewing current speculations (or adding others), [he has] tried to give the student and prospective researcher a sound foundation that will enable him to attack these problem successfully and eventually bring them from the area. of speculation into the area of applied science." This book is clearly written and admirably illustrated by many line drawinwings. Many pertinent exercises are included. Advanced students interested in the physics of metals should find it very useful, either for individual study or as a textbook for a c o m e in dislocation theory. The reader is assumed to he familiar with elementary calculus, but not with crystallography, beyond the most fundamental ideas. The publisher's job, like the author's, has been well done.
the current presentation of new and timely methods and madifications." Sometimes one procedure is given, rarely three. Any worker in the clinical field realizes there is need for a guide. Unique tests with unique equipment are often offeeredto the market which could well he rated in a book of standwd procedurea. Small volumes such as this one, only listing the methods found in standard texts that are approved by the Committee, and giving in detsjl new modifications or methods not available in such standard texts when they have been approved, might he bound in cheaper paper covers. A discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of such methods would be a grest help to clinical technicians. A reader might also be interested in knowing why the particular modifications of existing standard methods have been adopted. It is a stupendous undertaking to establish standard procedures for all workers. VIOLA BOMMERMEYER S * r Dmao. Cn~rrosarh
MAURICE L. HUGGINS E * s n c * ~KODAXCOMPANY ROOHEBTER. NEW YDRH
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SOILS AND FERTILIZERS
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Firman 6. Bear, Professor of Agricultural Chemistry, Rutgers University; Research Specialist in Soils. New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Fourth edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1953. dii 420 pp. I01 figs. 157tables. 15.5 X 23.5cm. $6.
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T m s is a completely revised textbook designed for use in beginning courses in soils for students in general agriculture. It pmticularly stresses the relationship existing between soils and crop production and the conservation of one of our major n a b u r d resources, the soil. For the serious student majoring in mils it is lacking in the advanced phases of scientific and technical details, The subject matter is well documented with tables and graphs of data plus many illustrations. E. A. FIEGER Lonrsl*~aST*TEUNIYERBIT~ BATONROUOE.L O U I B ~ N A
STANDARD METHODS OF CLINICAL CHEMISTRY. VOLUME I
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COMPREHENSIVE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. VOLUME n: COPPER, SILVER, AND GOLD
Edited by M. Cannon Sneed, Professor of Chemishy, J. Lewis Maynard, Professor of Chemistry, and Robert G. Brasted, Associate Professor of Chemidry, University of Minnesota. D. Van Nostrand Cc., Inc., New York, 1954. x 248 pp. 16 X 23.5cm. $5.
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THISbook, by James W. Laist, covers the descriptive chemistry and the extractive metallurgy of the "coinage metals" with near equal space devoted to each topic. The fact that much of the chemistry of these elements is concerned with mining operations explains this division. An introduction gives tabuhtions of the physical, chemical, and nuclear properties of this triad and brietly characterizes their chemistry in t e r m of electronic structures. Each element is then individually treated on the basis of its history, natural occurrence, recovery processes from oms, commercial alloys, and the chemical properties of the metal and its alloys. The writing is clear and the book is adeauatelv - Bled with references and necessarv illustrations. The utility of this nonthermodynamio treatment is as a reference text in undergraduate inorganic courses. The advanced research worker will prohably consult the better known systematic treatises. However, the captivating style of the hook will draw the lay "popular science writer" to it as a source of information.
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EDWARD D. GOLDBERG Scmms I ~ s ~ m m r oOPn OCEANOORAPAY L* JOLL*, C*LIIORNIA
The American Asenciation of Clinical Chemists. Editor-in-Chief, Miriam Reiner, Director, Chemistry Laboratory, Gallinger Municipal Hospital, Washington, D. C. Aoademic Preas, Inc., 142 pp. Illustrated. 16 X 23.5 om. New York, 1953. xii
$4.50.
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Tae purpose of this volume is to check certain methods in common uae in clinical laboratories and to explain the scientific basis of each method. It is written for "countless laboratory workers, chemista and technicittns." It is to be comparable to the methods of analysis put out by the Association of Officid Agricultural Chemists. Each method has been used and checked by one or more of the member chemists. Volume I covers routine examinations: amylase, bilirubin, calcium, COXcontent, chlorides, free and total cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, lipase, phosphatases and inorganic phosphates, total proteins, albumin and globulin, prothrombin, sodium and potassium flame photometry, thymol turbidity, urea nitrogen, uric acid. Author and subject indexes are complete. The Editorial Committee decided on a collection of smaU it permits the volumes because "this insures great flexibility huance of handy volumes for use a t the laboratory bench and
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BIOCHEMICAL PREPARATIONS. VOLUME 3
Esmond E. Snell, Editor-in-Chief. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1953. viii 128 pp. 15.5 X 23.5cm. $3.50.
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TEE third volume of "Biochemical Preparations" advances substautiaUy the enviable reputation estabhhed by the preceding volumes of this significant work. The hook makes an immediate appeal to the teacher and research worker by setting forth, for each preparation, synonymous names, formula, and molecular weight; clearly written and easily followed equations presenting the principle of the method; names and addresses of contributors; concise and pertinent notes; and essential references to the litemtnr~ - . ....-.-. 'L'lrr ronsirlrrarion shirh is given to the ~rlcctionof srnrting marwials, pxrticularly in this field of biochrrnirrry, is in itsrlf arr iuvaluablc fraturr. Thc ~roredures,inrludinc ~ i s r of s ve.isrl;l and quantities of materials, are clear and easil~followed. The
