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The Elements of Chemiemitw. wn1.1~~ Porn, A.M., Pn.D., Professor of Chemistry in Princeton University. D. Van Nostrand Co., 8 Warren St., New York City. First edition, 1925. xvii 576 pp. 237 figures 24 full page pictures of eminent chemists. 14.5 X 21.5 em. $2.00.
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Recent Books
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"This tert-book is intended for students bcginning the subject. . . .An attempt has be& made to tell the story of chemistry in simple and direct language, and gradually t o blend theory with facts, in order that the student may not become confused. While great stress has been laid upon the numaom important applications of the science, the author is one of those who believes that a thorough course in chemistry is based upon fundamental principles. This is the only way to discipline the mind aod t o lay a broad and solid foundation. It should slway. be borne in.mind that 'science is a method and not a callertion of fact.'. . . .A study of the gas laws, which are somewhat difficult for beginners, in postponed until Chapter XV." after lowering of the vapor tension of a solvent, elevation of boiling point and depression of freezing point have been treated. The preceding quotdionr from the preface p'"ent the author's aims and purposes. Though mpparently intended for high-school use, the text contains the material usually given t o n beginning elars of eollege students. The author har "told the story of chemistry" in an interesting manner and stressed its industrial applications, this being the out.tandinp feature of the book. The order followed in quite unusual yet the author's handling of the earlier chapters leaves one unconvinced of the value of the innovation. Science is organized knowledge: by organization we mean such an orderly arrangement of 1%- that it may be helpful in gaining fmrther knowledge. introducing Chapter VJ, the author says, :'As bases, acids, and salt. are involved in the preparntion oi hydrogen, they will receire brief consideration before the study of t h i element." Then follows a description of bases, their uses, two pager of soap making, then acids, neutralization, salts and salt mining, all in seven pages. One can more readily understand the usefulnesr of soap making and salt mining for the purpose of "relling ehemi~try" to the students than as an introduction to the preparation of hydrogen or es an illustration of the organization of scientific material. To a conriderable extent fundamental principles are presented in chunks by themselua. Little reference ir made later io the book to their
application and there is none of the "rub i t in" element. A great variety of material is preqented, There are figures of atoms with hooks to illustrhte valence bonds and figures of the Bohr and the Eubieal atom. In the index there is one reference each t o chemical equilibrivm and explosives, each topic being handled in two pages. The author set. forth a varied menu for the e n d e m with little indication of relative vitamin or calorie content or food value. He has in no way shown the student how t o find his own food. prepare it, and use it that he may grow by hi3 own effort. Aside from the ~tatement in the preface. he has not led the student to realize that "science is a method undnot aeollstian of fartr." W. C.
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Laboratory Exercises in General Chemintw. Ww.unr P O ~ ~ B PA.M.. ., Pn.D.. Professor of Chemistry in Princeton University and H m w WILLIS H H A ~Head , of the Science Department, lawrenceville School. D. Van Nostrand Co., 8 Warren Street. New York City. Firnt edition, 1925. vi 186 PI,. 30 figures. 14 X 20.5 cm. $1.25.
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"These Laboratory Exerei- are designed to accompany Foster's Element. of Chemistry.. . . Theaim har been to outline a well rounded laboratory course. . . .for student. who ha". had no previous training in chemistry:' The manual contains a good assortment of the material usvally found in b o o b of thin clars. More is presented than can be covered in one year's work and intelligent choice ir called for on the part of the teacher. Two pages of "Treatment in Case of Accident" are given in the front of the book where it is constantly called t o the attention of students and always available during the ereitement caused by an accident. The h r r f m r rrcrcircr on The l f t t r Syrrem. ~ l)cn\tf).. The D8n;en I h r n e r .rud Cl.ur Workia;. and .,mC common (mrrlrluns :.re ore.rnted without objective other than their intrinsic value and the -kin% of a wa3h bottlc. Clever pedagogy would incarporhte these point. in some project with more inspiration. ~ e f to~ the text given in the order in which they appear in the manual are t o p a g e 83. 344, 116, 2-5, 2811, 164. A longer series shows the same jumping about. Apparently the arrangement of the text or the manual or both could follow some more natural or logical order. Scattered through the maousl and at the elelse of each exercise are questions, the following being taken from the fint eight groups: "Water has
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