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appears to be carefully and accurately compiled. Dr. Bebie is to be congratulated on both the excellence and the timeliness of his little volume. The mechanics of the hook, i t s format and printing, are of high quality. RALPHE. MONTONNA.
General XetaEZography. By RALPH L. DOWDELL, HENRY9. JERABEK,ARTHUR C. FORSYTH, A N D CARRIE H. GREEN. First edition. 6 s 9f in.; x 292 pp.; 123 figures; 34 tables. New York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1943. Price: $3.35. As stated by the authors in the Introduction, this book is intended for beginning students in metallography. I t is, therefore, an addition to the group of excellent textbooks on this subject which have appeared during the past few years. I t will meet stiff competition in this field, but the newcomer can hold its head high in the distinguished company in which it finds itself. The book is the outgrowth of many yeers of classroom workin metallography a t the University of Minnesota. Of the ten chapters, the first one may be passed over quickly, as it is essentially a tabular resume of data on the physical constants of metals. The subjects of crystal structure, alloy systems, and constitutional diagrams constitute the subject matter of the next three chapters, the presentation of which, though following t,he conventional method, has a freshness and spontaneity which is so often lacking. To some general readers, the introduction of Chapter V on pyrometry may seem to break the continuity. However, this should serve a useful purpose at this point in laboratory work which accompanies the text. Chapter VI on “Ifechanical Properties” is a n escellent brief rksumi: of the fundamental properties which underlie the useful application of metals. Chapter VI, “Metallographic Control,” was somewhat disappointing to the reviewer. Too much is attempted in the span of forty-five pages,- macroscopic examination, preparation of metallographic specimens, and their etching, and the optical principles of the metallographic microscope. A short chapter devoted to macroscopic examination in more detail than is possible in the space of five pages devoted to it would have pleased the reviewer and possibly ceitain classes of students. Those interested in the engineering aspects mould have found i t distinctly to their advantage. In the remaining four chapters, the subjects of deformation of metals, iron and steel, non-ferrous alloys, and corrosion are discussed. Of necessity the presentation in many cases is brief. The inclusion of tabular reference data from other sources, such as the table on etching solutions, the classificat,ionand properties of alloy steels, etc., is very commendable and certainly will be appreciated by students as well as general readers of the book. Any reviewer could doubtless mention a number of topics whose omission he deplores. However, to keep within the confines laid down by the authors in this textbook for beginners, such omissions are necessary. A choice must be made and the reviewer considers that the authors have done a good job in their selection of essentials which will constitute a firm foundation in the subject. I t is a pleasure to commend the publishers on the excellence of the mechanical preparation of the book. By a wise choice of high-grade semi-gloss paper, i t has been possible t o reproduce the micrographs with no loss, whatsoever, in detail of the structural features they are intended to convey. H. S. RAWDON.
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The dlalhematics of Physics and Chemistry. By HENRYMORGENAU AND GEORGE MOSELEY MuRPHY. 6 x 9 t in.; xii 580 pp.; 49 figures; 31 tables. iiew York: D.Van Nostrand Company, Inc., 1943. Price: $6.60. Let me quote from the preface: “The authors’ aim has been to present, between the covers of a single book, those parts of mathematics which form the tools of the modern worker in theoretical physics and chemistry. They have endeavored to do this by steering a middle course between the mere recording of facts and formulas which is characteristic of handbook treatments, and the ponderous development which characterizes treatises in
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special fields. . The degree of difficulty of the treatment is such that a Senior majoring in physics or chemistry would be able to read most parts of the book with understandThe degree of rigor to which we have aspired is that customary in careful scientific ing. demonstr@ions, not the lofty heights accessible to the pure mathematician.” A list of chapter headings will give the prospective reader some idea of the extent and variety of the mathematical menu set before him. The titles of the chapters are “The Mathematics of Thermodynamics,” “Ordinary Differential Equations,” “Special Functions” (for example, Gamma, Bessel, Hankel, Hermite Functions), ‘Vector Analysis,” “Vcctors and Curvilinear Coordinates,” “Calculus of Variations,” “Partial Differential Equations of Classical Physics,” “Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions,” “Mechanics of Molecules,” “Matrices and Matrix Algebra,” “Quantum Mechanics,” “Statistical Mechanics,” “Numerical Calculations” (including the Euler-Maclaurin Formula, Gauss’ Method, Numerical Solution of Differential Equations, Solution of Secular Determinants, Principle of Least Squares), “Linear Integral Equations,” “Group Theory” (including the Crystallographic Point Groups). This book (to quote again from the preface) “would serve as a foundation for courses in applied mathematics on the senior and first year graduate level. A thorough introductory course in quantum mechanics could be based on chapter 2, parts of 3, 8, and 10, and chapter 11. Chapters 1, 10, and parts of 11 may be used in a short course which reviews tbermodynarnics and then treats statistical mechanics. Reading of chapters 4, 9, and 15 would prepare for a n understanding of special treatments dealing with polystomic molecules, and the liquid and solid state.” From what has been said or quoted, i t will be evident that the authors have been able to include in one volume all the mathematics essential t o the study of theoretical chemistry and physics. I think they have accomplished their task in a highly satisfactory and adequate manner. I predict confidently t h a t this book will be heartily welcomed by all teachers of modern physics and chemistry. F. H. MACDOWALL.
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