REvrsw oa PRE-COLLEOE MATHEMATICS.C.3. Lapp, Professor of Physics, F. B. Knight, Professor of Educational Psychology, and H. L. Rieta, Professor of Mathematics, all a t the University of Iowa. Scott, Foreman and Company, Chicago, 1934. iii 124 pp. 21 X 26.5 cm. $1.00. This is a workbook providing explanations of-d drill inthe fundamentals of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, with the major emphasis on algebra. It is the joint product of a professor of mathematics, a professor of physics, and a professor of educational psychology, each contributing his own point of view and his own experience. Its content is based upon: (1) first-hand experience with college freshmen, (2) actual analysis of the requirements of first courses in college mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and (3) research on frequency of errors anmug freshmen. The authors suggest three specific and valuable uses of this workbook: (1) supplementary material for fist-year college courses in mathematics, (2) preparation for college courses in physics or chemistry, and (3) a general review for high-school seniors. With the possible exception of the section on geometry, the book is self-sufficient,even t o the point of providing space for the student's work. An Answer Key, on perforated sheets, is given in the back. To each section of work in which problem solving is of importance on the college level, sets of carefully constructed problems have been attached. The choice of illustrative and problem material is especially gratifying. The student is given a painless introduction t o many physical terms and is enabled t o see that many common relations can be expressed as simple formulas, like the easy ones in a high-school mathematics book. Some might object to the definitions of temperature coefficients as given on p. 67 and to the lack of even a word of explanation regarding the symbol delta used there. Also, a more cheerful cover than the solemn black and gray would make the book more attractive to the eye. But these are mere quibbles, for "PreCollege Mathematics" is an excellent workbook and meets a distinct need long felt by teachers of first-year college courses in the sciences. JOHNH. YOE
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that is given to the student in these sections, which in themselves are well done but not entirely modem, is largely disregarded in dealing with the reactions and properties that are mentioned subsequently. Very few reactions of strong electrolytes are represented by ionic equations. Ionization is presented from the standpoint of the Arrhenius theory. Its inadequacy for strong electrolytes is not mentioned, nor is there any suggestion of the modem views of acids and bases. The questionable assertion on p. 271, ". . . i t is now commonly believed that water is the cause of the dissociation or ionization of molecules of electrolytes in solution," (italics are the author's) illustrates an apparent general tendency for accuracy of statement to be considered less essential than a method of presentation. Although oxidation and reduction are explained (pp. 214,552) as vnlence changes csuscd by loss and gain of electrons, equations involving such changes are balanced by an oxygen method (pp. 347,509). Errors of fact are: "Hydrogen is always electropositive. ." (p. 205); "dry hydrogen chloride does not react with metals t o give hydrogen" (p. 279); "artificial rubies are chemically identical with natural ones" (p. 496) Lcf. 0 ' L s . m ~RouEn, . ~ r PAPLPISH. n Science, 80, 4 1 2 4 (Nov. 2, 1934)l; "the ferric iron test is due to the formation of ferric sulphocyanate" (p. 547). The method of &ding a formula from percentage composition (p. 196) is somewhat misleading because of being applied t o a single molecule with the impossible result "Ci.&.ss." which "does not therefore represent the true number of atoms" in the molecule. The ratio does, however, represent the true number of gram atoms in one hundred grams of the compound. This is a statistical calculation in reality and is best represented as such. The book abounds in well-chosen drawings and illustrations. There are many excellent descriptions of laboratory and technical processes. It is an the whole a very interesting and wellwritten book and it reflects the author's reputation for being a stimulating teacher. Unfortunately, his primary objective has been to rearrange traditional material when much of the theoretical part of the latter seems t o need revision because of the new knowledge of matter that has been obtained in recent times. E. A. WILDMAN
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EABLHA COLLBOB ~~
RICHMOND, INDIAN*
U ~ m IN s CREM~STRY. Russell S. Howard, Head of the Science Department. Lyons Township High School and Junior College, La Grange, Illinois. Henry Holt and Company, New York City, 1934. viii 756 ~ x v mpp. 950 problems. 356 figs. Appendix with 22 tables. 13 X 19.5 cm. $1.80.
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I n his preface the author makes no claim t o uniqueness other
than for the advantages t o be derived b k u s e of hisdeparture from the usual arrangement of subject mattq. The book is written from the standpoint of the Unit Method (see the author's article: "Some Asnects of the Unit Method of Teachine Chemistry" [J. Ctr~nr.EDUC., 8, 910-8 (May, 1931)l). 1Gtead of having thirty or forty chapters he rearranges his material into eight Units. The ideal is for each unit t o be a self-contained whole, in so far as the subject matter will allow, so that the student may learn mare efiectively by confining his attention for the time t o a "limited ohjective." The titles of the Units are: I. Matter Undergoing Changes; 11. Solution and Crystallization; 111. General Properties of Gases; IV. The Atom and the Molecule; V. Ionization, Acids, Bases, and Salts; VI. Non-Metals and their Relatives; VII. The Metals and Their Compounds: VIII. The Nature of Carbon Compounds. The objective is accomplkhed very well in all of the TJnits but the first. I n it a number of chemical changes are introduced in a very elementary way but the exclusion of all modem knowledge of the structure of matter detracts from its effectiveness. I t would be more challenging t o an intellectually active student if he were given a part, a t least, of the electrical theory of matter a t this time. The last Unit is an esoeciallv . eood elementarv review of organic compound^. Ions ore not mentioned until one-third of the way through the buuk and ntomic structure nut until p. 4 3 . The new information
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Tm PAISIUL BASISOF THINGS. ~ o h nA. Eldridge, Professor of Physics, University of Iowa. McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc.. New York City, 1934. xiv f 407 pp. 136 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $3.75. This book, one of the International Series in Physics, is written "not for the physics specialist but for thqstudent of general interests." It is intended for "those who vill look into nature with curiosity. I t does not aim primarily to give information but to give appreciation of the meaning of modern physics." With the use of only the simplest mathematics the author endeavors to bridge the gap between the concepts f a m e d in an elementary physics course and those by which the modern physicist views the physical world. If the reader weathers the first two chapters on Relativity. which are supposed "to throw the reKder precipitately into modem physics" and to "cause some disturbance to complacency," he will find himself interested in a logical and lucid exposition of physical principles and laws. The only difficulty a physics layman might find would be in understanding the last two chapters on the newer ohvsics. IJsing the dcrrlopmcnt of the quarttunt theory as a connectmfi rhrrnd rhr nuthor lends the rrndrr through t h v phmomma of the famil~arkinetic theory of molecular motton, cltrtrons, protom, and electromagnetic waves to a discussion of the quantum theory; then through X-ray phenomena t o the theories of atomic strueture, with special chapters devoted to molecular rotation and vibration, radioactivity, and nuclear physics; and finally by easy transition into present quantum mechanics. This text should prove instructive and useful to those who are desirous of obtaining insight into the mazes of modern physics, hut have been deterred hitherto by dismaying mathematical
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symbolism. It should be of particular value as providing a means of aligning physical concepts which to the layman have appeared chaatic. I t is not t o he assumed that this book will furnish a complete understanding of all modern physical concepts. The author has provided a list of texts for collateral reading, both general and by chapters, for those who desire more detailed and comprehensive information. I n addition, there is a set of questions, both quantitative and qualitative. for each chapter. CHARLESG. E I C ~ I N UNIV~SL OFTMARYLAND Y COL,,BO& P*.K,
M*RYLAND
P~hcrlcnr. EVERYDAYCHEMISTRY. H. Bcnnett, F.A.I.C., Editor-in-Chief of The Chemical Formulary. The Chemical Publishing Co., New York City, 1934. xv 305 pp. 14 X
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21 cm. 8.00.
This book aims t o formulate or give the method of preparation of anything one may ever be inclined to use, whether or not it involvks the incorporation of substances usually classified as chemicals. The author stresses the point that the book is exclusivelv practical and presents no theoretical considerations of any kind. It is written in formulary style and treats of every subject from "Absinthe, English" to "Zinc, Coloring Die Cast." The material included is so all-embracing as to he of interest and use t o everyone from the kitchen, garage, or laboratory worker t o the large-scale chemical manufacturer. The nineteen chapter beadings are: Adhesives; Agricultural and Garden Specialties; Coatings, Protective and Decorative; Cosmetics and Drugs; Emulsions; Food Products. Beverages and Flavors; Inks, Carbon Paper, Crayons; Leather, Skins and Furs: Lubricants. Oils: Materials of Construction: Paoer: ~hot'ography; plating; 'polishes, Abrasives; Rubber, Plastics, Waxes; Soaps and Cleaners; Textiles and Fibeis; Miscellaneous; and Tables. It is the opinion of the reviewer that the author bas assembled an excellent collection of formulas, of which many have been modified t o the best up-to-the-minute practice in their particular fields. The material is well indexed and organized. The author not only presents a wealth of practical concoctions, but also in many cases adds sufficient descriptive matter t o enable the reader t o estimate the limits of their utility. On the whole, the book may be said t o be a first-class reference to those things which are usually passed from one laboratory worker to anather but are scarcely ever found in standard texts. M. H. DASKAIS
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THBUNIVBIISITY OP Cmcbw cmc*ao, ILLINOIS
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field of science, issued since 1920 by the National Research Council. Its scope has been broadened t o cover all fields of study; and that there may be no break in the statistical record, the dissertations in the field of science have been classified in the same subject groups used in the N.R.C. series, those for other fields being selected on much the same basis. For greater convenience, the list has been arranged in seven main divisions: Philosophy, Religion, Earth sciences. Biological sciences, Social sciences, Literature, and Art. While the arrangement is an arbitrary one, it follows in a general way the organization of American universities into divisions and departments, and the 6nding of material is further facilitated by an Alphabetical Subject Index and an Author Index. The preliminary chapter gives an extensive record of previous thesis lists, annual lists of doctoral dissertations in progress, miversitv nublications abstractine dissertations c n ~ ~ e n t lstatistical v. tablebs&ing doctorates in sc'eence according to subj&i, 192534, and distribution of doctorates for 1933-34 by university by subPerhaps most useful of all to the reference librarian is a table showing the present practice in all universities whose theses are listed, as t o the publication and loaning of their own dissertations. TECHNICAL GAS ANALYSIS. George Lunge, Ph.D., Dr. Ing. (KC.)-Revised and rewritten by H. R. Ambler, Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, England. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., New York City, 1934. xvi 416 pp. 138 figs. 15 X 23 cm. w.00. Lunge's well-known text, now revised and rewritten in English by H. R. Ambler, amply covers the methods of technical gas analysis. After a portion devoted to general technic, the book takes up (gas) volumetric, titration, gravimetric, and physical methods of analysis. This is followed by a section on special methods for individual gases. The last section covers the analysis of gases produced on the large scale, such as coal and producer eases.. and eases encountered in a d d and alkali manu-eases. . flue .. fa~,ture. The material is well arranged, clearly antten, and w l l illustrated. It should prove a must uicful manual for tlw terhnicsl gas analyst. I'or use in the r n i t r d States, the t c n might have been improved by a greater attention to natural gas analysis. The text might well b e used by students in institutions where instruction in gas anslysis is given. Mr. Ambler is to be congratulated an the excellence with which he has brought out this Lunge text. C. J. ENGELDER
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THBUNIYBBSIN OF PITTSBVBOB PIITSBURGB,PBNNSYLV*NI*
HANDBOOK OF CHEMISTRY A ~ PBYSICS. D Charles D.Hodrman. Editor-in-Chief. ~ i n e t e e n i hedition. Chemical Rubber Publishing Co., Cleveland, Ohio, 1934. xiv 1933 pp. 10.5 X ~ S16.5 cm. $6.00. The nineteenth edition of this well-known handbook is larger by 115 pages than its predecessor. To facilitate ready reference same minor rearrangements of subject matter have been made and the book has been divided into five sections. Each section is preceded by a colored, heavy-paper index page bearing the section table of contents. The five main sections are as follows: Mathematical Tables: Pro~ertiesand Phvsical Constants: General Chrmical ~ a b l ~ s . ' ~ p e cGravity kc a n i Properties of Matter; Heat and Hygrometry. Sound, Electricity and hlagnetism. Light: Quantities and Units, hfisccllaneous Tables. Among the new tables of particular interest t o chemists are: X-ray Crystallographic Data (43 pp.); Thermodynamic Properties of Refrigerants (14 pp.); Vapor Pressure of Carbon Dioxide (1 p.); Solubility of Ammonia in Water (1 p.); Deming's Periodic Table (1p.); and various mathematical tables. Older tables which have been revised and enlarged include, among others: Physical Constants of Minerals (18 pp.); Specific Heat of Elements (3 pp.); Indices of Refraction (13 pp.); Electromotive Force Series (3 pp.); Density and Specific Gravity of Gases and Vapors (2 pp.); Melting and Boiling Points of the Elements (1 p.); Viscosity of Water (2 pp.); Solubility of Gases in Water (2 pp.). Orm R s w m ' r n 0
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DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS ACCEPTED BY ERICA AN U ~ E R S I 1933-1934. Edited by Donold B. Gikhrist. Compiled for the National Research Council and The American Coundl of Learned Societies by the Association of Research Libraries. The H. W. Wilson Co., New York City, 1934. xvi 88 pp. 17 X 25.5cm. $1.00postpaid. AU dactoral dissertations accepted by American universities during the past year, in a single list, was the objective of The AP sociation of Research Libraries in planning this publication. No list of similar scope has previously appeared for American dissertations, although complete lists for French and German miversity dissertations have been published annually for many years. The fact that of the 2630 dissertations caprising this list, only 966 were categorically required to be printed by the universities accepting them, and another 698may or may not be printed either in full or in part, indicates the incompleteness of lists of prinfed theses. It is now almost a universal practice t o file full manuscript theses in duplicate, and t o make copies available through interlibrary loan. For this reason the list fills a real and growing need to libraries. I n form, it is very similar to, and continues the annual list in the
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