tion of argon and the other stable rare gases. The author brings out the importance of precise measurements of properties of highly purified substances obtained from various sources and of the exhaustive elimination of errors in experimental work. He reveals some of the motives of scientific investigation, and the difficulties and frustrations facing a scientist on the verge of a momentous discovery. There are several places in this section where the narrative deviates from historical fact. Fortnnately these errors do not distort the meaning of the scientific accomplishment, but they are annoying ta the i n d i v i d d who is familiar with the historical details. These errors could have been easily spotted and corrected by a more rigorous editing procedure. The relation between the atomic p r o p erties of the noble gases and their nuclear and electronic structure is discussed in Chapter 4. The next chapter deals with the formation, sbundance, and distribution of the various isotopw of the gases in the universe and on earth. Chapter 6 presents various practical applications of the gases, while Chapter 7 is devoted entirely ta an exploration of helium, its p r o p erties, and associated low temperature phenomena. Chapter 8 contains an excellent discussion of the relation between the chemical reactivity of various elements and electronic structure, ianimtion energy, bond strength, and electronegativity. The
ments is covered. The directions are given in excellent style and hence followed easily by those with even a comparatively small knowledge of the German language. Sources of daneer (ex~losion~. toxic vsoors.
are clearly marked by a, conspicuous sign. Many of the experiments are designed for lecture purposes and involve relatively intricate set-ups. Others, because they involve organic reactions, require samewhat lengthy reaction times, and so should be started ahead of the lecture proper or may continue during the lecture, though this practice is not advised in general b e cause attention may be distracted from the lecture itself by the bubbling liquid, etc. Others require the use of a. hood and so need to be conducted in the lahorat,ory. St,illother procedures can he carried out by the students themselves, though in all eases it is urged that competent experienced supervision be constantly available in all organic teaching laboratories. The number of experiments is greater than csn he inclttded in the normal course and so the instructor has considerable elbow room in his choice of those to be performed by himself a t the leoture table or by the students in the laboratory. The amounts of the starting materials specified are small, so that in no case do the procedures pretend to he methods of preparing products on a scale comparable to that of the manuals where the emphasis is on yields. The book is designed for teachers and 'chemistry of the rare gas compounds: and courses where stress is laid on the The book contains numerous tables, a. physical and chemical properties. Each list of notable dates related to the narrative experiment inchtdes not only the procedure and a comprehensive index; it is highly and a sketch of the apparatus but also a. recommended to the student, scholar, or succinct but intelligible account of the scientist who wishes to obtains. short,, but chemistry involved. The find section is balanced appmisal of the historical, sciendevoted to the preparation and properties tific, and practical significance of the noble of plastics, resins, etc. gaTes. I n view of the present price of text,books, this volume represents a great bargain. JOHN E. FREY I t would make a goad text for those Northern Michigan University anxious to improve their ability to read Ma~quelte German. Correspondence relative to orders may be addressed ta the publisher a t Lindenstrasse 54 a, 108 Berlin or to Deutsehe Buch -Export und -Import Chemische Schulverruche: Eine GmbH, Leninstrasse 16, Leipsig, East Anleitung fiir den Lehrer. Teil 3, Germany. Organirche Chemie
RALPEE. OESPER University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
Helmut Stapf. Revised by Albert Hradetsky. Volk und Wissen Volkseigener Verlag, East Berlin, 1962. Reprinted 1966. 335 pp. Figures. 16 X 23 cm. About $2.50.
with the general considerations regarding demonstration experiments and the reader is accordingly advised to consdt it in connection with the present discussion. While the preceding vohmes dealt with the metals and nonmetals respectively, the volume under review here is devoted to organic chemistry. I n all, 478 experiments are described. Some are qualitative, 8. few are quantit* tive, many are preparative, others illustrate the reactions of organic compounds. I n short, the entire range of elementary organic laboratory demonst,ration experi-
Handbook of Industrial Toxicology
E. R. Plunkctt, Industrial Health Services, Barberton, Ohio. Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., New York, 1966. viii 440pp. 15 X 22.5 cm. S16.50.
+
'
The "Handbook of Industrial Toxicology," by E. R. Plunkett, M.D., appears t o be quite a complete listing of the common and not so common industrial chemicals. The practicing industrial physician should find the concise statements under taxicology in the areas of Absolption, Pathology, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnostic Tests, Treatment, and Disa.bility very helpful in making a. quick appraisal in an emergency situation. (Continued on page A556) Volume 44, Number 6, June 1967
/
A555
