JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
266 This can he established by a glance at the index, which does not contain the names of Euclid and Lobatchewsky. Throughout the book, it is tacitly assumed that geometry is a branch of mathematics, not of physics. In discussing Descartes' reasoning, which established the logical necessity for postulating an all-pervasive medium that participates causally in the affairs of the universe, no mention is made of his implicit faith in thc Euclidean doctrine of the passive immutability of space. I t was this unreasoning faith that led Desoartes to postulate the eristence of an ether, rather than to ascribe the necessary physical properties to space itself. This same faith was shared by most of the men whose ideas are discussed in this book; but no mention is made of the manner in which it oonditioned all their thought, and led to their unquestioning acceptance of the Cartesian duality of space and ether. It must immediately be admitted that, had these matters been discussed with the requisite thoroughness, the plan of the book would have expanded beyond even Professor Whittaker'a ability to accomplish it within the allotted pages. One hopes, however, that he will include the geometers of the nineteenth century in his second volume, and adequately assess their contribution to physical theory. For the relativity theory, which is loosely said to "deny the existence of an ether," cannot he comprehended historically except as the confluence of two streams of ideas both of which can be traced through the period considered
were the horizon for nineteenth c e n t u j physicists:
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CARL ECKART Scnrssa I N ~ ~ T D OF T OC&ANO(IRAPHY ~ N LA JOLI.A, CALIBORNI&
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MICROBIAL DECOMPOSITION OF CELLULOSE
R. G. H. Siu, Research Director, Pioneering Research Lahora. todes, U. S. Army Quax.termaster Corps, Philadelphia; Research Associate, H a r ~ a r dUniversity. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1951. xi X 531 pp. 128 figs. 150 tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $10.
INCREASING apecidization may be taken as one mark of the maturation of a science; "Microbial Decomposition of Cellulose" is an example of such development in microbiology. Whether or not Dr. Siu's interpretations receive wide acceptance, he is entitled to muoh commendation for his fine digest of an enormous but soattered literature and for the help his monogritph will give to chemists, microbiologists, and the processors of cellulosic materials alike. The book is centered on the microbial attack of cotton fabrics because of the position of the cotton fiber as the purest natural form of cellulose, bemuse of postwar intensification of interest in the mildew-proofing of cotton textiles, and because the author had access to much obscure information on cotton deterioration. Basing his work on some 2500 references, Siu has organized the material into five parts that contain 12 chapters: Part A: Introduction (I. Cellulose Decomposition in Nature); Part B: Stmcture and Properties of Cotton Fabrics (11. Morphological, Physical and Chemical Features of Cotton Fibers, 111. Structural Features of Cotton Fabrics): Part C: Causal Oreanisms IIV. Morphological and Taxonomic Aspects, V. EffectGf ~ u t r i t h aand l Environmental Factors on Cellulolytic Activity of Mieroorganisms); Part D: Mechanism of Degradation (VI. Gross Attack on Fahrics,VII.Biochemioal Transformation of Cellulose Molecules); Part E : Methods of Prevention (VIII. Theoretical Considerations, IX. Methods for Testing Microbiological Resistance of Cotton Textiles, X. Prevention of Microbiological Damage by Physical Barriers, XI. Prevention of Microbiological Damage by Toxic Inhibitors, XII. Prevention of Microbiological Damage hv Chemioal Modifioation). In the reviewer's opinion, integration and interpretation of material are achieved to a considerable degree. Less satisfying ~
is the extent to which the monograph form is burdened with an overlong exposition of background material. Many pages sre given to generalized discussions of physical and chemical chsrscteristics and requirements of microorganisms when summary statements of fact could have provided su5cient foundation without lessening the emphasis on cellulose breakdown. Similarly, other elements receive what same may feel to he undue elaboration. Such qualities result apparently from the author's attempt to write for a very diverse group and do not detract seriously, however, from the sound merit of the book. Indeed, most of the material has heen organized with excellent clarity, and it irr to he regretted that the price of the volume will limit its distribution. WILLIAM D . ROSENFELD C ~ ~ ~ ~ o m r ~ R sCs osn~~ no nc m a ro~ LA K~BB*.CAL~FORNI*
~ L ~ M E N TDE S SCIENCE ET DE TECHNOLOGIE DU CAOUTCHOUC
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Issued by L'Institut Fran~aisdu Caoutchouc under the direction of Jean Le Bras, Inspecteur G C n h l Scientifique SooiCtC D'Editions Techniques Coloniales, in cdlaboration with-twelve French rubber chemists and technologists. SociCt6 D'Editions Techniques Coloniales, Paris, 1951. xviii 336 pp. 183 figs. 43 tables. 15.5 X 2 5 cm.
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THIS hook, written under the direction of one of France's most outstanding ruhber scientists and technologists, is actually a compilation of lectures given in the elementary course on the science and technology of rubber offered by the Institut Fran~ a i du s Caoutchouc. In 15 chapters it discusses the historical development of the rubber industry and the basic discoveries, like mastication and vulcanization; the sources and production of crude natural rubber and rubber latex; latex and its properties; crude ruhber and its physical properties; the composition and structure of ruhber; its chemical properties; vulcanization; compounding ingredients and their main purpose; equipment used in the production of rubber goods; anslysis and standard tests for rubber snd rubber latex; hard rubber, reclaim, and chemical rubber derivatives; the direct application of rubber; synthetic rubhers; theoretical aspects of the chemistry of rubber; and the useand applicatiansaf rubber ingeneral. The authors certainly deserve credit for having written such an excellent survey of the course offered to their students. They have put at the disposal of those who can read French a concise and up-to-date treatise an the science and technology of rubber. It also deserves attention as a. reading assignment in French a t our technical institutes. American rubber scientists and technologists will wish that the book included references to original publicstions. The appended bibliography is limited to books published in French.
MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY FOR ELECTRON lTJBES
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Walter H. Kohl, Consultant to the Director of Research, Collins Radio Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Reinhold Puhlishtng Corp., New York, 1951. xv 493 pp. Illuatzated. 16 X 23.5 cm. $10.
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THISbook, describing the properties and applications of solids for electron tubes, is the first American book of its kind available to the ennerd ~uhlic. Althaueh this volume presents much new material, its main value lies inwthecompilatioion of data for ready reference. Manufacturers of electron tubes have prepared their own engineering manuals in the past but none of them approach the compactness, conciseness, and availability of this hook. ~~
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