JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
224 the present volume. The proceedings are divided into six parts, eacb consisting of from one to six contributions. Each paper has its own list of references and is followed by a verbatim reproduction of the discussion. Part 1 deals with fundamentdl aspects of the carbohydrate metabolism, essentially the pathways involved in breaking down the carbohydrate molecule or in synthesizing glycogen. The following parts are entitled: Hormonc~lControl of the Interconversion of Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat; The Influence of the Adrenal Cortex on Carbohydrate Metabolism; Hormonal Control of the Storage of Glycogen; The Influence of Insulin on Carbohydrate Metabolism; Sex Hormones, Pregnancy and Carb* hydrate Metabolism. The evidence discussed is partly biochemical, partly physiological, and in part clinical. In this way a well rounded picture is achieved which shows clearly the present status of the field. I t is a complicated field bemuse of the many interlocking regulatory mechanisms and it becomes quite evident from reading the present book, that in some facets a t least we are only at s, beginning of a real understanding of the subject. But the tbought-provoking way in which the authors or the participants in the discussion have presented their findings or ideas doubtless will stimulate further research, or actually, as Professor Best indicates in his foreword, may already have done so during the time elapsed between the colloquium and the printing of the book. It can be recommended warmly to biochemists, physiologists, endocrinologists, and clinicians. I t contains both an author nnd subject index.
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FERROUS ANALYSIS: MODERN PRACTICE AND THEORY
E. C. Pigott, Chief Chemist and Metallurgist, The Cenkal Marine Engine Worka, West Hartlepool, England. Second edition, revised. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 1953. u v i i 690 pp. 65 figs. 34 tahles. 15 X 23.5 cm. $12.50.
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THIS treatise includes a preface and introductory material, five major sections, an appendix with four sections, and a subject index. Tbe introductory section includes a table of atomic a.eights, atomir numbers, m d i.woprr, bs-td on 1951 dnls. The tirrt major section, I, littempts n hroad general rtnrrifimtion of nnnlytiral m e t h ~ d *and rnrntim* brirflv rolorirnrrrir, polar&raphii, spectrochemical methods, vacuum fusion methods; chromatography, the qumtameter, spark testing, mechanical methods, and magnetic permeability methods. Photometric absorptiometry is discussed, without theory, in a section of 23 pages. Typical instruments are described and a bibliography of methods for 15 allaying elements in steel m d ferroalloys is given. Only one reference in this section is as recent as 1942. Spectrographic procedure is discussed in a tenpage section. Organic reagents for gravimetric analysis and color-forming reagents are discussed in an eighepage section ending with 113 references, none more recent than 1940. The second and principal section of the book, 11, includes pages 61-546. I t deals with the following 31 elements arranged alphabetically: Al, As, Be, B, C, Ce, Cr, Co, Cu, H, Fe, Ph, Mn, Mo, Ni, Nb(Cb), N, 0 , P. Se, Si, S, Ta, Te, Sn, Ti, W, U, V, Zn, and Zr. The general order under eacb element is: Physical Properties; Extraction (from ores); Ferrous Properties (effects in steel); Chemical Properties; Consideration of Methods; Determination ( ~ m c e d u r e ~ )Theory ; of Methoda; Bibliography. In the main, conventional gravimetric, titrimetric, and photometric procedures are giverr. Vacuum fusion methods for
hydrogen and oxygen are included. Alternative procedures are presented for various determinations. Iu most cases the text should be adequate; in photometric procedures instruments and filters not in general use in this country are mentioned by code names rather than by wave-length region. There are many departures from favored methods that are to be found in the leading treatises on the subject in this country. Bibliographies are given for each element and each type of method. These include a selection of articles as recent as 1947-50 in almost every instance. The sections on Chemical Methods and "Theory" in general consist of rather elementary descriptive chemistry with all equations written as molecular processes and in many cases first as reactions of oxides, as for example: 5Bix0,
+ 4Mn0
-
2MurOi
+ 5Bi,0a
followed by:
The possible existence of ions seems to be rather grudgingly admitted on page 664 in a glossary in the appendix under the heading "ionic hypothesis." Some of the general chemistry is unsound. For exsmple, it irr stated on page 139 that the ignition of cemus fluoride produces eerie oxide and elemental fluorine. The peroxy compounds of chromium are discussed as having chromium in oxidation state higher than 6 (page 146). Cuprous nitrite is shown in an equation an page 184 to yield cupric nitrate, nitrous acid, and nascent hyd~ocenwhen treated with nitric acid. Errors of this sort are rather frequent. The equations that are given under the determinations serve to give a correct idea of the material balance. Much of the descriptive general chemistry is very elementary and not essential for the average analytical worker. Section 111 deals with microchemical methods. Details are giwn for carbon, hydrogen, nnd eulfur by eornl~wtionmrthod.i, and for runngnnesc, nickrl, phocphonrs, rlmmiurn, and rnol\.l,rlwlurn try photometrig, methods. Spot t e A ~ g ,niicrosvop~r examination, and contact print methods are considered briefly, as are also polamgraphic methods. Bibliographies are given for all of these methods. In section IV, pages 578-608, there are given brief procedures far the analvsis of ferroallovs. " . iron ores. aluminum metal. and aluminum alloys, brasses, and bronzes. The concluding section, V, pages 61038, covers in brief fashion the analysis of refractories, lime and limestone, chromemagnesia brick, and foundry sands. Appendix I lists, with reference to pages in the text, the rapid chemical procedures that are most suitable for ferrous bath samples. Appendix 11surveys literature sources such as available reference works, journals, books, and papers covering the several elements, and contains a collection of references to photometric, microchemical, polarographic, spectrographic, and miscellaneous methods that apply specifically to steel analysis. Appendix 111 lists British Standard Samples in the steel and alloy fields. I V is a brief glossary of terms ranging from arid to Amendix .. valency. The subject index appears to be reasonably complete. The typography is good and relatively few errors resulting from oversight during proofreading were noted. The 65 illustrations are in the main adequate, with the exception of two photographic reproductions of simple glass apparatus (Figures 44 and 65) that are dark and hard to make out. N. H. FURMAN Pnwcmon UN~VEBBITP P B ~ N C ~ TNEW O N . JFRBEY
