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rearranged, instead of the facts being presented in a n order determined by earlier editions. Dr. Clayton is to be congratulated on producing a volume which will be invaluable to all investigators in this wide field. C. ROBINSON.
The Nature of Physical Theory. By P. W. BRIDGMAN.Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1936. In this book the author attempts to analyze eritically the basis of physieal theory in terms of possible operations (i,e., experimental observations). This operational analysis is applied not only to the several branches of modern physics, but even to such fundamental things as mathematics, logic, and human thought and language. In spite of the rather abstruse character of the subject, the presentation is remarkably clear and the style‘is simple and vivid. To many theoretical physicists this book may prove stimulating and perhaps a t times provocative. To that larger group who are content to follow the general trend of modern physical theory and occasionally to utilize some of its definite results, it whould be illuminating and intensely interesting. The layman should find i t helpful in attempting to orient himself in a world of theory which is rapidly changing and sometimes apparently kaleidoscopic. He may also find a few weapons with which he may protect himself from the intellectual arrogance of some of the camp followers of modern physics. The authors closing words will serve, better than any detailed description, to give the temper of this work; “logic, mathematics, physical theory, are only our inventions for formulating in compact and manageable form what we already know, and like all inventions do not achieve complete success in acccunplishing what they were designed to do, much less complete success in fields beyond the scope of the original design, and-our only justification for hoping to penetrate at all into the unknown with these inventions is our past experienee that sometimes we have been fortunate enough to be able t o push on a short distance by acquired momentum.” ROBERTLIVINGSTON. Differential Equations i n Applied Chemistry. By FRANK LAURENHITCHCOCK and CLARKSnovE ROBINSON.Second edition. 120 pp, New York: John Wiley and Sons, Ine., 1936. Price: 81.50. The second edition of this excellent little book has been improved by the addition of numerous problems and by the substitution of a treatment of Picard’s method of solution of differential equations for the chapter in the first edition which dealt with the graphieal evaluation of integral expressions. The six chapters are entitled: Introduetion, Proeesses of the First Order, Proeesses of the Second Order, Simultaneous; Processes, Equations of Flow and the Numerical Solution of Differential Equations. In Chapter V the explanation of the use of Fourier’s series has been made mueh more detailed. This book can be reeommended highly to chemists and chemical engineers. F. H. MACDOUGALL. Fundamental Experiments i n Chemistry. A Handbook for Teaehers and Students. 147 pp. London and Boston: Ginn and By E. D. GODDARD.19 x 12 om.; xii Co., Ltd., no date. Price: 3s.6d. net. Although this book is primarily intended for chemistry teachers in Behools and admirably fulfils its purpose in this field, i t is noteworthy for the very detailed instruetions i t gives for assembling and performing some of the fundamental experi-
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ments relating to the composition of gases (water, hydrogen chloride, ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrous and nitric oxides, and ozone) usually shown in lecture demonstrations, so that i t would be a very useful book to have in the preparation room of a college chemistry department. I n many cases such experiments fail for want of attention to some minor point, and Mr. Goddard’s book will usually disclose this point. The details of apparatus are given, and the book may be strongly recommended. Teaching hints will be found useful in schools. J. R. PARTISGTON.
Kurzgeschichte der Chemie. By F. FERCHL and A. S~SSENGUTH. 26 x 19 cm.; 230 pp.; 200 illustrations. Mittenwald (Bavaria): A. Nemayer, 1936. Price: unbound, 12 RM.; bound, 15 RM. (less 25 per cent). This book is a noteworthy supplement to all existing histories of chemistry in that i t is mostly illustrative material. There is a satisfactory amount of text, and this takes account of recent studies in the subject, some of which have considerably modified older ideas. The illustrations are reproductions from actual manuscripts, old books, etc., and are very attractively printed on art paper with explanatory legends. The reviewer found the book absorbingly interesting, and he is sure that his colleagues will like to share his pleasure. There are many portraits of famous chemists, some unusual and some (e.g., of Libavius) rarely seen, and some illustrations of old laboratory interiors. One of the authors is Director of the Chemical Section of the Deutsches Museum, Munich, and has had unusual facilities for collecting material. J. R. PAXTINGTON. Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants and some .l.lathematicaZ Functions. By G. W. C. KAYEand T. H. LABY. Eighth edition. 25 x 16 em.; 162 pp. London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1936. Price: 14 8 . net. Kaye and Laby’s is the best known short book of tables. The fact that i t has reached eight editions since its first publication in 1911 is proof that it fills a need. It is one which the individual worker can afford and find space for in his laboratory, the larger volumes of tables finding a place in the library. The revision has been successfully extended to several parts, but there are still some old values which there is no point in retaining. Hartmann’s values for the ratios of specific heats of gases (p, 61) are worthless and might have been replaced; the book by Partington and Shilling is now available for reference here. Only very old values for the dielectric constants of gases are given on p. 88; some of the historical data on p. 1 is incorrect; the English silver coin has long ceased to have the composition attributed to it on p. 22; and the melting point of chlorine dioxide on p. 120 appears to be copied from the Landolt-Bornstein TabelZen and, as i t is really in Fahrenheit degrees, is incorrect as i t stands. These are examples of what the editors and their helpers should not have missed in their eighth edition. In future editions-which should be thoroughly overhauled-it would be better to send each section to specialists for comment. It could then become a really valuable book. As i t is, no worker can safely rely on any figure unless he has also looked up the recent literature J. R. PARTINGTON. with four Recent Advances in Organic Chemistry. Volume 11. By A. W. STEWART, 489 pp. London: Longmans, new chapters by H. GRAHAM.22 x 14 cm.; xiv Green and Co., 1936. Price: 21 s. This is in the main a re-issue of the 1931 edition, but the four chapters by Dr. Graham are new and deal with such interesting and important topics as the bile
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