The unusually thorough and excellently documented literature promises a long life of usefulness to a b w k that will 6nd a cordial reception by those in both academic and industrial circles. Organic chemists everywhere are deeply grateful to Dr. Suter for an invaluable monograph, and they hope that the author will not be long delayed in presenting the remainder of sulfur chemistry in a second volume. HENRYGILMAN IOWA ~
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TUNGSTEN.K. C. Li and Chung Yu W m g . (A. C. S. Monograph, No. 94.) Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New Yark, 1943. xvii 325 pp. 15 X 23 cm. $7.00. This book is intended primarily for chemists and engineers who are commercially interested in tungsten. The parts which will be of most interest t o teachers and students are the Foreword, and the chapter entitled "The Economics of Tungsten." I n the Foreword Dr. Li describes his own experiences in the growth of the tungsten industry-his interest in the metal while he was a student in 1913 (when almost no one except the Germans saw any value in it), his discovery of tungsten in China and the organization of a company t o exploit it, and his successful efforts to divert Chinese and South American tungsten from Japan and Germany to the United States. The chapter on the economics of tungsten throws some light on the complicated international situation in regard t o this strategic material, as well as on price and production trends. Tungsten is so impostant in the economics of war that it plays a much greater role in world politics than its tonnage might indicate. The other chapters may be described briefly: "The History of Tungsten" and "The Chemistry of Tungsten" are reminiscent of Mellor's "Comprehensive Treatise," and were evidently compiled t o a large extent from Mellor and from Gmelin's "Handbuch." Even though the present usefulness of tungsten depends largely upon the physical properties of the metal, i t is unfortunate that the chemistry of this interesting element has not been discused more critically, and that no developments of the past 10 years have been described. "The Geology of Tungsten" (89 pages) desaibes ore bodies in all parts of the world. "The Ore Dressing of Tungsten" (42 pages) and "The Metallurgy of Tungsten" (68 pages) are discussed from the engineering point of view, the latter, chapter being largely a description of patented processes. "The Analysis of Tungsten" (8 pages) gives laboratory procedures. "The Industrial Application of Tungsten" (22 pages) discusses the uses of tungsten and its alloys, carbides and compounds, while "Substitution of Tungsten" describes the possibilities of using other metals (chidy molybdenum) in place of tungsten. This b w k will undoubtedly he useful t o many chemists and metallurgists, but is too limited in scope t o be of great value to most readers of THIS JOURNAL. JOHN C. BAILAR,JR. UYIVBXSIIY 01ILL~NOIS UB~ANI.ILLINOIS
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FUNDAMENTALS OF CHEMISTRYAND APPLICATIONS. Chcllhlte A . Francis, Formerly Instructor in Chemistry, Teachers College, Columbia University, and Edna C. Morse, Instructor in Chemistly, Teachers College, Columbia University. The Macmillan Company, New York, 1943. Second Edition. xi 537 pp. 98 figs. 15 X 22 cm. 8.50. This book cunaitute$ the serundedition of a text well known to chemistry twrhrrs in rhe nppliud field of nursing education. The authors state in the prrface tu the lirst cdirion that the marerinl and outline of work fallow the recommendations presented in the Curriculum Guide for Schools of Nursing published by the National League of Nursing Education in 1937. In other words.
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the material comprises a summary of inorganic, organic, and biochemical principles with applications in the field of medicine and nursingpractice. Since many of these pertain t o subjects required of home economics students, the authors suggest that the text also may be used with that group. The second edition followr closely the plan of the first one. I t apportions approximately one-half of its contents to inorganic chemistry, one-tenth to organic, and the remainder t o biochemistry. The subject matter included in the second edition does not differ appreciably from that in the first one, although changes noted by the authors in its preface are apparent. The sectiom an atomic and molecular weights, valences, solutions, and cyclics have been simplified and reorganized. Some material on chemotherapy has been added, which should increase student interesr. Theionization theoryalso has been extended to includemore than the Arrhenius view. The reviewer feels that the second edition would benefit froni some further changes. Unfortunately, a praiseworthy attempt to explain certain subjects in detail leaves the reader somewhat confused. By way of example might be mentioned the distinrtion made between oxygen the substance and oxygen theelement. Moreover, a t the risk of seeming unappreciative of the excellent review questions, tables, and illustrstions which have been provided, thereviewer wishes that more study aids had been included such as chapter outlines, etc. The student needs all possible assistance in understanding the many points which have to be covered in this type of survey course. Finally, insufficient space seems to have been accorded t o the vitamins. This is done intentionally, however, because the authors state in the preface that they prefer to discuss these compounds briefly and leave their detailed consideration for other courser of study. The advisability of their decision is open to question in view of the current popularity of the subject. In conclusion, it must be said that the authors have done a creditable job in preparing this text. I t covers the field and illustrates its points with well-chosen applications. However, the busy or immature student may experience some difficulty in comprehending certain sections easily and quickly and may be slightly hindered in her progress by the relative lack of study aids which frequently are found in s k i l a r texts and are so helpful t o the beginner. HELENI . MINER
TEXTBOOK OF QUANTITATIVE INORGANIC ANALYSIS.I. M.Kolt'hoff, Professor of Analytical Chemistry, University of Minnesota, and E. B. Sandell. Assistant Professor of Analytical Chemistrv. Universitv of Minnesota. Revised Edition. The Macmillan Company, New York, 1943. xvii 794 pp. 1.71 figs. 15 X 22 cm. Cloth. $4.50. This is one of the two or three most useful texts on the market for the teacher or serious student of elementary analytical chemistry. More comprehensive than most books intended for a year's course in quantitative analysis, i t may also serve as a brief reference work in the field. All distinctive features of the earlier edition, such as the thorough discussion of precipitation processes. and the inclusion of sections on conductimetric titrations and organic reagents have been retained, and there is a new section on ampemmetric titrations. Spectrophotometry is more completely discussed in this edition. The arrangement is essentially unchanged, and the four principal divisions are: Gravimetric Analysis, Volumetric Analysis, Physics-Chemical Methods, and Analyses of Complex Materials. Although decidedly condensed. the theoretical sections are clearly written and generally adequate. A four-place logarithm table and list of atomic weights forms a separate folder in a packet a t the back of the hook. This book is very useful for a review of the field at the senior or graduate level, as well as for beginners.
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UNIVBBSINOF WISCONSIN MADISON. WISCONSIN
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