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refractive index, viscosity, surface tension, etc. The data are sometimes given in tables, but usually by means of accurately drawn graphs. The book includes a 26-page bibliography and a 49-page formula index of the binary systems discussed in the text. The usefulness of the book is somewhat impaired by the very individualistic system of symbols used by the author and by the very small type employed for letters and numbers in the graphical figures. F. H . MACDOUGALL. Solubilitg of Non-electrolytes. Second edition. By JOEL H. HILDEBRAND.American Chemical Society Monograph Series. 203 pp. New York City: Reinhold Publishing Corporation, 1935. Price: $4.50. The appearance of a second edition of Dr. Hildebrand’s well-known book on solubility will be welcomed by those who are familiar with the first edition. They will be glad to have available a portrayal in moderate compass of the progress that has been made during the last dozen years in the study of solutions. Dr. Hildebrand’s monograph can be heartily recommended to the attention of all students of the properties of solutions. It is to be noted that only non-electrolytes are treated by the author. F. H. MACDOGOALL.
Dze Fermente und ihre W i r k u n g e n . Supplement Bd I: Specieller Teil: Hauptteil VII-XV. By CARL OPPENHEIMER.The Hague, Holland: W. Junk Verlag, Scheveningsche Weg 74, 1935-36. Appearing in Lieferung of ca. 160 pp. each, 20.5 x 28 cm. Priced a t $6.80 per Lieferung. The chemist investigating enzyme reactions is dealing with organic catalysts elaborated by, and controlling the reactions in, living cells and tissues. Naturally the flood of papers appearing in this field is enormous. During 19251929 the massive four volumes of the fifth edition of Oppenheimer’s Die Fermente und ihre W i r k u n g appeared and have been accepted as the standard reference work in the field of enzyme chemistry. The present volume deals with the literature which has appeared since the main series of volumes was published. Lieferung 1 to 5 are already published. They maintain the high standards which characterized the parent volumes. No other work of equivalent grade is available in this field. It is encyclopedic in scope and is invaluable to students of enzyme phenomena. Ross AIKENGORTNER. Fundamentals of Biochemistry i n Relation to H u m a n Physiology. Fifth edition. By T. R. PARSONS. xii 453 pp. Baltimore: William Woodand Company, 1935. Price: $3.00. In 1923 the author, a member of the faculty of the University of Cambridge, published the first edition of this Fundamentals of Biochemistry. The book represented an “attempt to describe in a continuous story the more important generallyaccepted principles which have been derived from the study of the changes occurring in the human body.” The author’s purpose that “any merit my book may possess may result from its containing less of information rather than more than other books contain” has been successfully achieved and has made this book a welcome novelty in these days when many elementary texts appear to be designed rather to impress fellow scientists with the erudition of the author than to present an “introduction suitable for readers new to the subject.” Despite the large number of important recent advances in biochemistry, the
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author has succeeded admirably in maintaining his original objective in this, the fifth, edition. The newer developments in the fields of pigments (flavins), hormones, sterols, and vitamins are presented in a satisfactory manner with excellent citations of the literature for those who would read further. The reviewer knows of no elementary text in which the relations of physical chemistry t o life are presented more simply and more effectively than in the two chapters under the headings of gas tensions, osmotic pressure, colloids, adsorption, the reaction of body fluids, and the functional importance of electrolytes. While the material presented is neither designed nor adequate in amount for the courses in biochemistry of our professional schools in this country, i t affords a worthy introduction to the more comprehensive texts and as such should be readily available for these students. It can also be recommended as an excellent general presentation for the layman who wishes to be informed in modern developments of chemistry as related to vital activity. HOWARD B. LEWIS. Flame. By 0 . C. DEC. ELLIS and W. A. KIRKBY. Methuen’s Monographs on Chemical Subjects. 17 x 11 cm.; vi 106 pp. London: Methuen and Co., Ltd., 1936. Price: 3/net. The study of the initiation and propagation of flame in gaseous mixtures has not only become increasingly important in recent years by reason of its relation to the internal combustion engine, but has also received much attention in the research laboratory. The authors deal not only with the physical aspects of combustion but also with such matters as the effect of temperature and pressure on flame equilibria, chain reactions, and free radicals. They give 160 references to literature, including very recent work, and in the space a t their disposal they present a review of the subject which is both authoritative and interesting. The illustrations comprise a plate and fourteen diagrams. J. R. PARTINQTON.
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Aluntinium-legierungen. I Teil zugleich Anhang zu Aluminium Teil A in Gmelins Handbuch der anorganischen Chemie. 8 Auflage. Herausgegeben yon der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft. By A. GRUTZNER and G. APEL. 26 x 18 cm.; 342 pp. Berlin: Verlag Chemie, 1936. Price: 26.25 marks (in Germany, 35 marks). The book gives a list of aluminum alloys classified according to a system, with the compositions, properties, and applications, and references to literature and patents. T o the metallurgist and technician it will be of great utility.
J. R. PARTINQTON. Gmelins Handbuch der anorganischen Chemie. 8 Auflage. Herausgegeben von der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft. System-Nummer 4: Stickstoff. Lieferung 3. 26 x 18 cm.; pp. 507-854. Berlin: Verlag Chemie, 1936. Price: 41.25 marks (in Germany, 55 marks). The present section deals with the oxides of nitrogen. It includes a very detailed discussion of the technical formation of nitric oxide in the electric arc and by the oxidation of ammonia. The latter, as the most important modern process for the manufacture of nitric acid, receives special attention, and this section is perhaps the best and fullest account of the subject which has yet appeared. The rest of the volume is also of high standard and includes many discussions of physicochemical
