Recent Books . -
Gas Analysis. L. M. DENNISAND M. L. NICHOLS, Cornell University. The Macmillan Company, New York, 1929. 499 pages. Revised edition. xix 110 figures. 19.5 X 13 cm. $4.00.
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The earlier edition of Dennis and Nichols' well-known book appeared in 1913. Since that time gas analysis has been developed considerably, and many new methods have appeared, and several old ones given way to more satisfactory procedures. Consequently, the appearance of this new edition should be welcomed, as this book is practically the sole representative of the field. Beginning with a chapter on the collection and storage of gases, the development of the subject fallows a logical order, and we find in turn considerations of measurement of gas volumes, reduction of volumes to standard conditions, determination of density, gas analysis aver water, factors affecting the accuracy of analysis, the Hempel apparatus for analysis over mercury, combustion methods, properties of various gases, flue gas analysis, illuminating and fuel gas, the heating value of gas, atmospheric air, gas volumetric analyses, physical methods of gas analysis, and micro gas analysis. The appendix contains several tables of value to the analyst. The chapter on physical methods of gas analysis is new, and deals with important methods based on interferometry, thermal conductivity of gases, and fractional distillation a t low temperatures. Some of these subjects were mentioned in the older edition, but all are of such importance that they merit separate consideration. Flue gas analysis and its significance are taken up far more in detail than in the earlier edition. The discussion of the practical use to which a flue gas analysis may be put is very good, and even more space might have been devoted t o it.
The chapter on heating value of gas is excellent, and the one dealing with cornhustion of gases is very well developed. The reviewer notes with satisfaction that a discussion of "factors affecting the accuracy of analyses of gases" has been deemed a subject of sufficient importance for one chapter of the book. Certainly there is no field of chemical macro-analysis where the final results are any more dependent on the skill of the operator and his appreciation of the* various "factors" than in gas analysis. Printing, paper, and bindina are of - excellent quality, and this hook should be well received a t a time when manipulation and examination of gases is becoming more and more important. NATHAN L. DRAKE UN~YHPSITY OP MARYLAND COLLBOB PARK.MD.
The Making of Chemistry. JOHN HARnow. The John Day Co., New York. 215 pp. 19.5 X 13 cm. 1930. viii $2.00. ,m This short account of the history and development of chemistry and chemical industry was written for the layman. The author has centered his recital around leading personalities and has emphasized important principles, discoveries, and achievements. The exposition and explanation of the significance of the hypotheses and their practical applications is necessarily non-technical. The author attempts to demonstrate "that 'abstract' research is the mother of every scientific advance, pure or applied, in the labaratory or in industry." The reviewer used the experimental method and asked his wife, who qualifies as possessing no professional knowledge of chemistry, to read the hook. Our impressions were quite similar. A surprisingly large number of persons are mentioned and many f a d s are set down, and yet the book is not an informing one.
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