1 Recent Books A Survey of American Chemistry-Volume I, July 1, 1925, to July 1, 1926. Including Reports from Scientific Committees, Division of Chemistry and ChemicalTechnolopy,NationalResearch Council. Edited by WILLIAMJ. HALE in coiiperation with CLARENCE J. WEST. Published far the National Research Council by the Chemical Catalog Company. Iuc., New York City, 1927. 257 pp. 13 X 21 cm. $2.00, postage extra. As indicated in the title, the purpose of this book is to give a brief survey of the contributions made to chemical science by American chemists during the year from July 1, 1925, to July 1, 1926. It consists of thirty-four chapters on "fundamental subjects of presentday interest," each written by an authority on the subject. Some idea of the subjects may be inferred from the following taken a t random from the "Table of Contents:'' AluminumFrancis C. Frary; Radium and Radioactivity-Samuel C. Lind; Salts and Nan-Metallic Inorganic SuhstancesJames R. Withrow; Metallo-Organic Compounds (Other Elements)-Frank C. Whitmore; Organic Medicinals-Marston T. Bogert; Ruhber-William C. Geer; Colloid Chemistry-Harry B. Weiser; Cellulose-Harry LeB. Gray; Catalysis-Hugh S. Taylor; Water and Sewage-Edward Bartow. I n the last chapter, Dr. Hale discusses his plan for co6perative research between industries and universities. The chapters average from six to eight pages in length. Of course, i t is possible in such limitations only to touch the "high spots" of progress made during the year; however, there is sufficient material to give one a fair idea of the subject, and references to the original articles enable one to go farther in case one desires to do so.
This little book is really a store-house of valuable information. One cannot read i t without a feeling of pride in the part that our country is taking in the advancement of chemical science. The hook is of especial interest to teachers of chemistry since i t will enable them to keep pace with the outstanding discoveries in the various fields of chemical science. All who are interested in chemistry owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Hale who originated the idea of publishing this survey and who carried i t through to completion, as well as to all those who, without any compensation whatever, so willingly cobrperated with him in the enterprise. I t is the intention to publish a volume each year and already plans are under way for the publication of the next volume. WILLIAMMCPHERSON Experiments in Organic Chemistry, a laboratory manual designed to accompany Outlines of Organic Chemistry. F. J. MOORE, Ph.D., late professor of organic chemistry in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and H. W. UNDERWOOD, JR., Pb.D., of the department of organic chemistry in the same institution. John Wiley & Sons, New York City, 1927. Third edition, rewritten and 133 pp. 10 figures. enlarged. xv 13 X 19 cm. $1.25.
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As the title indicates this is a laboratory manual written to accompany the "Outlines" by the senior author. Both the textbook snd the laboratory manual are intended for students taking a brief course. Here, as in the text, dearness and conciseness are the outstanding characteristics. The first 41 pages are devoted to general
