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sorption, digestion, aging, etc., would be among the strongest in a test by Professor Kolthoff. All that need be said is that these are up to expectation. In addition to the separate sections on these highly important theoretical aspects of quantitative analysis, there occur in the appropriate places throughout the text many applications of these principles to the particular analytical procedures under consideration. On the other hand the authors have laid great stress throughout the procedures on the importance of careful and accurate laboratory technique and the avoidance of experimental errors. A field to which the senior author has given major attention both in research and as a teacher is that of acid-base indicators, and the section devoted to this subject is admirably done, including an excellent theoretical discussion, many examples of titration curves from experimental data in accompanying tables, a fairly complete table of common indicators with their color change pH interval, methods of preparation of indicator solutions, use of mixed indicators, etc. The section on physicochemical methods, including potentiometric and conductometric titrations, colorimetry, and spectrophotometry is a welcome addition. Several laboratory procedures on colorimetry, for the determination of ammonia, ferric iron, and silica, with the use of the Duboscq colorimeter, are included. The theory of potentiometric and conductometric titrations is very thoroughly discussed. I t is strange that no analytical determinations making use of these methods are outlined, since there are many applications of both these methods which do not involve prohibitively complicated or expensive apparatus. The theory of adsorption indicators is given comprehensive treatment, and several titrations are outlined which make use of this method for obtaining end points. The authors are apparently quite willing to take the field almost single-handed in defense of the rather nice distinction between the use of the terms “iodimetry” and “iodometry.” The volume is a distinctive addition to the library of quantitative analysis. No instructor in the subject will wish to be without it. C. H. SCHIFLIETT.
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Inorganic Chemistry. By N. BJERRUM, translated by R. P. Bell. 22 x 14 om.; x 317 pp. London: W. Heinemann, 1936. Price: 7s.6d. In a foreword to this volume Professor F. G. Donnan states that this book is the finest introduction to modern chemical science that he has read. This is very high praise indeed. It will be generally agreed that no modern textbook dealing with inorganic chemistry can afford to ignore the profound influence exerted by developments in physical chemistry. In the present volume the skillful weaving of the theoretical aspects of inorganic chemistry with the very important descriptive parts of the subject calls for the highest praise, whilst the sections dealing with the modernized theory of acids and bases and the associated subject of ionization and reaction in solution make delightful reading. There is, however, one notable omission from the book. No reference is made to the crystal structure of the mineral silicates. Silicon occupies in mineral chemistry the same important position that carbon holds in organic chemistry, and the structure of the silicates is now as fully established as the molecular structure of any organic compound. Incidentally the model given in this book of the diamond crystal lattice (figure 14, p. 163) does not show the structure to the best advantage. However, whilst these are matters of opinion there can be only one opinion on the book-it is a highly reliable and most stimulating work which will be widely read by chemists. Mr. R. P. Bell has given us a fine translation, which is published in a most attractive form. W. WARDLAW.
