EXCITED STATES IN CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY
confuse the incautious reader. Two of the most noticeable are: first, on page 65, the author's attribution of inexactness to the Franck-Condon Principle, which in reality arises from his use of the limited classical form; and second, on page 69, the confusion of antisymmetry of a n electronic wavefunction under nuclear interchange with the Pauli requirement of antisymmetrical total electronic wavefunctions, leading the author to the startling conolusion that excitation of the =-electrons of ethylene necessarily involves a triplet state. Numerous small inaecuraoies, such as the obvious mathematical errors on pages 11, 43, 44, and 49, and errors in reference, all point to a hasty manuscript preparation. Chapter 6 on energy transfer seems rather confusing, which is unfortunate for this important topic. A careful re-editing of the book would he worth while. Meanwhile we can accept the author's effort as a journalistic account of a very lively and rapidly developing subject, and certainly an aooount which will stimulate much new interest, even if his thesis that excited states mey participate in chemical resctions remains unproved.
C. Reid. Academic Press Inc., New York, 1957. ir 215 pp. 59 figs. 14.5 X 22 cm. $7.30.
MICHAEL KASHA F ~ o n m ASTATE U N I Y B B B I T I T n ~ ~ n n ~ sFmnron as~,
classroom and which are extremely helpful for an instructor who plans to teach a course in chemical Literature for the first time. The chapter on government publications has been reorganized. The c h a p ter on patents contributed by Julian F. Smith discusses a signifioant portion of the field. The eleventh chapter which includes suggestions for a thorough search in the chemical literature is invaluable. Recognition of newer modes for making records such ax photoreproductions, punched cards, and film are all described. T h e general arrangement of the material which divides i t into primary, secondary, and tertiary sources is the same as in the earlier editions for the most part. Here is a book throunh which an individual may di?rowr t h r world of k n o r l r d ~in~ rhvmi~try:tnd find that it is bn interrsring place in which to live.
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A NEW and introductory book on molecular electronic spectroscopy and photochemistry is always welcome, ~ i n o e available texts are so scarce. Bawen's well-known book, "The Chemical Aspects of Light," Oxford, 1946, although qualitative and unreferenced, has been beginning reading for many a student. Besides the formal quantum mechanical texts, and the treatises of Pringsheim and FBrster, no hooks in these fields have appeared for many years. Unfortunately, Terenin's "The Photochemistry of Dyes," Akad. Ncluk USSR, 1947, and Levshin's "Photoluminescence of Solids and Liquids," Gos. Izdat., Moscow, 1951, are virtually unavailable and unknown to the English speaking world. This new book by Reid, consequently, being a rather small work, may he considered in the above perspective. There is much interesting reading in the book, and the last three chapters on Luminescent Reactions, Vision, and the Effects of High Energy Radiation will give a good orientation to the uninitiated. The first half of the book is mainly on molecular spectroscopic theory. I t was obviously the author's intention t o make quantum mechanical idea8 accessible to workers, in chemistry and biology, generally unfamiliar with the field. This reviewer does not believe t h a t the author
or not very useful to one already versed in the subject. I n contrast, the presentation of Group Theory given as an appendix is highly readable and may help some readers get acquainted with this very useful subject, since the formal present* tians are generally forbidding for the average chemi~t. Particularly unfortunate in s. book of this kind is the occurrence of numerous misunderstandings, which will certainly VOLUME 35, NO. 11, NOVEMBER, 1958
(This review was prepared during the period of a research contract behueen the Physics Branch, O f i e qf Naoal Research, and the Florida State Uniwrsity.)
MAN-MADE FIBRES
R. W. Moncrieff. Third edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1957. x 661 pp. 215 figs. 14.5 X 22 cm. $9.75.
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THEfirst two edition8 were issued under the title "Artificial Fibres.'' Since manmade fibers, in many instances, possess properties widely different from the natural fibers and the horizons of the textile industry have been extended by the ntilimtion of man-made fibers, the new title "Man-made Fibres" is preferred. The new edition contains more than 200 additional pages to catalogue new developments in man-made fibers and allied processing even though some Less important suhjects have been curtailed or omitted. Any treatise on man-made fibers cannot accurately reflect the current status because of the great amount of research and development heing done in the development of synthetic polymers for fihers and the reluctance of the fiber producers to release information until the find process and therefore the properties of the optimum fiber have been attained. The book is valuable from the standpoint t h a t it catalogues the progress of t h e industry. Five sections have been used t o discuss, (1) the structure and properties of fibers, (2) regenerated and modified cellulosic and alginie fibers, (3) regenerated protein fibers, (4) synthetic fibers, and ( 5 ) . processing. The treatment of the vanous fibers and processes is of such a. nature that students may use the text for reference or supplemental reading. In many instances, teachers of textile ehem-
istry will he required to refer to the books in the bibliography occurring a t the end of hook in order t o delve deeper into theory. It would appear that the author haa given undue attention t o trade marks (names of fibers) in the index and also by chapters, rather than discussing all of the polyamide fibers, acrylic fibers, etc., in respective chapters. The list of commercial man-made fibers is s. helpful reference for the industry and for students. The chapter on processing has been greatly amplified to show that the physical and morphological properties of man-made fibers may be altered in many ways t o extend their versatility. The new edition should supplant the old edition, especially in the. libraries of textile schools and colleges, an& in those institutions offering courses in home economics and clothing. J. B. QUIG LOWELL T E O B N O ~ O ~ I O AINBT~TUTD S Lowam. M * s a * o ~ a s ~ ~ ~ s
E. L. Wheeler, Department of Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles. Interseience Publishers, Inc., New York,
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1958. xxii 478 pp. 232 figs. 48 tables. 16 X 23.5 om. $9.75.
THE.author states that his reason for the hook is based on the hope that it will broaden the usefulness of other glassblowers whose ambition leads them to be the research chemist's co-u.orker. Glassblowing techniques are described in the first 190 pages which include good, short descriptions of the fnndamentsl operations in glass working. In addition these pages also discuss briefly the history of glass and properties of the major types of glass available in this country in tubing form. Most directions are given in terms of "Pyrex brand chemical resistant glass No. 7740." Construction details for a variety of practice pieces are described which should make it possible for a laboratory worker to build a number of useful items of laboratory equipment. Included in this are such items as condensers, Dewar flasks. elass turbines. exoansion bellows, optical windows, and many others. A chapter is devoted to the grinding of glass and a chapter to glsss-metal seals. The remainder of the book and somewhet more than half of the text is given over t o a variety of laboratory techniques which strict,ly speaking cannot be called glassblowing. No doubt these ail1 be of real assistance t o the laboratory worker who does not enjoy the ministrations of trained assistants or an unlimited budget. In this section the largest space is given to a description of frsetional distillation. A veriety of equipment designs are briefly described and illustrated with operating and testing procedures given. For the most part no construction methods are included. A lengthy chspter is devoted to high vacuum tcehniques. The author has been particularly helpful in collecting together methods for coating glass surfaces with various substances including metals. These techniques can he quite
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