tonian mechanics, a theory of atomic structure which shall coordinate our present knowledge in this field, he has failed campletely, in the opinion of the reviewer, t o evolve any suggestions which merit serious consideration.
AIDS TO Q U A L I T A ~ V EINORGANIC ANALYSIS. R. G. Austin. B.Sc. (Lond.), A.I.C., F.R.M.S., University College, Southampton, and St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School. William Wood & Co., Baltimore. 1933. x 204 pp. 9 Figs. 10 X 16 cm. $1.50.
+
The author's stated purpose in writing this book is to assist medical students as well as others in passing examinations. After a brief introductory chapter an outline for the analysis of a simple salt is given in Chapter 11. In Chapter 111the metals are divided into groups and in Chapters IV, V, and VI the author takes up reactions of basic radicals, reactions of acidic radicals. and reactions of some simple organic acids. I n Chapter VII ways and means far the preparation of the solution of an unknown for analysis are discussed. I n Chapters VIII and I X occur tables for analysis of both cations and anions, together with notes on their use, while Chapter X i s devoted t o the removal af the phosphate radical. I n Chapter X I several examples of processes of analysis af imaginary unknowns are given and in Chapter XI1 directions for the preparation of several inorganic compounds. This book is not likely to find any general adoption for class use for the usual qualitative course since the laboratory directions are not sufficiently detailed although there is much material that could be used by the beginner. The author is t o be complimented for not having used qualitative analysis for an excuse to teach physical chemistry. His purpose appears to be to teach the fundamental chemistry involved in the analysis of relatively simple unknowns and for this purpose the book should succeed wry well provided adequate detailed laboratory directions are available. The last chapter on "Preparations" seems t o he a sort of after-thought. The hook should he especially valuable t o beginning instructors in qualitative and t o graduate students preparing for examinations. It is a valuable little b w k t o add t o one's library. ST.Lome UNIY.S C ~ O OOFL M B D ~ U N B LYMANJ. WOOD ST.LOUTS. MISOO-
ELEMENTARY CHEMICAL TREORYAND PROBLEMS.M. N. S h h , M.Sc., Karnatak College. Second edition. The Karnatak Printing Works, Dhanvar, India, 1933. iii 143 pp. 8 Figs. 12 X 18 em. Re. I/-. This hook aims to present the usual elementary theories of chemistry in a manner easily understood by students preparing for the first science examination in the Indian universities. The fourteen chapter headings are: Laws of Chemical Combination; Gas Laws; Equivalent Weights; Gay-Lussac's Law of Combining Volumes of Gases; Molecular Weights; Atomic Weiphts; Determination of Chemical Formul9; Reacting Quantities from Chemical Equations; Electrolysis; Volumetric Analysis; Diffusion of Gases; Solubility; Quantitative Organic Analysis; and Additional Examples. The appendix contains tables of atomic weights and vapor pressures, data on freezing and boiling constants, followed by five pages of answers t o problems classified for each chapter and two pages of logarithms. Chapters contain in order: (1) clear and complete statements of the laws involved in the subject matter of the chapter, (2) a good explanation of the experimental basis for the law, (3) examples of the solution of problems based on the law, which lead t o its clarification, (4) and a well-selected list of numerical problems testing the student's grasp of the law. This four-fold method of teaching laws that are basic in the science of chemistry is a fine piece of pedagogical work. The laws set forth are treated so that students may acquire the ability to use them intelligently. This well-written book is timely and should accomplish its mission.
+
M C K I ~ BH Y l o ~SCROOL WAsxINaron. D. C.
LOUISW. MATTERN
MANUELDE CKIMIE ANALYTIQUE QUALITATIVEM I N ~ A L E . P. Wcnger, Dacteur &s Sciences, Professeur ord. d e Chimie Analytique A l'Universit6 de Geneve e t G. Gutaeit. Docteur & Sciences, Inghieur-chimiste diplBm6, Privat-Docent A 1'UniversitP de Genhe. Georg & Cie., S. A. Librairie de l'Universit6 Geneve. 1933. 496 pp. 19.5 X 12.5 cm. S. frs. 16.. According to the authors, the object of this book is not t o give a complete treatise on qualitative analysis but rather to select those reactions which best lend themselves to teaching. Just why a subject like qualitative analysis should be chosen for this method of treatment has never been verv clear t o the ~ - - re--viewer, and the authors have not been guided very strictly by this principle except in Part 111. Part I, pages 1-84, gives a rather thorough treatment of the theoretical considerations which in recent years have formed an important part of such textbooks. Part 11. pages 85-314, gives quite adequately the important reactions of the anions and cations and includes the so-called rare metals so that a careful study will give the student a fairly broad foundation of chemical facts bearing upon all the elements which would be likely t o present themselves for identification. Part 111, pages 315-78, is rather disappointing in that the tables describing the analytical procedure omit not only the metals which may still be classed as rare, but also those such as vanadium, molybdenum, titanium, gold, beryllium, and selenium, etc., which may often present themselves for identification in alloys and commercial products. I n the opinion of .the reviewer no textbook which claims t o treat the subject of qualitative analysis can a5ord t o omit these elements, unless its object is simply t o illustrate the analytical method. If this is its object there is no good reason for discussing all of the so-called common elements. As a matter of fact no hard and fixed distinction can be made between common and ra* elements, because many of the so-called rare elements are rapidly becoming less rare and more common. Part IV, pages 379484, takes up the use of organic reagents as applied to the "touch method" of qualitative analysis. This portion of the book seems t o the reviewer t o be of special value, for i t brings together a number of the tests by organic reagents for both common and rare elements. As this field is being developed more and more this seems most timely. YALBU W I Y B R S ~ P n n ~ pE. B n o w m ~ o NEWHAYBN.C O N N B ~ ~ C ~ >
~~
~~
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS ANNOTATED Bm~~ooOR RgsEnnca STUDIES, JUNE 1931 TO F E E R U ~ 1934. Y Institute of School Experimentation, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. 15 pp. 15.3 X 22.3 cm. Paper. OF ITEMS OP CHEXUUL INPORWTHE RELATIVEIMPORTANCX TIONFOR GENERAL EDUCATION. Penna.State Studies in Education No. 6. Robert P. Wrav. Schwl of Education, Pennsylvania State College, state College, Pa. Reprinted from The Journal of Eq5crimentd Education for June, 1933. 49 pp. 21 X 27.2 cm. Paper-bound. Copies may be obtained from the author a t $1.00. HEALTHTIIROUGR THE AGES. C.-E. A . Winslow and Grace T. Hallock. Published by the School Health Bureau, Welfare Division. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, New York City, 1933. 64 pp. 13.5 X 19.5 cm. Paper-bound. This booklet begins with the medicine men and the magic of the Stone Age and traces, through various historical periods, the story of how man has learned to protect not only his own body but that of his neighbor. The story ends on the note that many secrets about the human body and its protection against disease remain unsolved, hut that the scientific method can be depended upon to unveil new possibilities of health and efficiency for the people of the future. Furnished free of charge for use in junior and senior highschwl classes on the basis of ten copies to every hundred pupils.
