NEW BOOKS Techniques of Glass Manipztlation in ScientiJic Research. By JCLIUSD. HELDMAK.132 pp. New York: Prenticc-Hall Inc., 1946. Price: $2.50. To any amateur who wishes to learn the a r t of glass blowing for application in the laboratory, this little work will be invaluable. It is clearly written, concise, and well illustrated and shows that the writer is well acquainted with the techniques which he describes. The work is divided into eleven chapters, one of which is devoted to the use of the hand torch. Since most scientific workers depend on professional glass-blowers for free-hand production of glass apparatus and are themselves mostly concerned with putting it into vacuum tubes with the aid of the hand torch, it appears that more attention might have been given to these manipulations than five pages; but, as the author says, the principles are the same. Like most expert glass-blowers he advises a minimum of work in a fixed position. Many valuable points of technique and manipulation outside the actual operations with glass are given: for example, in the greasing and use of stopcocks. R’a mention is made of the silicones as lubricating agents. The book is heartily recommended to all amateurs and scientific glass-blowers. S. C. TJND. drodern Chemistry. Some Sketches qf its Historical Development. By -4.J. BERRY. 236 pp. London: Cambridge University Press, 1946. Price:lOs. 6d. I n his preface the author says “an attempt has been made t o consider the development in historical perspective of certain branches of the science in separate chapters-each being nearly self-contained and independent of the others.” The object is to give a background in the modern development of chemistry for students who intend to specialize in chemistry, particularly physical chemistry. The author has chosen eight fields: classical atomic theory; electrochemistry; stereochemistry; radioactivity, elements, isotopes and atomic numbers; experimental studies on gases; problems of solutions; and essential features of chemical change. Many important branches of chemistry are thus omitted-organic chemistry, biochemistry, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, colloid chemistry, and large-molecule chemistry are all left out. The work should perhaps be regarded as a connecting link between the older physical chemistry of the nineteenth century nnd the new of the twentieth century. Such a historical review may be valuable for students of chemistry in the present fission age t o help them t o learn something outside the atom. If it accomplishes this i t will have been worth the effort. S. C. LIND. J
\V German f o r the Scientist. By PETERF. WIENER. 238 pp. with glossary. New York: The Chemical Publishing Company, Inc., 1946. Price: $3.50. The first fifty pages consist of an elementaryintroductiont o grammar and syntactic forms. This is followed by short passages in German selected from the modern scientific literature in chemistry and physics. The volume is concluded with the translation into English of all the foregoing German selections. While the passages are admirably chosen from more than a dozen distinguished scientists and the English translations are excellent, the reviewer questions whether this easy way will really give the student a command of German adequate to his needs. Doubtless much will depend on the student and his teacher, but the method seems much too simple to inspire confidence. S. C. LIND. .;: Physical Methods of Organic Chemistry. Vol. IT. By ARNOLD WEISSBERG%R(Editor) and nine contributing authors. vii 30 pp. New York: Interscience Publishers, Inc., 1946. Price: $8.50. 489
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