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i t is a good deal more than t h a t . IYhen giving reasons for using this, that, or the other method, it is of course necessary to discuss general principles to a certain extent. I t is distinctly interesting to learn t h a t the Germans use thermometers xvith milk-glass scales because they are unable to make such a glass t h a t the zero of the thermometer will be fairly constant and t h a t will permit the ruling of fine lines. Although arranged a s a book, the volume really is a series of essays b y one or the other of the authors. There are fourteen of these essays or chapters and the? are well worth reading though the reviewer feels t h a t the effectiveness of the book would have been increased if there had been less doubt \vhether the subdivisions v e r e essavs or chapters. IT.zlde,. u. Ua11crvjt The Chemical Constitution of the Proteins. B j , R. H . ddi7i.s Pliiiziiio.. .lioJiogvaplis oii Biocliemistrj. Edited b j , R. 13. d d e r s Plimnier ai1J F . G. Hopkiiis. Part I . ~jX 24 cin; p p . xii - 100. Price: Si.00 iiet Port I I . 15 X 24 c w ; p p . i i i i - 6 6 . Price: So.80 ? i d . l - e z i - o r k : L o ~ i g i i i ~ i i sG, ~ . L K ~ L E? Co., rgo8,-In the preface the author says: “The substance Protein, Tvhich constitutes the most important p a r t of the material basis of 311 anirnd and vegetable life, has naturally attracted the attention and energ>- of numerous investigators throughout the past century. Progress in the study of this subject, on account of its difficulty, has been exceedingly slow, and i t is only of recent years t h a t the discovery of new methods b y Emil Fischer has enabled u s to increase our knowledge to its present extent. By these methods we hax-e been able to advance from the conception of “albumin” to its actual separation into numerous units, and also to determine their arrangement in the molecule. On this account a monograph embodying the results of the most recent investigations, together with their connections with the work of the other and earlier investigators, needs no excuse for its appearance, a s the subject is now being studied in every direction.” I n the first volume tvhich treats of the chemical composition of the protein molecule and the chemical constitution of its units, the subject is taken up under t h e headings: the monoamino acids ; the diamino acids; monoamino-monocarboxylic acids ; monoamino-dicarboxylic acids ; diamino-monocarboxylic acids ; heterocyclic compounds ; the optically active amino acids, The second volume treats of the synthesis of the proteins and the headings are: the condensation together of amino acids; the biuret base; the linking together of amino acids; the polypeptides. Each volume has its on-nbibliography and the two give a satisfactory and useful outline of this important subject. T T-ildrr D . Bnizcvojt The Chemisty and Literature of Beryllium. B y Cizarlcs Latizrop P a r s o ~ i s . CVL; p p . iz. 180. Eastoiz: Chimicul Pzthlisiiiiig Co., Ip09.-In the preface, the author says: “This book is w i t t e n with the main oliject in vien. of saving preliminary study and labor to future investigators of beryllium and t o point out some of the peculiarities of this interesting element which are a p t t o lead the nol-itiate toward erroneous conclusions. Especially is i t desired to call attention to the fact that a large proportion of its credited compounds are in reality but indefinite solid solutions. This condition of the literature of beryllium is due to the abnormal extent to which its hydroxide is soluhle in
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