NEW BOOKS A Treatise on the Theory of Solution, Including the Phenomena of Elec488. trolysis. By Willzam Cecil Dumpier Whetham. 15 X 23 c m ; p$. ix Cambridge : At the University Press, 2902. -There is an introductory chapter on thermodynamics ; then come two chapters on the phase rule, one on solubility, and one on osmotic pressure. Vapor pressures and freezing-points are dealt with in the fifth chapter and theories of solution in the sixth. The next five chapters have the headings : electrolysis, conductivity of electrolytes, galvanic cells, contact electricity and polarization, the theory of electrolytic dissociation. The last two chapters are on diffusion in solutions and on solutions of colloids. The book gives one the impression of having been written for the author’s own satisfaction rather than to fill auy distinct gap. While this makes it a little less valuable as a text-book, the freedom from shackles makes the volume more interesting to read than it might otherwise have been. There are a number of good points to be found in the book on which previous text-books have not laid the same stress. We are glad to see an account, p. 97, of Pickering’s experiments with propyl alcohol and water, experiments which are very interesting as they stand and which certainly ought to be repeated. The filtration of permanganate through silica, p. 98, is valuable through its possible bearing on the existence of fresh water wells near the sea, as at Galveston and elsewhere. The peculiar structure of salt water ice, p. I 4 5 ? is distinctly interesting. The remarks on the convergence temperature, p. 154, are good as far as they go and the reviewer would have welcomed a more exhaustive discussion of this point. Space could have been obtained for this by cutting out the paragraphs on the manipulation of the Beckmann freeziug-point apparatus. As was to be expected, the section on ion velocities is very complete, and it is interesting to notice that this is brought in before the discussion of the theory of electrolytic dissociation. This has the advantage of distinguishing sharply between experiniental facts and the hypotheses made to account for those facts. Reed’s work on the precipitation of hydrogen at lead cathodes is mentioned, p. 263 ; there is an excellent discussion on contact electromotive force, p. 271, and the question of the single potential difference, p. 2 8 1 , is well handled, though Carveth’s work gppears to have been overlooked. Electrical endosmose receives a few pages and the chapter on colloids is admirable, There are relatively few slips in the book. Sulphur and toluene form t w o liquid layers having a vapor pressure lyiug between the pressures of the pure components. Richards, Collins and Heimrod did not make a new detertniuation of the electrocheniical equivalent. They studied the current efficiencies of different types of silver voltameters. It is a pity to mention Ramsay’s work on metals in mercury, p. 244, without referring to the results with sodium, barium and calcium. These mistakes are relatively unimportant. The book has a distinct character and an advanced student will do well to read it. Wilder D. Bancroft
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Hypochlorite und elektrische Bleiche. Technisch-konstr~cktiuerTeil. B y Vzktor Engelhardt. ( Monographien kber angemandte Elektrochemie, V l l l . Band.) 17 X 24 cm ;pp. x i v f 275. Halle: Wilhelm Knapp, 1903. Price :paper, 12 marks. - When the bleaching takes place in the same vessel in which the halide salt is being electrolyzed, this i s classed as “ direct electrical bleaching ”, while “ indirect electrical bleaching ” includes all cases in which there is a transfer of the electrolyzed solution or of the products of electrolysis. Three types of indirect electrical bleaching are recognized. In one no diaphragm is used, hypochlorite is formed in the electrolytic cell, and the electrolyzed solution is then used for bleaching purposes. In a second type, no hypochlorite is formed in the cell ; but the chlorine is treated with alkali outside the cell and before it is brought in contact with the substance to be bleached. In the third type the chlorine is led into the bleaching cell without being previously mixed with an alkaline solution. The author gives a very careful discussion of all the more important patents and of very many of the minor ones. There is also a section on electrodes, addition of chemicals, such as‘chromates, methods of cooling, and general mechanical devices. A series of tables at the end of the book gives the different processes in chronological order, a comparative statement of yield, power and consumption of salt, together with an approximate statemeiit of cost. This is one of the very good numbers of this series. Wilder D. Bancroft Die Elektrometallurgie der Alkalimetalle. By H. Becker. (Monographien uber angewandte Elektrochemie, I X . Band. ) z6 X 24 cm ; pp. i u f 135. Halle: Wilhelm Knapp, 1903. Price: paper, 6 marks.-There is an introductory chapter on the chemical processes for making the alkali metals and three pages on the electrolytic experiments of Davy and of Bunsen and Mathiessen. The electrolytic processes for the extraction of sodium are treated under the sub-heads : electrolysis of sodium chloride ; electrolysis of caustic soda ; electrolysis of mixtures of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate ; electrolysis of sodium nitrate (Darling) ; preparation of sodium alloys. Under sodium alloys are included the Castner and the Acker processes for making caustic soda. Two pages are devoted to potassium and seven to lithium. There are a few pages on the electrothermal processes of Becker and of Cowles and a chapter on laboratory apparatus, including a discussion of the work of Fischer. Wilder D. BancroJt Die elektrolytische Raffination des Kupfers. B y Titus Ulke. (Monographien kber angewandte Eleklrochemie, X.Band. ) I n s Deutsche iibertragen von Viktor Elzgelhardt. 16 X 24 cm ;pp. x f 152. Halle : Wilhelm Knapp, 1904. Price: paper, 8 marks. -This is a translation of the author’s book Modern Electrolytic Copper Refining The original has already been reviewed (7,539). Wilder D . Bancroft
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Karl Heumann’s Anleitung zum Experimentieren bei Vorlesungen uber anorganische Chemie. By 0. Kiihtling. Dritte AuJage. 1.5 X 23 cm I. pp. xxix f 8z8. Braunschweig : Friedrich Vieweg und Soht.n, 1904. Price : paper, z9 ; bound, 20 marks. -The first edition of Heumann’s well-known work appeared in 1876 ; this second in 1893, only a short time before the death
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of its author ; the second edition has recently been exhausted. In view of the development of experimental chemistry in several new directions during the last ten years, it was most desirable that a work like this, which one may well call a classic, should be subjected to a thorough revision before being again reprinted. One need only instance experiments at very high temperatures, the electric furnace ; the Goldschmidt process ; and at very low temperatures,liquid air ; the use of the stereopticon for demonstrations ; and the many recent lecture experiments in electrochemistry, to show the change in lecture room demonstration in recent years. Such a task of revision, then, has been undertaken by Prof. Kuhling, who must be given the credit of having performed it with signal success. He has been both wise and fortuuate in securing the co-operation of some of the most brilliant lecturers among the Germans ; thus, he acknowledges his indebtedness to Erdmann, Emil Fischer, Landolt, Marckwald, and others ; and many of the single experiments are indicated as due to one or other of these. And where personal assistance has not been obtained, experiments have been culled from many published sources. All in all, we have here a unique collection ; Heumann’s book has for years been one of the indispensable adjuncts to the lecture preparation room ; and in its present form it is if possible still more indispensable than it was, While many of the experiments call for a somewhat elaborate equipment, such as is not found outside of the larger laboratories, there are also a great many that will be of value to those whose means are more restricted. I t is one of the advantages of the present edition that it not only includes the description of many new experiments, but gives as well a discussion of the apparatus which is pre-supposed for them,- liquid air plant, storage battery equipment, stereopticon, etc., as well as a general plan of arrangement of lecture room and adjoining rooms. The book is so very rich ill material and suggestion, that it would lead US too far to go into a detailed consideration of even a part of it. The whole volume is commended to the attention of all of that “ relatively small, but select, circle of readers ” to whom it is intended to appeal. I t is easily first among books of its kind, and in its new form it is a veritable mine of information and suggestion. No one who has to lecture on chemistry should be without it. A. P.Saunders Kalender fur Elektrochemiker sowie technische Chemiker und Physiker, fur das Jahr 1904. VIZI. ]ahrgang. Mil einer Beihge. By A Neubz~rgrr. II x 16 cm ;##. xxxiit - 596. Berlin : M. Krayn. Price : bozind, 4 marks.
-This reference book has now stood the test for eight successive years and has deserved its success. The special novelties this year are the data for the electrical production of steel and accounts of the Edison and Jungner accumulators. Under electrolytic analysis is still to be found Vortmann’s separation of cobalt from nickel, p. 451,although Vortmann never gave any details or any figures. dxperiments made in the reviewer’s laboratory lead him to doubt the possibility of a quantitative separation in a solution containing iodides. It would be a convenience if that part of the table of contents which refers to the ‘ ( Beilage ” should be bound with it as well as with the main volume. Wilder D. Bancroft
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Uber den Anfangsunterricht in der Chemie. By Julius Wagner. r5 x 23 cm ;pp. 37. Leipzig :Johann Ambrosius Barth? ‘903. Price :paper, 1.20
marks. -This address offers an intelligent, if not very suggestive discussion of the problems of secondary education in chemistry, for the conditions prevailing in Germany. I t is worth the attention of those interested in the problem of the arrangement of elementary courses in chemistry. A. P.Saunders
La TBlegraphie sans Fils. By AndrC Broca. (AclualitCs scientijiques. ) Deuxieme Edition. rz x 18 cm ; pp. x 234. Paris : GauZhier-Villars, ‘904. Price. paper, 4 francs. -Broca’s admirable popular account of the theory of the propagation of electric waves has been brought to date in a revised edition, There is nothing to be added to our appreciative review of the first edition ( 4 , s p ) , beyond the statements that the revision has not altered the character of the hook, and that the exposition has been extended by the addition of a chapter on syntony and currents of high frequency. J . E . Trevor
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Essais des Combustibles. By D. Sidersky. ( Encyclopidie scienlifique des Aide-Mimoire.) rz X z9 cin ; pp. 185. Puis : Gaulhier- Vtllais. Price : paper, 2.5; boards, 3 francs.-The first half of the volume deals with the methods of analysis of fuels and the other half with the calorimetric determinations. Among the industrial calorimeters are those of Mahler, Parr, Hartley and Junkers, and Darling. Wilder D. Rancroft Luftelektrizitat und Sonnenstrahlung. By H. Rudolph. 16 X 23 cm ; Leipzig :Johann Ambrosius Barth, r903. Price :paper, z mark. This is a discussion of the state of electrification in the upper regions of the atrnospliere. The reviewer confesses to an inability to follow the author’s argument ; hut was somewhat consoled by the last paragraph, which implies that others have failed to he convinced by the author’s eloquence. Wilder D. Rancroft
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