BOOK REVIEWS pression might have mare than a single meaning, especially in the alchemical literature as compared u-ith the phannaceutical publications. The author has selected what in his opinion was the most likely interpretation. Part 111 consists of an extensive Index. I t contains all of t h ~t r r m far which symhols are given in t h e Omculum, i.e., in Part 1. Secondly, it i n d i c a t ~ st h e items which are cxplninerl in the 1,exikon (Part 11). I n addition it contains special designations which, though not occurring in t h e Oracolum, ltrr I x i ~ f l ytwnted in Part 11, hut plxycd a big role in early pharmacy and esprcially in nlchcmy. This list of synonyms provides much useR11 information. Anothcr excellent feat,ure is a folding
tabulation of t h e most important symbols taken from Hagen's "Grnndriss der Experimentalchemie" (1786). I t contains the symbols in general use and will usually b~ sufficient for the reading of pharmaceutical-chemical works and for the interpretation of t h e labels on apothecary jars. A bibliography of works and papers dealing rvit,h the symbols and professional designntions is an addit,ional valuable feature. This little hook was exwedingly well planned and deserves proper attent,ion. Though designed primarily for the German reader, i t will aid students and teachers in other countries since i t is a. fair assumption t h a t those intsrested in alchemr and earlv pharmacy possess a t least n rending knowledge of German. RALPHE. OESPER S,9H Ohio Avenue Cmrinnnli, 19, Ohio
Biochemical Mechanisms
Lloyd L. Ingraham, University of California, Davis. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., S e w York, 1962. x 108 pp. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. &5.i5.
+
On the page following t h e title page the author quotee L. Michaelis' remarks in 1046 t o the effects t,hat enzyme chemists must hegin t o inquire into t h e chendcal mechanisms hy which enzymes nark. While such inquiry was not paiticulnrly fruitful in 194, knowledge of organic reaction mechanisms has now expanded t o t h e point where chemists can offer a reasonahle mpehnnisrn for many enzyme reactions and in many instances prove t h e validity of t h e proposal. The present volume is divided into two parts. The Erst presents general mechanistic principles of organic ehemist,ry ~ ~ h i tl eh second ~ treats specific bioehemical mechmisms. The mechanism as known in solution chemistry is fitted lagienlly t o t h r biochemical reaction. The first part contains sections dealing with atomic orbitals, honding, and t h e ligmd field theory n-hich are too condensed t o be clear t o the average reader. However, t h e remainder of the first part and the entire second part are r r i t t e n with great clarity and understanding. These sections are fully illustrated with formulas and chemical equstiona x~hieh well illustrate t h e mechanisms in t h e discussion. Reactions covered arc; cstcrification and hydrolysis, eliminations, drcarhoxylations, oxidations, condensations, alkylations, rearrsngements and some misccllanpous ones. The reviewer is wrll pleaed with this book and hdievrs i t should be in t h e library of ehemist,~interested in biochemical reactions. ROYL. V'HISTLER P u ~ r l i ~C-niversily e Lajayelle, Indiana
Nitric Arid: Manufarturn a n d User
Frank Doaglas Miles. Oxford University Press, Idondon, 1961. ix 75 pp. Figures. 14.5 X 22 em. $1.55
+
This small volume is made up of the following chapters: 1, Historical Introduction; 2, Properties and Reactions of Nitric Acid and of Oxides o i Nitrogen; 3, The Production of Sitric Scid from Ammonia; 4, I'roduetian Processes for \Teak Sitric Acid; 5 , Production of Strong Sitric Aeid; 6, The Uses of Nitric Aeid. The reviewer cannot out of his own experience judge the accuracy oi the material presented with respect t o the engineering details o i the manufacture of nitric acid. He can only exprpsa the hope that this portion of the lmok is more accurate and authoritative than is Chapter 2, entitled Propertics and Reactions of Kitrie Acid and of tho Oxides of Nitrogen, which makes u p approximat~ly one-third of the book. This chapter contains a number of errors and questionable statements and, in genrral, presents an inadequate picture of modern nitric acid chemistry. Ohsolete namrnclnture is used throughout the text.
(Continued on page A695)
A694
/
Journal of Chemical Education
BOOK REVIEWS,
and a summary of some of the more important applications of nitric acid. Several photographs of manufacturing plants and a number of line dmvings illustratine various manufacturing procwaes are given. On the inside flap of the dust cover ol this volume are the iollowing sords: "Thr tent has been p r e p s r d hy Impprinl Chemical Industries, Ltd. with the assistance ol t,he Scionce Mashers' Associ~tionand the Association of Wl'om~nScience Teachers. I t s scope and manner of presentation are such, therefore, as to insure thnt i t will be of value to senior pupils in schools and junior students in technical colleges or univarsities." The reviewer can onlv state t h a t there is some douht thnt this objective was nchicved. Many teachers will not wish to place this hook in the hands of their students. On the other hand, the technical information eoncvrning the engineering details of nitric acid mnnufnctlirr may he of use to some tcnehers as reference makrinl. HARRYH. SISLER, I h i w r s i l ? ~o j Florida
Gninesuille
Laboratory Studies in General Chemistry
Fmnk Rreseia, Herher1 Afcislich, Amos T w k , .hbn Amnls, and Adolph Anderson, all of the City Collegc of Nea. York. Academic Press, Inc., N e w York, IRG1. vii 210 pp. Figs. and tables. 21 X 2G.5 cm. Paperhound. 83.25
+
"The object of laborat,or,v edwstion" say the authors in their Preface "is to learn about how hcst. to dezign, set up, carry out, and interpret experiments wit,h a view to ohtnining the most infar~nhtion ,for the @or1 erpeno'pd" (itniirs mine). The last four wonls are significant, for u p o ~them is I m s d the entire justification for a laborstorv msnual of this description. What these authors have done is t,o bind drt,arhahle data sheets directlg following the dirrct,ions for each experiment. These data sheets contain leading questions t h s t require but one word or one phrase for nn anrwer. Tal~ler for the rorrclntion of expcrinwntal data ar? designed and presented enrefully l a l d e d for e,wy fill in. Finally, the instructor is given n tmndy Teacher's Guidc, telling him answers t o the queetions, and suggesting to him the srceptshle limits of error for any erperiment,al data submitted. Is i t fair to crit,icize thc authors far trying to make R 1rtborator.v session a8 swiit and smooth-mnning s e possible? Are we justified in blaming them for trying t o make the process of correcting a n d evaluating as automatic as possible? After all, i t is not their fault that there are situations t h s t seem to demand an
(Continued on page A697) Volume
39, Number 9, September 1962
/
A695
