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be noted: a good discussion of hydrates, with their logical relation to complex compounds in general; a dropping of the term "water of crystallization," and a partial (unfortunately not complete!) submergence of those two old bogeys, "efflorescence" and "deliquescence"; a thoroughly up-to-date discussion of isotopes, with recent additions to the list; an excellent treatment of the topic of molecular and atomic weights. On the 0th- hand. a rather unsatisfactory section on supersaturation mars an otherwise good chapter on S0lutions; the handling of hydrolysis seems needlessly cumbersome; the introduction of the important subject of valence as a subsidiary to the discussion of hydrogen does not seem to give i t sufficient emphasis. Without a doubt, the book should prove useful to teachers who do not want to introduce radically new methods and sequences but who wish to take full advantage of modern progress.
mental side of things and states a number of the important conclusions in a way that can be understood without a knowledge of the mathematics of waves or matrices. The book represents the substance of lectures delivered a t Cornell on the George Fisher Baker non-resident lectureship. 1, the words of the author usthey are an attempt to state the principles and applimtions of the new wave mechanics in so far as these concern electrons not forming part of an atom, using the minimum of mathematics. This is the more important as i t seems likely that the method of electron diffraction will find many applications in the neat few years in physics and perhaps also in investigations commercial interest: The hook opens with three chapters on the general theory of waves, de Broglie's wave mechanics and the theory of wave diffraction by crystals. These are brief and exceptionally clear, and may he recommended to any one who wishes to NORRISW. RAKESTRAW make his first plunge into the new physics Bx-OWNU N I V & ~ ~ ~ Y and is not afraid of elementary calculus. PaovrolNcs, R. I. There follows an excellent presentation of the experimental evidence for the wave Wave Mechanics of Free Electrons. nature of electrons. This is a subject G. P. THOMSON, Professor of Natural on which Professor Thomson is parPhilosophy, University of Aherdeen. ticularly qualified to write since he is one McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., of the chief contributors to it. Following New York City, 1930. 172 pp. 53 several chapters which take up special figures. 15 X 23 em. 8.50. cases of the interaction of electron streams Although the subject of wave me- and matter, the book eoneludes with a chanics promises to he of such great description of the application of electron interest and significance to chemistry, diffraction to the study of physical it has so far been a field into which only a problems such as adsorbed gas films, solid h s , and polycrystalline surface very few chemists have dared venture. I n perusing the dozen or so books which layers. The large number of plates which have been written on wave or quantum mechanics the average reader soon finds illustrate the nature of the effectsobtained himself rather hopelessly lost in a bog with electron beams, add greatly to the of mathematics, and he is apt to feel that interest of the book and emphasize the the gulf between the very theoretical reality of the results. The line drawings physics and the very real test-tube of apparatus and crystal structure also chemistry is one that cannot be bridged amplify the text in a way that makes the for some time to come. It is therefore line of thought unusually easy to follow. cheering to find a book like Professor A reading, either hurried or careful as Thomsan's which emphasizes the experi- the time permits, ought to repay any one
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FEBRUARY. 1931
the text all the more valuable for student and teacher. The latter part of the book contains much helpful information about the production, composition, and nutritive value of certain fwds, such as milk, hutter, cheese, meats, cereals, vegetables, and fruits. There is woven into the book the scientific background necessary for a complete understanding of the chemical principles Tne J a m s H o ~ x l U ~N s IVBRS~Y HOMEWOOD, B ~ ~ I T S O R MD. B, underlying foods and nutrition. The author has fulfilled his . uurwse of "bring. . Nutrition and Food Chemistry. BARN- ing together accurate information about m n S. BEONSON,State College for foods and simplifying and interpreting i t Teachers, Albany, N. Y. First edi- in such a way as to make the best modem tion, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., t h o u ~ h tavailable and com~rehensihle." New Y a k City, 1930. viii 467 pp. he book would he most helpful either as a 34 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $3.75. reference or teat for classes of home While being written primarily for class- economics students in foods and nutrition. N. M. N A ~ R room teaching, the book is quite readable IOWA STATECOLLBOB for others interested in the field of nuA ~ e s low* , trition. It presumes a background of elementary chemistry, but when a knowl- Textbook of Quantitative Analysis. edge of organic and quantitative chemWILLm o b u s HALL, Associate istry is needed, it is woven into the textProfeof Analytical Chemistry. hwk discussion. Several chapters deal Massachusetts Institute of Technology. with the chemical composition of the John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York major kinds of foods, fats, carbohydrates, 279 pp. 42 figs. City. 1930. vii and proteins. This section gives clearly 15 X 23 cm. $2.50. and concisely that part of organic The preface states that the book reprechemistry most useful for a thorough understanding of the composition of foods. sents a two-semester course in analytical The classifications of carbohydrates and chemistry as given at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to chemical of proteins are made especially clear. Considerable quantitative chemistry. engineering students. The contents inincluding a section on the significance of clude, in addition to the usual general pH determinations, is given in the chapter matter, procedures for about forty-two on acid-base balance. The excellent volumetric determinationsand twenty-two With the exception discussion of the inorganic constituents of gravimetric ones. foods contains much recent information of the Kjeldahl method these exercises and is quite complete in its r o p e of are all devoted to the analysis of inorganic material. Not least important are the substances. There is a chapter of suggestions given to help one in planning 6fteen pages on patentiometric titration, a diet which has the correct acid-base including the use of the quinhydrone electrode. B d e r solutions are briefly balance. The chapter on the vitamins and mentioned but not discussed. The potentiometric method for determining pH deficiency diseases is very condensed but accurate and up-to-date in its information. values is Liven. and as suecial features Here. as all throueh - the book. the complete: there shozd b e mentioned-the tpq pages lists of hibliographical references make on the properties of logarithms and the
who wishes to keep up with the latest phases in our knowledge of the physical world. Aside from the value of the information, the book is inspiring in the very striking and unexpected nature of the results it presents. One is left with the feeling that we never know what undreamed-of possibilities may be awaiting us a t every turn in the road to science. DONALD H. ANDREWS
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