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in solution, may require revision as mare exact mathematical formulation of the laws governing such processes is obtained. The author has, however, been unusually candid in his treatment of doubtful points and the reader should acquire a thorough appreciation of the weak points in certain of the mechanisms discussed. The book is remarkably free from typographical errors and those which do occw; together with some slight inaccuracies in statement, do not detract seriously from the value of the work as a whole. The book may be recommended either for relatively light reading or more serious W. ALBERTNOYES,JB. study. BROWN UN~YGRSITY
Paovromce. Rnoos ISLAND
Merck's Index, an Encyclopedia for the Chemist, Pharmacist, and Physician. Fourth edition. Merck and Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, 1930. iii f 585 pp. 15.5 X 23 cm. $5.00 in general. $2.50 t o members of the chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, and allied professions. The fourth edition of Merck's Index is a welcome volume t o those who have enjoyed the privilege of using this hook in its former editions. The book contains five hundred and fifty-seven pages of short yet useful monographs on chemicals, botanicals, and drugs. Each of these monographs gives the names and synonyms; the sources; origin or mode of manufacture; chemical formulas; and molecular weights; physical characteristics; melting and boiling points; solubilities; specific gravities; medicinal action; therapeutic uses; ordinary and maximum doses; incompatibilities; antidotes; and methods of storing. A special feature which enhances the usefulness of this book is the ease with which i t can he used. There are no special codes and systems required t o manipulate the Index. The substances are arranged in alphanoss-inbetical order and thoroughly . dexed. Its supply of common synonyms of various drugs is especially commend~
JANUARY, 1932
able. I n addition to the book's serving as an index for drugs and chemicals, there are included several tables giving the characteristic readions of alkaloids, g h cosides, acids, bases, metals, and salts, along with specific gravity tables. TR. JOFIN C. KRANTZ.
Nucleic Acids. P. A. LEVBNE, The Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research; W. BASS,Mellon Instiand LAWRENCE tute of Industrial Research, now Assistant Director of Research, The Borden Company. The Chemical Catalog Co., Inc., New York City, 1931. 337 pp. 14 Figs. 15 X 23 cm. $4.50. At the present time, more and mare research is being undertaken with the express purpose of learning mare about the chemistry of the cell. These investigations range over the whole field ofchemistry, from physico-chemical determinations of membrane equilibria to the isolation and identification of the organic compounds which go t o make up the cell+ The cells studied range in size from the scarlet fever streptococcus, whose diameter is of the order of one micron, t o certain cells found in tropical waters which get t o be as large as a hen's egg. I n view of this ever-increasing interest in cell chemistry, i t is peculiarly fitting that this volume on nucleic acids should appear a t this time, dealing as i t does with a class of compounds which are tvuical of and are found onlv in cell .. nuclei. The authors have taken ur, the subiect matter in a very logical and orderly manner. As the nucleic acid contains in its molecule phosphoric acid, sugar, and various nitrogenous bases, an understanding of its chemistry is impossible without a working knowledge of its component pa*. Accordingly, the first five chapters deal with the general chemistry of the sugars, purines, and pyrimidines, giving special attention, however, t o those individuals which occur in the nucleic
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A general introductory section of 64 pages outlines the taxonomic classilication of the animal kingdom and presents a classification of structures or organs characteristic of the animal body from which valuable chemical products are ohtained. The introductory section closes with a consideration of the chemistry of the proteins (pp. 3144). In the special sections which follow, the chemistry and technology of the chemical materials found in the various classes of animal structures are taken up in detail. Thus, we have a consideration of the products derived from the- integument, including skin, and its manufacture into furs or leather, hide gelatin, animal fibers (wool and hair) and the chemistry of horns and hoofs and products derived therefrom. The second section takes up the products secured from the skeletal structure, the third section those originating in the muscle or fatty portions of animals, the fourth section covers the products of the glands or organs of internal secretion, and including the hormones, enzymes, silk, milk,,and various miscellaneous products which may or may not represent true secretory pr&ucts (e. g., cochineal, formic acid, honey, lac, etc.). A fifth section is devoted to the products of the circulatory and digestive systems and deals with hlwd and its conY A LUNrvaasrrY ~ NBW HAYIN.CONN. stituents, immune sera, urine and its products, and animal excrements. This Chemie und Chernische Technologie Tiersection is followed by a short section on ischer Stoffe ein Einfiihrung in die industrial products from fossil animals. angewandte Zoochemie. GEORGE including bitumens, iehthyol, phosphates. Gnnssm, Professor in the Royal Uui- guano, and fossil ivory. versity of Sapporo (Japan). Ferdinand The hook closes with an alphabetical Enke, Stuttgart, Germany, 1931. viii list of approximately 500 chemical com272pp. 14.5 X 22.5cm. 17.60 RM. pounds and the animal tissue from which ($4.37 bound.) they are obtained. This list is followed This is volume XX of Enke's "Biblio- by an adequate subject index. Altogether, the book will he found t o he thek fiir Chemie und Technik" edited by Professor L. Vanino. As the title indi- very useful. The author has gathered cates, the volume is devoted t o a considera- together much practical and industrial tion of the chemical compounds character- information which hitherto could have istic of animal organisms and the utiliza- been found only by consulting numerous tion of these compounds a s products of special monographs. Of wurse, when he deals with so many industrial products and commerce or in industrial processes.
acids. Upon this foundation is built the chemistry of nudeasides and nucleotides, the first breakdown products of nucleic acids. The foregoing constitutes Part I of the hook. Part I1 deals with the nucleic acids themselves, beginning with a historical development of the subject, and including chapters on Structure, Nucleic Acids of Higher Order, and Nucleuses. This hook admirably fulfils its purpose in elucidating the structure and history of the nucleic acids. As is only natural, the main emphasis of the hook has been upon proof of structure. This theme is followed in connection with the comparatively simple sugars and bases, as well as in the complicated nucleotides and nucleic acids. I n addition, in discussing individual substances, sections are devoted to preparation from natural sources, synthesis where possible, and a description of physical and chemical properties. This h w k will stand as a monument to Dr. Levene's nucleic acid work. No other person has done so much toward clearing up the structure of this complicated class of substances as the author, and no one else is as well qualified t o discuss its many intricacies. ROBERTD. COGHILL
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