As Professor Holmes states, this text was written in response to a general demand for a short, clear, yet moderately comprehensive statement of the fundamentals of colloid chemistry. In the main the author has fulfilled his purpme admirably. The treatment is non-mathematical and as a result the theories and principles of the subject are presented in a qualitative rather than quantitative fashion. Same rather loose statements appear, as, for example, the opening sentence of Chapter IX, "There are two general classes of colloids." The author here refers to colloidal solutions and it should he so stated for readers will be led to the conclusion that liquids constitute the only possihle medium in which colloids may exist. The chapter on "Electrical Properties" seems somewhat brief compared to the importance of the subject. The chapters on "Emulsions" and the "Colloid Chemistry of Protein" are especially well handled. The -test appeal of this work will he found among those students who wish to obtain a reasonably complete picture of the field of colloid chemistry without having to spend too much time in acquiring it. Students entering such fields as medicine. agriculture, etc., will find it particularly valuable. Chemistry majors will find it helpful as an introduction to colloid chemistry and it may prove to he all that is needed except for those specializing in this or related fields. Because the subject comes so close to everyday life, teachers of high-school chemistry will find much that they can use to make their subject more interesting and stimulating to that large group whose only contact with chemL. H. REYERSON istry comes in the high school. UNIVBRS~TY Ow MINNBSOTA MINNB~POLIS, MINK
LABO~TOR MANUAL Y oa COLLOIDCREMISIRY. Harry N. Halmw, Professor of Chemistry, Oberlin College. Third edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City. 1934. xvii 229pp. 60 Figs. 15 X 23 cm. $3.25.
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This edition of Professor Holmes's excellent Laboratory Manual of Colloid Chemistry is an improvement over the second edition if that is possible. There is some rearrangement in the grouping of the experiments with the substitution of new for old material. I n addition a greater variety of methods is introduced. The two chapters on non-aqueous colloidal systems and catalysis and colloid chemistry appear for the first time. These cover two rapidly developing fields of the subject and are important additions to this well-conceived manual. I n the use of this book the student finds excellent directions for carrying out the experiments. He is also urged to consult the original sources in the literature and these are carefully chosen and fully given. This feature alone makes the work a stimulating one for the inquiring student. I n this edition the references are found as footnotes instead of appearing in the text proper. The reviewer considers this a decided improvement as it does not tend to distract the reader. As stated in the preface to the first edition, this hook was written to provide "a suitable laboratory manual to advance the teaching of colloid chemistry, and for the lack of such a book instruction has lagged." This edition fulfils the purpose for which it was intended to an even greater degree than the previous editions. The reviewer has used the previous editions in a laboratory course in colloid chemistry far a number of years. The students have always found the experiments to he workable and they have almost without exception been stimulated by this their first contact with the field of colloid chemistry. Since the previous editions fulfilled their purposes so well it is certain that this volume will find a wider and greater usefulness. There are two hundred forty experiments in this edition as compared to two hundred twentyfive in the previous one. Wherever necessary, illustrations and figures complete the directions to the student. The format of the hook is excellent and there are very few typographical errors. Same of the names of investigators appearing in the text are omitted from the author index. This is not a serious omission since references to the original work are given throughout the boak. The reviewer notes an unusual spelling of Frumkin's name which he is unable
to find in any of Frumkin's published work. Such a spelling is likely to he misleading to the student who attempts to look up the references. This work will he most valuable for those students who wish to acquire the unusual technics needed for work in the field of colloids. The student who performs the majority of the experiments will have a fairly complete picture of the laboratory side of the subject. The discussions accompanying the experiments will also have served to introduce him in a aualitative wav to many of the fundamental concepts of the subject. L. H. REYERSON U-BRSITX
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INDUSTRIALIZED RUSSU. Alcon Hirsch, Ph.D., Consulting Chemical Engineer. With preface by Maurice Hindus. The Chemical Catalog Co., Inc., New York City, 1934. 309 pp. 20.25 X 13.75 an. 8.00. Regardless of what one may think of the governmental regime now guiding the destiny of Russia one cannot help but he impressed hy the truly remarkable growth of the basic industries that has taken place there during the last few years. Dr. Hirsch in his book entitled "Industrialized Russia" has told the story in an extremely interesting and convincing manner. His book represents what might he called a popular report on one of the most gigantic industrial experiments ever carried on by man. Dr. Hirsch, due to his prominent position as consultant far the chemical industry of Russia, has had the opportunity of discussing basic policies and scrutinizing statistics which would not he available to the ordinary American engineer working in Russia. His direct contact with leaders in the government and with Russians who are responsible for the policies and the activities of Russian industry has given him a different view of the situation from that of many of the writers who have gone before him. This fascinating story is so well written that one does not realize that he is reading a mass of statistics. It will undoubtedly appeal to all teachers or others who are interested in industrial chemistry, and it is well worth the time and trouble of such a reader. The author not only reviews the present situation and shows what has been done, hut he expresses the hopes and ambitions of the Russian people in their forthcoming second five-year plan. It is interesting to note that the basic industries were their first objective, whereas their second objective includes some of the luxuries, the things that are so common to everyone in this country. If this can be accomplished it should undoubtedly lighten the evidently drab life of the Russian citizen as it exists today. The keynote of the whole book can be stated in the final words of the author as follows: "Our admiration should not be for the heights to which this interesting nation has reached in this stage of its develoDment but rather the depths from which it has so painfully climb;d." However one views the premises and conclusions of the author, it cannot he denied that he has given us an eminently readable and thought-provoking book. We shall all await with interest Dr. Hirsch's report on the results of the second five-year plan. D. B. BYES U r n B R S I T X OP ILLINOIS URBAN*, ILL.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS ANTIRACAITIC AC~YITY OR VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS FOR POULTRY.H. A. Halvorson and L . L . Lachat, Chemists. Division of Feed and Fertilizer Control, Dept. of Agriculture Dairy and Food, St. Paul, Minnesota. April, 1934. 16 pp. Free upon request. FILMS. "1000 am ONE," THEBLUEBOOKOF NON-TEEATRICIU. Tenth edition. Edited by Nelson L. Greene, Chairman, Euelyn 3. Baker, Josephine F. Hoffman, F. Dmn McClusky. The Educational Screen, Inc., Chicago, Ill. 1934. 128 pp. 10.5 X 18 cm. Paper-hound. 50.75. (To Educational Screen subscribers, $0.25.)
