PROTOSYNTHESIS. E. C. C. Baly, C.B.E., D.Sc.,F.R.S., Emeritus Professor of Chemistry in the University of Liverpool. D. Van Nostrand Company, Inc., New York City, 1910. vii 248pp. 24figs. 14 X 22 cm. $4.75. The contents of this book may be divided into two categories, one a description of research carried out by Baly and his coworkers, the other a discussion of the kinetics and mechanism of photosynthesis. Baly's experimental investigations related t o photosynthesis have been confined t o photochemical studies in non-biological systems. These investigations, according to Baly, "led in the end t o the photosynthesis in the laboratory of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water." The experimental procedures used by the author and his ca-workers are described in considerable detail. Largely because of failure of the various attempts t p duplicate his earlier experiments, Baly's results are not a t present generally accepted by the majority of investigators in the field of photosynthesis. Nevertheless, the problem of photosynthesis is vilro is one which merits much greater attention than i t has apparently received in the past. I n the remainder of the book, Baly discusses the process of photosynthesis in plants, and, on the basis of supposed analogies between the natural process and the behavior observed in his in uilro studies,proposes a mechanism for the process. I n the preface. Baly writes "I am fully conscious that the whole outlwk on the problem is a personal one, and for this I beg forgiveness. I t is not easy t o write impersonally of one's own experiences and a t the same time accept full responsibility for their truth." That his outlook is indeed a personal one is indicated by the fact that in the entire book reference is made to only four puhlications. exceotine those bv Balv . and co-workers. which have appeared since 19:i:1. The pbeuomenou of chlorophyll fluoresccnce receive5 no mention in the book, despitc its aplvarcnt importance in the study of photosynthesis. Individuals doing research in fields related to photosynthesis may find the book interesting because of its rather complete presentation of Baly's experime&al procedures and results. However, the book cannot be recommended for students or others wishing t o secure a general knowledge of the field, since it fails completely t o present a true picture of the present status of the problem of photosynthesis. WINSTON M. MANNING
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U~rvsaslrvOF W ~ s c o w s l ~ MADISON. WISCONSIN
O F PHYSICAL AND 'CHEMICAL NOMOGRAMS. G. V . Vin'inogredoo and A . I. Kmsilschckikar. State Publishing
AN ATLAS
House of Technical and Theoretical Literature, Moscow, 1940. 50 roubles. The alignment charts for physical chemistry contained in this atlas follow the methods of Gibbs, van't Hoff, and other pioneers of physical chemistry who made wide use of geometrical methods for presenting various functional relations as well as far systematic and concise representation of experimental data. The atlas contains two hundred separate charts covering a great variety of topics in physical chemistry-in particular, the properties of ideal gases and the classical kinetic theory of gases; vapor pressure and boiling points of liquids and solids; adsorption and surface phenomena; dielectric properties and the theory of dipole moments; electrochemistry and the theory of solutions; colloid chemistry and the physics of bydro- and aero-sols. There are fundamental service charts available for conversion of units from one svstem t o another. A detailed text which discusses the Zen, cral theory of nomograms and gives clear instructions for the use of charts making up the atlai has been appended. The use of tbe charts in this atlas, in comparison with the now common arithmetic methods for solving general algebraic equations common in physical chemistry, results in great saving of time, particularly when repeated calculations using the same equation are necessary. Because of this, more extended use of nomographic methods should be encouraged and the appearance of this atlas is very welcome.
Unfortunately both the teat and the headings of various charts: have been printed only in Russian, which will probably never result in the atlas being of extended practical use in the United States. From the mathematical point of view, the atlas has been care-. fully and excellently made up and the reviewer has convinced himself that very accurate results can be obtained from t h e charts following the methods developed by the authors, which in many cases are original with them. From the purely technical paint of view, however, the makeup of the atlas leaves something t o be desired. The quality of the paper, as in most Russian publications. is not very good and it is feared that if the charts are subjected t o repeated use their life will be rather brief. G. B. KISTIAKOWSKY HAWARD UNIVBRSCTY Cnremoom. M ~ s s ~ c a o s s r r s
LABORATORY INSTR~CTIONS IN BIOCHEMISTRY. I . S. Kleine,. Ph.D., Professor of Biochemistry and Physiology, and L. B. Dotli, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Physiology, New York Medical College. C. V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, Mo., 1940. 188 pp. 6 figs. 19.5 X 26.5 cm. 51.50. This manual of biochemical technics substantiates the authors' claim that biochemistry is one of the many sciences needed t e provide a better understanding of bacteriology, physiology, pathology, endocrinology, internal medicin-ven surgery. T h e manual's fifteen chapters deal with physical chemistry, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, tissues, milk, digestion, qualitative examination of blood, qualitative urine analysis, quantitative blood analysis, quantitative urine analysis, metabolism, foods, toxicology, and blood gas analysis. The appendix contains a complete list of the necessary reagents with all the directions for their manufacture, a valuable List of normal blood constituents, as well as the different systems of weights and measures. directions for the use of a centrifuge, a chart of atomic numbers and atomic weights of the elements, and a table of logarithms. Many of the tests are carried out with a minimum of apparatus and, as the authors state, a good number may be carried out in a doctor's office. Teachers of biochemistry, doctors, and clinical laboratories will welcome this compact, well-printed, and easily understood manual. DANIEL RNKIN SOUTAWBSIBPN INSTXVIB
OF
TBC~NOLOGY
WB*rHsnlioao, O ~ , . * ~ O M *
A LABORATORY cows^ m GENERALC ~ M I S T R YR, . H. Crisl,, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Columbia University. First Edition. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York City, 1940. xi 219 pp. 16 figs. 21 X 28 em. $1.50. - The novel experiments presented constitute a well-organized. laboratory course designed specifically for capable students who have resented chemistrv for admission t o colleee. "Cwkbook" experiments have been A i d e d and most of the work requires the ao~licationof semiauantitative measurements for the interpretation of the obsrrvations. An attempt to use this o~ltlinr without recourse to the rciommmdcd weckly confcrcnces would probably not meet with success, a* the experiments nrc by no means simple and even the most able students will require aid in their elucidation. Such students, on the other hand, will feel greater satisfaction in performing laboratory experiments which require their best efforts and in the end will have advanced their knowledre of chemistrv t o a far ereater extent than is oossible with the more convcntiond laboratory outline. For institutions where segregation of students on t h e bmk of aptitudc and prrparation is practrccd, the adoption of this stimulating lnhoratory manual is recommended for the more advanced group
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