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are that protein solutions are in many cases monodisperse and that the macromolecules of proteins are distributed among a limited number of classes according to their molecular weights, correlated with one another by fairly simple numerical proportions. There is an imposing amount of experimental work in favor of these assertions. There is also a series of experiments proving that particles of the same size as found in isolated proteins are present in the sera from which they were prepared. The results gained so far do not seem t o allow any conclusions as to the state of proteins in living protoplasm. The strong tendency of proteins to form macromolecules of well-defined molecular weight, in which they appear to differ from other large elementary particles of biologically important substances such as cellulose, chitin, rubber, etc., is drawing general attention, owing to its importance, in attempts t o explain the chemical structure of proteins. This problem is discussed but briefly in this book, and the author of the chapter in question (K. 0. Pedersen) is apparently rather sceptical concerning all hypotheses brought forward so far, both as to the conception of long chains (M. Bergmann, Astbury, and others) and as to the cyclic pattern (D. Wrinch). H. FREUNDLICH.
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Electrocapdarity. By J. A. V. BUTLER. 5 x 8 in.; viii 208 pp.; 56 diagrams; 1 plate. New York: The Chemical Publishing Company, Inc., 1940. Price: $5.00. This book is remarkable, owing particularly to the subject matter which it covers. The author uses the word “electrocapillarity” in a wider sense than is generally done. The term is mostly reserved for our knowledge of the electrocapillary curves of liquid metals; one also finds i t extended to include electrokinetic phenomena. Besides these subjects the author treats those parts of electrochemistry which deal with electrode processes aa such, not with their usefulness in explaining the properties of electrolytes in solution. Hence the first three chapters are concerned with the seat of electromotive force and with the thermodynamics and the mechanism of electrode potentials. Chapters IV an+V treat the electrical double layer, electrocapillary curves, and electrokinetic phenomena. The last three chapters have to do with electrode reactions and overvoltage, concentration polarization and the deposition of metals, and some special electrode processes, passivity, etc. The author is interested mainly in the recent development of his subject. He therefore takes full account of the investigations of Frumkin and his collaborators, of the conception of hydrated ions, as developed especially by Gurney, and of the experimental results of Tiselius, Abramson, Moyer, and others in cataphoresis, as well as his own work in this field. The advantage of closely connecting phenomena such as the Nernst potential with electrokinetics becomes very conspicuous when reading this book; an even more impressive success will be achieved as soon as we possess more quantitative results concerning that factor which is the link in the whole range of these phenomena,-namely, the electrical double layer.
H. FREUNDLICH. Physicochemical hfdhods. By JOSEPH REILLYAND WILLIAM NORMAN RAE. Volume I, 686 pp.; Volume 11, 580 pp. New York: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1940. Price: $17.50. The third edition of this well-known handbook is published in two volumes, totaling 1266 pages, a t a price of $17.50,in contrast to the 822-page volume of the second edition which sold for $8.00. While this book undoubtedly remains the most useful work on the subject, the new edition scarcely satisfies the expectations raised by its increase in length and price.
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The treatment of the several subjects varies greatly, not only in emphasis and detail, but in manner of presentation. For example, some subjects, such as “Thermionic Vacuum Tubes,” are represented by clear and adequate outlines of their general principles and applications. In other cases, as the section on “Molecular Weights,” there is a good detailed description of the more important experimental methods. A few chapters, the one on “Reaction Ilates” being a particularly bad example, consist of very elementary theoretical discussions followed by the directions for a few experiments of the type commonly found in the older laboratory manuals of physical chemistry. Some topics which are of theoretical and practical interest have been omitted entirely. Amongst these we might mention propagation of flames, gaseous explosions, diffusion, and the rates of dissolution, evaporation, and crystallization. Photochemistry, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence receive scant mention in the section on the “Photoelectric Effect.” Perhaps the greatest single improvement is the introduction in the edition of an extensive classified bibliography of specialized works on physicochemical methods. On the other hand, i t is to be regretted that the excellent index of the second edition has been replaced by one so brief that i t is practically useless. The new edition shows a decided trend toward subjects of practical interest. I t includes sections on such chemical engineering topics as ‘(Plant Design and Press Filtration,” but devotes relatively less space than formerly to the refined methods of specialized research. Several of the new chapters have been written by specialists in the subjects concerned. In contrast to these practical subjects, the authors have introduced a rather abstract discussion under the general title “Measurement and Units.” This chapter, 53 pages long, was written by Professor O’Rahilly. Without questioning the correctness or utility of Professor O’Rahilly’s concepts and terminology (the reviewer lacks courage to cross cudgels with one who boasts (p. 92) that he has exploded the dimensions of the electrical text books,with one swoop), i t appears that this chapter is entirely out of place in a book which is devoted to the practical methods of physical chemistry. d The book is clearly printed and well bound. I t appears to have been carefully edited. While the illustrations are adequate, the draughtsmanship of some of them could be improved. ROBERTLIVINGSTON. MIALI,. 22 x 15 cm. ; xv A New Dictionary of Chemistry. Edited by STEPHEN
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pp. London, New York, and Toronto: Longmans, Green and Company, 1940. Price: 42 shillings net. This dictionary covers all branches of chemistry, including inorganic, organic, physical, pharmaceutical, and industrial, and also contains biographies of leading chemists. A table at the end gives the physical properties of about eighteen hundred organic compounds. The information in the inorganic and organic sections surprisingly complete and up to date, and although the sections on physical chemistry are very brief they give much useful information to non-specialists. The book is one which is likely to prove very useful in libraries and to those wishing to obtain information rapidly, and i t may be recommended with confidence. J. R. PARTINQTON. Molecular Spectra and Molecule Structure. I. Diatomic Molecules. By GERHARD HERZBERQ.In the recent review of this book (This Journal 44, 682 (1940)),i t was not stated that the translation into English was made by Dr. J. W . T. Spinks of the University of Saskatchewan.
