FEBRUARY. 1955
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derivatives still include8 some fantasies, s. re&tic view of which could have been achieved only through a. full study of the liter* ture beyond the year 1949. This situation, taken with the greatly accelerated pace of research in this field, seems to require another edition of boron chemistry in the Gmelin manner within the next ten years. In the meantime, oonsultation of the present supplement should be the first step taken by any investigator who wishes to make a thoroueh * and critical studv of anv . asoect . of the subject.
cle," by D. R. Wilkie, brings up to date many of the aspects of muscle aotion one usually finds in textbooks of physiology. I n addition five recent theories, four of them published since 1950, are critically evaluated. The author makes no attempt to pass judgment on their ultimate value but he suggests a numbw of ways in which each theory can be experimentally tested. Each contribution contains excellent illustrative material and few typographical errorn remain. This volume should find wide appeal for workers active in the fields represented and for those interested in current developments in these areas. L. JOE BERRY
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PROGRESS IN BlOPHYSICS AND BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. VOLUME IV
Edited by I. A. V. Butler and I. T. Rondoll. Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1954. viii 339 pp. Illustrated. 16 X 25.5 cm. $9.50.
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INTHE prefaoe to Volume I of this series the editors state that they". . .have had some diffioulty in deciding what is the proper field to be covered by reviews of recent progress in biophysics." This volume, like its predecessors, proves that the question was resolved so ss to encompass those areas of the literature properly neither biochemistry nor physiology but the "vast and rather amorphous field" where methods of physics are applied to the study of molecules of life or to an elucidation of living structures. Anvone m.ho has attemoted to set the limits of bio~hvsics . . could h n h v dispute [he drcision for it3 breadth of xlxni.;uiorl. He might ~ug&c:e.t, however, tlot eome inrcstip.itionz eoncrrnrd wit11 furwtiunal mpectc of tlw living orgnnism LC invluded without infringement on other discipline~. A comprehensive and critical analysis of "Polyelectrolyte gels" by A. Katchalsky gives a goad background for better understanding of mechano-chemical engines of the type postulated for muscle by Marales and Batts. Some sophistication in the field is demanded of the reader. I n "The transference of the muscle energy in the contraction cycle," H. H. Weber and Hildegard Portsehl discuss the recent work with muscles, fiber models, and thread models sjmed at explaining the role of adenosine triphosphate in contraction. The authors succeed admirably in summarizing and evaluating current developments in this rapidly advancing area of investigation. H. Fernmdee-Moran reviews in "The submicroscopic structure of nerve fibers" the contributions to present knowledge of nerve ultrastructure made possible by examination with the electron microscope. As a necessary background for the newer studies, pertinent results with the light mioroscope, polarized light, Xray diffraction and other methods are included. "The nuelmprotein complex of the cell nucleus, and it^ resctions," by P. F. Davison, B. E. Conway, and J . A. V. Butler, is concerned with (a) methods of isolation, ( b ) physico-chemical properties, ( c ) composition, ( d ) role, and (e) action of chemicals and ionizing radiations on this important constituent of living matter. Unfortunately, parts of this paper are not clearly written. A brief survey of "Chromosome breakage," by P. C. Koller, combines sufficient background material with a clear analysis of recent work with both chemical and physical mutagens to make this one of the most profitable papers of the volume for the nonexpert to read. . I C. .Kendrew. in the succeedine chaoter, . ..oresents a timelv discussion of "~he'crystalline prote&ns: recent X-ray studies and structural hypotheses" which of necessity assumes knowledge of basic crystallographic theory. Even in the absence of such knowledge, his sssessment of result- achieved by X-ray analysis of globular proteins represents a ~ignifieantcontribution to the review literature. The concluding ~rticleentitled "Fscts and theories about mus~
THE ART AND ANTIQUE RESTORERS' HANDBOOK
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George Savage. Philosophical Library, New York, 1954. vi 140 pp. 14 X 21 cm. 54.75.
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THIS alphabetically arranged handbook has more than 250 listings covering such diverse subjects as reatoration of paintings, forcing of locks, ultraviolet light, and a test far the presence of sulfate. Nsturally, a great deal of interesting material is included both as to materials used in works of art and materials and methods for restoring them, and i t is unfortunate that the book cannot be recommended. The author appears to be trninpd neither in restoration nor in science, and this lack of definite knowledge and experience is too often evident. On the jacket the publishers speak of the author's "unique knowledge of chemistry." It appears to be "unique" but hardly in the manner that the publishers meant. While the confusion in regard ta chemistry might, in m m y cases, he overlooked, some of the advice in regard to restoration is more serious. His advice in regard to cleaning bronze coins, for example, would or should horrify m y antiquarian. Quoted in full it is as follo~r-s: "COINS, BRONZE, T O CLEAN. To remove the limestone deposit often to be found covering Greek and Roman coins, coat any visible hronee with paraBin wax and dip the coin into concentrated nitric acid. Note the effect of the acid a n the deposit. The time needed to remove it vanes somewhat with its nature. When clean, remove was and wash thoroughly in running water. If the deposit will not yield to nitric acid, other acids may he tried." MARIE FARNSWORTH
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I\IET*L iV T " E R ~ ~CORPORATIOV ,T RAHWAY, NEW JEASEY
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GENERAL CHEMISTRY
Edwin C. Morkhom, University of North Carolina, and Shermon E. Smith, University of New Mezico. Edited by Hermon T. Briscoe, Indiana University. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1954. x 613 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 24 cm. $6.
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THEwriter concur8 in the editor's belief that a student may use this text to teaoh himself. The authors have emphasized principles rather than descriptive detaila. They hope that this radical departure from the classical method of presentation will hold the interest of the student who has completed high-school chemistry course. The book is, however, addressed to the student who has had no previous training in chemistry. I t is rather optimistic to believe that one lacking in chemical training ail1 find this text "easv mine." Each of the 54 chapiersis iontended for one lecture assignment. 1Spht assignments of the more difficult chapters, together with the usual reviews and tests, should round out a. full year's work In general chemistry. Placing tho most important topics first in each chapter i8 a commendable procedure. The usual number of first edition errata occur, hut are easily corrected from the l i ~ t
