RECENT BOOKS %LECTED TOPICSI N C O L L OCHEMISTRY ~ WITH ESPECIALREPERENCE TO BIOCHEMICAL PROBLEMS.ROSSAiken Gortner, Professor of Agricultural Biochemistry in the University of Minnesota. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York, 1937. xiii 169 pp. 35 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $2.50. This stimulating book contains material presented a t Cornell University when Professor Ross Aiken Gortner held the George Fisher Baker Non-Resident Lectureship in Chemistry. He incorporated in these studies of colloidal material a discussion of the investigations conducted in his own laboratories. "Biochemists and biophysicists will find here important extensions of their subjects. Since protoplasm is a colloidal system, and the reactions of life take place in a colloidal medium, the student of living processes must familiarize himself with the basic physica-chemical principles underlying colloidal phenomena." The author's historical appreciation of the work of the great pioneer, Thomas Graham, is excellent, and his selections from Graham's writings are unusually illuminating. I n discussing the peptizatition of the protein of wheat and other grains by solutions of varioussalts, Dr. Gortner speaks with theauthority of extended experience. The section an ultrafiltration is particularly good, calling attention as i t does to the importance of electrical effects and of surface tension as modifying the influence of pore size and particle size. The hydration of starches and the viscosity effects of changes in this hydration are well brought out. As might be expected from Dr. Gortner's laboratory, a clear discussion of electrokinetics of colloidal systems is offered. One could wish that on page 76 Dr. Gortnw had the courage t o break away from the hackneyed phrase "electroendasmosis" and to use instead "electricosmose" which includes movement of a liquid through a gel or capillary in either direction. The distinction between electrokinetic or zeta potential and thermodynamic potential is well made. On page 81 there is a helpful description of a streaming potential cell t o be used in emulsion studies. Under surface tension there is much material on molecular orientation and on monomolecular films, ss well as the built-up polymolecular layers recently studied by Langmuir. Adsorption might have received a little more emphasis, considering its great importance, yet it is difficult t o find any cause for criticism of this helpful book. Occasionally the author startles the reader with such arresting facts as the following one cited on page 126. Dried seeds, which probably have a t the most an osmotic pressure of 175 atmospheres, will swell, taking up eight or nine per cent. of water when in a saturated aqueous solution of lithium chloride. Since the osmotic pressure of the lithium chloride salution is about 1000 atmospheres, obviously this is a colloidal binding of water, rather than an osmotic pressure phenomenon. The author has certainly succeeded in his plan t o stimulate teacher and pupil by opening the doors to fascinating vistas of colloidal theories and applications. HARRYN. HOLMES O a z a ~ mCOLLBOB OQHRL~N, oe.0
he led to develop opcn critical and cultural atritudrs of mind. that will lend him to attempt to use the scientific method in solving all the problcrns of life." At thc some rime hc is of tlle opinion that "in such a work i t is inevitable that the experimental basis for many of the ideas presented must be omitted." Above all he aims to present "a meaning of lasting value" which is "essentially socio-centric." The book consists of ten divisions or "units." The first unit is essentially a general discussion of science and its importance in our industrial civilization, and of the scientific attitude and method. The last unit includes a reconsideration of the social consequences of scientific progress. Although the lengthy titles (intended to express the important generalization of the unit) fail to reveal the nature of subiect matter. the followine " trans- ~ lation would be a fair indication of the content, in the sequence presented: astronomy, geology, molecular physics and heat, energy, wave motion, magnetism and electricity, atomic structure and chemical change, applied chemistry. Thus the course consists essentially of four units of physics, two of chemistry, and one each of astronomy and geology. I t is difficult to disagree with the author either on his aims or on the apportionment of subject matter. Yet, perhaps the author would object to the analysis made above, for he has sought t o teach not the various sciences, but science. Though be has been successful in integrating subject matter in some instances, on the whole he has fallen short of his own expectations. While h e pays lip service to the scientific method, his discussion in the introductory unit is devious, and his use of it in the main body of the book is scanty. I t is the firm belief of the reviewer that the scientific method can best be tauebt use. Perham .. bv. reneated . the most suc~rsrfulappro;tch would be to show logically how from the exprrirncntnl evidence great genernlirations of science have been devrlopcd, and how these lead directly to nn undwstanding of a few selected and important phenomena of every experience as well as to the significant applications that shape the course of our civilization. I t is precisely this approach that the author has avoided. I n the attempt t o make the course "socialized," the author has gathered in each section much heterogeneous material-largely factual, but also some laws and principles. On the whole, the material is undigested, and consequently unorganized, disconnected, and confusing. Nor is the information always authoritative. Not uncommon are statements of the type. "The molecules of gases are about as far apart from each other in relation t o their size as the stars are in relation t o their size." There is a lack of intellectuality, so that one finds section titles such a s "The whole electromagnetic spectrum is of extreme interest today" and study questions of the type, "What is the god of humanity?" and "Analyse your attitude toward 'cheating."' The treatment of Einstein is immature and pointless. I t is probably not unfair t o characterize the work as an overgrown ninthgrade general science text. T n s o ~ o mA. ASH~ORD
MAN'S PHYSICALUNIVERSE. A. T . Bawden, College of the Pacific, The Stockton Junior College. The Macmillan Ca., New York City, 1937. xvii 812 pp. 368 figs. 14 X 21 cm. $3.50. The author has made his position clear in the preface. I n his own words the hook "is intended to he used as a text for survey courses in physical science." I t is to be used in connection with a course "designed to bring from the archives of physical sicence the most important facts and generalizations which have any bearing on these aspects ['problems of life today'] of man's experience." The author is greatly concerned "that the student
LABORATORY ~ m WORKBOOK , UNITS IN CHEMISTRY.Maurice U. Ames, George Washington High School, New York City, and Bernard Joffe, Bushwick High School, New York City. Nonconsumable Edition. Silver, Burdett Company, New York City, 1937. xiv 255 pp. 13.5 X 19.7 cm. $1.12. of late years it has seemed the proper thing for an author of a chemistry text t o bring out a "workbook" instead of a "laboratory manual." While this book comes under the first classification, it stresses the directions for the experiments and reduces to a workable minimum the teaching devices and other educational
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