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first described, after which methods are given for nine common determinations. I n the chapter on electroanalysis there is a hrief-too brief-discussion of the theory and of the apparatus, followed by procedures for the determination of five metals. The latter half of the hook is devoted t o volumetric analysis, with a few pages on silicate analysis. Thus the exercises cover the ground usually included in an elementary course. Considerable space is devoted t o apparatus and its calibration. The method of volumetric calculations is rather illogical and follows too closely that for gravimetric prwesses, using conversion factorsagain the technical point of view. I t is not the best for that type of student for which the book is written. More stress should be laid on the normal system, which has so many advantages. The author objects to the use of "correction factors" even though expressed in terms of normality, although most chemists will disagree with him on this point, especially when the solution is not entirely stable. Even in an elementary book the student should be given the best method for the purpose, taking into consideration the re: sults of recent research. Sometimes this has been done, for example, in the use of diphenylamine as indicator in the titration of ferrous iron by dichromate. Oftener it h a been neglected. The procedure for determining magnesium on page 74 is open to serious criticism. The perchlorate method for potassium on pages 71-72 is the antiquated one of Wenze, with no mention of the numerous improvements published during the subsequent thirty-eight years. The book contains numerous mistakes. On page 200 i t is evident that the reaction between AgCl and Fe(CNS)%is due to the lower solubility of AgCNS, the reference being incorrectly quoted. On page 63 i t is stated that BaCOa can be ignited and weighed as BaO; on page 79, that oxyacids of halogens may he reduced to the hydracids by warming with He02. The author has italidzed on page 151 the
JANUARY, 1930
amazing statement that an alkali solution must always be standardized in the presence of the indicator that is t o be used in the determination. But if the alkali were standardized against potassium a d d pbthalate, using phenolphthalein as indicator and subsequently used to titrate the excess of acid in a determination of ammonia, it is obvious that the same indicator would be entirely useless. He considers i t quite unnecessary to remove carbonate in preparing standard alkali! In the discussion of oxidation and reduction the author has introduced the very useful method devised in 1880 by 0 . C. Johnson, except that instead of the term "bond" Q "oxidation number" he uses "apparent valence." The book contains discussions of most of the theories and principles involved. but these are entirely too brief and need t o be extended and amplified by lectures when the book is used as a text. The importance of thorough training in this part of the subject cannot be too strongly emphasized. H. H. WILLARD UKLYBRS~NOF M I C M O A N
ANNAaaoa, M ~ c m o m
So@tions of Electrolytes with Particular Application to Qualitative Analysis. Lours P. HAMMETT, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Chemistry in Columbia University. First edition. McGrawHill Book Co., New York City, 1929. 211 pp. 11 figures; 5 tables. xi 20 X 14 cm. $2.50. Since Dr. Stieglitz appears disinclined to rewrite the classic first volume of his "Qualitative Analysis," i t was inevitable that some younger man should have a go a t restating in the light of advances since 1912 the topics there set forth. Dr. Hammett's essay appears to the reviewer to be notably successful. The general principles applicable to the behavior of electrolytes in solution are developed in the following order: Strong Electrolytes, The Solubility Product Principle, Weak Electrolytes, Hydrolysis, Compounds, Oxidation-Reduction. The
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RECENT BOOKS
presentation of these topics is clear and sufficiently simplified. The treatment of strong electrolytes is in accord with present views. The salt effect, hydration of ions and electrostatic repulsion and attraction in concentrated solutions are duly emphasized but without introducing the concepts of free energy and activity coefficients. Each of the seven chapters is completed by a brief but well-selected bibliography of references t o standard texts and important papen and by set af problems. Part I1 consists of laboratory exercises, planned for one semester. These include the separation and detection of the common cations essentially according to the methods of A. A. Noyes. A valuable feature of the hook is an extensive list of instructive and not too complicated lecture experiments. Teachers of analysis will find this book distinctly valuable, particularly those who agree with the author that "a course in qualitative analysis is an ideal method of presenting and illustrating by copious examples the general principles relating to the behavior of solutions of strong electrolytes; and that this part of physical chem- ' istry is an indispensable part of the preparation for advanced work in chemistry and for the study of medicine and engi~~eering."The author has kept well in mind the simplicity of treatment essential for immature students. The reviewer imagines that in preparing the book many a temptation t o include this and that fascinating result of recent research was regretfully but wisely overcome. A. R. MIDDL&TON PURDUR
UNIVHRSITY
LAPAYBITB, INDIANA
English and Science. PHILIP B. MCDONALD,Associate Professor of English, College of Engineering, New York University. D. Van Nostrand & Company, New York City, 1929. vii 192 pp. 21 X 15 cm. Price $2.00.
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Although addressed more particularly t o engineering and science students, this
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book should prove of service to all who have occasion t o use the English language for professional purposes. As the author states: "A determined effort has been made to present an analysis of English for the professional man in a more interesting and readable form than books on this subject usually attain." The author emphasizes the importance of simplicity and clearness of style and he gives numerous examples of letters, papers, and reports to illustrate what he has in mind. The book is written in an interesting style and should prove "easy" reading t o the student. While not so stated by the author, it is evident that the book is intended for collateral reading rather than for a classroom tent. The sixteen chapters are entitled as follows: The Importance of WrittenRecords; Writing and Presenting a Technical Paper; Reports Informal, Third-Person Style; Reports Informal, First-Person Style; Good Letters and Bad; Correct Language, the Basis of All Writing; Obscurity. Pomposity, and Ornateness; The Amateur Delight; Science, The Cardinal Secret of Style; Sentence Structure; The Difficult Art of Punctuation; Mastering Words; Listfd Expressions; Cultural Reading for the Technical Student; An Example of Reading in the History of Science; Suggested Readings about Invention. The last three chapters are intended t o guide the student in cultural reading in the sciences. I n Chapter XIV the author presents some views on the narrowing tendencies of a scientific education. He takes the point of view that a scientist is a ~pecialist:"a man who doesn't know anything else" or "a man who knows more and more about less and less." These expressions the author quotes from the sayings of a university president. Even a professor of English ought t o know better than to lean too heavily on so slender a reed. To illustrate his point the author holds up Cavendish as a "horrible example." Why go so far back into history t o find an illustration of present-day conditions? And is not the picture rather
