NEW BOOKS
169
subject matter and t o consider its economic and social implications. The author summarizes the content of each chapter as he proceeds-frequently he also summarizes the sections within a chapter-and the first, tenth, and final (25th) chapters are devoted t o an integration of the whole book. As a result the specialist may recognize considerable repetition of facts from his own field. But since no one can qualify as“expert” in all of the fields covered in this book (Professor Brody, however, seems to be thoroughly familiar with them), each reader will find that the system of frequently occurring summaries helps him obtain the essence of those sections with which he is less familiar. While the greater emphasis is placed on the organism as a whole, some consideration is given to the mechanism of intracellular biological processes. But, if enzymes and biological oxidations were to be discussed a t all, i t would seem more in keeping with the general theme of the book if the coupling of osidation-reduction reactions with energy-utilization processes had been presented in sufficient detail to give the reader some acquaintance with this extremely important phase of energy metabolism. It is unfortunate t h a t the only phosphorylation reaction treated thermodynamically and cited as a n illustration of “the main form or source of anaerobic energy” is one in which low-energy phosphate bonds are involved (AFO for the reaction-hydrolysis of glycerophosphate-should be 2.3 instead of 23 calories), for the energy liberated during such hydrolyses is not known t o be available for metabolic work. One of the estimable features of the book-stemming from the author’s scientific publications-is the presentation of rational, empirical equations which reduce to general principles “cumbersome data” relating various aspects of structure, size, function, environment, and nutrition of animals. There has been great need for a summary and interpretation of the experimental results on the energy relations in nutrition, growth, development, and productivity of animals. This monumental work fills that need and will become a standard reference in these and related fields. HENRY A. LARDY.
Tables of Associated Legendre Functions (Mathematical Tables Project). 304 pp. New York: Columbia University Press, 1945. Price : $5.00. This project, conducted under the auspices of the National Bureau of Standards, wa6 begun under W. P. A . of New York City and was completed with the support of the Office of Scientific Research and Development. Dr. Lyman J. Briggs was Official Sponsor. Dr. Arnold N. Loman, Project Director, was assisted by a technical staff of seven and by seven supervisory and editing assistants. The present tables give values to about six significant figures at intervals of 0.1. It is realized that interpolation in these functions is not everywhere satisfactory. Publication is now made in the hope that further material can be completed and published in a subsequent volume. S. C. LIND. Table of A r c Sin X (Mathematical Tables Project). 124 pp. New York: Columbia University Press, 1945. Price: $3.50. These tables were prepared under the same direction and support as the ones on the Legendre Functions (see above) and with almost the same group of assistants. The values are carried out to twelve decimal places with full instructions and examples in the Introduction explaining their use and methods of interpolation. S. C. LIND. Semi-micro Quantitative Organic Analysis. By R. BELCHER AND A . L. GODBERT.23 x 15 cm.; 168 pp. London, New York, and Toronto: Longmans Green and Company, 1945. Price : 10/6d. The last twenty years have brought about a revolution in the field of analytical chemis-
‘
i
I
