RECENT BOOKS 'IRE BIOCHEMISTRY o r THE LIPIDS. Henry B. Bull, Ph.D.,
formerly Assistant Professor of Agricultural Biochemistry, University of Minnesota. At present Assistant Professor of Physiological Chemistry. Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York City, 1937. ix 169 pp. 63 figs. 15 X 23 cm. $2.75. I n writing this "rearrangement, a rewriting and extension" of an earlier mimeographed book, the author, with "the needs of the graduate students in biochemistry constantly in ndnd," wished t o produce not a "technology and dictionary of fats and oils." but "an up-to-date, readable textbook which would attempt to gain some insight into the chemistry and physiology of the lipids." The author adopts Blwr's classification and definition of lipids, ois.:
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I. Simple lipids-(a) fats, (b) waxes 11. Compound lipids-(a) phospholipids. sides, (c) aminalipids, 111. Derived lipid-(a) fatty acids, (b) alcohols and accordiidv has divided his treatment under chapter headhis.
(b)
cerebro-
(d) sulfolipids
sterols,
(c)
the followinp. -
Introduction and Classification
I. 11. 111. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX.
The Fatty Adds The Saaps Alcohols, Waxes, and Hydrocarbons The Sterols and Related Compounds Fats and Oils The Phospholipids Cerebmides Carbohydrate Esters of the Higher Fatty Acids Emulsions Author Index Subject Index
cises), introduction t o qualitative analysis through reactions of metallic ions (twenty-four exercises), and qualitative analysis for the common cations and anions are all included. The qualitative procedure is presented by means of diagrams, and divides the cations into chloride, hydrogen sulfide, ammonium polysulfide, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium sulfide, ammonium carbonate. and alkali groups. Tests are given far ten common anions, and a phosphate modification is described. The manual is designed t o be used as fallows. Answers to questions are written directly on the page bearing the laboratory directions, the page is t o m out, handed in for correction, and then filed hy the student in a loose-leaf binder. This system should give marked flexibility in choice of exercises without sacrifice of compactness. No theoretical material is presented in the manual, but emphasis is placed very early on nomenclature, formula and equation writing, and problem work, for which anunusual amount of drill material is included in the manual. This material seems to be well chosen, unless there is objection t o the exclusive use of molecular equations. It is the evident intention of the authors that the material in the manual be supplemented to a considerable extent by oral instruction. Simultaneous treatment of study topics in lecture and laboratom is emnhasized. and is facilitated bv the detachable nature - - ofall ihe pages of the manual. An intereking feature is the inclusion of a number of tests of substances commouly encountered in industrial practice. The makeup is good, the content is orthodox, and the manual should prove very satisfactory when used as the authors intend. Lormop S m ~ m
CH~MICAL P R I N C ~ Bwith S Particular Application t o Qualitative Analysis. John H. Yoe, Ph.D., Prolessor of Chemistry, University of Virginia. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. New York 311 pp. 29 65. 23 tables. 15 X 23 cm. City, 1937. ia $2.75. The author makes no claim for encyclopedic completeness. This text w a s written with the primary purpose of presenting Doubtless he was tempted a t many points to expand greatly his treatise; c. g., the chapter on sterols must have been an open in- the fundamental principles of chemistry necessary t o an undervitation t o prepare an extended rhsum6 of this newly explored standing of the procedures of qualitative analysis and other and highly fascinating field. Yet he shows commendable re- branches of the subject which usually confront the student in straint and brings this interesting subject into focus only suf- passing from generalchemistry to physical chemistry. Many of ficiently to show its importance and relationship to his main the topics discussed are likewise applicable t o quantitative topic. Other examples of similar nature might he given. With its analysis as i t is usually presented. Special emphasis is placed numemus and strategic references, the hook leaves with the upon the application of the principles of chemical equilibrium t o reader an impression that the material is well and adequately qualitative analysis. With the exception of a brief outline of dry methods of analysis given in the appendix, the text does presented. The develonment of the subiect matter. as well as its method not contain any laboratory procedures or discussions of the of presentation, serves t o call attention t o and emphasize a very chemistry of the common positive and negative ions. I t is erpected that the text will he used to support laboratory manuals important subdivision of the larger realm of biochemistry. WALTERH. HARTUNG of qualitative analysis which are now available on the market. To this extent the author has succeeded in an admirable manner. The text is we4 written, the principles are clearly and fully presented, numerous problems and examples of problems relating t o chemical equilibrium are given, and, in general, the text is LABORATORY MANUAL O F INORGANIC CHEMISTRYAND ELE- comprehensive in its scope. MENTARY QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS. C. C. Hedges, Head of The first four chapters of the text are devoted t o fundamental Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and laws usually given in a general chemistry course and are intended H. R. Brayfon, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, The Agri- by the author t o serve as a review and an introduction. Chapter cultural and Mechanical College of Texas. D. C. Heath and V contains a brief introduction t o oxidation and reduction and 264 pp. 15.5 X Company. New York City, 1937. vii eves of eauations. Chanters VI and e~ - - methods -~for the balancin~ 24.5 em. $1.48. \'I1 deal with the propertics of gases and liquids, respecrively. The follow in^ topics arc then presented in order: the propertics This manual is entirely devoted t o laboratory exercises and related written work, and covers s a c i e n t material for an entire of solids; the propcnier of solutions; solutions of electrolytw; year. General inorganic chemistry (one hundred fifteen exer- interionic attraction theory; homogeneous equilibrium: the
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