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JOURNAL O F CHEMICAL EDUCATION
and alerts the student to the new ideas which are to he presented. The illustrstians m e well selected with reproductions of famous scientists in the historical sections, and Liberal use of both space models and scaled models to illustrate structures. An excellent index of 25 pages of double columns shows the care used in preparation of this book. The teachers who used the first edition will find that an already outstanding text is more than ever suited to their needs. Those who never have used this book or the original McPherson and Henderson texts will find the second edition to be a thoroughly teachable text with its logical development of principles through well selected illustrations and emphasis on the understanding of the principles and methodology of chemistry.
book on the fundamental chemistry of tanning at the present time [November, 19551." Now as a result of his diligent devotion to the complexities of the tanning processes through brilliant laboratory researches on the fundamental science of tanning reactions, we do have a modern book, skillfully and interestingly written. The suhjects covered in ten chapters include (1) the chemistry of chromium salts and chrome tanning, (2) the effect of neutral salts and complexing agents in chrome tanning, (3) miscellaneous factors in chrome tanning, the two-bath method, (4) the nature of the ehrome-collagen complex, (5) vegetable tannage, (6) tanning with Svntrtns and reaction of lienosulfonic
of biological and medical importance involving discussions of phagocytosis of ha* teria by tannins as saponins, use of formaldehyde in modifying bacterial toxins and antibiotics, virucidal and antiviral effects of some veeetahle tannins. &eat of form-
THE COMMON SENSE OF THE EXACT SCIENCES
W. K. Clifford. Edited by Karl Pearson and James R. Newman. Dover Publi-
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cations, Inc., New York, 1955. Ixvi 249 pp. 123 figs. 13.5 X 20.5 om. Paper bound. $1.60.
THE original date of publication, 1885, might question its reissue. After reading Russell's preface, written far it some 70 years later, one withholds criticism. The title first used by its author was "The First Principles of the Msthemstical Sciences Explsined to the Non-Methematical!' Thus it is mathematics for those less mathematical in their thinking. For the chemical readers of THIB JOURNAL engineers and physical chemists are the most likely interested readers of its pages. Russell sees in it a mathematician of the first order turned philosopher. The more casual reader may find it a quantitative unfolding of many mathematical relationships he has heretofore used uncritioally with little concern as to whence they came. Topics presented are: Number, Space, Quantity, Position, and Motion. Each chapter has from 11 to 19 subdivisions set forth in the table of contents. A hibliography of the major writings of Clifford is appended. There is no index. B. CLIFFORD RENDRICKS Lonovmw, W*snnro~on
THE CHEMISTRY OF TANNING PROCESSES K. H. Gustavson, Gamerinkingens Forskningsinstitut, Stockholm. Academic Press, 403 pp. 57 Inc., New York, 1956. ix figs. 58 tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $9.
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I N TAE preface, the author states, "It is a deplorable f z t that there is no modern
sutures. This is a book which will serve not only those concerned with the making of leather hut also those engaged in the complex science of histology. As the author states, the inclusion of a chapter on "the hiological and medical aspects of tanning is an innovation" and thus this treatise u.ell merits a place in the libraries of biologioitl institutes and of medical schools along with the companion volume, "The Chemistry and Reactivity of Collagen." The reviewer welcomes this contrihution by Dr. Gustavson and is pleased to express his opinion that this hook is the hest now available. He adds also his pr&e for it ss a beautiful example of the printers' art. ARTHUR W. THOMAS UNIVER.ITT COLOMBIA NEWYORH, NEWYORK
OEUVRES DE LAVOISIEA: CORRESPONDANCE. FASCICULE I (1763-69) Edited by Rend Fric, Ingi.nier, Charge d'enneeignement a I'institute de Chimie de I'universiti. de Clermont. fiditions Albin Michel, Paris, 1955. mii 249 pp. 21.5 X 27.5 em. Paper bound.
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BETWEEN1861 and 1893 Dumas and Grimaux edited and published much of the scientific work of Lavoisier. This six-volume edition contained none of Lavoisier's correspondence. Now, after some 60 years, the "Oeuvres de Lm&ier" is being continued, and the omission is being remedied. Beginning in 1925 the editor of the present work commenced to collect letters to and from Lavoisier. He has searched
all available sources. He has been aided by numerous individuals, by scientific societies, and by UNESCO. Now the first section of these letters has appeared, published under the patronage of the Acadhie des Sciences and with a preface by Louis de Broglie. The period covered in this volume is from 1763 through 1769, that is, through Lsvoisier's twenty-sixth year, hut the majority of the letters were written either in 1767 or 1769. In 1767 Lavoisier accompanied the famous geologist Guettmd on an expedition through the Vosges and through Alsace. Biographers have pointed out how much this expedition contributed to the scientifie growth of Lavoisier. Here we have the letters exchanged between the young scientist, his father, and his aunt, Mlle. Punctls. In the letters written by Lavoisier we see the scientific accuracy, the keen powers of observation, which his biographers have always stressed, hut we see much more. The strong BfFection existing between the members of this small family, the concern of the older members for the youth on his first extended trip away from them, and the little details of strange eustame and manners which Lavoisier describes to his aunt to reassure her as to his health and safety, all give u8 an intimate sense of personal acquaintance which has never before been possible. Among the most interesting letters in this group is the natation sent by the bookseller Konig of Strashourg, listing the books which Lavoisier purchased from him while passing through that city. Thereare 119 items, most of which concern chemistry. There can be no doubt thzt even as a young man Lavoisier's scientific interests were chiefly chemical. In 1768 Lavoisier did not travel far from Paris, and his letters are few that year. However, two important events in his Life ocourred a t that time. He was elected to the Academy of Sciences, and there are a few notes which pertain to this phase of his activities. He also became a member of the Ferme g6n6rale, the private company to which the state leased the taxing power over many important cammodities. He soon became an important member of the department of the Ferme which controlled the tobacco business. The director of this department was Jacques-Alexis Panlze, who later hecame his father-in-law. From July through November of 1769 Lavoisier made a tour of inspection of the tobacco interests of the Ferme in the region of Chalons. He sent back almost daily reports to Paulze, telling of his activities, the results of his inspections and tests for adulterated tobacco, and his ideas for improving the work of the Ferme. These letters make up most of the last part of this volume. The final letter is a report on the capabilities of the various employees of the Ferme with whom he came in contttct. These letters and reports reveal the thoroughness, business
