604
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
The Development of Physiological Chemistry in the United States. American Chemical Sofiety Monograph, No. 54. RUSSELLH. CAITTBNDEN. Professor of Physiological Chemistry in the SheEeld Scientific School of Yale University, 1882-1922. The Chemical Catalog Co.. Inc., New York City. 1930. xiv 427 pp. 15 X 23.5 cm. $6.00.
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This hook is unique. The author has combined the readability of a modern history with a fund of information worthy of an encyclopedia. The first chapter gives an account of the author's experiences in Kuehne's lahoratory a t Heidelherg and tells of the beginnings of physiological chemistry in Germany and France and of its importation into this country in 1874. Subsequent chapters take up the work in the United States from that date on. The plan of development is as near the chronological as can be attained with such a many-branched subject as physiological chemistry. The work of individuals and groups is rewrded and t o this is added interesting personal facts about the workers, the times and places a t which the work was done, the reasons far undertaking the projects, and their effects on physiological chemistry a t large. At no time d w s the author become involved in deeply specialized chemistry or physiology. To one only casually interested in physiological chemistry the b w k presents an admirable bird's-eye view of the work done in the United States and enough of that done outside of it t o complete the picture. To the biochemist it gives a concise record of men and their work which could be secured only by long digging a t the periodical literature. The developments of the past two years are only partly covered. For instance the w e n t revolution in carbohydrate chemistry and Kamm's work on alpha and beta hypophamines are not mentioned. G. H. WOOUETI U m m ~ on m MISS IS SIP^
UNIV&RS-. MISSISSIPPI
M m c ~ 1931 .
Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry. H m v F. LEWIS, Professor of Organic Chemistrv. Institute of Paper Chemistry; f a n e r l y Professor of Chemistry, Ohio Wesleyan University. First edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1930. viii 390 pp. 28 illustrations. 13.5 X 20.25 wn. 8.75.
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The hook is designed as a text that will serve as both: (1) a survey course for students in a liberal arts college who are not majoring in chemistry; (2) a first course for students maiorina . . in chemistry. The basis for the tent is "Atomic Linkage Theory." The material is developed with particular reference t o the number of atoms in a compound, their nature, the nature of the linkage between these atoms, and the arrangements of the atoms in space. The author keeps constantly before the student the linkage involved in the wmpounds under wnsideration. The reviewer is somewhat disappointed, however, after having the atomic linkage stressed as the foundation of the text. to 6nd very little use of the electron theory after the sewnd chanter. Cansiderahle emphasis has been placed upon recent industrial developments in organic chemistry. This undoubtedly aids in holding the student's attention and interest as well as pointing out some of the ewnomic contributions of chemical research. The illustrations used in this connection have been well chosen. The hook is well equipped with references and review questions and has the sddedfeatureof suggestionsas tothepreparation of w e s , data, and the reference materials studied. I n this respect the text is excellent and furnishes a good hackmound for the presentation of the subject. 1t appears, ha&er, that the text is much more suitable as a survey wurse than as a text for chemistry majors. For the latter type of student i t would seem that the text would he more useful if it wntained same additional material. Even if briefly stated, one might expect some consideration of subjects such as the Beckmann re-
