RECENT BOOKS
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been treated in four chapters. These chapters deal with the formation of an insoluble gas, the formation of an insoluble solid or precipitate, extraction processes and partition processes. The part dealing with volumetric analysis has the usual division~precipitation, neutralization, and oxidation and reduction. Each succeeding volume of this most This text is quite a departure from the useful book only serves to emphasize its general run of texts on quantitative great value to those engaged in the analysis in regard t o the amount of space practice of organic chemistry. Chemists devoted to theoretical discasion. Not everywhere owe a lasting debt of gratitude only are the chemical principles involved t o the men who first conceived this in the various determinations discussed splendid idea and under whose guidance very fully but the theory underlying all and editorial direction this work has gone the common mechanical operations is forward in ever-increasing usefulness. explained a t some point in the text. It is pleasing t o note the wide dis- He seems to have realized what too tribution of contributors to this volume, many authors apparently have not and it is t o be hoped that in the future taken into consideration-that a course in quantitative analysis is really composed many chemists who have not as yet aided in the work, will see fit t o make about equally of theoretical discussions contributions t o this most creditable of the chemical principles and mechanical publication. I n this way, its value to operations involved and actual laboratory chemists will still further be enhanced. determinations, and not simply a ccollecJ. DONLEAVY tian of simple laboratory instructions. JOHN YALBU ~ Y H I S I T Y His discussBou of these points is very good. NBW HAVBN,CONN. About the usual category of laboratory The Fundamentals of Q u a n t i t a t i v e determinations are included in the text. Analysis. WALTER C. BLASDALE, However, there is an exception in that Ph.D., Professor of Chemistty in the iron is determined by electrolysis instead University of California, a t Los Angeles. of in the usual gravimetric way. The Third edition. D. Van Nostrand and only change in the volumetric part is the placing of the precipitation processes Co., New York, 1928. vi 403 PP., first instead of neutralization as is usually 61 figures. 13.5 X 21.5 em. $3.75. done. Due t o the simplicity of these I n the revision of this text the author processes, this may be advisable. seems to have in mind as the main object In order to further illustrate the subject or purpose the correct correlation of matter under consideration, several chaptheory and laboratory manipulation, since he states that it is only through a definite ters have a list of questions and problems knowledge of chemical principles that the appended. While this may be helpful, analyst can do intelligent work, that the it cannot take the place of a course in simple mechanical performance without chemical calcnlatious. I n several places the author is lax in knowing the reason for each step is not worthy of the term "Quantitative Anal- his use of terms. As an example of this he calls the mlor of potassium dichromate ysis." The usual divisions of the subject red. There are several typographical errors matter, gravimetric and volumetric analysis, have been made. The section which should be corrected. From the standpoint of exposition of dealing with gravimetric analysis has
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chemical principles and theory of mechanical operations, the text is very satisfactory. J. T. DOBBINS U N l V B a S l N Or
NORTH CAROL~NII
CHAPBLHI&&, N.
C.
Reference Book of Inorganic Chemistry. WENDELLM. LATIMER.A.B., Ph.D., and JOELH. HILDEBMND, B.S., Ph.D., University of California. The Macmillan Company. New York City, 442 pp. 47 figures. 1929. viii 14 X 21.5 cm. $3.75.
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This hook provides a volume of descriptive chemistry t o supplement the "Principles of Chemistry" by Hildebrand, and the "Course in General Chemistry" by Bray and Latimer. The contents comprise twenty-two chapters and a glossary devoted t o the descriptive chemistry of the elements and their compounds, and nineteen appendices. In the first three chapters, hydrogen, the inert gases, and oxygen, in the order named, are discussed and then, beginning with the alkali metals, the various groups and sub-groups of the periodic system. In the appendices will be found such material as Standard Oxidation-Reduction Potentials, Free Energy Values and Their Use. Ionization of Strong Electrolytes, The Electron Structure of the Elements, etc. As will be noted the arrangement does not conform to that of the usual inorganic chemistry texts. A large amount of material is presented and i t is left t o the instructor to make his own selection of subject matter and to present i t in the order which most appeals to him. The inclusion of atomic properties and physical constants in tables, and other statistical material in the appendices permits of a clear, concise, and interesting discussion of chemical properties and relationships in the text. Modern concepts of chemistry are employed throughout the book. The relationship of chemical properties t o atomic structure and size is presented clearly and can be easily understood by
the freshman student. The formulas of most compounds are given in terms of the Lewis-Langmuir theory of valence. The continued illustration of these theories is to be commended for too often they are presented in an isolated chapter and the student fails to grasp their significance. It is perhaps to be regretted that, in order to keep the cost of the hwk a t a low figure, the authors have felt obliged to omit references to original sources of material. The book is particularly free of typographical errors and the tables show evidence of careful checking and proofreading. This volume should appeal t o a wide range of interests. In addition t o its value as a text it can be heartily recommended to the advanced student and t o the teacher of inorganic chemistry for reference use. G. C. CHANDLBE THCPBNNSYLYANIA ST&^ COUBO& Smm COI.L%CB. PENNSYLVANIA
Chemical Publications, Their Nature and Use. MELVIN GUY MELLON,Ph.D., Afsociate Professor of Analytical Chemistry, Purdue University. McGrawHill Book Co., New York, 1928. viii 253 pp. 3 cuts. 14 X 20.5 cm. $2.50.
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The book has a threefold object: to sketch the development of chemical publications from early times, t o give a comprehensive view of available sources of chemical information and their classification, and to serve as a laboratory manual for students who wish to learn the methods of making searches and writing reports. It is intended as a textbook far an undergraduate course in chemical literature, for one semester, one hour a week. After an introductory chapter on early chemical literature, four chapters, comprising 54 pages, are devoted to original sources: periodicals, institutional publications.. oatents. and miscellaneous. The . journals are described and listed in divisions according t o their chief interest.
