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equipment or technics. This omission is the only thing that the revierver feels calls for criticism. Since living processes are so intimately bound up with problems of osmotic pressure, permeability, electrical conductivity, and colloid behavior in general, it would seem only just that medical students should be introduced to a few simple experiments which would serve to quicken their understanding of such phenomena. The reviewer knows of no better laboratory manual covering the field for which this text is intended. Ross AIICEN GORTNER. Many readers of This Journal will be interested in the following pamphlets published by Hermann et Cie., Paris. Each pamphlet contains a paper (including discussion) read a t the 1933 RBunion internationale de chimie physique. I. L’Effet Volta. By Emmanuel Dubois. 6 fr. 11. The Electrical Properties of Semi-conductors and Insulators. By bl. A. H. Wilson. 4 fr. 111. On Phase Boundary Potentials. By Eric Keightley Rideal. 4 fr. IV. Pile Metalliche. By 0 . Scarpa. 6 fr. V. Das elektrolytische Kristallwachstum. By M. Volmer. 4 fr. VI. Les l?lectrons dans les W t a u x . ProblSrmes Statiques. Magnetisme. By F. Bloch. 5 fr. T I I . Conductihilitk Glectrique des Isolants et des Semi-conducteurs. By A. F. Joffi.. 10 fr. T-111. Les Electrons dans les MBtaux du Point de Vue Ondulatoire. By Leon Brillouin. 9 fr. IX. Conductibilit6 Electrique et Thermique des PIIBtaux. By Leon Brillouin. 18 fr. X. Adsorption, Electro-reduction and Overpotential at the Dropping Mercury Cathode. By J. Heyrovsky. 12 fr. XI. P h h o m h e s Photoelectrochimiques. Action de la LumiBre sur le Potential ILIBtal-Solution. By RenB Audubert. 8 fr. X I I . Les Collofdes et la Couche de Passage. By A. Gillet and N. Andrault de Langeron. 10 fr. XIII. Sur le Potentiel MBtal-Solution dans les Dissolvants AZltres que 1’Eau. By Paul Dutoit. 4 fr. XIV. L’Effet filectro-thermique Homoghe. By Carl Benedicks. 8 fr. XV. Die Theorie der thermoelektrischen Effekte. Legierungen, Unvollstaendige Ketten, Benedickseffekt. By Lothar Nordheim. 6 fr. XVI. La ru’otion de Corpuscules et d’Atomes. By Paul Langevin. 12 fr. F. H. MACDOUGALL. The Manujucture of Soda. By TE-PANG Hoc. American Chemical Society Monograph KO.65. 365 pp. New York: The Chemical Catalog Co., Inc. Price: $8.00, Dr. Hou has undoubtedly produced the first authoritative treatise on the manufacture of soda to appear in this country. The first three chapters, which are devoted t o the historical development of the alkali industry, are of great interest especially to students of chemical engineering economics. They illustrate the peculiar interweaving of interests in the chemical field and the economic forces affecting the rise and downfall of a great industry. Since this is an A. C. S. monograph, it does seem unfortunate to the reviewer that more is not given of the history of the development
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of the Solvay process in this country and the connection with it of such great chemical pioneers as Hazard, Pennock, Trump, and Handy. Chapter IV, on the purification of brine, is concise and well written and, perhaps, more important than the author believes, especially in this country where the quality of the brines used differs so widely. Chapter V, on the burning of limestone, is especially timely, since this important phase of the plant operation is often neglected or its importance not appreciated. The next nine chapters are devoted to a careful detailed discussion of the operations of the ammonia-soda process. The physicochemical factors controlling the operations are given full and complete discussion. Necessarily, the description of equipment is neither quite so complete nor so modern because of the traditional policy of secrecy in which this industry has grown. Undoubtedly, it represents Dr. Hou’s observations of plant practice and equipment, which can hardly be expected t o cover all the newest “wrinkles” in the latter field. The revien-er is not inclined to agree with the author’s statements regarding draw temperatures on p. 102 so far as general plant practice in this country is concerned. The last twelve chapters are devoted t o special alkali products, power generation, control, losses, analyses and tests, and, finally, to an all too brief chapter on plant lay-out and design. The chapter on electrolytic caustic is brief but well done, while those concerning control, losses, and analytical procedure are most excellent. The book is exceedingly well-written, clear, and forceful. Not many errors, either typographical or otherwise, were apparent to the reviewer. On p. 176 “Table 74” in the text should read “Table 79.” The workmanship and materials of the book are of the usual excellent quality of this series. This book will be of interest to students of chemical economics, industrial cheniistry, and particularly the application of physical chemistry to industrial processes. To the practical chemist or engineer in the alkali industry it offers the most complete and careful account of this field which has been produced in the English language, and a careful perusal is almost sure to stimulate even the “old-timers” with a few new and useful ideas. RALPHE. 1fONTONX.4. Elektrolytische Leitfahigkeit untev extreinen Bedingungen. X X X V I I I . Hauptversammlung der deutschen Bunsen Gesellschaft. 28 x 20 em. : iv 183 pp. Berlin: Verlag Chemie, 1933. Price : 8 marks. This volume consists mainly of papers delivered a t a discussion held by the Bunsen Gesellschaft on “Electrolytic Conduction under Extreme Conditions.” The topics include the effect of high frequency and voltage upon electrical conductivity, electrical conductivity in non-aqueous solvents, and phenomena associated with the conduction of electricity by solids. Prominent among the contributors are Debye, Ulich, v. Hevesy, Tubandt, Lange, and Falkenhagen. It is an interesting and important consequence of the theoretical advances in the theory of electrolytes initiated by Debye that new and profitable fields of inquiry have been opened up; this discussion indicates the advances that have already been made, As is usual with such discussions the occasion was one for stocktaking rather than for startlingly fresh announcements. The latter half of the volume is taken up with miscellaneous papers on spectroscopy and molecular structure, electrosynthesis, and general physical chemistry. K, F. K. WYNSE-JONES.
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