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considerable confidence and facility. If he wishes to go deeper into the subject he should now return t o Marsh’s Chapters IV and V on ternary systems, provided he is ready to do some serious studying. He may profitably continue into the chapter on “Conclusions,” where systems of more than three components are discussed. If by this time the student is interested in the real fundamentals of the subject, he may turn to Chapter I1 “Fundamentals (Continued).” He will get a good review of parts of his thermodynamics and might find it profitable t o refer to portions of Lewis and Randall’s Thermodynamics and Planck’s Treatise on Thermodynamics. I n addition t o this he will find some interesting discussions on the properties of non-perfect solutions and intermolecular forces. After completing this course of study the student will feel that he has been t o places of considerable consequence, but the long journey is necessary if one is t o get a real understanding of the material in Marsh’s book. The short distance between the covers is deceptive. Do not be misled. C. C. FURNAS.
The Optical Basis of Chemicul Valence. By R. DE KRONIG. Cambridge Physical Chemistry series. 237 pp.; 67 figs. Cambridge University Press. The modern ideas of atomic and molecular struc,ture are discussed briefly. Most of the mathematical formulas are stated without derivation. Any other procedure is of course impossible in the space of this volume. The book best lends itself therefore t o obtaining a general view of modern thought in the fields of structure of atoms and molecules as derived from spectroscopy. The nature of chemical binding and dissociation are dealt with on a modern basis. The beginning student can get a good survey of the field, and the advanced reader will enjoy the clear concise style in which the book is written. That the author has succeeded in covering the field remarkably well is shown by the chapters into which the volume is divided: I. Introduction. 11. The investigation of atomic and molecular structure by means of x- and cathode rays. 111. Atomic spectra and the periodic system. IV. Band spectra and chemical binding in diatomic molecules. V. Band spectra and chemical binding in polyatomic molecules. VI. Optical and thermal dissociation. Each chapter ends with a bibliography and a list of references t o the original literature. A special table of the electron configuration of the elements is appended. Any reader who would use this volume as a guide t o a study of modern chemical physics and follow some of the literature cited, would gain a very complete picture of this fascinating subject. GEORGEGLOCRLER.
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