ing the reducing atmosphere as the starting p i n t for chemical biogenesis. Cansequently, Dauvillier's alternative may he worth consideration. Both Oparin and Uauvillier consider the many related facets of the problem, from cosmology, chemistry, and biology. Unfortunately, "The Photochemical Origin of Life" compares very unfavorably with Oparin's hook in terms of organination, writing, and PETERA. LEERMAKERS scientific accuracy. Weskyan University The treatment of photochemistry, imM i d d l e l m , Cmneelieul plied by the title, oocupies only about 23 pages, including the question of the origin of optical activity. The author places the The Photochemical Origin of Life first photochemical asymmetric synthesis of molecules "at the edge of some briny A . Dauuillier, Laborstoire de Physique shallow lagoon, surrounded by quartz or Cosmique, Bagnhes-de-Bigorre, France. calcite crystals, a t the foot of some tropical Translated by Scripta Technica, Inc. ocean volcano." Thia, as well as many Academic Press, Inc., New York, 1965. other assertions, will doubtless he chalix l93pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X lenged by others engaged in this specula23.5 cm. $7.50. tive field. More disturbing to the general reader Oparin ("Life, It's Nature, Origin, and will he the numerous scientific errors and Development," Oliver and Boyd, Ltd., poor usage of scientific terms. One reads, Edinburgh, 1961), proposed that the far example, that adenosine triphosphate synthesis of the organic compounds reis a "constituent of ribonueleic acid," quired for the eventual development of "utilizes the unique phenomenon of the life began with hydrocarbons. This view abundant free energy of pentavalent phoshas been reinforced by laboratory experiphorus," and is able t o "give up a phosments demonstrating synthesis of biophorus radical to a glucose molecule." genic compounds from methane, amOrganic compounds (rather than their monia, water, etc., under assumed formation from inorganic compounds) are "natural" conditions. referred to as being endothermic. I n Dauvillier assumes most of the carbon fact,, the reviewer (a biochemist) suggests to have been in the form of carbon dithat readers skip all the sections an the oxide, and proposes routes, many of them characteristics of living matter. I t may photochemical, from carbon dioxide to be that astronomers will be equally organic compounds. There appear to he critical of other sections, such as t,hose in no conclusive scientific reasons for accept-
Ia ( 1 - e - Q ) , and on p. 45, figure (4-2),
the curves in ethanol and cyclohexane are midabled (the dotted line should be ethanol). The other errors are mostly trivial. I n summary, for those of us in the field the book is s. tremendously valuable source of up-ta-date literature; for those teaching the subject, i t is the text.
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Journol of Chemicol Education
whmh i t is asserted that the surface of Venus is covered with frozen oceans, or that the solar system bed its origin in the collision of two stam. This book can a t best be recommended only for those slready familiar with the suhject who are interested m the conflicting point of view.
J. A. BASSHM Universily of California Berkeley The Countess
March Cost. Vanguard Press, New York, 1963. xiii 233 pp. 13.5 X 20.5 cm. $4.50.
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"Life with Father" would he a n excellent subt,it,lefor this unusual novel, which deals with the years that Sarah Thompson spent in Eurape with her famous father, Sir Benjamin Thompson (1753-1814). A native of Msssachusetts, he is better known as Count llumford, a title canferred by the Elector of Bavaria for conspicuous services to that country. Thompwn, a Brit,ish sympathimr and spy, abaw doned his wife and their infant daughter and fled to London, where he soon made his way upward. He returned t o America as colonel of a British regiment, but made no effort to see his family. After t h e war, he entered the service of the Bavarians, reformed their army, and launched programs designed to convert the host of Munich beggars intouseful citizens. Rumford invited Sarah to live with him after her mother died, and in 1796 they met
(Continued on page A660)
