BOOK REVIEWS timely. The novice will find this book to be an excellent introduction. The research
helpful. &en the experienced analyst will find useful both the sections on qauntitative analysis and the appendices, which contain much information useful in interpretingelectronprobedata. Othersections of the book which discuss instrumentation, electron optics, and X-ray crystal optics are more descriptive, and the material readily avsliable from other sources. Nonetheless these sections are necesnasy to present a. coherent imnge to s reader who is not thoroughlyfa,miliar with thetechnique. A substantial portion of the book is concerned with the theory and methods of quantitative analysis, i.e., the way one can infer a mass concentration of a particular element from the intensity of one of its characteristic X-ray lines. This emphapis on the quantitative aspects of analyses is appropriate, and the author has handled it wit.h admirable clarity. However, one must hear in mind that methods of quantitative analysis are presently in controversy. The author presents here a method which he bas himself devised. Although this is not intended to be a complete reference work, and although the author encourages the reader to read papers which present alternative approaches to quantitative analysis, there may be a tendency for the reader to prefer the Birks approach not necessarily because it is better than others, but simply became it is presented in convenient book form. Except for this word of caution, this book can be recommended as a dear and readable introductory treatment of the subject as well ss s useful reference book.
H. S. RO~ENBAUM General Electric Valkcitos Atomic Laharotory Pleoaakm, California Thin Layer Chromatography
James M . Bobbitl, Univenrity of Connecticut, Storm. Reinhold Publishing 208 pp. Corp., New York, 1963. xi Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. 58.50. This concise text is divided into eleven chapters dealing with all important prmtical napeceots of this subject. Prefaced by a foreword from the Neator of TLC, J. G. Kirchner, the first chapter is concerned with the history and general applicability of this method. I n the second chapter, the author dwells on adsorbents and their particular selection, while chapter three describes the prepare tion of thin layers. The application of the sample ia shown next, followed by the choice of a solvent system and the development of thin-layer chromatograms. Particulw attention is given to chapter seven (Visualiaation) w h ~ habo contains an elaborate table, listing 89 different spray reagents, their preparation and purpose, as well as literatu~ereference. (Continued o n page A398)
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BOOK REVIEWS The Dorumentation of Results is discussed in the next chapter, succeeded by a description of Preparative TLC, including some of the latest gadgets reported for this purpose. After a chapter on Quantitative TLC, which covers the major principles for this purpose, and a final chapter on Specific Applications of TLC, the author concludes this volume with 54 pages of tables, listing the typm of cornpounds to be separated and the particular adsorbent, developer, visunliaation proposed for them, together with comments and literature references. These tables, comprising all major types of compounds reported in the TLC literature up to as recently as 1963, should be part,icularly useful for rapid guidance. The entire book is written in a clear style, quite to the point and unencumbered by lengthy theoretical considerations. The illustrations are sufficiently detailed and helpful for the understanding of the subject. This excellent compendium appears to he not, only particularly well suited as an introduction to thin-layer ehromatography far the college student, hut should also be found far quick reference on the bench of every chemist concerned with this most useful technique. E. G. WOLLISH H%fmann-La Roehe, Inc. N I L ~ ~Ar?w P ? , ,Jersey
The Identification of Molecular Spectra
R. W. B. Peame and A. G. Gaydon, both of Imperial College, London. 3rd ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1963. xi 347 pp. Fig& and tithles. 19.5 X 27.5 cm. 518.50.
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This is a new edition of a rather wellknown book. The changes lie principally in the addition of data on 84 molecules whose spectra have been observed sinoe the second edition, and inolusion of extended or revised data on many other molecules. The references have been brought up to date through 1961. The book is designed t o assist in the identification of the band spectra. of simple molecules such as might be observed in a flame or electric discharee I t attempts to list all band:.vstems in tce region from 2000 to 10,000 A for all known diatomic molecules and for some polyatomic molecules. About twenty simple organic molecules are included. The treatment is restricted to the identification of the spectra, and is not concerned with detailed interpretation The first section of the book is a table of band heads listed in order of wavelength. The second section, occupying three quarters of the hook, lists individual molecules with a complete summary of the mectrum of each. includine waveleneths
of practical suggestions on obtaining and (Continued on page A401)
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