the heading "Technische Eisen" and then a further subheading should attempt for its subject indexes. The word "complete" cannot well he applied t o any subject index, for there is no "Sehmiedeeisen u. Stahl," still a further subheading "Eigenpossible well-marked stopping point; but this index, with the schaften," a further classification under the smaller subheading correlative formula index, makes a good approach t o com- "Mechan. Eigg." and finally some entries on hardness. In another subclassification entitled "Metallographie" under pleteness. Inorganic compounds are entered under their common names, the subheading "Schmiedeeisen u. Stahl" are to be found other as "Kobalt(I1)-hromid" (note the method of designating valency) entries on theory of hardness, etc. I n still another place with a grouped under such general headings as "Kobaltverbindungen," similar stepping down under the subheading "Spezialstahle u. or are entered under the names of the acids involved, such cross Sonderlegierungen" entries on hardness are t o he found in the references as "Kobaltarsenat s. Arsensaure, Co-Salz. S. 169" grouping under the small heading labeled "Eigg." which is a being used. Alloys are grouped with compounds. subheading under the subheading "Werkzeugstahl." There Organic compounds are for the most part not entered in are entries on hardness under the subheading "Priifverfahren" this index. The commoner ones, as lactic acid, have subject also. index entries, hut the others are entered in the formula index Classification has resulted in interesting and no doubt to many only. For many of the less complex organic compounds the sub- index users helpful groupings of specific substances under such ject index gives cross references t o the formula index, as "Diheadings as "Arzneimittel," "Enzyme," "Mineralien (u. Gechlorbenzaldehyd s. CIH,OCI~ [Formelreg. S. 2181." There steine)," etc., but this may cost some time in the average search. is no inversion of names to bring organic derivatives together in For example, if one wishes t o look up "Oliven6l" he will find the indcr under thc names of parent conlpounds, or more ac- the entries under "Fette," if he is looking for "Muskeln" he cwntcly index compounds. Smch hcadings as " I ( T 1- hlilch- mnst turn t o the heading "Organen and if he wants the entries sawc:' h ~ ) - > l i l ~ h ~ ~ ~ m - ~ i t h s l e , t"eI (r-,)"- > I ~ I ~ h s i i u r ~ -for "Aloe" he must look under the headings "Arzneipflanzen" ~-~~ ,~~~~ and "Extrakte," and so on. . . . edcr," " d ( -)->lilchsnure..\Irthylestcr," "dl-hlilchsawt." etc , A dictionary and the subject index to a scientific journal arc used instrad of grouping all of the enlric5 under thc heading are, of course, quite different publications and yet in relation 'hlilchsaure" with apprupriate modifying phrases. For cum- t o the question of convenience in use I think that the two may pounds with more than one name the helpful practice of giving be considered in comparison. If the words in our dictionaries other names following the one chosen for the index heading has were in part classified in some series of logical groupings acbeen followed as "Adrenalin (Adrenin. Epinephrin, Suprarenin, cording t o subjects instead of being arranged in simple alphabetic [{Methylaminol-methyl]-[3 .Cdioxyphenyl]-carbinol)." order think of the time which would be lost in looking up defiCross references are plentiful and very helpful. Page numbers nitions. Some classification beyond the simple alphabetic are given as a part of these. arrangement of entries can be used t o good advantage in a subThe subject index is a very important part of a n abstract ject index hut i t is easy t o overdo this, with loss in effectiveness journal. Chemisches Zentrnlblatt has not overlooked this fact of the index as a key which unlocks quickly and easily. Classifiand is providing indexes which give every appearance of being cation is a method and not an objective in indexing. thorough and carefully prepared. This latest collective subject Still it must be said that in a large index like this one the index is for the most part a true index of subjects and not a n entries are so numerous under a good many headings as t o make index of words as are too many existing indexes. I t therefore some systematic arrangement of entries just about necessary. meets the most important test of a good subject index. If the alphabetic arrangement applied t o headings is not conThere is some question as t o the wisdom of allowing classifica- tinued with entries by the use of the entry-dine form with tion t o enter into an indexing system so extensively as in this carefully worded modifying phrases (this is not ideal but i t works index. The purpose of an index is t o provide a quick and certain pretty well, a t least with the English language) then perhaps means of locating all of the information on the subject under a logical classification can be justified. The Chemisches ZentraC consideration which the publication being indexed contains. blatt indexes are printed in solid instead of entry-a-line form Classification in a n index is, of course, desirable only in so far as with no apparent systematic arrangement of individual entries it serves this purpose. A subject index is not t o be looked on as a under headings and subheadings. source of information in itself; i t is a key t o information. Keys The compilation of a collective index t o a journal as extensive usually work best if simplicity is emphasized in their construction. as Chemisches Zentralblatt is a big undertaking. The thorough Classification is a factor in all subject indexing. The simplest snd careful classification of headings in this "Generalregister VII" alphabetic arrangement of index headings is a form of classifica- must have added much t o the work. Except that, as perhaps tion. Classification beyond this simple form must be done with you have guessed by now, I doubt the utility of so much dassifigreat caution if the user is t o be helped thereby because i t multi- cation in a subject index, I regard this latest Chemisches Zentralplies questions of definition and points of view differ. There are blatt subject index as a fine piece of work. E . J. CRANE bound to be many more or less border-line entries the elassificaTHEO a m STATBUNIVBRSITY tion of which the indexer will not be so sure about and the index C O L U m u S , ollm user is a p t t o be puzzled t o know haw they have been classified. I n a n index with varied classification systems for the entries VOCATIONAL du1oANca IN ENGINEERING LINES. "Elicited and under many headings the index user is confronted with the Edited by the American Association a j Engineers." The necessity of lrarning what thcie systems are. Mack Printing Co., Easton, Pa., 1933. xxxiv f 521 pp. If n state-of-the-art search is hcing made hc is likely to feel 15 X 23 cm. $2.50 postpaid, domestic; $3.00 postpaid, the need of looking through all of the cntrlrs in spite bf classififoreign. cation, either because his subject doesnot happen t o fit the system "The book is intended mainly for the benefit of students in used or for fear t h a t the indexer has looked a t things a bit differently than he dws. If a single bit of information is being sought high schools and other preparatory schools who are contemplatit is a p t t o be more time-consuming t o figure out how i t was ing the study and adoption of some line of engineering endeavor; classified and then search for it than i t would be t o look for i t in but it should also be very useful as a textbook in engineering likely places with a n alphabetically arranged series of entries. schools, in order t o teach the students thereof what the profession For example, Let us suppose that one is interested in Looking up a of engineering actually is and what work is covered hy its various question relating t o the hardness of steel. The main subject is branches and by the numerous specialties in the said branches. steel and the average index user would, I believe, turn t o the I- t will also urovide them with many specimens of excellent engiheading "Steel" in indexes and look for the modifying phrase neering English, from which they can select for themselves suitfor- their technical writina." . "hardness of." I n this Chemisches Zentralblatt index if he turned rhlr ~tvle-models~ ~~~~This publication is of considerable interest t o chemists in to the heading "Stahl" he would find himself referred t o the general for a variety of reasons. I t is, for one thing, a veritable heading "Eisen," where he would find a large subgroup under ~
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model of vocational guidance information-a type of work for which there has been considerable unsatisfied demand in the field of chemistry. For another, it contains several chapters which, although written with specific reference to engineering, have rather broad application to scientific and technical professions in general. Among these may be mentioned: I . Introduction, by the Editors; 11. The Engineering Profession, by the Editors; 111. Prometheus Enchained, a chapter from "The Nemesis of American Business," by Stuart Chase; V. Vocational Guidance, by the Editors: VI. Ascertaining of Mental Capacity and Special Talents, by Dr. Harry D. Kitson; XVI. Idealism in Engineering, by Terrell Bartlett; XVII. Engineering Ethics, by the Editors; and XIX. Engineering Literature and Journalism, by Frank W. Skinner. The chapter an Chemical Engineering, by Theodore B. Wagner, is, of course, of direct interest to the chemist. It is, furthermore, surprising, even to a chemist, to note the number of other branches of engineering in which a.thorough knowledge of chemistry is cited as one of the fundamental prerequisites to success. In addition to its utility as a vocational guide and its direct and indirect bearings upon chemistry an a profession, the volume possesses considerable cultural value. Some knowledge of the major lines of human thought and endeavor is certainly a necessary part of the intellectual equipment of every truly educated man. I n the way of an illuminating survey of the engineering profession one could ask for nothing better. Nine chapters are devoted to discussions of as many major branches of engineering; forty more t o engineering specialities-ach by a practitioner in the field discussed. The editorial committee, comprising J. A. L. Waddell, chairman. Frank W. Skinner, and Harold E. Wessman, is to be congratulated upon the success of its efforts and commended for the spirit of professional altruism in which it has prosecuted this "labor of love." Orro REINMUTH P H Y s 1 c o - c ~ ~ u MEmoos. 1~~ Joseph Redly, M.A., D.Sc., Sc.D., D.&.Sc., F.1nst.P.. F.R.C.. Sc.1.. F.I.C., Profof Chemistry. National University of Ireland, and William Norman Rae. V.D., M.A., F.I.C., Professor of Chemistry, University College, Colombo, Ceylon. With foreword by F. G. Donnan. Second edition, revised. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., New York City, 1932. xv 822 pp. 586 Figs. 15 X 23 ems. $8.00.
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Adverse criticism on a work as comprehensive as this and one demanding such painstaking effort is obviously out of order. Even so, it is difficult t o see how such a criticism could be made on "Physico-chemical Methods." Drs. Reilly and Rae have done a beautiful piece of work. A comparison with the first edition, in itself an invaluable work, will be informative. The page-size has been increased but, even so, 87 pages more have been found necessary. Twenty chapters have been added. True, several of the new chapters have resulted from expansion and subdivision, but a t least fifty per cent. of the new chapters represent new material. Especially noteworthy among these are the chapters on destructive distillation, crystal measurements and classification, micro molecular-weight determinations, gas analysis, the liquefaction of gases, the Raman effect, microphotometry, the thermionic vacuum tube, hydrogen-ion determination by the glass electrode method, electrolytic oxidation and reduction, dielectric constants, etc. All of the previous material has been thoroughly revised and brought up to date. The arrangement of material has been improved. A large number of the cuts do not appear in the first edition. The reviewer wishes to commend especially the general excellence of the cuts. The book is abundantly supplied with
literature references and tables of illustrative and useful data. A table of four-place logarithms is included. In several instances the reviewer notes the mathematical development of the theory involved. A qualitative discussion of the reasons for special procedures, modifications, etc., is found in most cases. The authors do not claim an absolutely comprehensive character for the book (though this is nearly attained) but they have endeavored to make it a standard work. To this end subjects with which they felt insufficiently familiar have been submitted to specialists for suggestions and criticism. Undoubtedly "Physico-chemical Methods" really fulfils the avowed purpose of the authors. As such, no advanced student or research worker can afford to be without it. MALCOLM M. HARINO U N ~ Y ~ S SOP~ MABYLAND TV COLLEG~ PAX=.Mo.
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATIONS THE STANDARDS YEARBOOK 1933. Compiled by the Bureau of Standards, U. S. Dept. of Commerce. (For sale by the Supt. of Documents, Govt. Printing Office, Washington, D. C.) 250 pp. 15 X 23 cm. 31.00. The present is the seventh edition of this standardization annual and is full of suggestions and data for all engaged in standardization. In it are outlined the activities and accomplishments of not only the bureaus and agencies of the federal government, hut also those of states and counties. I t contains a dsum6 of the standardization work of scientific and technical societies and trade associations. A brief account of international cooperation in standardization is followed by a summary of the activities of the national standards associations of the various countries. The Standards Yearbook informs the manufacturer of the current standardization movements affecting his industry. I t informs the purcharing agents of new standard specifications, and informs the scientist engaged in research as to current research projects which may lead to standardization. To the average reader it will prove a mine of information on the present status and trend of standardization in all fields of industry, commerce, science, and government, with references to sources of further information. CONTROL ASSAYS OF CO~ERCIAL V r m - D C A R R ~ R SH. . A. Helvorson and L. L. Lorhet, Chemists, Division of Feed and Fertilizer Control, Dept. of Agriculture Dairy and Food, St. Paul, Minnesota. April, 1933. 11 pp. Free upon request. The method of vitamin D estimation adopted by the State of Minnesota laboratory is given in detail. Bane ash results and weight records of chicks are reported on 30 products, including 16 cod-liver oils, 5 cod-liver oil concentrates, 2 proprietary feed supplements, 2 sardine (pilchard) oils, 2 cod-liver meals, 1 burhotliver oil, 1 mineral feed concentrate, and 1cod-liver oil stearin. Pocger TABLESPOR CUBICS. David Ka&. Published by the author, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1933. Six-page pocket folder. 9.5 X 22.2 cm. $0.35. The method of solving cubic equations presented by the author is not fundamentally new in the sense that it constitutes an original contribution t o mathematical theory. I t is, however, useful and a little study devoted t o the mastering of notations enables one by means of it to solve cubic equations in a rather simple manner. Pfallz & Beuer, Inc.. 300 Pearl Street, New York City, announce the publication of a new 44-page catalog, S m n r u s ANALYTICAL BALANCES, catalog No. B 1. The catalog contains the most complete listing of Sartorius Analytical Balances ever made in this country.
