VOLUME 33, NO. 12, DECEMBER, 1956 sense, and ability to sum up the characters of his co-workers which were typical of the many sided genius of Lavoisier. I t can be seen that the letters in this volume were not written during the most important period of Lavoisier's life. The minute details in same of them will not interest the general reader. Nevertheless, even a partial sampling will show thegenius and character of Lavoisier in a manner which no formal biography can approach. For the serious student of the man himself, or for a social historian of France in the immediate pre-Revolutionary period, these letters are an indispensable study. Since this volume is only the first part of a much more extensive work, it is paper bound, but it is in all respects of excellent quality. The print is clear and reproduces the peculiarities of spelling, capitalization, and punctuation of the colloquial French of the period. Explanatory footnotes give detailed information as to individuals mentioned and as to customs no longer easy to understand. This is a work of first rank scholarship. We csn look forward eagerly to publication of the rest of the correspondence. HENRY M. LEICESTER COLLB~ OFEPHTSICIANB A N D SUBOEONB S*N FR*NCI.CO.C A ~ I P O R N ~ A
FZUIDIZATION Edited by D. F. Ofhmer, Head, Depart. ment of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1956. ix 231 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $7.
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THISbook is based upon a series of leetures recently presented a t the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and edited bv D. F. Othmer. General-aspects of the baekground, history, and future applications of fluidized beds are covered in nine chap ters, each written by a different author. Perhaps the best virtue of this book will be as a first reference to a reader wishing to become acquainted with the growing field of fluidization. The bibliography is extensive and covers literature articles as late as 1955. For this reason alone the book may find a wide market. The drawings are excellent and many design formulas are presented. Many companies will find the theoretical developments of distinct interest and utility. The first three chapters deal with the fundamentals of fluidized and moving fluidized beds, the latter six chapters with historical and detailed discussions of commercial applications. The chapters unfortunately are self-contained and as a consequence there is considerable repetition and seemingly no correlation between chapters. The nomenclature will prove troublesome to a reader since it varies from chapter to chapter.
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The organization of this book leaves much to be desired. The history of the method as exemplified by a chapter by E. J. Gohr of Esso Research and Engineering Co. does not come until the fourth chapter. A discussion of the potential utilizations, which might best be presented as a last chapter, is mixed in with the other material. Since this book represents the first a& tempt to treat the entire field of fluidization it has a bright future saleswise. I t is unfortunate that a. more cohesive grouping of the m a t e d Was not achieved but there is much to recommend for a reader. LEON LAPIDUS P ~ I N C E TU ON N, " ~ ; E ~ , T ~ Pnrwcmos, NEWJERSEY
reference is made to methods that utilize isotopes for assessing sail deficiencies. The Mitscherlich Wirkungsjaktor for nitrogen is discussed without criticism. Dr. Millar points out the need for more carefully designed rotational experiments and the fact that many early experiments were inadequately fertilized. Attention is called to the probability of maintaining soil fertility through the use of suitable fertilizers combined with crop residues. Continuous cropping and specialized fsrming systems are not discussed. The final chapter is devoted to consideration of the classical experimental fields in the United States and Great Britain. This will be of special v a h e to the university student. The book contains well-chosen illustrsr Lions and is carefully organized, indexed, and produced. G. R . HAWKES OF A~RICULTGSE U. S. DBPARTI~ENT BELTBVILLE, MARYLAND
SOIL FERTILITY
C. E. Millor, the late Emeritus Professor of Soil Science, Michigan State University. Iohn Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1955. xi 436 pp. 54 figs. 118 tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $6.75.
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graduate levels, and from constant contact withfarmers, Dr. Millar gives an unusually well-balanced discussion of soil fertility. The book appears to be aimed s t the university student on the undergraduate level; the well-informed farmer will also find much of value. Consulta.tion of the original papers and more advanced and specialized books will be necessary for the specialist. He will find many of these referred to in this book. Dr. Millar briefly discusses aspects of sail chemistry, soil physics, soil microbiology, and plant physiology with the preface, "Knowledge of the subject matter in each of these fields is essential for an understanding of soil characteristics and the reactions occurring in soils which influence plant growth." Successive chapters then deal with organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, sulfur, micrc-, and some nonessential nutrients. Other aspects considered in separate chapters are soil deficiencies and determination of nutrient, ~rrcclsoi wopr. wt~vitim01 mil organiw~s, uac gnvn rnantrrm, rn,p n.salws and composts, animal manures, contributions of commercial fertilizers, and rotations and farming systems in different sections of the United States. Examples in the text deal primarily with the midwestern section of the United States making this book partioulmly useful to the student and farmer situated there. Although a& tention is given to problems of saline soils and irrigation mare space could well have been devoted to water supply. In the chapter on Soil Deficiencies and Needs of Crops, the author mentions various biological methods useful in testing. No ~
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THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUTION OF NATURAL FATS
T. P. Hilditch, Professor Emeritus, University of Liverpool. Third edition. Iohn Wiley B Sons, Inc., New Yark, 1956. xin 664 pp. 24 figs. 165 tables. 16 X 25 cm. $16.
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THIS book is largely devoted to consideration of the component acids and glycerides in natural fats. I t is an excellent reference work on this subject and covers the literstwe in considerable detail through 1954. Approximately 900 natural fats are discussed, compared to about 600 in the first edition. Much new information has been added concerning fats inoluded in the first edition. The chapter titles and style of presents, tion are essentially the ssme in the third edition as in the first. The sections on experimental techniques are extensive but rather disappointing. Partition and gas-phase chromatography are barely mentioned. A figure is included of a pre-1900 setup for fractionation a t reduced pressure, but spinning band columns are referred to only briefly. The historical coverage on older techniques is goad. The chapter on some aspects of the biosynthesis of fats contains little of interest to current students of the subject. Professor Hilditch concludes that suggested sequences far the biochemical conversion of carbohydrates into fatty acids like oleic acid are rudimentary approximations a t best. It is not clear whether or not he has seriously considered schemes involving coenzyme A. Indexing of individual fats, glycerides, and plant families is good. Indexing of other topics is entirely too sparse. W. B. RENFROW O B E ~ LCOLLE(IE ~N Oaracrn, Oaro
