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time t o the nitrogen and oxygen systems, the nitrogen and sulfur systems, etc. A unique and significant contribution of the (concept of a nitrogen system of compounds is the classification and correlation which it provides for the so-called mercuriammonia compounds. The same concept is of tremendous value among organic compounds in its systematization of the chemistry of such a wide variety of materials as the amines (ammono alcohols and ethers), aldimines (ammono aldehyde-alcohols), ketimines (ammono ketone-alcohols), and hydramides (ammono aldehyde-acetals), Schiff’s bases (ammono aldehyde-ethers and ammono ketone-ethers), amidines (ammono carboxylic acids), nitriles (carboxylic acid anammonides), isocyanides (esters of ammonocarbonous acid), cyanamide and guanidine (ammonocarbonic acids), nitrosoamines and diazo compounds (derivatives of ammono- or aquo-ammononitrous acids), and the nitrogen heterocycles such as pyridine (cyclic ammono aldehyde-ether). It might be argued that any concept based on analogy carries with it certain elements of weakness. Yet when this argument is applied t o the concept of systems of compounds it loses much of its significance because the extreme fruitfulness of the concept is sufficient evidence of its strength. As a presentation of exciting knowledge in its field, the book is remarkably complete and contains considerable material not otherwise readily available. There can be no question that this book will greatly stimulate research in the field of nitrogen chemistry. Already the chemical literature gives ample evidence of the influence of Franklin’s ideas. Not only are investigators following his lead in interpreting reactions of nitrogen compounds according to t h e nitrogen system, but they are also proposing other systems of compounds t o correlate behavior for substances other than those containing ammonia nitrogen. There seems t o be only one factor which is likely to hinder the great usefulness of this monograph-the price asked for it prevents many students from realizing their desire t o own it. A very desirable feature of the book is the appendix on the experimental manipulation of liquid ammonia solutions. It is t o be hoped that we may soon haveavailable a compilation of existing data relative t o liquid ammonia solutions t o supplement Professor Franklin’s monograph on the nitrogen system. W. CONARD FERNELIUS. Colloidal Electrolytes. A general discussion held by the Faraday Society. 16 x 25 cm.: 421 pp. London: Gurney and Jackson, 1935. Price: 18s. 6d. The volume contains thirty-six main contributions t o the subject, originating from twenty different universities and research institutes distributed throughout ten European countries and the United States, and a considerable amount of critical discussion in which other schools of research are represented. Such variety and number has naturally necessitated a very wide meaning being attached t o the title. In consequence this, the largest of t h e Faraday discussion volumes yet published, will probably be less easily comprehensible as a whole t o individual workers in the field than its forerunners. It should all the more prove extremely useful t o them, since at least half the matter in it will be immediately relevant t o any one interested, and the remainder may prove more relevant than might at first appear. The book will therefore be a stimulus as well as a work of reference t o recent progress. The subject is divided broadly into a general part and a special and technical part. The former comes mainly under the heading of theory, but includes also a short section on experimental methods. The latter is divided into five headings: (a) soaps and other long-chain electrolytes, (b) dyes, (c) silicates, (d) proteins, and (e) other substances. In the theoretical section thermodynamic and electrical properties are discussed from the points of view of electrolyte and surface theory, and under the
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special headings biological and industrial applications, as well as the special properties of the substances concerned, are described. The absence of any general summary of the work of McBain and collaborators, who contribute, however, two special papers, will disappoint those interested in soap-like substances, but on the whole the book is very well balanced and the society and its editor are certainly t o be congratulated on their achievement. The binding in boards is an improvement on the old paper covers but is still insufficiently strong for a book which should find so much use. G. S. HARTLEY.
Reports on Progress i n Physics. Published by the Physical Society. 25 x 18 cm.; iv 371 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1934. Price: 12s. 6d. net to non-fellows. This is the first volume of a series of annual reports t o be issued by the Physical Society, and it sets a very high standard for the future. It is a well printed and strongly bound volume of attractive appearance, and the contents range over several important branches of physics. Quantum mechanics and wave mechanics (Temple); the spiral nebulae and the expansion of the universe (McVittie), and Burgers’ theory of turbulence (Trubridge) appeal to the mathematical physicist. Articles on surface tension (Ferguson), sound (E. G. Richardson), spectroscopy (in twelve sections, including one on wave length standards, by R. W. B. Pearse, H. Dingle, E. Gwynne-Jones, C. V. Jackson and A. Hunter), optics (by T. Smith, J. S. Anderson, J. Guild, and H. F. Buckley, all of the National Physical Laboratory), heat (by J. H. Awbery, of the same laboratory) and electric and magnetic measurements (L. Hartshorn) are all highly practical and competent surveys of the modern position of each subject, not confined t o very recent work and not a t all mere abstract summaries but real authoritative monographs full of valuable information. Sections on electrical phenomena a t extremely low temperatures (McLennan) and the physics of the atom (Andrade) are perhaps the outstanding features of the volume, since they survey in a lucid and masterly way the whole aspect of each subject, and each gives a coherent picture of the position a t the time of writing-now, it is true, already somewhat modified. A pleasing feature of the whole volume is the insistence on experimental method: good diagrams of apparatus, tables, and curves are given, and an overinsistence on certain aspects of very modern physics has been successfully avoided by a wise choice of authors. The volume is one which every physical chemist should possess. J. R. PARTINGTON.
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