APRIL. 1954
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facets of chemistry that can be applied to the study of rocks, such as crystal chemistry, radiochemistry, thermodynamics, and surface chemistry, as well as analytioill chemistry. One of the paramount services performed by the geochemist is the introduction of modern chemical thought and twls into the field of geology. Nevertheless, a reading of this book will provoke many ideas and experiments in the interested chemist. Dr. Groves, in the second edition of his b w k (the first edition was not available to the reviewer for comptrison), has thoroughly covered the classical techniques of silicate rook analysis. The first part of the book doels with laboratory equipment, general reagents, sampling and crushing techniques, density determinstions, the limits of error of standard rock analysis, the normal methods for silicate rocks, special and alternate methods, and analyses for specific type minerals. The instructions are both easily intelligible and exhaustive. The methods are in boldface for ready accessibility. One strong point is the extensive treatment of errors and the critical analwis of data. The author further emohasizes the
in the materials st hand are emphasized. The volume contains a chapter on the geochemistry of the chemical elements. The presentation, although brief, is terse and will be a t times helpful in the treatment of unknown aamples. Although the present trend in silicate analyses is toward the soectromaohic - . and soecial methods of assnv. the neeessitv for carrying out the standard procedures assumes an added role, that of an independent check on the newer techniques. Since many litboretories do not have the expensive and specialized equipment that has recently come into vogue, Dr. Groves has indeed performed a worth-while service to the geochemist in keeping up to date these classial techniques.
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EDWARD D. GOLDBERG scnrpps I V ~ T I ~ D T ~ OOFS O C E A N O ~ R I P R I L* JOLT,*, CN.IFORI(IA
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ELEMENTARY QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
Ralph L. Van Peursem, Head, Department of Chemistry, and Homer C. Imes, Professor of Analytical Chemistry. Rochester Insiitute of Technology. McGraw-Hill Bwk Co.. Inc.. New Yo& 383 PP. 37 figs. 25 tables. 15 X 23 cm. 1953. xiii $4.50.
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THISbook is composed of four main parts: Principles (165 pages), Calculations (41 pages), Experiments (130 pages), Laboratory Techniques (24 pages), plus an Appendix (10 pages). The contents of this text have been based on the results of a national survey of quantitative analysis courses given in several hundred educationalinstitutions throughout the country. "Most of the laboratory exercises and theory topics which were included in this test were taught in a t least 25 per cent of the courses surveyed and no material was omitted which was included in a t least 2Q oer cent of the courses." Gravimetric and volumetric analyses k i v e the major emphasis, a i t h instrumental analysis heing limited to the use of the pH meter, electroaualysis, and rolorimetry. The course taught by the authors is uniquein that the teaching of operational techniques of quantitative analysis together with only the necessary physical and chemical principles is presented in the first term, while in the second term the main objective is the teaching of the physical and chemical principles involved in nuantitative analvsis. For use in this latter course there are in-
these subjects. Forty-seven laboratory procedures of typical gravimetric and volumetric analyses are sufficient to make the book adaptable to
the demands of most courses. The write-up on eeoh experiment includes separate sections on objective, introduction, procedure, and sometimes calculation. The objective is usually ststed in a single sentence bringing to the student's attention the fact that the purpose of the experiment is to illustrate some important principle of analysis rather than merely to offer a method of analysis for that particular constituent. The purpose of the introduction is to familiarize the student with the necessary ehemical hsckground for the determination. The prooedures of andylysis me given concisely with acoasianal footnotes of explanation and cross reference to the seotions on laboratory techniques. In Part 11, Calculations, the basic principles of gravimetric and volumetrio calculations are presented along with a concise discussion of the statistical treatment of data. Those problems closely related to theory are treated along a i t h the discussion of theory in Part I, Principles. There is offered a remnable numher of problems a t the ends of various sections throughout the book. Answers are given for most of the problems. The material in this text is well organized and presented in a clear, simple, and readily understandable style. It should prove to be a very good teaching text. A good job has been done in the printing and the book has a pleasing appearance. REX J. ROBINSON
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WAVES AND TIDES
R. C. H. Russell and Commander D. H. Macmillon, Hydrographic Surveyor to the Southampton Harbour Board. The Philosophical Library, New York, 1953. 100 figs. 17 plates. 348 pp. 14.5 X 22 cm. $6. A BOOK about waves and tides, even one intended for "lay readers" as this one is, could easily be loaded down with abstruse mathematics, but the mathematics in this book is not beyond the comprehension of a bright high-school student, and the text is refreshingly lucid. This is actually two books, as the first author has written the half on waves, and the second bas confined himself to tides. Mr. Russell's style is somewhat fresher than Commander Macmillan's, but perhaps this is only because the subject of waves is not so complex as that of tides. The illuatrstions are clear and attractive, although some of the diagrams would look better an smoother paper. Each chapter is provided with a list of references. The book should be a useful introduction for the serious "ordinary reader," including the yachtsman or penon who owns a house on the beach within the reach of w,ave action, and should also provide instructors physics with some useful and interesting material, JOEL W. HEDGPETH Scn~ppsI ~ a m m m or~O c ~ m o o n ~ m u LA JOLLA.C ~ ~ ~ r o n n r *
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TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT IN ENGINEERING. VOLUME I
H. Dean Baker, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, E. A. Ryder, Consulting Engineer, Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Division, United Aimraft Corp., and N. H. Baker, Research Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1953. vii 179 pp. 81 figs. 16 X 23.5 cm. $335. .
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THIStmok ir n pmrtirnl one, in t h srnsr ~ that it give* rxplicit dirwtiorrx for 1t.v mpnsunmcnt of twnprratures in %Aids using tlwrruwuuplr~. The forthcoming volume nil1 deal with trmperature measurement in liquids and gases, a t surfaces, in rapidly moving objects, in flames, and a t very low and very high temperatures. The first four chapters contain information basic to both vol-
