ately dilute nitric acid." "Same" and "some moderately dilute" are too indefinite. In another experiment one reads, "Distill a mixture of sulphuric acid and sodium nitrate in a glass retort." Some experiments tell the student to use teaspoons of material. Would it not be better to give the amounts in the more scientific terms of cubic centimeters? The experiment on proximate analysis of coal starts out to get the per cent. of ash but gives no directions for so doing. As given the coke and ash are considered all coke. Sometimes the statement of the problem is too verbose as, "What are the products of heating mercuric oxide in a hard glass test- tuhe?Tould there he different products of decompo- sition if different apparatus is used? Poor phrasing is sometimes encountered as, "Make the experiment-," "Make the electroly- sis of water."

Almost every experiment is followed by questions or incom- plete sentences. These often defeat the learning of a scientific method as they cannot he answered from the data obtained from the experiment. Instead of making accurate conclusions from his own observations the beginning student would have to copy his information from some text. Perhaps the author intends this as he often gives definite references to his own book, MODERN EVERYDAY CBEMISTRY. Laboratory work should teach a stu- dent to observe, and then he should learn the difference between what he sees (data obtained) and what he thinks about it (con- clusion) and be able to write i t without suggestive questions. Class discussion should tie up the laboratory work with the reading. The experiments are short enough-most of them-to he

completed in the hour period now given to science in many high schools. Teachers will find in them much sueeestive material -- that can he used with any text.

HA= D. F. HAWB

LABORATORY Pucnce os EIRST YEAR COLLEGE CHEMISTRY. G. N. Qunm, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Long Island University. Edwards Brothers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1937. v +94pp. 38figs. 21.5 X 27.5cm. $1.75.

Throughout the fortysight exercises contained in this manual, the author has made significance the first consideration. Seven- teen involve quantitative determinations and seven may op- tionally he given by lecture demonstration, the calculation of results being assigned to each student.

A number of unusual experiments involving catalysis, reaction velocity, colorimetry, molecular weight determination, the law of multiple proportions, the colloidal state, and other topics, offer opportunity to impress fundamental chemical phenomena strongly upon competent students. Practical exercises involving purification of materials, volumetric determinations, and water softening are offered. Qualitative analysis is introduced in con- nection with observations of important properties of chosen elements. Microchemical tests hv droo reactions are used in sevenl exercisrs io inorganic pwparatmnr The itudcnt's grasv of cxperirncnts is frequrntly checked by rnenni of unknowns Thr use of a number of good reirrcnre.;, rather xhan one t t r t is encouraged.

The material offered is sufficient and important, and should he distinctly of aid to the conscientious teacher in giving his students a firm foundation of chemical fundamentals.

LOTFIROP Smrn

ELEMENTARY CHEMISTRY, with Practical Applications. Imo P . Baughmn, Ph.D., Instructor in Chemistry in the Los Angeles Junior College, Los Angeles, California. Second edition. revised. Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1937. 296 pp. 19 figs. 13 X 20 cm. 52.75net.

future dietitian. The author considers that in addition it sffords a good account of chemistry for the general student who may find it of value in home making. The implication in the suh- title is that the emphasis is on practical applications of chemistry.

To these ends the author does not neglect to cite many applica- tions of each of the topics that he teaches. The hook is full of useful information about thines chemical. The medical slant " frequently appears, as, for example, when acids and bases are taught, the subject of acid and basic "hums," and their treatment follows.

The bare fundamentals of general chemistry are covered in the first fourpartsot the text (one hundredsixty pages) and then comes a somewhat extended treatment of carbon compounds, a section on "Foods and Digestion" with units on fats, carbohydrates. proteins, vitamins and minerals, and enzymes. A part on "Body Fluids" treats especially of "Blood" and "Urine." The final part deals with "Textiles" and "Cleaning of Materials."

A brief study of some parts of the teaching of fundamentals shows that much "telling" is necessary to cover the necessary ground in such small compass. The tale is well told, as a rule; for example, the exposition of the subject of pH is excellent, and many a "chemist" who makes his living by making pH determi- nations might study it to advantage to clarify his thinking about what he is up to. To an educator who has the time to develop the laws and theories of chemistry, with their biographical and historical background, and with suitable use of original sources, the rapid fire treatment, with its very sketchy outlines, is almost painful. Necessity, however, rather than inclination, doubtless forces this method of teaching on those who must speedily pre- pare special students.

FRANK B. WADE

CHEMCRAPT EXPERIMENT BOOK. Harold M. Porter and Jermain D. Porter. The Porter Chemical Co., Hagerstown, Maryland. 1937. 237 pp. Numerous illustrations. 12.5 X 20.5 cm. $1.50.

This manual is an instruction hook intended to accompany the "Chemcraft" outfits, of which so many thousands have been sold to "Young America." I t cannot he denied that much interest in chemistry has heen aroused through the efforts of the Porter Chemical Company to enlist the youth of this country in a great army of chemical experimenters. While much of this activity has been play, numerous youngsters have told the re- viewer that their subsequent election of chemistry as a serious study resulted from the interest aroused through the possession of a "Chemcraft" set.

The EXPERIMENT BOOK gives, in a well-organized manner, a very extensive course in laboratory chemistry, but one calling for a minimum of equipment. The units remind one of an up-to- date textbook in their content and order: Elements; Acids- Bases; Indicators; Physical Forms of Water; Nitrogen; Hy- drogen; Water; Surface Tension; Solutions, etc.; in the earlier part of the book and then much descriptive chemistry, followed by such units as Fuels; Metallurgy; Glass; Paints; Lacquers and Varnishes; The Dyeing Industry; Perfumes; Adhesives; Photography; Leather; Paper; Foods; Agricultural Chem- istry, and finally, in Part 11. Chemical Magic. Eight hundred fourteen experiments are provided.

The directions are clear and concise and care is taken to avoid dangerous situations and to caution against accidents. Much interesting information, most of it correct, is provided in the introductions to the several units.

Educators may well take serious notice of the method and results of this really successful EXPERIMENT BOOK.

This text is de5igned to bc tspecially useful to the sludenr who Snurra,ona ScavuL is preparing to hecornc a trained nurse. It would also a r r r the I S D I I N A P ~ ~ L I I . IXDIIVA