BOOK REVIEWS

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July, 1924

INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

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BOOK REVIEWS Triumphs and Wonders of Modern Chemistry. By GEOFFREY meadowsweet, page 163, and melilot, page 164, should have MARTIN. 2nd edition. 347 pages. D. Van Nostrand Co., been given instead of confining the definitions to the synthetic perfume bases of the same name. New York, 1922. Price, $3.00. The book will be of daily service t o anyone engaged in the buying and selling of chemicals and should be of especial interest The author justifies his claim “that the wildest imaginative to the dye and drug trade. The mechanical make-up of the fiction of any age pales into the commonplace before the sober facts and theories of modern science.” The evolution of the book leaves nothing to be desired. The paper used is of good elements, the earth, and the universe is pictured down through the heavy stock, which will stand hard wear and the choice of type past and projected into the future in a very interesting and enter- and printing are commendable. Altogether, this is a work taining manner. Most of the material is closely related to the which we can heartily recommend to the industrial chemist and fields of astronomy and geology. The elementary chemical chemical salesman. JAMES F. COUCH discussions are confined largely to the nonmetals. Sketches and photographs illustrate many interesting points. The author has a very apt way of picturing extreme values in time, space, mass, etc., as illustrated by the following example: “If we were Second Report of the Committee on Contact Catalysis. By WILDER D. BANCROFT,Chairman. 141 pages. National to magnify a volume of hydrogen as large as a hazel nut up t o the size of the earth, we would see each hydrogen atom in it about the Research Council, Washington, 1923. Reprint and Circular size of a golf ball.” Series No. 50. Price, 50 cents. The typing is not so clear as i t should be. One cannot escape the fact that most of the references cited are dated previous t o Before reviewing the second report upon a subject, one natuthe appearance of the first edition in 1908. Most of the material rally wants to know what remarks the first has elicited. In most used in the book is drawn from literature appearing before that instances, it is true, little is gained thereby; but the present is an date, so that the term “modern” for this edition is somewhat exception. Prof. H. E. Armstrong, in his Messel Memorial misleading. For instance, the author says “quite recently,” Lecture before the Society of Chemical Industry a t Glasgow, in referring to a bit of very interesting mine rescue work, but upon has announced as follows: looking a t the reference one finds i t dated 1907. This lack of Bancroft’s essay is written with child-like innocency of purpose. He revision is again apparent in speaking of the production of sodium nitrate-“we may expect that in 1910 something like 2,000,000 meanders through three numbers of the Journal of Industrial and Elegineering Chemistry [really four, April to July, 19221 without ever stating what he tons will be mined.” On the whole, the book is well worth reading, and is one that means by catalysis, without making the slightest attempt to overlook the process of chemical change in general. Like most chemists of the time will appeal to both scigntist and layman. he seems to be clad in little more than a chemical loin cloth: that a whole C. G. KING suit is necessary for a change seems never to have occurred to him. Such he your Gods, Oh Israel1

GARDNER. Now we have never had the pleasure of seeing the child-like Chemical Synonyms and Trade Names. By WILLIAM 271 pages. 25 X 16 cm. Crosby, Lockwood & Son, Wilder attired in the abbreviated costume mentioned above, viii and Professor Armstrong really ought to know that Cornel1 is London, 1924. Price, 25 s. net. not located in New York City. But we do feel that Bancroft is The great number of substances used in the chemical trade rather cruel towards his venerable critic when he prepares a today has necessitated some standard reference book on the second report three times as lengthy as the first, and still declines subject. I n supplying such a book Mr. Gardner has done in- t o define either “contact” or “catalysis.” At least, the only duqtrial chemistry a‘welcome service. The book fiirnishes short definition that we have been able to find is one within quotation marks on page 920. I t is possible, however, that our failure descriptions oi minerals, dyestuffs, explosives, pigments, drugs, may be due to the unfortunate omission of an index. pharmaceuticals, alloys, synthetics, perfumes, and “heavy” Perhaps we are too partial, but the length of the report and its chemicals, and covers the field in satisfactorily complete fashion. The work is extensively cross-indexed and contains about 14,000 lack of an index are the only features that arouse our antagonism. definitions and cross references. The definitions are necessarily A great many catalytic reactions, equally interesting and imbrief, but they are clear and informative. A valuable feature portant for their theoretical interpretation and their practical of the book is the collection of trade names and synonyms for significance, are discussed in considerable detail, and it is a little the same substance in one place where they may be easily found. difficult a t times to discover the vital points in the argument and This is important when one reads that malachite green has 18 to disencumber them from the mass of quotations in which they synonyms and adrenalin no less than 23, many of which were are embedded. The report would be greatly improved if these new to the reviewer. profuse quotations from the literature were printed in smaller In a detailed work of this type it is impossible to avoid a few type, so as to make Bancroft’s scintillating comments upon each errors, but most of these are obvious and should occasion little author’s work shine forth more clearly. Anyone dipping casually into the report will probably be hopeconfusion. Many of th6 botanical names are misspelled; A l m s glutinosa, page 8;Berberis, page 32; Penicilium, page 42; Paraguay lessly confused before he proceeds far, but the painstaking stutea, page 193; and Sassafras, page 222, were noted. There dent will find himself amply repaid by the thorough analysis are very few chemical errors; Aldol, page 9, is not oxy-butyric provided of the outstanding problems in the field, and the description of the various lines of present-day attack. We have acid; Aurine, page 27, is rosolic acid; Cascarin, page 57, as it appears in commerce is not the “active principle” of cascara; ourselves utilized the first report as a reference text in conConiine, page 74, occurs in hemlock (Conium sp.) and not in nection with graduate courses on catalysis in Columbia, Stanhenbane; Crab’s eyes, page 77, consist of calcium carbonate ford, and the University of California during the past twelve but are not prepared chalk; Golden rod, page 120, is not Hymonths, and have found it of inestimable value. Its compredrastis canadensis; “golden seal” is intended; Helenin, page hensive continuation, dealing more specifically with the experi127, should be defined as alanto lactone rather than as inulin; mental work done during the last two years, should prove even in Marme’s reagent, page 162, the formula for cadmium iodide more stimulating to students just entering this enticing but diffiis given as CaIz; milk of magnesia, page 169, is a suspension, cult field. The sections which take up the recent work of Taylor not a solution, of magnesium hydroxide; Safrol, page 222, is and his co-workers a t Princeton may be cited as of particular the methylene ether of allyl pyrocatechol; there are misprints interest. in the formulas of takatol, page 244; of theine, page 247, and It is disturbing to note that a third report is already promin the chemical name of veronal sodium, page 260. Urease, ised. Let us hope that the output of the committee will not conpage 257, is misspelled. Among the terms that are missing the tinue to increase autocatalytically, but that Professor Taylor, reviewer noted cresol, crocus martius, calcreose, diacetone alco- to whom the preparation of this third report has been entrusted, hol, peclin, and nicotine sulfate. Benzene, toluene, and will save the situation for us ordinary mortals by functioning as xylene are listed only as benzol, toluol, and xylol, while diacetylan inhibitor. morphine is listed only as heroin. The botanical names of JAMES KENDALL

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INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY

Technical Writing. By T. A. RICKARD.339 pages. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1923. Price, $2.00. Editing the Day’s News. By GEORGE C. BASTIAN. 252 pages. The Macmillan Co., New York, 1923. Unhappily, these two books fail to explain the technic of reviewing books. ThereforeMr. Rickard quotes Sir James M. Barrie as saying that “the man of science appears to be the only man who has something to say just now-and the only man who does not know how to say it.” This is overemphatic two ways, no doubt, but a lamentably large number of scientific articles do go unread because they are poorly written. Rickard’s book should prove helpful to all engineers and chemists who must tell others about their work. If you are successful in writing without a tremor the word “is” after “data,” this book is particularly recommended. Occasionally, the chemist wishes to see his name in the newspaper. Before an attack on the editor’s office, he should take a preparatory course by glancing through “Editing the Day’s News.” Bastian is a copy reader on a big paper in a big city and his book contains the secret of why the last notice of the chemical society meeting did not get on the front page. WATSON DAVIS The Packing Industry. A series OF lectures given under the joint auspices of the School of Commerce and Administration of the University of Chicago and the Institute of American Meat Packers. 357 pages. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, Ill. Price, $3.00; postpaid $3.10. There are eight of these lectures which, taken together, give a general view of the meat packing industry. We learn from the introductory lecture by Thomas E. Wilson on “The Institute and I t s Development Plan” that, in addition to its normal trade association activities, the institute is developing a strong research and educational program. The arrangements consummated with the University of Chicago appear to be unique in certain of :heir features. The History and Economics of the Industry,” by I,. D. H. Weld, is an interesting account of the inner workings of a n industry to the maintenance of which we all contribute. But the lecture that specially prompts this review is that by W. D. Richardson on “Science in the Packing Industry.” The student of food chemistry will here find a brief statement of the subject of nutrition which is informative and up-to-date; the inexperienced chemist is given valuable suggestions in applying his book knowledge to his job, and the business man who is attempting to apply science to an established industry by way either of control or research will find understandable words of wisdom which are general as well as specific in their application. We need more short monographs like this very readable one by Mr. Richardson, in which the scientific aspects of an industry are set forth in their true perspective. A. V. H. MORY The Chemical Industry in New York and Its Environs. By MABELNEWCOMER.49 pages, 7 maps. Monograph No. 1 of the Economics Series being prepared and published by Plan of New York and Its Environs, 130 East 22nd St., New York. Price, $1.00. I n a foreword is set forth the general plan upon which the committee is proceeding to study the metropolitan district surrounding New York with all its diversified interests and industries. It is hoped that the collection and collation of data bearing upon this area may lead to the formation of a plan by which future developments within it may be directed along a more logical line to the benefit of all concerned. The present monograph reveals the facts that there are more than double the number of chemical plants in the area as compared with the number in 1900 (in 1920 there were 1351), and that the number of employees has more than trebled (in 1920 there were more than 70,000 employees in these plants). A decided movement has been noted within the section of those industries classified as “heavy chemical” from Brooklyn toward New Jersey and a corresponding movement of the “fine chemical” industries toward Brooklyn and away from New Jersey. Most startling of all is the statement that in downtown Manhattanthat is, below 59th Street-there are more than 7000 workers in chemical plants. Besides discussing the general trends, individual industries and the locations of plants connected with them are given con-

Vol. 16, No. 7

sideration in a thoroughgoing manner. The economic features of each and the effect upon them of increased density of population are stressed. Such studies as the present could well be made of other areas, although there are few others where the concentration of population and industry is so great or where the need for careful planning is so keenly felt. Reports of the Progress of Applied Chemistry. Vol. VIII, 1923. Issued by the SOCIETY OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY. GOO pages. Society of Chemical Industry, London, 1924. Price: members, 7 s. 6 d.; nonmembers, 72 s. 6 d. The current volume has been increased to 600 pages and appears to be as meritorious as those of former years. The subjects are the same as in the last issue save for the omission of the chapter on Photographic Materials and Processes and for which has been substituted a chapter on Explosives in earlier volumes. About half of last year’s contributors have been retained, but the addition of so many new reviewers does not detract in any way. Many of the authors complain of the lack of activity in their branch of the chemical industry and the severe depression through which i t has passed. Generally, however, they feel optimistic of the future, and that the industry as a whole is emerging from its former stasis and is in good condition to make substantial progress both in output and in advancing research in the immediate future. The work of each of the writers on the twenty-four subjectsfor no writer makes more than one contribution-seems to be carefully and thoroughly done. Some of the chapters, notably those on Indiarubber and on the Fermentation Industries, are distinctly in the nature of a thorough and comprehensive study of the work during the past year. The very numerous citations to the patents issued both in England and in other countries make the book valuable for this feature alone. References to the literature have been given a prominent place in most of the articles and represent a thorough search not only of English and American journals, but also of those of other countries. The indexes are both by author and subject, and have been prepared with much care and add considerably to the ready use of the book. A good reference book to coiisult as to what has been done recently when problems arise and an interesting book to read for general information. R. I,. EMERSON The Technical Organization. By J. M: WEISS AND C. R. DOWNS. 191 pages. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1924. Price, $2.50. Weiss and Downs have made a great many interesting suggestions, which make their book a delightful technical treatise, though they have not proposed any revolutionary ideas. A book that can hold the reader’s interest and stimulate his thought needs no other comment t o draw attention to its value. To illustrate a few of the authors’ ideas-they believe that research men should “progress” through the laboratory t o other departments of the company; that the success of a research organization is dependent upon each individual, and not upon the number of men or the size of the budget; and that men entering this department should be put on a year’s trial; if the director picks 50 per cent successes he has done well. They consider, as do many others, that research men are “hot house flowers,” who should be handled tenderly-an idea that is open to argument. They consider that patents are ample protection for the manufacturer and complicated contracts with research men are unnecessary and unwise. The authors propose placing a technical man in charge of the patents and another in charge of the literature searches-a worthwhile practice as shown by the more progressive organizations. They contribute a few suggestions that would develop our modern educational system. More of their ideas on this subject would be appreciated, together with a more detailed account of the fundamental principles of research and invention-a subject that has remained too long under a cloud of mystery. They conclude their book with the following comparison between research and advertising : “Advertising efficacy will reach a limit in a relatively inconsequential time. Research will endure until every product is a t its ultimate perfection and produced a t an irreducible cost-in short, until there is nothing left to be discovered.” D. B. KEYES

July, 1924

INDUSTRIAL AND ENGINEERIXG CHElMISTRY

The Story of Bakelite. pages.

By JOHN KIMBERLY MUMFORD.80 Robert I,. Stillson Co., hTew York, 1924. Price,

$1.00. This delightful little book is written in popular style, and while it is evidently intended for the lay reader, the chemist will find in it an interesting summary of Bakelite and its uses. The book touches briefly on the early history of phenol condensation products, and the experimental difficulties connected with the discovery of Bakelite, its uses, and possibilities. It is artistically illustrated, well printed, and free from typographical errors. The book will appeal especially to teachers, since i t popularizes chemistry, and it deserves a place on the chemistry shelf in every secondary school. The author’s enthusiasm may leave the impression that Bakelite is superior to all other molding material for every purpose, which is not true; otherwise the book is one hundred per cent. 0. R. SWEENEY Aniline and Its Derivatives. By P. H. GROGGINS.g1I4 X 6l/4 inches. Illustrated. 236 pages. D. Van Nostrand Co., New Yolk. Price, $4.00. In the first paragraph of the preface of this book we find: The technique in the production of aniline has been used as a vehicle for presenting to the reader the business of plant chemistry. Too often instruction in industrial chemistry is not given the business background that i t requires, for more than any other engineering profession, chemistry must emphasize economy of operation.

I n accordance with this idea the author continually brings out the economics of the manufacture of aniline, and furthermore, when he considers the various possible procedures for the detailed aniline manufacture, he does this by laying the emphasis where it belongs, upon the cost of the various possible procedures. As the manufacture of aniline, if successful, must be based on sound economics as well as sound chemistry, it is refreshing and very instructive to find both phases treated. Another praiseworthy feature is the presentation of the physical data regarding nitrobenzene and aniline, particularly in the form of the curves which are used so extensively in practice but which seem so seldom to find their way into our books. The first two-thirds of the book give the detailed steps regarding the manufacture of aniline as actually practiced in our factories, and this section is replete with much information of practical value. The last third of the book, treating of the derivatives of aniline, is not so complete and up-to-date as the first twothirds, which treat aniline directly. This section has a number of minor errors in nomenclature, which, however, are not so bad as to make the meaning vague. Some of the processes are not of the latest. The book is attractively bound and is printed on good paper. The reviewer considers this book to be a necessity in the hands of any teacher of industrial chemistry, as an illustration of how chemistry i:; practiced in the factory. It ought to be a textbook in such classes because of the fundamental principles of chemical engineering expounded in the course of the description of the manufacture of aniline, and also because oi these fundamental principles the book will be of service to many employed in the industrial field.

R. NORRIS SHREVE Vanadium Ores. Imperial Institute Monograph on Mineral Resources with Special Reference t o the British Empire. 72 pages. John Murray, I,ondon, 1924. Price, 5 s. net. This monograph, though primarily intended as one of a series on mineral resources of the British Empire, is very much wider in its scope than would be expected from its title. It appears to he all the more valuable as it covers this wide field in a very condensed and precise manner. Not only the mineralogical but also the technological side of vanadium is equally ably handled. The authors have succeeded remarkably in compiling data only of primary importance. Of course, the major part of the text is devoted to vanadium ore deposits, and probably forms the only reliable compilation of such occurrences throughout the world. Outside of a couple of typographical errors, exceptions might be raised t u the statement on page 11 as to the percentage of vanadium added to the usual grades of steel being 0.25. As a matter of fact, the structural steels carry vanadium between 0.12 and 0.20 per cent, and high-speed tool steels between 0.50 and 2.00 per cent. Also, on the same page and the one following,

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two conflicting views, hy Kent Smith and by Norris, as to the effect of vanadium as a deoxidizer are given, without the comment and clarity displayed in the rest of the monograph. Undoubtedly, neither of these two references denies that vanadium combines with oxygen and probably also with nitrogen. The conflict of opinion can only be as to whether or not this property should be heralded as the prime effect of vanadium and the element utilized commercially as a mere scavenger considering its high cost. The monograph as a reference on vanadium ore deposits is highly recommendable, as the information is drawn from authentic and reliable sources. A map of the world a t the end of the monograph, showing occurrences of vanadium deposits, gives a t a glance a comprehensive idea of the entire situation and shows markedly the paramount position of the American continents in this regard. The compilers and the Imperial Institute of Great Britain deserve the congratulations of the industry for supplying a long-felt want of such a compilation. D. B. SAKLATWALLA NEW BOOKS Analytical Chemistry. Vol. 11-Quantitative Analysis. F. P. TREADWEIJ, AND W. T. HALL. 6th English edition. 811 pp. I!lustrated. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Price, $5.00. Bibliography of Electro-Organic Chemistry. MAX KNOREL. (Mimeographed.) National Research Council, Washington, D. C. Price, $1.00. Chemical Industry Pamphlets. Chemistry in Relation to Food. G. W. MONIER-WILLIAMS.20 pp, Chemistry in the Manufacture of Pigments, Paints, and Varnishes. C. A. KLEIN. 24 pp. Chemists and Their Work. STEPHEN MIALL. 19 pp. The Fermentation Industries. REX FURNESS. 19 pp. Fine Chemicals. T. W . JONES. 20 pp. The Heavy Chemical Industry. REX FURNESS. 28 pp. The Quest for Colour. A. T. DE MOUILPIED. 31 pp. Wood Products. T.W. JONES. 19 pp. Ernest Benn, Ltd., London. Price, 6 d. each. Chemical Thermodynamics. J. R. PARTINGTON.288 pp. Illustrated. Constable & Co., London. Price, 12 s. 6 d. net. Electron in Chemistry. J. .J. THOMSON. 144 pp. Chapman & Hall, Ltd., London. Price, 10 s. 6 d. 140 Foundations of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. ERWINFREUNDLICH. pp. 8;.P. Dutton & Co., New York. Price, $2.50. Introduction to the Mathematical Analysis of Statistics. CHESTERH. FORSYTH. 239 pp. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Price, $2.25. 192 pp. The Logical Foundations of Science. Part 111. W. E. JOHNSON. Macmillan Co., New York. Price, $4.25. Minimum Speciflcations for Highway Engineering Positions. A. R . MCDANIEI,,Chairman. 105 pp. National Research Council, Washington, D. C. Price, $1.50. Outlines of Organic Chemistry. F. J. MOORE. 3rd edition, rewritten. 341 pp. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York. Price, $2.50. PBtrole en France. M. LECOMTE-DENIS. 168 pp. Dunod, Paris. Price, 6 fr. Proceedings of the Third Annual Meeting of Advisory Board of Highway Research, 1924. W. K. HATTA N D E. R. ALBRICH. 162 pp. National Research Council, Washington, D. C. Price, $2.00. Pulverized Coal Systems in America. LEONARD C. HARVBY. 3rd edition. 131 pp. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, H. M. Stationery Office, London. Price, 5 s. net. Research Information Surveys on Corrosion of Metals. No. 4-Corrosion of Zinc. No. 5-Corrosion of Tin. No. 6-Corrosion of Lead. Compiled by HAROLDF. WHITTAKER. (Mimeographed.) Research Information Service, National Research Council, Washington, D. C . Report of the Food Investigation Board for the Year 1922. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. 60 pp. H. M. Stationery Office, London. Price, 1 s. 6 d. net. Spectroscopy. Vol. I. E. C. C. BALY. 298 pp. Longmans, Green & Co., London. Price, 14 s. Storage Batteries. A General Treatise on the Physics and Chemistry of Secondary Batteries and Their Engineering Applications. GEORGE WOODVINAL. 402 pp. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Price, $4.50. Systematic Course of Qualitative Chemical Analysis of Inorganic and Organic Substances, with Explanatory Notes. HENRYW. SCHIMPT,revised by ALFRED I. COKE. 4th edition, revised, 201 pp. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Price, $1.75. Text-Book of Inorganic Chemistry. Vol. 11-The Alkali-Metals and Their Congeners. A. J. WALKER. 379 pp. J. 13. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia. Price, $9.00. Theory of Relativity. ERWIN FREUNDLICH. 98 pp. E. P. Dutton & Co., New York. Price, $2.00. Thermal Properties of Methyl Chloride. D. hT.SHORTIZOSE. Food Investigation Board, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Special Report No. 19. 18 pp. H. M. Stationery Office, London. Price, 1 s. What Education H a s the Most Worth? CHARLES FXANKLIN TRWING.235 pp. The Macmillan Co., New York. Price, $2.00.