684 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



method of displaying all the information upon a single chart of Europe. 

 The terms " isobar " and " isotherm " are explained, and the method by 

 which these lines are drawn. Buys Ballot's Law, and the estimation of 

 wind-force from the closeness of the isobars, receive due attention, examples 

 being taken from the Daily Weather Report of the Meteorological Ofhce. 

 The concluding chapters deal with Cyclones and Anti-cyclones, and modern 

 methods of anticipating weather. 



E. V. Newnham. 



CHEMISTRY 



Stereochemistry. By Alfred W. Stewart, D.Sc, Professor of Chemistry 

 in the Queen's University of Belfast. (Textbooks of Physical Chemis- 

 try.) Second Edition. [Pp. xvi-f 277, with 58 illustrations.] (Lon- 

 don: Longmans, Green & Co., 1919- I2 $- 6 ^. net.) 



Professor Stewart's work on the important topic of stereochemistry is 

 so well known to students that there is no need to reintroduce it, in its 

 second edition, to English chemists. 



As the author himself notes, in the first edition certain predictions were 

 made as to the probable lines of development of the subject, and since that 

 date (1907) some of these prophecies have already been fulfilled, namely, 

 the production of optically active compounds containing no carbon atoms, 

 the activity of aniline oxides and corresponding phosphorus compounds, 

 and the preparation of allylene analogues in active forms, so that these 

 matters are now dealt with in the present edition. 



Further, a chapter is devoted to a review of the problem of the so-called 

 " Walden Inversion." 



The new edition has been considerably altered from its original form 

 and is now rather more of a readable textbook than a work of reference, 

 about one half of the volume consisting of new or rewritten matter ; for, 

 although only four new chapters have been added, the old material has 

 been altered or replaced to a great extent ; the portion on steric hindrance, 

 in particular, having been cut down considerably, though the numerous 

 references to this subject are included as an appendix. 



Prof. Stewart has had the courage of his opinions in the drastic revision 

 to which he has submitted his book and has brought it thoroughly up to 

 date and into line with the trend of modern research, so that it will no 

 doubt, in addition to retaining the old readers, attract many new ones. 



F. A. M. 



Chemistry from the Industrial Standpoint. By P. C. L. Thorne, B.A., 

 with an Introduction by H. V. A. Briscoe, D.Sc, A.R.C.S., D.I.C. 

 (The New Teaching Series of Practical Textbooks.) [Pp. xvi-f 244, 

 with numerous diagrams.] (London : Hodder & Stoughton, 19*9- 

 Price 45. 6d. net.) 



The volume under review is one of the New Series issued by Messrs. Hodder 

 & Stoughton which have been written with the view of providing teachers 

 with suitable text-books for the use of middle forms of secondary schools, 

 and for continuation classes in particular. 



Whatever view may be taken as to the need or desirability of such a 

 series there can be little doubt that Mr. Thorne has achieved a consider- 

 able measure of success in the task which he has set himself. 



The book is, of course, written essentially from the practical standpoint. 



