REVIEWS 151 



of action of ferments, and the researches quoted by the authors on the tem- 

 perature co-efficients of vital processes, show quite definitely that the laws 

 of chemical action, which prevail elsewhere, are also obeyed by the living 

 organism, in so far as it is possible to disentangle individual processes from 

 the complex of functions which comprise life. 



The book raises many topics of great interest, which would require many 

 pages to discuss ; it will suffice to indicate here the contents of the more im- 

 portant chapters which deal with Catalysts and Ferments, the Temperature 

 Co-efficient of Vital Processes, Defensive Ferments, Chemical Fertilisation, 

 Determination of Sexual Characteristics, Determination of Form, the Chemical 

 Activity of the Brain, Chemical Polarity and Depolarisation, and the Chemical 

 Specificity of Animal and Vegetable Organisms. 



Any one of these subjects would suffice to open a discussion, and those 

 interested in the subject will be well advised to read the work through care- 

 fully. 



The authors have achieved no inconsiderable task in putting the book 

 together, and fully deserve the thanks of their readers, F. A. M. 



(i) A Text-book oJ Inorganic Chemistry for University Students. By J. R. 



Partington, M.B.E., D.Sc, Professor of Chemistry at the East London 

 College, University of London. [Pp. xii + 1062, with numerous illus- 

 trations and diagrams.] (London : Macmillan & Co, 192 1. Price 

 255. net.) 



(2) Inorganic Chemistry. By E. I. Lewis, M.A., B.Sc, with an introductory 

 note by Sir R. Threlfall, K.B.E., F.R.S. Third revised and enlarged 

 edition. [Pp. xv + 443, with numerous diagrams.] (Cambridge : at 

 the University Press, 1920. Price 95. net.) 



Professor Partington's text-book is primarily intended for students who 

 have completed an introductory course of matriculation standard, although 

 the more elementary parts of the subject are included so as to make the book 

 complete in itself. It is not written for any special examination, but should 

 meet the requirements in Inorganic Chemistry of students preparing for the 

 examinations of the Intermediate and Pass B.Sc. of British Universities. 

 Brief accounts of technical processes and the elements of physical chemistry 

 are included. 



For the most part the book follows the arrangement usual in books of this 

 type and does not call for any special comment in this respect. It is quite 

 up to date, and clearly written, with numerous illustrations and worked 

 examples. The only adverse criticism one may make is that, perhaps, almost 

 too great detail has been attempted, so that the student is in danger of not 

 being able to see the wood for the trees. This, however, probably apphes to 

 nearly all text-books of this type. 



Prof. Partington has done his work carefully and conscientiously, and the 

 book may be confidently recommended to those requiring a sound and up- 

 to-date knowledge of inorganic chemistry, as being one of the best of its kind 

 published as yet. 



The new edition of Lewis's " Inorganic Chemistry " is a sufficient indication 

 that it forms an acceptable introduction to the study of chemistry. 



As the book is the outcome not only of a carefully-arranged scheme 

 suitable for teaching an elementary class of boys but also of many years of 

 actual experience in the use of the book, teachers in search of a new elementary 

 text-book will feel safe in giving the present volume a careful trial. The 

 subject-matter is well arranged and clearly put, and is suitable for private 

 study as well as for class teaching, which cannot be said of all text-books. 



F. A. M. 



