REVIEWS 481 



present. This is followed by a section dealing with the possible types of 

 compound in each class. 



Part II contains instructions for the quantitative estimation of carbon, 

 hydrogen, nitrogen, sulphur, phosphorus, and halogens. Then follow the 

 determination of molecular weights, the estimation of groups, and methods 

 for the estimation of selected compounds. 



A most useful part of the book is an Appendix giving the student careful 

 instructions for using Richter's Lexikon and Beilstein's Handbuch. This 

 should encourage him to consult the original literature. 



The book is well printed ; a few obvious misprints have, however, been 

 noticed. The diagrams are clear, but we wish that Fig. 8 illustrated a more 

 modern type of combustion-furnace, less wasteful of gas. The authors 

 suggest that the student should complete his identification by a quantitative 

 analysis of an element or group in the compound. This would make rather a 

 large claim on the student's already limited time. The descriptions and re- 

 actions of the compounds are sometimes rather brief, but due importance is 

 given to physical properties, and instructions are given for determining these, 

 including the refractive indices of liquids. Some references to the original 

 literature might have been included in Part II with advantage. 



It should prove a useful book, and should encourage the student to think 

 about his work. 



J. N. E. D. 



Animal Proteins. By Hugh Garner Bennett, M.Sc. Industrial Chemistry, 

 Edited by Samuel Rideal : [Pp. xiv and 287, with 2 figures] (London : 

 Bailliere, Tindall & Cox, 1921. Price 15s. net.) 



In this volume 203 pages are devoted to the manufacture of leather, 70 to 

 the manufacture of gelatine and glue, and 8 to food and miscellaneous animal 

 proteins ; it seems, therefore, that a title more descriptive of the work might 

 have been chosen. An interesting account is given of the raw materials, 

 and the manufacturing processes employed in the leather and glue trades, 

 and the variations in procedure and in starting materials for the preparation 

 of the various commercial grades of leather are indicated. On the other 

 hand, but the vaguest description is given of plant, and there is not a single 

 illustration. The organic chemistry of the proteins is but touched upon, 

 and the chemistry and physics underlying the various processes are very 

 inadequately dealt with. 



Except in the case of chrome-tanning, no methods of analytical control 

 of manufacture are mentioned, indeed the book conveys the impression that 

 tanning, ,as practised in this country, is purely empirical. The book may be 

 of value to students and others who require information on trade matters, 

 but, as little is said on the trend of research in the industry and the general 

 scientific aspect, it is unlikely to encourage chemists to seek posts in tanneries. 



O. L. B. 



Biochemistry: A Study of the Origin, Reactions, and Eauihbra of Living 



Matter. By Benjamin Moore, M.A., D.Sc, F.R.S. [Pp viii + 340.] 

 (London: Edward Arnold, 1921. Price 21s. net.) 



It is stated in the Preface that this book is not intended as a general text- 

 book of biochemistry, but is meant to give some prospect of the origin and 

 reactions and balances of living matter ; it is divided into fifteen chapters, 

 of which the first two were written before the experiments described in the 

 succeeding chapters were carried out. These experiments are described 

 almost verbatim from the Proceedings of the Royal Society, while the remain- 

 ing chapters are re-edited from the author's Recent Advances and Further 

 Advances in Physiology. The opening chapter contains an account of the 



