164 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



The Simple Carbohydrates and the Glucosides. By E. F. Armstrong, 

 D.Sc, Ph.D. [Pp. X + 112.] (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1909. 

 Price y. 6c/. net.) 



There is surely no chapter in the whole range of the history of the chemistry 

 of carbon compounds that calls forth greater admiration than that which centres 

 round the elucidation of the structure of ^/-glucose. A prince amongst investi- 

 gators devoted himself to this problem and to others arising from it ; and the 

 editors of the series of monographs on Biochemistry are therefore fortunate in 

 their selection of a pupil of Emil Fischer to write this all too brief account of the 

 simple carbohydrates and glucosides. 



In this resume special attention is devoted to the chemical properties and 

 constitution of ^/-glucose, in which connection ample justice is done to the argu- 

 ments which in recent years have accumulated in favour of the y-oxide structure. 

 The chapter on the chemical properties might, however, have preceded with 

 advantage that dealing with constitution. Farther, since the whole problem of 

 configuration of carbohydrates is so intimately based on stereo-chemical concep- 

 tions, one cannot help thinking that a brief preliminary chapter on these 

 conceptions might have been incorporated with advantage in the present volume 

 for the benefit of that section of readers whose interests are more physiological 

 than chemical. In Chapter I. ^/-glucose is introduced at once without any 

 reference to /-glucose and (^/-glucose, and an acquaintance with the meaning of 

 a projection formula is assumed. 



Chapters on hexoses, pentoses, and disaccharides are followed by a particularly 

 interesting account of the relationship between configuration and biochemical 

 properties. Here the author is in agreement with Wohl, that glucose, fructose, 

 and mannose have a common enolic, unsaturated form. The close attachment 

 which must take place between an enzyme and the compound it attacks is duly 

 emphasised. From the discussion which follows on the highly significant results 

 obtained by the use of enzymes as hydrolytic agents, it must be clear to every 

 one that the separation of enzymes is a problem which will engage the biochemist 

 for many years to come. Finally, a chapter is devoted to the natural and synthetic 

 glucosides. 



A complete bibliography is appended. This will prove useful ; but the doubt 

 may be raised whether it is preferable to the usual method of quoting references 

 in the text. 



Chemists are indebted to Dr. E. F. Armstrong for this admirable work, 

 especially since, in our country, we have so few books of this type dealing with 

 special subjects and written by a min who is actively engaged in investigating 

 certain of the problems which he discusses. The true spirit of research is dis- 

 played on every page — even the phrasing betrays in places its Armstrongian 

 origin ; but should "glucase" (p. 55) not be "glucosidase" ? 



Alex. McKenzie. 



Physics. By L. Lownds, B.Sc, Ph.D. [Pp. vi + 145.] (London : Macmillan 

 & Co., 1909. Price t.y. 6d.)—A Class Book of Physics. By R. A. Gregory 

 and H. E. Hadley, B.Sc. [Pp. viii -|- 487.] (London : Macmillan & Co., 

 1509. Price 4-f. 6c/.) 



It is no easy matter, even for the experienced teacher, to gauge carefully the point 

 from which to start a student ofif on a new subject ; for, to retain the interest of the 



