December 8, 1923 



NA TURE 



821 



book vested with an importance which eclipses that of 

 the octet itself. The author dislikes odd numbers of 

 electrons, and regards molecules such as that of the 

 highly stable and colourless nitric oxide, with fifteen 

 electrons, as obstructionists, like the single player and 

 the three-ball match on the golf links. In this attitude 

 he represents at present a considerable majority of 

 physical chemists ; but although this helps to keep 

 speculation within bounds, there are nevertheless some 

 who still feel that they derive advantage from practising 

 in fields where these recalcitrant molecules appear as 

 examples of reactive combinations and not as exceptions 

 to any rule. 



The author reconciles Bohr's theory with his own by 

 assuming that the fixed position assigned by him to 

 each electron in the atom represents the average posi- 

 tion of the electron in its orbit. This interpretation, 

 however, appears to the reviewer to be an arbitrary 

 one which later on may prove untenable, and which 

 necessarily brings into prominence the magnetic 

 phenomena associated with the movement of the 

 electron. However that may be, the device obviously 

 clears the way for a classification of the elements based 

 on Bohr's system, but always, in the hands of Prof. 

 Lewis, with full acknowledgment to the sources of 

 inspiration. 



Where Sir Joseph Thomson relies mainly on forces 

 of the electrostatic type, Prof. Lewis holds that " such 

 forces are responsible neither for the fundamental 

 arrangement of the electrons within the molecules nor 

 for the bonds which hold the atoms together." In the 

 present work, consequently, magnetic moments assume 

 directive or causative functions corresponding with 

 those attributed to electrical moments in the preceding 

 work ; it naturally follows that ionisation and numerous 

 reactions which " verge on the ionic type " become not 

 merely limiting cases, but, like molecules containing an 

 odd number of electrons, definite exceptions to the 

 system. 



Considerable space is devoted to co-ordination, 

 bivalent hydrogen, ionisation, and strengths of acids 

 and bases. There is much here which is suggestive; 

 but when, for example, Prof. Lewis (p. 107) quotes 

 an opinion that " an aqueous solution of hydro- 

 chloric acid would have the properties of a weak 

 acid if it were not for the formation of this hydronium 

 chloride," he is not helpful, for this applies only to 

 the conductivity of the solution and not to its 

 "acidness." 



A number of problems of special interest to the 

 organic chemist are touched on, including conjugation, 

 partial valencies, and tautomerism. Huggins's theory 

 (1922) of the electronic structure of benzene, which 

 closely resembles that suggested independently by 

 NO. 2823, VOL. I 12] 



R. Robinson, in a discussion at the Chemical Society 

 early in the same year, is cautiously commended. 



The last chapter, which deals very broadly with the 

 discontinuity of physico-chemical processes, photo- 

 chemical reactions, colour, and with the future of the 

 quantum theory, displays the prepossessing features of 

 the early sections of the work, which is eminently 

 readable throughout. 



The printers and publishers have ably supported the 

 authors of these two works in producing attractive 

 monographs. There appear to be very few errors or 

 omissions. In Sir Joseph Thomson's book, on p. 41, 

 line 26, for " electrons " read " atoms," and on p. 135, 

 line 14 from the bottom, for " proposition " read 

 " proportion " ; in Prof. Lewis's book, two dots have 

 inadvertently been omitted from the formula for 

 butadiene on p. 91. A. L. 



Bruce of the Scotia. 



A Naturalist at the Poles : the Life, Work, and Voyages 

 of Dr. W. S. Bruce, the Polar Explorer. By Dr. R. N. 

 Rudmose Brown. With Five Chapters by W. G. 

 Bum Murdoch. Pp. 316 + 25 plates -i- 3 maps. 

 (London : Seeley, Service and Co., Ltd., 1923.) 

 255-. net. 



MR. RUDYARD KIPLING'S recent rectorial 

 address on " Independence " gave general ex- 

 pression to the problem of those who in thought or 

 action set themselves against the domination of " the 

 Tribe," and here in the Life of Dr. W. S. Bruce we have 

 an example of the career of one who did so. From this 

 point of view, it might be wished that Dr. Rudmose 

 Brown had been led to estimate in how far the " iron 

 ration " on which Bruce relied was fitted to sustain him 

 in his efforts to attain his ideals by his own exertions. 

 Such a life, analysed with full knowledge of tempera- 

 ment, equipment, ambitions, and achievements, might 

 bring enlightenment, help, and warning to others who 

 are setting out on a scientific career. Yet the author 

 was perhaps wiser not to make his biograpln a ( rilical 

 estimate of character. He has given an honest at count 

 of the work of a strenuous life in that spirit of sym- 

 pathetic friendliness which Bruce inspired in all who 

 knew him. From the facts set out in the narrative 

 portion, read in the light of the two fine concluding 

 chapters, " Ambitions and Dreams " and " The Man 

 and his Work," the reader will not find it difficult to 

 build up for himself an appreciation of the naturalist- 

 explorer who differed in so many ways from the popular 

 conception of a polar leader. 



Bruce, when he first came to Edinburgh as a youth of 

 seventeen, was a gentle, pathetic, lovable fellow full 

 of vague visions and fine ideals, and no one suspected 



Z I 



