November 17^ 192 1] 



NATURE 



3^5 



material which may be described as traditional, 

 and requires considerable pruning. 



Dr. Thatcher's aim has been to present the 

 chemical and physical details in an elementary' 

 manner, to point out their application in plant 

 life, and at the same time to instil a spirit of in- 

 quiry into his readers. We think he has suc- 

 ceeded in his efforts. A previous acquaintance of 

 elementary inorganic and organic chemistry is 

 assumed, and it depends upon the depth of this 

 acquaintance whether the student will grasp the 

 contents. There will be no difficulty with the 

 chapters on plant nutrients and photo-synthesis, 

 but unless stereochemistry has been previously 

 well learnt, the carbohydrate chapter will scarcely 

 be understood. Herein we miss the equations for 

 the formation of osazones. Also we can scarcely 

 agree with the author that tannins are glucosides. 

 Chlorophyll and plant pigments are really the most 

 complicated in structure of plant products, and 

 might well have formed the last chapter, instead 

 of preceding organic acids, esters, and fats. Too 

 little space is given to the nitrogenous constituents 

 — a single chapter includes amines, alkaloids, 

 purine and pyrimidine bases, and nucleic acid — 

 while the classification of proteins is more com- 

 plicated than usual. 



The last third of the book deals with enzymes, 

 colloids, and physical chemistry, mainly to show 

 their importance in plant life. Finally there is a 

 brief reference to hormones, auximones, vitamins, 

 and toxins. Altogether, the book gives an excel- 

 lent orientation of the subject, and much should 

 be learned from it by the student ; at any rate, he 

 could probe further if he so desires, for references 

 are given at the end of each chapter. 



Our Bookshelf. 



A History of the Cambridge University Press 

 1521-1921. By S. C. Roberts. Pp. xv-f 190! 

 (Cambridge: At the University Press, 1921.) 

 175. 6d. net. 



Mr. Roberts's "Histor\- of the Cambridge Uni- 

 versity Press " is a ven,- interesting account of the 

 difficulties met with in the gradual advance from 

 small beginnings, culminating in the highlv effi- 

 cient organisation of the present time. ' The 

 numerous illustrations representing title-pages 

 and the list of books published between 1521 and 

 1750 add much to its value. 



John Siberch, otherwise John Laer of Siegburg, 

 near Cologne, set up the first printing press in 

 Cambridge in 1520, having settled there probably 

 at the wish of his friend and patron, Erasmus, 

 who in 15 10 had come to live in the turret chamber 

 of Queens' College, and to be the first teacher of 

 Greek at the University. 



There are examples of several books printed by 

 NO. 2716, VOL. 108] 



Siberch at Cambridge in 1521. He may thus be 

 looked upon as the founder of the Cambridge 

 University Press. Accordingly, 192 1 is the four 

 hundredth anniversary of University printing in 

 Cambridge. 



It is not clear that John Siberch was officially 

 recognised as printer to the University, but in 

 1534 King Henrv \TII., by letters patent, gave 

 licence to the chancellor, masters, and scholars 

 to elect from time to time three stationers and 

 printers or sellers of books, residing within the 

 University. 



The Stationers Company of London repeatedly 

 but unsuccessfuUv challenged the rights thus con- 

 ferred upon the University-, until they were finally 

 confirmed in a Charter granted in 1628 by 

 Charles I. 



Although it appointed printers, the press did 

 not come directly under the control of the 

 University until 1697. when, by a grace of the 

 senate, the first Press Syndicate was appointed. 



A Text-book of Physics. Edited by A. Wilmer 

 Duff. Fifth edition, revised. Pp. xiv-f-700. 

 (London : J. and A. Churchill, 1921.) 165. 

 net. 

 No sweepingf changes appear to have been made 

 in the "Text-book of Physics," edited by Prof. 

 A. Wilmer Duff, since the last edition, referred to 

 in Nature of March 15, 191 7, p. 41, was pub- 

 lished. The editor states in his new preface that 

 " students of college Physics should have some 

 acquaintance with such new and live topics of 

 scientific, and even popular interest " as wireless 

 telegraphy and telephony, sound-ranging, sub- 

 marine detectors, the diffraction of X-rays, the 

 instruments used in aeroplanes, and the principle 

 of relativity, but with the exception of the para- 

 graphs dealing with wireless telegraphy, the 

 information afforded by the additional matter is of 

 little value. Many of the illustrations, particu- 

 larly those showing actual apparatus, are of a 

 sketchy type. 



The Elements of Illuminating Engineering. By 

 A. P. Trotter. (Pitman's Technical Primers.) 

 Pp. xii -1-103.' (London: Sir I. Pitman and 

 Sons, Ltd., 192 1.) 2s. 6d. net. 

 This booklet contains, in a revised and condensed 

 form, much of the information conveyed in the 

 author's well-known larger volume; some addi- 

 tional practical hints are also included. The ini- 

 tial chapter deals with laws and definitions. The 

 effect of light on vision and the origin of glare 

 are then briefly treated. Next Mr. Trotter passes 

 on to a discussion of the chief sources of light, 

 illustrating the distribution of light in each case 

 and pointing out the fundamental principles 

 involved in effective shading. Finally there are 

 chapters on photometry and the planning of light- 

 ing installations. The diagrams are invariably 

 clear and informative, and the explanations arc 

 lucid. The author has made good use of the 

 space available, and his work will form a useful 

 introduction to illuminating engineering. 



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