April 8, 1922] 



NATURE 



443 



in the illustrations of Actinophrys sol on Plates 67 and | 

 72 there is no explanation of the different forms of the 

 body and its pseudopodia that are represented. A few 

 lines on the opposite page giving the reason why six 

 different drawings of this one species are shown on the 

 first of these two plates would have added immensely 

 the value and interest of the account of the species. 



S. J. H. 



Our Bookshelf. 



iganic Syntheses : An Annual Publication of Satis- 

 factory Methods for the Preparation of Organic 



IChemicals. Vol. i. Pp. viii + 84. (New York: 

 J. Wiley and Sons, Inc. ; London : Chapman and Hall, 

 Ltd., 1921.) 85. 6d. net. 



In preparing materials for use in research work in 

 organic chemistry, much difficulty is experienced and 

 time wasted because adequate directions are not avail- 

 able. Moreover, the methods finally adopted are not' 

 often published, so that the work involved in discover- 

 ing how to make the preparation successfully is lost, and 

 may be repeated indefinitely in different laboratories. 

 The present volume is the first annual instalment of a 

 record of methods of proved merit, given in sufficient 

 detail to ensure easy repetition ; the methods given 

 have been tested by being carried out from the instruc- 

 tions in a different laboratory from that in which these 

 were drafted. The substances dealt with in the first 

 volume are alkyl bromides, allyl alcohol, benzine- 

 sulphonic chloride, benzil, benziHc acid, benzoin, 

 </.-bromonaphthalene, ^-bromophenol,diacetone alcohol, 

 furfurol, mesityl oxide, methylene iodide, methyl- 

 hexyl carbinol, oxalic acid, thiophenol, trimethylamine, 

 and trimethylamine hydrochloride. In future volumes 

 it is hoped to include preparations worked out in other 

 < ountries and tested by repetition in one of the four 

 American laboratories which are responsible for the 

 organisation of the scheme. 



The preparation of materials such as these in quan- 

 tities of from 200 to 2000 grams offers a unique oppor- 

 tunity for determining their physical constants by 

 exact methods, e.g. a determination of freezing points 

 to o-oi° by means of a standardised thermometer 

 recording the temperature of 100 grams or more of 

 purified material, instead of to about 1° by the use of a 

 milligram of material in a capillary tube attached to a 

 thermometer of unknown errors. This useful develop- 

 ment of the work may perhaps be looked for in the 

 later volumes of the series. T. M. L. 



Exploitation du Petrole par Puits et Galeries. By Paul 

 de Chambrier. Pp. 106. (Paris : Librarie Dunod, 

 1921.) 



In February 192 1 a paper was read before the Institute 

 of Petroleum Technologists on the working of petroleum 

 by means of shafts and galleries, being an abstract from 

 a pamphlet entitled " Exploitation du petrole par puits 

 et galeries," written by Prof. Paul de Chambrier. This 

 pamphlet has recently come to hand, and it discusses 

 at some length the methods employed more particularly 

 at Pechelbronn, Alsace, in a bold attempt made to 



NO. 2736, VOL. TO9] 



extract oil from certain horizons already exhausted 

 by the drill. 



The publication of the paper in this country created 

 very considerable interest and even controversy at the 

 time, and opinion was much divided as to the possibility 

 of extending such methods to other fields. The 

 pamphlet in its original form, however, makes most 

 interesting reading, and there is no doubt that under 

 certain specialised circumstances recourse may be had 

 to this form of mining petroleum with decided proba- 

 bility of success. Such circumstances occur when (i) 

 the producing bed has been drained so far as boring 

 permits, (2) when there is an absence of gas under 

 pressure, and (3) when the percentage of oil remaining 

 in the bed is high enough to warrant the attempt being 

 made. One may add a further condition, namely, that 

 the bed does not lie at too great a depth from the 

 surface. 



The author contends that these methods allow the ex- 

 traction of anything from two to five times the amount 

 of oil obtainable by boring, and their ultimate employ- 

 ment, where possible, considerably enhances the 

 economic value of the property. While these conten- 

 tions may be quite justified commercially, it is open 

 to doubt whether, from the scientific point of view, 

 this practice will yield solutions to the fundamental 

 questions of origin, migration and accumulation of 

 petroleum, as indicated in the concluding paragraphs, 

 but we recommend the careful perusal of the pamphlet 

 before adverse criticism of this new departure be 

 indulged in by either academic or technical expert. 



H. B. MiLNER. 



The Chemistry of the Garden : A Primer for Amateurs and 

 Young Gardeners. By H. H. Cousins. Macmillan's 

 Primers. Revised Edition. Pp. xxxi + 147. (London : 

 Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 192 1.) 2s. net. 

 The new edition of Mr. Cousins's well-known little book 

 will be welcomed by all who are interested in their 

 gardens. In spite of the vast number of gardening 

 books and the fact that it was first written twenty-three 

 years ago, this book still remains one of the most useful 

 guides that can be put into the hands of the amateur. 

 Horticultural research does not move very quickly, and 

 there has been less necessity for recasting than if the book 

 had dealt with agriculture. Fuller investigation would 

 no doubt cause modification in some of the recommenda- 

 tions made, but until it has been carried out the advice 

 stands as the safest that can be given at present. 

 Above all, its basis is. sound. "I appeal," says the 

 author, " to the gardeners of England to place them- 

 selves in line with the only true and sound method 

 known to science, and the only safe and sure means to 

 progress and discovery — experiment." 



A Course of Practical Physiology for Agricultural 

 Students. By J. Hammond and E. T. Hainan. Pp. 

 106. (Cambridge : At the University Press, 1920.) 

 Price 45. 6d. net. 

 This small book, which is not illustrated, contains 

 exercises mainly in elementary histology for second- 

 year students taking the course in agriculture at the 

 University of Cambridge. Space is afforded for notes 

 and drawings. The book will save time and labour 

 for both student and teacher without disadvantage, 

 as it does not pose as a text-book. 



