574 



NATURE 



[May 6, 1922 



Modern Chemistry. 



Traiie de Chiniie Generale. Par Prof. W. Nernst. 

 26 edition frangaise, completement refondue d'apr^s 

 la lo^ edition allemande par Prof. A. Corvisy. 

 Premiere Partie : Proprietes Generales des Corps — 

 Atonie et Molecule. Pp. viii + 620. (Paris: J. 

 Hermann, 1922.) 30 francs net. 



PROF. NERNST'S monumental treatise on general 

 chemistry is so well known in this country 

 and in America that no commendation of it is needed. 

 It is a standard work in Germany, where it has already 

 gone through numerous editions. In its French dress 

 it has established a position in other parts of Europe 

 and in Latin America. The volume under review — 

 a large octavo of more than 600 pages — is the first part 

 of the second French edition ; it has been thoroughly 

 revised in conformity with the latest German edition. 

 It deals with the general properties of matter and 

 with atomic and molecular theories in the light of 

 contemporary knowledge. In effect it is a treatise 

 on the application of the fundamental principles of 

 modem physics to chemistry, with due regard to 

 inquiries wherever the study of chemical physics is 

 actively pursued. Indeed, the wealth of biblio- 

 graphical reference is one of the most commendable 

 features of the work. This, of course, is as it should 

 be. Science knows no national boundaries. This was 

 not always so recognised in Germany. In times not 

 so very remote it was not unusual to notice a tendency 

 to make the world believe that the study and develop- 

 ment of physical science, and particularly chemistry 

 and physics, had become almost the exclusive function 

 and prerogative of German professors. Instances were 

 not unknown of actual appropriation of other men's 

 work or of the wilful suppression of all mention of 

 their labours. No such charge could possibly be 

 brought against the author of this work. He ap- 

 parently keeps his eyes open to all sources of know- 

 ledge and welcomes evidence from any quarter. 



Although the general plan of the work is unchanged, 

 the alterations and additions in the present French 

 edition are very considerable. Many of the paragraphs 

 have been greatly modified, and in some cases wholly 

 rewritten ; others have been added ; some of the less 

 important have been shortened and even discarded, 

 so as to keep the book within bounds. Theoretical 

 conceptions and new developments which found no 

 mention in the first edition, such as the quantum 

 theory, the constitution of the atom, the new thermo- 

 dynamical theorem, the theory of relativity, atomic 

 numbers, equations of state, the molecular theory of 

 the soHd state, the frequency of atomic vibrations, 

 the elucidation of crystal structure by X-rays, radio- 

 NO. 2740, VOL. 109] 



activity, isotopism, etc., now !ind their appropriate 

 place and are dealt with at due length. The book is 

 eminently readable, and the mathematical treatment 

 in no wise deterrent. Prof. Nernst's excellence as an 

 expositor has in no sense suffered by the clarity and 

 precision of Prof. Corvisy's rendering. The book is 

 remarkably free from typographical errors, although, 

 as might be expected in a volume of its size, a few 

 mistakes occur here and there. It will be news to 

 many readers that a Lord Rayleigh developed a certain 

 formula relating to gaseous mixtures so far back as 

 1587- 



Text-books of Elementary Mathematics. 



(i) Elementary Calculus. By Prof. William F. Osgood. 

 Pp. ix + 224. (New York: The Macmillan Com- 

 pany ; London : Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1921.) 

 12^. 6d. net. 



(2) Calculus for Beginners : A Text-hook for Schools and 

 Evening Classes. By H. Sydney Jones. Pp. ix + 300. 

 (London : Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1921.) 6s. 



(3) A First Course in the Calculus. Part 2, Trigono- 

 metric and Logarithmic Functions of x, etc. By Prof. 

 William P. Milne and G. J. B. Westcott. (Bell's 

 Mathematical Series for Schools and Colleges.) Pp. 

 XV + 181-402 +xv-xxxix. (With answers.) (Lon- 

 don : G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1920.) 55. 



(4) Exponentials Made Easy, or The Story of "Ep- 

 silon." By M. E. J. Gheury de Bray. Pp. x + 253. 

 (London : Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1921.) 45. 6d. net. 



(5) Mathematics for Technical Students : Junior Course. 

 By S. N. Forrest. Pp. viii+260. (With answers.) 

 (London : Edward Arnold, 1920.) 75. 6d. net. 



(6) Elementary Algebra. Part 2. By C. V. Durell 

 and R. M. Wright. (With answers.) (Cambridge 

 Mathematical Series.) Pp. xxiii + 253-551+ xlvii- 

 Ixxxv. (London : G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1921.) 

 55. 6d. net. 



(7) A Concise Geometry. By Clement V. Durell. 

 (Cambridge Mathematical Series.) Pp. viii + 319. 

 (London : G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1920.) 55. net. 



(8) Co-ordinate Geometry {Plane and Solid) for Be- 

 ginners. By R. C. Fawdry. (Bell's Mathematical 

 Series for Schools and Colleges.) Pp. viii + 215. 

 (London : G. Bell and Sons, Ltd., 1921.) 5^. 



(9) Elements of Practical Geometry : A Two Years' 

 Course for Day and Evening Technical Students. 

 By P. W. Scott. Pp. V + 185. (London : Sir Isaac 

 Pitman and Sons, Ltd., 192 1.) $s. net. 



(i) "r)ROF. OSGOOD'S "Elementary Calculus" 



Jr supplies a need — the need of the young 



mathematician for a sound introduction to the differ- 



