vA T O teas 
v5 
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1913. 
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF CHEMISTRY. 
(1) Service Chemistry: Being a Short Manual of 
Chemistry and Metallurgy, and their Application 
in the Naval and Military Services. By Prof. 
V. B. Lewes and J. S. S. Brame. Fourth 
edition, revised. Pp. xvi+576+vii plates. 
(London: Edward Arnold, 1913.) Price 15s. 
net. 
(2) Handbuch der Arbeitsmethoden in der anorgan- 
ischen Chemie. By Dr. A. Stahler. Erster 
Band. Pp. xii+786. (Leipzig: Veit and Co., 
1913.) Price 25 marks. 
(3) Cours de Chimie Organique. By Prof. F. 
Swarts. 2° édition revue et augmentée. Pp. 
vii+ 751. (Paris: A. Hermann et Fils; Gand: 
Ad. Hoste, 1913.) Price 15 francs. 
(4) Allen’s Commercial Organic Analysis. A 
Treatise on the Properties, Modes of Assaying, 
and Proximate Analytical Examination of the 
Various Organic Chemicals and Products Em- 
ployed in the Arts, Manufactures, Medicine, &c. 
Volume vii. Fourth edition. Edited by W. A. 
Davis and S. S. Sadtler.= Pp. ix+ 563. 
(London: J. and A. Churchill, 1913.) Price 
21S. net. ; 
(1) EACHERS of chemistry in colleges of 
applied science, who nowadays are so 
frequently requested to arrange specialised courses 
in this science suitable to the needs of students 
working chiefly at other subjects, will undoubtedly 
be interested to learn how this problem has been 
solved by the authors of this manual, now in its 
fourth edition, after long experience in the teach- 
ing of chemical science to naval officers. The 
writers very rightly refuse to compile a Service 
technology without first inculcating a knowledge 
of the facts and laws governing the results ob- 
tained in applied chemistry. At the same time, 
they carefully select their illustrations so as to 
arrest immediately the attention of the naval and 
military student, for whom the work is primarily 
intended. ‘ 
Within the first dozen pages the topic of lique- 
fied gases leads to a consideration of the pro- 
duction of “artificial ice and cold storage both 
on land and sea.” The chemistry of galvanic 
batteries includes a description of Leclanché’s cells 
used in firing torpedoes and submarine mines. 
The subject of combustion brings in a reference 
to the spontaneous ignition of coal on shipboard. 
Special prominence is given to explosives. The 
evolution of gunpowder is traced, and a concise 
account is given of the taming of guncotton for | 
NO. 2292, VOL. 92] 
use as a propellant. Special sections are devoted 
to fuel problems, military ballooning, boiler in- 
crustations, corrosion, protective paints, anti- 
fouling compositions, and many other matters 
arising out of Service vicissitudes. 
From the doctrinal point of view, it would 
obviate much confusion if the term “atomicity ” 
were employed exclusively to denote the number 
of atoms in an elementary molecule, and not used 
as a synonym for “valency.” In this connection 
it may be mentioned that sulphur vapour at 
500°C. is stated incorrectly to be hexatomic 
(p. 322). It is doubtful whether the affinity of 
the halogens for oxygen decreases regularly from 
iodine to fluorine. The non-existence of per- 
bromic acid and bromine oxides rather suggests 
that bromine in this respect falls between chlorine 
and fluorine (pp. 333, 345): These points, which 
are open to criticism, are, however, of minor im- 
portance, and the work contains so much new 
material not generally found in chemical text- 
books that the authors are justified in hoping that 
the book may appeal to readers outside the circle 
of Service students. 
(2) This work, which is the first of five volumes 
of a comprehensive text-book on working methods 
in inorganic chemistry, is a noteworthy example 
of the “integrated knowledge ” now placed at the 
disposal of chemists called upon to plan the 
erection and organisation of laboratories for the 
practice of this important branch of chemical 
science. The information is characterised 
throughout by a note of thoroughness, first-hand 
knowledge being ensured by the author’s col- 
laboration with a staff of experts in different 
branches of practical chemistry. In their efforts 
to make every item of equipment purposive, the 
writers take nothing for granted, and discuss in 
detail such matters as the ample provision of 
light and space round the laboratory building, the 
ready accessibility of stairways and exits, the 
storage in cellars of volatile liquids and liquefied 
gases, and even the position of bicycle stands! 
Certain illustrations of various shapes of retort 
stands and specimen bottles might well be left 
to the dealers’ catalogues. 
The varieties of glass suitable for chemical 
purpose are fully discussed, and it may be noted 
that the rare alkali metal rubidium has been 
utilised in the production of a hard glass softening 
only at 1000°C. Shenstone’s pioneering efforts 
in the production of silica ware are mentioned, 
and further developments are suggested by refer- 
ences to the use of zirconia and titania in the 
fabrication of crucibles and refractory apparatus. 
Considerable improvements have been recently 
made in the manufacture of porcelain, and vessels 
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