126 
NATURE 
[OcToBER 2, 1913 
of this material are now obtainable which with- 
stand rapid fluctuations of temperature. The 
section on the noble metals refers not only to 
vessels of gold and platinum, but also to apparatus 
constructed of rhodium, iridium, and tantalum. 
The chemical and physical properties of the newer 
alloys (duralumin, the ternary steels, &c.) are 
reviewed. Scattered through the work are many 
valuable recipes likely to interest the practical 
chemist, as, for example, the use of aniline-black 
as a stain for woodwork, various lutings and 
cements for joining together chemical apparatus, 
and a composition for filling holes in platinum 
crucibles. 
Special chapters are devoted to electrical fittings 
and to the mechanical operations of pulverisation, 
agitation, filtration, &c. The book affords a 
striking testimony of the pre-eminence of Germany 
in the newer industries which minister to the wants 
of applied chemistry. Some noteworthy products 
of British enterprise have, however, been over- 
looked, and mention may be made in this connec- 
tion of Fletcher’s earthenware combustion furnaces 
and Pilkington’s glass screens with an embedded 
meshwork of invar steel, which form such efficient 
shields in working with explosive materials. 
(3) In this text-book of organic chemistry the 
author has given prominence to the development 
of the theory of the subject,’ descriptive matter 
being restricted to a few substances of industrial 
importance. A chapter on chemical kinetics has 
been added because the fundamental principles 
of this branch of the science have been chiefly 
verified in connection with organic substances. 
From the outset stereochemical considerations are 
introduced, and the facts of isomerism, multiple 
linking, and ring formation are regarded from the 
point of view of the tetrahedral carbon atom. The 
constitution ascribed to double cyanides (pp. 174, 
77) must, however, be regarded as obsolete, in 
view of Werner’s recent researches on coordination 
compounds. The author omits all references to 
original memoirs, and the work can scarcely be 
recommended as a substitute for the larger English 
treatises on organic chemistry. 
(4) This work is the seventh volume of the 
fourth edition of Allen’s well-known treatise on 
organic analysis. The book is divided into seven 
sections, each of which is written by an expert on 
the subject, the entire compilation not only serving 
as a useful guide to the analyst, but forming also 
a comprehensive treatise on the general chemistry 
of the organic materials under review. The 
present volume is largely devoted to nitrogenous 
compounds either formed by the vital activities 
of plants and animals or arising from the decay 
of these organisms. In recent years considerable 
NO, 2292, VOL. 92| 
addition has been made to our knowledge of these 
products, among which may be mentioned the 
alkaloids of ergot, cyanogenetic glucosides, 
ptomaines, amino-acids, and purine derivatives. 
One section is devoted to lactic acid, and another 
to the bitter principles of aloes and hops, whilst 
the concluding chapter is a useful monograph on 
cyanogen and its derivatives. G. TELE 
SOME NEW ELECTRICAL BOOKS. 
(1) Electrical Photometry and Illumination: A 
Treatise on Light and its Distribution, Photo- - 
metric Apparatus, and Illuminating Engineer- 
ing. By Prof. H: Bohle:~  Ppiareeces 
(London: C. Griffin and Co., Ltd., 1912.) 
Price tos. 6d. net. 
(2) The Principles of Applied Electrochemistry. 
By Dr. A. J. Allmand. Pp. xii+547. (Lon- 
don: Edward Arnold, 1912.) Price 18s. net. 
(3) Electroplating: A Treatise on the Electro- 
Deposition of Metals, with a chapter on Metal- 
Colouring and Bronzing. By W. R. Barclay 
and C. H. Hainsworth. Pp. viii+399. (Lon- 
don: Edward Arnold, 1912.) Price 7s. 6d. net. 
(4) The Design of Alternating Current Machinery. 
By J. R. Barr and R. D. Archibald. Pp. xvi+ 
496+ xvi plates. (London: Whittaker and Co., 
1913.) Price 125. 6d net. 
(5) A Laboratory Manual of Alternating Currents. 
By Prof. J. H. Mborecroft. Pp. vili+247. 
(London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1912.) 
Price 7s. 6d. net. 
(6) La Télégraphie et la Téléphonie Simultanées 
et la Téléphonie Multiple. By K. Berger. 
Traduit par P. Le Normand. Pp. 134. (Paris: 
Gauthier-Villars, 1913.) Price 4.50 francs. 
(7) The Baudét Printing Telegraph System. By 
H. W. Pendry. Pp. iii+147+plates. (Lon- 
don: Whittaker and Co., 1913.) Price 2s. 6d. 
net. 
(r) URING comparatively recent years there 
has sprung into existence a new branch 
of science which is known, or knows itself, as illu- 
minating engineering. The writer has a suspicion 
that if the electrical engineer who handled lighting 
problems had not been on the lookout for another 
stick with which to beat his brother gas engineer, 
and had not thought that stick was to be found 
in the greater ease with which scientific measure- 
ments can be applied to electric lamps, no such 
science would ever have sprung into a definite and 
separate existence. Be that as it may, the pro- 
fession appears to be establishing itself with some 
degree of firmness. The illuminating engineer 
of theory is a man of unbiassed mind as regards 
the particular illuminant he employs, provided he 
attains his desired end in the most economical 
OO 
