752 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XXII. No. 571. 



eentration curves for these systems at constant 

 temperature. In addition to a discussion of 

 the possible qualitative forms of the partial 

 pressure curves, there is a consideration of the 

 quantitative values with special reference to 

 the formulas of Duhem, van der Waals and 

 van't Hoff. The only thing lacking in this 

 summary is a statement of the relation be- 

 tween the heat of dilution and the displace- 

 ment of a maximum or minimum boiling- 

 point with change of pressure. 



iSText in order is a discussion of the com- 

 plete freezing-point curve. Of special interest 

 is the chapter on the methods of determining 

 the freezing-point curves and the nature of 

 the solid phases. We can locate a freezing- 

 point curve either thermally by cooling- or 

 heating-cnrves, or analytically by solubility 

 determinations at constant temperature. For 

 aqueous solutions the latter method is usually 

 the more accurate; but the thermal method is 

 the better for alloys and fused salts, owing to 

 the difficulty of pipetting off the pure solution. 



Roozeboom groups the methods for deter- 

 mining the nature of a solid phase under the 

 headings : ' Direct Analysis,' ' Microscopic Ex- 

 amination,' ' Conductivity,' ' Electromotive 

 Force,' ' Heat of Formation,' ' Other Methods.' 

 While these methods have all been used more 

 or less extensively, they are of very unequal 

 value. When possible, isolation of the solid 

 phase and direct analysis is the most accurate 

 of all. This, however, is usually not feasible 

 in the case of alloys and is often unsatisfac- 

 tory with efflorescing salts. Microscopic ex- 

 amination is the only method which is of real 

 value for alloys. The methods grouped under 

 conductivity and electromotive force are 

 worthless as general methods and are not to 

 be reconnnended in special cases except as 

 giving corroborative evidence. Much the same 

 may be said of density determinations, while 

 no one has ever got any results by determining 

 the heat of formation of alloys. 



The last portion of the book is devoted to a 

 consideration of equilibrium under high pres- 

 sures, the phenomena near the critical points 

 forming a special case under this general 

 heading. While interesting in itself and im- 



portant from a theoretical point of view, this 

 section will probably appeal less to the average 

 chemist than will other portions of the book, 

 because relatively few of us have ever had the 

 opportunity of working with high pressures. 

 Wilder D. Bancroft. 



SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS AND ARTICLES. 



The American Naturalist for November 

 contains the following articles: ' Collection 

 and Preparation of Material for Classes in 

 Elementary Zoology,' by B. G. Smith, giving 

 the methods in use at the University of Mich- 

 igan ; ' A New Ostracod from Nantucket, 

 Cyprinotus americanus' by Joseph A. Cush- 

 man ; ' Further Notes on Hyla andersonii and 

 Bana virgatipes in New Jersey,' by W. T. 

 Davis; 'A Systematic Study of the Salicacese,' 

 by D. P. Penhallow; the concluding paper 

 containing a synopsis of the genera and spe- 

 cies and list of literature on the subject. 

 ' Momentum in Variation,' by F. B. Loomis, 

 is an all too brief attempt to explain the de- 

 velopment of parts beyond the point of ap- 

 parent utility. Many of the statements need 

 qualification, many are erroneous, and the 

 subject is not one to be disposed of in five 

 pages; it is safer to say we do not know. 



The American Journal of Anatomy for 

 December contains the following articles : 



John Waeren : ' The Development of the Para- 

 physis and the Pineal Region in Necturus macu- 

 latus.' 2.3 text-figures. 



E. T. Bell : ' The Development of the Thymus.' 

 3 plates and 5 text-figures. 



J. S. Ferguson : ' The Veins of the Adrenal.' 

 3 text-figures. 



George Walker: 'The Blood Vessels of the 

 Prostate Gland.' 2 colored plates. 



B. M. Allen : ' The Embryonic Development 

 of the Rete-Cords and Sex-Cords of Chryseniys.' 

 1 double plate and 6 text-figures. 



P. T. Lewis : ' The Development of the Lym- 

 phatic System in Rabbits.' 8 text-figures. 



P. T. Lewis : ' The Development of the Veins in 

 the Limbs of Rabbit Embryos.' 1 text-figure. 



A notice to members of the Association of 

 American Anatomists of the approaching meeting, 

 Christmas week. 



The Annual Report of the Public Museum 

 of Milwaukee, for the year ending August 31, 



