Miscellaneous Intelligence. 549 



knowledge is indispensable for a fundamental conception of the 

 physico-chemical phenomena. The content of the subject-mat- 

 ter is indicated by the major subdivisions of the text, viz. : 

 Chemical Statics in Protein Systems ; The Electrochemistry of 

 the Proteins ; The Physical Properties of Protein Systems ; 

 Chemical Dynamics in Protein Systems. l. b. m. 



3. Lecithin and Allied Substances; The Lipins; by Hugh 

 Maclean. Pp. vii, 206. London, 1918 (Longmans, Green and 

 Co.). — The "lipins" are denned by the author as substances of a 

 fat-like nature yielding on hydrolysis fatty acids or derivatives 

 of fatty acids and containing in their molecule either nitrogen, 

 or nitrogen and phosphorus. This is not the sense in which the 

 term has been employed by some American writers; but at 

 any rate the author's intent is clear. Any attempt to bring 

 order out of chaos, such as the literature of lecithin and allied 

 subjects represents, is a desideratum ; and when it is undertaken 

 by one, like Maclean, who is experienced in this field, the effort 

 is doubly welcomed. The volume is representative of the now 

 well-known Monographs on Biochemistry. That it does not 

 overlook "ancient history" is attested by the long chapter on 

 that much debated subject, protagon, for which it might serve 

 as a funeral oration. l. b. m. 



4. Directions for a Practical Course in Chemical Physiology. 

 Third edition ; by W. Cramer. Pp. viii, 119. London, 1917 

 (Longmans, Green and Co.). — The author states that "the 

 arrangement of the work differs from that generally followed, 

 in that the student is at the outset provided with substances 

 familiar to him, such as a potato, an egg, lard, butter, etc. . . . 

 In this way he is introduced to the subject without interposing 

 complex chemical conceptions, which the usual arrangement of 

 dividing the subject into the study of carbohydrates, fats, and 

 proteins necessarily involves." Many teachers of the subject 

 will probably debate the alleged superiority of this scheme. 

 There is nothing essentially novel in the little manual, though it 

 has the advantage of inexpensive form. Numerous omissions 

 may doubtless be accounted for on the basis of the comparatively 

 elementary character of the course intended to be served. 



L. B. M. 



5. An Outline of the History of Phytopathology ; by Herbert 

 Hice Whetzel. Pp. 130. Philadelphia 1918 ( W. B. Saunders 

 Co.). — Professor Whetzel has made a valuable contribution to 

 the literature of historical biology. From the earliest mention of 

 plant diseases, he traces the development of our knowledge and 

 control of them down to recent progress in this country. Stress 

 is laid on the most significant discoveries and the more important 

 individuals that have contributed to the advancement of the 

 science. In the opinion of the author, Anton de Bary should not 

 be considered the father of modern plant pathology ; this title is 



