Chemistry and Physics. 303 



has calculated and in a few cases drawn, not only the form of but 

 the absolute sizes of these ellipsoids. In confirmation * of the 

 earlier work by Strutt the ellipsoid for helium is an exceptionally 

 elongated, or .spindle-shaped ellipsoid, indicating that this mole- 

 cule approximates a linear resonator. 



Both the Kerr effect and the Faraday rotation of the plane of 

 polarization are theoretically dependent upon the asymmetry of 

 vibration in the molecule and the author has calculated the 

 amount of each of these effects which would be predicted from his 

 measurements on the polarization of scattered light. The 

 observed Kerr effect in different gases is in satisfactory accord 

 with the predicted amount but the agreement of the Faraday 

 effect is only fair. — Annul, der Phys. 65, 97, 1921. f. e. b. 



6. L'Atome; by Dr. Achalme. Pp.244. Paris, 1921 (Payot 

 et Cie.). — The author, who is not otherwise designated than as 

 the Director of the laboratory of VEcole des Hautes Etudes, has 

 attempted with much ingenuity to explain the structure and form 

 of atoms. Although his book exhibits considerable acquaintance 

 with the writings of many physicists, his speculations are, unfor- 

 tunately, based too largely upon the phenomena of chemical 

 statics to be convincing. The trend of current thought is all in 

 the direction of the Rutherford-Bohr atom, which hypothesis, 

 together with the spectroscopic evidence and its intimate con- 

 nection with atomic structure, are completely ignored. 



It is to be apprehended that the author has run into a stereo- 

 chemic cul de sac. f. e. b. 



7. Calculus and Graphs; by L. M. Passano. Pp. vii, 167. 

 Xew York, 1921 (The Macmillan Company). — The purpose of 

 the author has been to write a brief and elementary course on the 

 calculus which would make this branch of analysis available to 

 students of physics, of chemistry and of other sciences where some 

 knowledge of mathematics is required. As is indicated in the 

 title, the presentation has been made chiefly from the standpoint 

 of coordinate geometry, but it does not presume any knowledge 

 of formal analytical geometry or the properties of functions. 

 Although as a text, it is one which would not be selected by those 

 who desire more than an introduction to the subject, its mastery 

 would connote the full equivalent of the ordinary scientific 

 student's knowledge of analysis. f. e. b. 



8. The Manufacture of Optical Glass and of Optical Systems; 

 by Lieut. Col. F. E. Wright. Pp. 309. Washington, 1921 

 (Government Printing Office). — At the outbreak of the war the 

 production of optical glass in this country was nil, the small 

 amount required by instrument makers being procured from 

 abroad and chiefly from Germany. With the declaration of war 

 by the United States in 1917 the embarrassment of the govern- 

 ment became so acute that it was necessary to requisition both the 



