Chemistry and Physics. 69. 



As a whole, the book must be regarded as one of the most 

 important recent contributions to scientific literature. The work 

 of the translators appears to have been exceptionally well done. 



c. s. H. 



15. Elementary Principles in Statistical ^Mechanics developed 

 with special reference to the Rational Foundation of Thermo- 

 dynamics ; by J. W1LLA.KD GiBBS, Professor of Mathematical 

 Physics in Yale University. Yale Bicentennial Publications. 

 Pp. xviii + 207. Xew York, 1902 (Charles Scribner's Sons). — 

 In this last volume by Professor Gibbs we have, as it were, the 

 conclusion of his earlier papers published so many years ago on 

 the subject of the E<.juilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances. 



It rarely happens in science that there is one particular branch 

 of it in which only one or two men can be considered as preemi- 

 nent. To all intents and purposes this is the present condition 

 in advanced study of thermodynamics. The scientific world, as 

 a whole, owes a debt of gratitude to Professor Gibbs for at last 

 giving in printed form such a clear and definite exposition of the 

 Principles of Statistical Mechanics, with special reference to 

 Thermodynamics. It is true that in this present volume the 

 problem is treated as one of pure mechanics and not of thermo- 

 dynamics ; nevertheless, one's thoughts always turn to the latter 

 to appreciate the physical meaning of the various equations. 



The best description of the scope of the volume is contained in 

 the preface Avritten by Professor Gibbs himself, from which the 

 following remarks are quoted more or less accurately. In the 

 first chapter there is the general problem of which may be called 

 the determination of the fundamental equation of statistical 

 mechanics and its integration. In the second chapter certain 

 principles proved in tlie first are applied to the " Theory of 

 Errors " ; while in the third chapter the same principles are 

 applied to the "Integration of the Differential Equations of 

 Motion." In the fourth and following chapters, making fifteen 

 in all in the book, attention is directed to the consideration of 

 statistical equilibrium of conservative systems, with special appli- 

 cations to Thermodynamic analogies, such as Entropy, Tempera- 

 ture, etc. 



It cannot be denied that the present volume is extremely diffi- 

 cult reading, but one feels, as one masters it page by page, that 

 there is obtained a deeper insight into the ultimate truths of 

 Physics. It is not a book which a university student would in 

 general find profitable reading, but it is one which every such 

 student should add to his collection of choice volumes in order to 

 have it at his disposal for reference or for consultation concerning 

 many of the perplexing questions of Thermodynamics, j. s. a. 



16. JBeitrage zur chemischen Physiologic und Pathologic, heraus- 

 gegeben von Fe. Hofmeistek. II, 5-6, 1902 (Yieweg u. Sohn).^ — 

 In an earlier number of the Beitrage, Lewin concluded that indol 

 and phenol may have their origin in metabolic processes in the 

 animal body independent of putrefactive changes in the intestine. 

 This view is now combatted bv P. Mayer, as the result of an 



