REVIEW ' 
The Condensed | Chemical | Dictionary | A reference volume for all requiring 
quick access to a large | amount of essential data regarding chemicals, 
and other sub- | stances used in manufacturing and laboratory work 
I compiled and edited by | the editorial staff | of the Chemical 
Engineering Catalog | F. M. Turner, Jr., technical editor [ assistant 
editors | D. D. Berolzheimer | W. P. Cutter | John Helfrich | pub- 
lished by I the Chemical Catalog Company, Inc. | One Madison 
Avenue, New York | first edition, 1919. Cloth, 525 pages, $5. 
This handbook is practically a pioneer in its field and is a 
good indication of the growing importance of chemistry in 
American business. It is designed especially to meet the needs 
of business men who encounter questions of a chemical nature. 
Brief descriptions of a large number of substances are given, 
including the formula, physical properties, source, preparation, 
grades, common containers, uses, fire hazard, and shipping reg- 
ulations of each. Liberal cross-indexing is furnished and wide 
margins are left for the insertion of notes. 
The dictionary seems to meet a need of purchasing agents, 
brokers, and other nontechnical men which has hitherto not been 
satisfied. The chemist, on the other hand, usually prefers a 
more specialized book with fuller references. The general scope, 
however, of this dictionary makes it more convenient where only 
brief information is desired. Many chemists would be at a loss 
to know just where to look in their libraries for information 
about names perfectly familiar to other chemists, such as ganis- 
ter, lewisite, norit. 
As is to be expected in the first edition of such a work, occa- 
sional mistakes can be found. One can hardly agree with the 
compilers that kerosene is otherwise known as crude oil, nor that 
it has a specific gravity of 1.440, boils at 230° to 235° C., and 
flashes at 150° C. This slip is exceptional, however, and the 
book on the whole seems to be free from mistakes and misprints. 
G. A. P. 
109 
