' REVIEWS. 
‘metals, they cover any of the alloys usually manufactured in non-ferrous alloy 
‘factories. There are several chapters of introductory matter for the benefit of 
beginners, such as laboratory and fittings, chemicals, &c., but the main value 
of the work lies in the clear, ‘concise explanation of the processes, which must 
form a handy reference for chemists’ professionally interested in the manufac- 
ture and use of alloys of this class. - In Chapter XII. the results of typical 
analyses are given, and the author explains that these, in most cases, have been 
obtained by the processes given in the volume; although, in a few instances, 
they have been obtained from standard text-books. 
Alcohol: Its Production, Properties, Chemistry, and Industrial Applications, 
by Charles Simmonds, B.Sc., pp. xx + 574, London, Macmillan & Co. Ltd., 1919. 
This work deals with the materials used for the production of alcohol, both by 
fermentation and by synthetic processes; the biochemical agents involved; 
methods of distillation and rectification; the conversion of cellulose substances 
into alcohol; and the analytical chemistry of methyl and ethyl alcohol. In 
. addition, chapters are devoted to alcoholometry, and industrial alcohol, including 
| . regulations for denaturation and the industrial uses of alcohol. The author 
also treats of various spirituous beverages, their origin, nature, and chemical 
examination, and concludes with a brief statement of what is definitely known 
concerning the physiological effects of alcohol. It will be seen, therefore, that 
the book is a comprehensive treatise dealing with practically all phases of the 
‘production and use of alcohol. ‘The question of alcohol as a fuel, especially for 
internal combustion engines, is dealt with, and the author points out that this 
question is becoming a very important one. Some details are given of the 
‘results of the special investigations made in America, and by the Commonwealth 
Institute of Science and Industry, to determine the relative advantages of — 
alcohol as a fuel, compared with petrol. Attention is directed to the greater 
‘efficiency of alcohol, and to its other advantages, compared with petrol. As 
tegards the difficulty of starting from cold on alcohol, the author had’ not, 
apparently, at the time when the book was compiled, been informed of the 
‘simple and effective method which has been devised by the Commonwealth 
Institute of Science and Industry for overcoming this difficulty. Internal 
combustion engines have been perfected for use with petrol, but when a similar 
‘amount of research has been directed to the use of alcohol, this liquid may be 
“found even more suitable than petrol. ‘Attention is directed to the suggestion 
that the distillation of power-alcohol should be undertaken in England on a 
co-operative basis, whereby a central distillery would serve a number of farms, 
much on the same lines as with co-operative creameries; but such a system 
“would obviously mean a considerable modification of existing Excise regulations 
‘for distillery supervision. Some interesting information is given regarding the 
‘production of alcohol from saw-mill waste, and the author considers that the 
facts indicate that ultimate commercial success in this direction is assured. 
At first, it was thought that every saw-mill represented a possible location for an 
alcohol plant, but it was soon found that there were very few mills at which the 
conditions were altogether favorable for establishing a distillery. The “life” of the 
lumbering operations may be uncertain, the water supply deficient, labour facili- 
“ties unfavorable, and’ so on. Wood-waste is bulky, and costly to handle and 
transport, so that it must be treated at’ the place where it is produced. It is, 
“therefore, suggested that the saw-mills should’ produce the sugar solution from 
the waste wood, but should not ferment or distil’it. The syrup could then be — 
‘conveyed to large scale distilleries. Alcohol ‘from the waste liquors in’ the 
“fianufacturé of sulphite wood-pulp is being produced in’ considerable quantities 
1253 
sii 
