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NEW BOOKS Liquid Air, Oxygen and Nitrogen. B y Georges Claude. Translated by 418. Philadelphia: P . Blakiston’s Son H. E . P. Cottrell. 26 X 18 cm; p p . v & Co., 1913. Price: $5.50.-1n the foreword the translator says:

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“Great as is the present importance of the manufacturing processes connected with the production of liquid air, oxygen, and nitrogen, there can be no doubt that it will increase immeasurably in the future, for the known applications of these processes, though already numerous, will not be a tithe of those which cannot fail to be progressively discovered and placed a t the disposal of civilization. This reason, even if no other existed, would have afforded a sufficient inducement for providing a standard work on this subject in the English tongue, an acknowledged want which the present translation, it is hoped, will help to satisfy. “The problem of supplying the ever-increasing demand for nitrogen, in forms suited to agriculture, is a pressing one, to which the relatively excessive cost of nitrogenous manures bears eloquent testimony. Many of the keenest minds of the chemical world have, for the last fourteen years, been devoting themselves to the solution, which ultimately implies recourse to the practically inexhaustible stores of atmospheric nitrogen in a more or less direct fashion. This in turn implies the solution of the problem of the separation of the air into its constituent elements; and the method of distillation and rectification a t very low temperatures, on which both Linde’s and Claude’s processes are based, has been, up till now, the most favored because of the very high degree of purity with which the nitrogen so distilled from the air is produced. “The day of nitrogen derived from the air has definitely dawned, and manufactures of its products and derivatives on a grand scale are springing up all over the world, so that within a comparatively short time the old sources of supply of ammonia and nitrates will no longer be the chief and practically only sources on which agriculture can depend for replenishing the ever-depleting stores of nitrogen in the soil. Had the means of producing and distilling liquid air not been developed when they were, as described in the following volume, the day when chemical manufactures shall have rendered the nitrogen famine, predicted by Sir William Crookes, impossible, would unquestionably have been still in the dim future instead of well in sight and rapidly approaching.” The first part of the book is devoted to the liquefaction of gases, the second part to the commercial liquefaction of air, the third to the preservation and properties of air, and the fourth to the separation of air into its elements. The subject matter in regard to commercial liquefaction is treated under the headings: expansion and Siemens’ exchange of temperature-from Siemens to Linde; the imperfections of the gaseous state and the work of van der Waals; expansion by simple outflow; expansion with external work that can be recuperated. Under the separation of air into its elements, the headings are : general considerationsdiverse processes; particulars of the evaporation of liquid air; the recuperation of cold; various processes for progressive evaporation; the accelerated liquefaction of the oxygen of the air; some considerations on the liquefaction of gaseous

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mixtures; application of the antecedent liquefaction of the oxygen of the air; rectification; grouping of apparatus-existing plants. The author and Linde are the two men who have done the most work on the commercial liquefaction of air, so the subject is treated by an acknowledged authority. The book is written in the vivacious style which is so difficult to reproduce successfully in English. The translator has been handicapped by the fact that certain French idioms, p. 277, become double negatives when translated too literally. It is a matter of opinion whether the book might not have been improved either by making it more popular or more technical; but it is both readable and valuable in its present form. Wilder D. Bancroft Die Atomionen chemischer Elemente und ihre Kanalstrahlen-Spektra. By J . Stark. 22 X 15 cm; pp. 47. Berlin: Julius Springer, 1913. Price: 1.60 marks.-In these few pages the author gives a welcome outline of the recent work on canal ray spectra. This is of great importance because it gives us a direct method of determining the equivalent weights of all the positive ions that are to be found in the gas under study. From our knowledge of the chemical composition, it is comparatively simple to determine the molecular weights and valences of the ions in question. In consequence, we now speak freely of univalent, bivalent, and trivalent, monatomic ions of mercury, aluminum, nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur, chlorine, iodine, and argon. With boron, magnesium, carbon, silicon, and helium, the trivalent monatomic ions have not been discovered but we may live in hope. The red spectrum of argon is now attributed to the univalent ions, and the blue spectrum chiefly to the bivalent ions. The electrolytic ion differs from the gaseous ion by being swaddled in adsorbed water, which masks the absorption spectrum. Wilder D., Bancroft Derkolloide Schwefel. By Suen Oden. 29 X 22 cm; pp. 193. Upsala: Akademische Buchhandlung, 1913. Price: IO kronen.-This is an admirable monograph, dealing as it does with the preparation, purification, properties, and changes of colloidal sulphur. One of the very interesting points is that sulphur is precipitated reversibly by potassium salts, whereas precipitation is irreversible in case a barium salt is added a t a moderate concentration and is allowed to stand in contact with the precipitated sulphur for some time. Irreversible precipiThe theory is quite simple tation can also occur with sodium chloride a t 80'. after somebody else has pointed it out. Precipitation is reversible in case one washes out the precipitating agent before agglomeration has taken place. Agglomeration takes place more readily when there is a large percentage excess of coagulating agent or when the temperature is raised. If a high concentration of a coagulating agent is necessary t o cause precipitation, i t will be relatively easy to wash the adsorbed precipitating agent out of the precipitate, whereas this will be practically impossible if the precipitating agent acts in very dilute solutions. With a solution like barium chloride, a dilute solution of which precipitates sulphur, it is very easy to have a large percentage excess and therefore the precipitation becomes irreversible very much more rapidly than when sodium chloride is the coagulating agent. It seems probable that we shall find the same relations for all our suspension colloids, in which case the arbitrary and inaccurate distinction of an essentially irreversible precipitation will disappear. The value of this monograph is therefore far-reaching.

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The author considers that colloidal sulphur is essentially insoluble sulphur. It should therefore be possible, theoretically, to prepare colloidal solutions of rhombic and of monoclinic sulphur; but this has not been tried. No reference is made to the fact that Raffo’s colloidal sulphur is very sensitive to potassium Wilder D. Bancrofl sulphate and not sensitive to sodium sulphate.

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Gas Analysis. B y L. M . Dennis. rg X 13; p p . v 434. New York: The Macmillan Co., 1913. Price: $z.~o.-In the preface the author states that, “ I n

general plan this book follows the last edition of the English translation of Hempel’s ‘Methods of Gas Analysis.’ It was indeed begun with the intention of having it serve as a new edition of that work, but the many advances in the field of gas analysis during the last fourteen years have necessitated the incorporation of much new material and the modifications or excision of many of the older methods. I n view of this fact, a new book has been written.” On comparing t h e two books, it can be seen that about 45 percent of the subject matter is new, about 30 percent copied directly from the English translation of Hempel’s book, and about 2 5 percent rewritten. Where the material is copied, no reference is given to the original work, although a goodly number of references are given throughout the book to a large number of sources from which less material is taken. About 50 percent of the drawings for the cuts are new. The remainder of the cuts are taken from the translation of Hempel’s book. The new cuts are a n improvement over the old ones, but the draftsman has used too much shading. A number of the drawings appear to have “skin disease.”. In a number of the cuts, the apparatus is assembled so that too much unnecessary space is taken up. The book, however, as a whole, is better than the translation of Hempel’s original work.‘ It is written up and arranged in better form. The paragraphs have headings printed in heavy type, so that it is easier to find what one wants. It is gratifying to see the Friedrichs’ spiral washing bottle, and tube, given such an important place. They can be relied upon to give satisfaction for rapid absorption, and efficient washing of gases. The modifications of the Orsat apparatus and the Petterson-Palmquist apparatus, are important. The size of the apparatus has been markedly decreased. The introduction of the Friedrichs’ spiral washing or absorption tubes in the Orsat increases the efficiency and the rapidity of the absorption. The capillary dead space is very much decreased. The reagents are also better protected from the air. The advantages of a number of the suggested forms of apparatus are of questionable value, however. The Pannertz apparatus for specific gravity does .away with the inconveniences of operation of the Schilling apparatus, but only at the expense of accurateness. The gas will be subject to the temperature fluctuations of the air, the apparatus not being surrounded with water. Also, probably the most important objections to this apparatus is the possibility of getting water in the capillary a t the top. For practical work, the Schilling apparatus is unquestionably the better of the two on account of its “foolproofness.” Another piece of apparatus suggested is a portable form of the Hempel apparatus. From the description of this, the apparatus is of questionable value. The length of the whole apparatus, Fig. 40, is given as 20.5 cm. I t can be seen that the burette, where the graduations must appear, is only 15 cm long. The burette holds 50 cc. By calculation it is seen that the internal diameter of the

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burette must be 2 cm. One centimeter length of the burette must correspond to 3 cubic centimeters of the gas. Calibrated in fifths, the scale would almost resemble a “diffraction grating.” The accuracy would not be greater than one-, third that of the ordinary apparatus. The suggested use of ammoniacal chloride for absorbing carbon monoxide is of doubtful value. From experiences of the reviewer with furnace gases containing carbon monoxide, the hydrochloric acid solution of cuprous chloride gives much better satisfaction. The chapter on combustion of gases is rather vague. It is interesting to note, p. 131, that hydrogen is a hydro-carbon. It is true that oxygen 50 percent pure can be absorbed quietly by phosphorus but the sticks of the absorbent will melt if the percentage oxygen be greater than about 30 percent. It is a pity to recommend exposing a gas mixture to daylight, and waiting for I Z hours, to eliminate ozone, when the oxyhydrogen gas may be generated free from impurities if barium hydroxide he used as electrolyte instead of sulphuric acid. The modification of the Hempel nitrometer cannot be recommended for practical work. There are too many breakable parts. Works interested in t h e use of the nitrometer, generally have simple modifications to suit their specific needs, so that there will probably be no wide application of the more complex apparatus. Attention may be called to useful additions in a number of rases. The gasvolumeter, and baroscope; apparatus for distillation of mercury; automatic apparatus in flue gas analysis, Junker’s Calorimeter, and the whirling Psychrometer, bring the book up to date. The book is hard reading, on account of the intimate mixture of general discussion and extremely specific instructions as to manipulation. The style partakes too much of the “turn stopcock a ” variety. The directions for manipulation might be put in smaller print. This would not sacrifice the unity, but would make i t easier for the analyst, as well as the general reader, to find the desired information. A number of small errors should be corrected in the next C. W . Bennett edition.

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General Chemistry. By J . C. Blake 20 X 14 cm; pp. v 417. New York: The Macmillan Company, I g q . Price: $1.90 net.-In the preface the author says: “The order of presentation of the subject matter differs in so many particulars from that of any previously published text which has come to my notice that a full discussion or attempt a t ‘justification’ of all such deviations seems futile. . . . . Some brief account of the secondary principles which have helped to determine he sequence of the work may, perhaps, not be out of place. The main chemical thread which runs throughout the work is that of chemical potential. This statement needs no further explanation, as all chemists will know that the book represents, therefore, an interpretation of the ‘new ’ chemistry rather than the ‘old.’ The method of approach, however, is to a certain extent unique, based as it is on the data of thermochemistry. . . . Perhaps the next most important principle which has determined the order of presentations, as well as the nature of much of the information conveyed, is MendelCeff ’s Law a s

New Books expressed in the extended periodic arrangement of the elements. This arrangement, as contrasted to the condensed arrangement, represents continuity in the chemical and physical properties of the elements from one end of a long series to t o the other , . . . , Next in importance is the principle of oxidation and re,duction and the closely associated problem of the chemistry of hydrogen. The treatment of the latter subject alone approaches the polemic, because the condition of the literature of the day seems to demand it . . , . . The ionic theory in particular has not been introduced in a controversial manner. The law of mass action, on the other hand, has not been emphasized from its quantitative aspects, Various other laws of physical chemistry have been used rather than proved. “The position assigned t o ‘Organic Chemistry’ and to ‘Applied Chemistry ’ has been justified by experiencc. Even this much (or little) organic chemistry Seems wholly out of place in connection with the inorganic chemistry of carbon; whereas the introduction of simple tests of real value (as it is thought) to the student whose chemistry ends with this course meets .with enthusiastic and universal favor with the students. I have pitted this work against the tedious de-scriptions of industrial processes usually found in ‘modern’ text-books, especially those of high school grade, which in my opinion can be of living interest only t o the chemical or industrial engineer.” The subject matter is treated under four heads hydrogen and the acidforming elements; the base-forming elements and the elements without chemistry; .organic chemistry; applied chemistry. The book is “written primarily for the use of the great majority of college students whose formal study of chemistry last only one year.” On p. 166 there is the interesting definition that “molecules are the homogeneous particles into which a liquid or solid substance disintegrates .when it passes into the gaseous state or into (true) solution.” The reviewer does not agree with paragraph on p. 191. “The stage of oxidation represented by lead oxide is about the only one requiring any further attention, as it is the only one which gives any common salts. For this reason it is usually spoken of as lead oxide simply, and its salts as the lead salts. Thus PbClz is called lead chloride and not plumbus or plumbic chloride. Indeed it would be wrong to name i t either of these: to make it plumbous chloride would be to imply that PbC14 is plumbic chloride whereas it is merely a chemical curiosity, called lead tetrachloride (compare SiC14) ; to name it plumbic chloride would imply that there is a plumbous chloride, whereas, in reality, while there may be a suboxide of lead, having the formula PbnO, yet i t gives rise to no (plumbous) salts and is seldom Wilder D.Bancroft called plumbous oxide.” Outlines of Theoretical Chemistry. By Frederick H . Getman. 21 X 15 cm; 467. New York: John Wileg & Sons, 1913. Price: $3.50 net.-In the preface it is stated that: . “The present book is designed to meet the requirements of classes beginning the study of theoretical and physical chemistry . . . . . Contributions to our knowledge in the domain of physical chemistry have increased with such rapidity within recent years that the prospective author of a general text-book finds himself confronted with the vexing problem of what to omit rather than what to include . . . . . The attempt has been made to present the more difficult por-

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tions of the subject, such as the osmotic theory of solutions, the laws of equilibrium, and chemical action, and the principles of electrochemistry in a clear and: logical manner.” The book, then takes up fundamental principles; the electron theory; con-. sideration of gases, liquids, and solids; solutions; thermochemistry; chemical statics and dynamics; electrochemistry; and actinochemistry. The treatment. is approximately the same as that of the standard works. There is not much. unity in this treatment. No chapter seems to follow from any other. The whole. thing seems to be written up as a series of separat,e departments or chapters.. The work is a disappointment in that it has failed to present the reviewer’s idea. of what is needed in a physical chemistry. It is brief. If any criticism is made. it would be that the treatment is too brief. No system appears upon which the treatment is founded, the reviewer’s idea being that some connection should,. be shown between one chapter and another, or the arrangement should be such. that the work would be incomplete without every part of the book. This certainly is not shown here. The book contains some things that other physical. chemistries do not have, but on the other hand, i t omits certain other important phases of the subject. It is not as good as some other books which have been written on the subject. There seem, therefore, to be very few reasons for theC. Bennett appearance of this book.

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Cyanamid. B y Edward J . Franke. 23 X 16 cm; p p . iii I I Z . Enston: The Chemical Publishing Co., 1913. Price: $1.z5.-This book is intended as a. review of the present knowledge of cyanamid from a chemical and a n agricultural standpoint. I t is the purpose of the author to bring a review of the literature on cyanamid to those who do not have library facilities, etc., for looking this up. The iise and general method of preparation are considered, although no details of the commercial production are given. Methods of analysis and the effect of storage on the product are considered in some detail. A good portion of thebook is taken up with the agricultural phase of the subject, specially with the reaction which is supposed to take place in the soil. The decomposition is supposed to take place in three stages; the calcium cyanamid being first hydrolyzed by the moisture in the soil with the formation of cyanamid. The cyanamid i s further hydrolyzed to urea which then goes down to ammonium salts. The velocity of these reactions is greatest when the ratio of the soil solutions to the soil is least; when the surface of the soil exposed to the liquid is therefore greatest.. Colloid siibstances, such as hydrated manganese and iron oxides, and some of t h e zeolites, are the important agents in the decomposition of cyanamid. This. is shown because the soil loses the power of decomposition when the colloids areprecipitated. The hydrolysis is not dependent on microorganisms because i t is most rapid in solutions where the concentration is great enough to preclude t h e possibility of life. It goes on also in sterile media. If the media is not sterile, the decomposition goes down to ammonium salts. It is concluded that cyanamid is not toxic to plants unless large amounts are added to the soil. The book is. closed with a chapter on mixed fertilizers, where. cyanamid of course is an important addition. The book is a disappointment in that it deals practically completely with theoretical material and gives us very little concerning the practical side of t h e C. W . Bennett subject.