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REVIEWS.
[J. F. I.
an analytical background so that proper interpretation of stress analysis can be made in the design of engineering structures. On the whole this work must be rated as an original and valuable exposition of the subject and undoubtedly one of the best treatises on the Strength of Materials. R. EKSERGIAN. ALLEN’S COMMERCIALORGANIC ANALYSIS, Volume 8, Fifth Edition, Revised and partly rewritten. Edited by C. Ainsworth Mitchell, M.A., D.Sc., F.I.C. Assisted by collaborators. 8~0, 761 pages, Philadelphia, P. Blakiston’s Son & Co., Inc. Price $7.50. Under the modest title of “An Introduction to the Practice of Commercial Organic Analysis,” was published in England a little over half a century ago the initial volume of 360 pages, including indexes, dealing with many problems which had lately arisen to puzzle commercial analysts and works-chemists. Organic chemistry had begun and indeed fairly well entered upon its active development, and many problems were presenting themselves in connection with merchandise of all kinds and manufacturing operations. Germany had succeeded by skillful cooperation of theory and practice in getting control of the dyestuff industries, and these colors had by that time begun to replace those derived from natural sources and to enter not only into the ordinary operations of textile dyeing, but to the coloring of various articles used as food or accessories at the table. The first volume of this initial printing was devoted, as the note on the title page states to “ Cyanogen Compounds, Alcohols and Their Derivatives, Phenols, Acids, &c.” The second volume covering other types of compounds followed soon. The distinguished author, who contributed during his long active life many important tests and methods, continued his work of collecting data, and later editions were of greater scope and of larger volumes. After his health gave way so as to prevent him from taking entire charge of the revision of his book, the present reviewer assumed partial charge, and an incomplete revision of a portion of the book was Later a more formal arrangement issued hastily, to meet an attempted piracy. was made, and an edition of certain volumes of the book was printed in this country. Conditions are now completely changed. The author has passed away. The extent of the material now necessarv to be considered in such a work has so increased that a number of experts and specialists have to be taken into assistance in the preparation of the volumes. The eighth volume just published was intended to include those departments of chemistry that are more directly related to biology and physiology, but even in this field the material has been too great to be placed within the compass of a convenient book. Hence the ninth volume now in preparation will cover the more distinctly biochemistry field and it is to be noted that in this volume a section on toxicology will be included. Concerning the present work it needs only to be said that it contains avery large amount of valuable matter contributed by specialists in Great Britain and the United States, the latter being represented, by sections prepared by four The book, of course, will be needed in distinguished American Biochemists. every active laboratory, and will maintain the reputation which C.O.A. has enjoyed for half a century. HENRY LEFFMANN.