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Applied geochronology
Book reviews
.i .i 4
deposition, more palseogeographical conolusions regarding the distribmion and thickness of the major stratigraphic units would have been helpful. The book is well illustrated with stratigraphic sections and geological cross-sections, and with many of Professor Gansser’s beautiful line drawings of field exposures and psnoramw. The many photographs are clearly printed, and include details of field exposures and photomicrographs as well as photographs of mountains; some of the latter are more scenic than geological, but they help t,o build up the reader’s impression of the Himalayas as a whole. As many of the figures and photographs are by the author, they tend to present a more detailed picture of the areas which the author knows personally, but the bias in this direction is not serious. One frequently has to lament the high cost of modern scientific textbooks. The price of this book is $10. 10. 0, and this will certainly deter many whose interest in specific problems of the Himalayas is marginal. Libraries, confronted with the precedent of this price for the first book in the series, may well think twice about accepting a commitment to buy the whole series (though in fact the areas presented in the volumes still to be produced are so variable in character that there is no necessity to purchase the complete set). Though the reviewer can heartily recommend everyone to read this book, he cannot as readily recommend everyone to buy it. Nevertheless, for those who can afford it, Gansser’s “Geology of the Himalayas” will be a good investment. B. C. M. BUTLER
E. I. HAMILTON: 267 pp. $10.00
Apphd
c)eoobponology.
Academic Press, London and New York,
1866.
THIS book may convey to geologists, for which it is intended, something of the scope and variety of age measuring methods now available based on radioactive processes. Unfortuncttely it contains statements which are scientifically incorrect such ~JJthat at the end of page 80 where the author states that “the fundamental law of radioaotivity can be simplified to the form N = N,+ On page 20 the author sets down the commonly used equation relating ionization t&lciency and the thermionic work function of a metal used as a filament in surface ionization. He then states that “from the equdon it is apparent that the f&merit material should have a high work function and low ionization potential”, although the equation which he quotes has no term for the ionization potential. Those who already have some knowledge of this field may find the large number of literature references of use. With such a voluminous bibliogmphy it is perh&ps inevitable that errors may creep in. Polevaya’s name is misspelt as is that of Nicola Tesla, and the work of W. D. Urry, for which one reference is quoted, is ascribed to W. D. Urey. I would not recommend this book for undergraduate reading. Discerning graduates may find the book stimulating. GEORGE EDWARDS
.i .i 4
deposition, more palseogeographical conolusions regarding the distribmion and thickness of the major stratigraphic units would have been helpful. The book is well illustrated with stratigraphic sections and geological cross-sections, and with many of Professor Gansser’s beautiful line drawings of field exposures and psnoramw. The many photographs are clearly printed, and include details of field exposures and photomicrographs as well as photographs of mountains; some of the latter are more scenic than geological, but they help t,o build up the reader’s impression of the Himalayas as a whole. As many of the figures and photographs are by the author, they tend to present a more detailed picture of the areas which the author knows personally, but the bias in this direction is not serious. One frequently has to lament the high cost of modern scientific textbooks. The price of this book is $10. 10. 0, and this will certainly deter many whose interest in specific problems of the Himalayas is marginal. Libraries, confronted with the precedent of this price for the first book in the series, may well think twice about accepting a commitment to buy the whole series (though in fact the areas presented in the volumes still to be produced are so variable in character that there is no necessity to purchase the complete set). Though the reviewer can heartily recommend everyone to read this book, he cannot as readily recommend everyone to buy it. Nevertheless, for those who can afford it, Gansser’s “Geology of the Himalayas” will be a good investment. B. C. M. BUTLER
E. I. HAMILTON: 267 pp. $10.00
Apphd
c)eoobponology.
Academic Press, London and New York,
1866.
THIS book may convey to geologists, for which it is intended, something of the scope and variety of age measuring methods now available based on radioactive processes. Unfortuncttely it contains statements which are scientifically incorrect such ~JJthat at the end of page 80 where the author states that “the fundamental law of radioaotivity can be simplified to the form N = N,+ On page 20 the author sets down the commonly used equation relating ionization t&lciency and the thermionic work function of a metal used as a filament in surface ionization. He then states that “from the equdon it is apparent that the f&merit material should have a high work function and low ionization potential”, although the equation which he quotes has no term for the ionization potential. Those who already have some knowledge of this field may find the large number of literature references of use. With such a voluminous bibliogmphy it is perh&ps inevitable that errors may creep in. Polevaya’s name is misspelt as is that of Nicola Tesla, and the work of W. D. Urry, for which one reference is quoted, is ascribed to W. D. Urey. I would not recommend this book for undergraduate reading. Discerning graduates may find the book stimulating. GEORGE EDWARDS