(1) Practical Chemistry (2) Qualitative Analysis Tables for Use at the Bench (3) Outlines of Organic Chemistry A Book Designed especially for the General Student (4) The Calculations of General Chemistry, with Definitions, Explanations, and Problems (5) ABC Five Figure Logarithms and Tables for Chemists, including Electrochemical Equivalents, Analytical Factors, Gas Reduction Tables, and other Tables useful in Chemical Laboratories

Abstract

1)THE first of these books contains in the space of 240 pages an account of the manipulative methods of chemical experiment, a selection of inorganic and organic preparations, instructions for physical measurements, such as the densities of liquids and vapour densities, qualitative analysis of simple salts, and a selection of volumetric and gravimetric methods. In spite of the large amount of ground which is covered, the work is excellently done, and it is a great advantage to find in a single small volume nearly all that is needed in the way of textbook instruction for the practical work of a course passing well beyond the standard of an intermediate B.Sc. course, and almost up to the standard of the final examination. Such criticisms as may be made refer only to matters of detail, and are not intended to detract from the value of a book which is undoubtedly one of the best that has appeared. It may, however, be noted that the method of making ethylene by means of phosphoric acid, as described by Newth in the Journal of the Chemical Society, is much superior to the older method, in which sulphuric acid was used, and should be generally adopted. The gas-regulator shown on p. 5 is less efficient than those in which toluene is used, and the pyknometer (Fig. 42) shown'on p. 98 has been improved by the use of two bulbs instead of one, as recently described by Mr. W. R. Bousfield. In the volumetric work it is to be regretted that only one method of preparing a standard solution (normal Na₂CO₃ from NaHCO₃) Is given, as the checking of these methods against one another forms an excellent test of the accuracy of the work, and is of far greater value than the estimation of acids and alkalis in variable commercial samples; moreover, the estimation of acids is far more accurate if carried out with the help of a standard acid and intermediate alkali than when a standard alkali is used, as in the former case all the errors which arise from uncertainty as to “end-point,” &c., are eliminated.

(1) Practical Chemistry.

By Dr. James Bruce Harry Harper. Pp. viii + 240. (London: Macmillan and Co., Ltd., 1910.) Price 2s. 6d.

(2) Qualitative Analysis. Tables for Use at the Bench.

By E. J. Lewis. (Cambridge: University Press, 1910.) Price 2s. 6d. net.

(3) Outlines of Organic Chemistry. A Book Designed especially for the General Student.

By Dr. F. J. Moore. Pp. x + 315. (New York: John Wiley and Sons; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1910.) Price 6s. 6d. net.

(4) The Calculations of General Chemistry, with Definitions, Explanations, and Problems.

Second edition. By Prof. William J. Hale. Pp. xii + 175. (London: George Bell and Sons, 1910.) Price 4s. 6d.

(5) A.B.C. Five Figure Logarithms and Tables for Chemists, including Electrochemical Equivalents, Analytical Factors, Gas Reduction Tables, and other Tables useful in Chemical Laboratories.

By C. J. Woodward. Pp. iv + 70. (London: E. and F. N. Spon, Ltd.; Simpkin, Marshall and Co., Ltd.; New York: Spon and Chamberlain; Birmingham: Cornish Bros., 1910.) Price 2s. 6d. net.