Son & Co. Pp. xiv 554. 8vo. $3.50

net.

A Compendium of Chemistry, Including General, Inorganic and Organic Chemistry. By Dr. CARL ARNOLD, Professor of Chemistry in the Royal Veterinary School of Hanover. Authorized translation from the eleventh enlarged and revised German edition by JOHN A. MANDEL, Sc.D., Professor of Chemistry, Physics and Physiological Chemistry in the University and Bellevue Hospital Medical College. New York, John Wiley New York, John Wiley & Sons. Pp. xii+627. 8vo. $3.50. A Text-book of Organic Chemistry. By WILLIAM A. NOYES, formerly Professor of Chemistry in the Rose Polytechnic Institute, now Chief Chemist in the Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C. New York, Henry Holt & Co. Pp. xvii + 534. $1.50. Praktische Uebungen zur Einführung in die Chemie. Von Dr. ALEXANDER SMITH, Professor für Chemie an der Universität Chicago. Nach einer vom Verfasser besorgten Umarbeitung der zweiten amerikanischen Auflage ins Deutsche übertragen von Professor Dr. F. HABER und Dr. M. STOECKER. Karlsruhe, Druck und Verlag der G. Braunschen Hofbuchdruckerei.

12mo.

Experiments Arranged for Students in General Chemistry. By EDGAR F. SMITH, Professor of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, and HARRY F. KELLER, Professor of Chemistry, Central High School of Philadelphia. Fifth edition, enlarged, with 40 illustrations. Philadelphia, P. Blakiston's Son & Co. Pp. 92, with blank pages interbound. 12mo. $0.60.

Conversations on Chemistry. This is the authorized translation of the first volume of Ostwald's 'Die Schule der Chemie,' which was published in 1903. The book has attracted wide attention, not only because of the renown of its author, but also because of the novel way chosen for presenting the subject. In his 'Grudlinien,' translated under the title of The Principles of Inorganic Chemistry,' Ostwald has presented the subject to the mature student. In his Conversations,' however, the author addresses himself to distinctly

elementary pupils. The form chosen for presenting the subject is the dialogue, 'because after several attempts it appeared to me the most suitable; moreover, I have come to the conclusion that it occupies no more space than an ordinary description, while the impression it makes is much more penetrating and lively.' The conversation takes place between the master and the pupil. The topics of conversation include such subjects as substances, properties, solutions, melting and freezing, density, compounds, elements, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, air-thirty topics in all. The following will give an idea of the method of discussion:

Master. Have you ever looked at a candle burning? Yes? Then describe to me what you

M. If you put the burning candle in waterP. It goes out.

M. Why? What is different from before? P. It has no more air.

The master then shows by simple experiments and judicious questions that air is necessary for the combustion and that carbon dioxid is formed in the process. The interest and enthusiasm of the pupil lead to many expressions that the translator no doubt had difficulty in rendering in English; thus when the master explodes a mixture of hydrogen and air, the pupil exclaims, 'By jove! what a thundering crack!' and again when the soap bubble inflated with hydrogen rises like a balloon, Oh, how ripping!'

The book is not adapted as a text for students; neither could teachers follow it literally. On the other hand, no teacher could read it carefully without gaining much that would be helpful to him in presenting the subject of elementary chemistry. No one who has the knowledge of the 'master' and the happy way of presenting it could fail to attract and interest the pupil. The chief value of the book must lie, therefore, in showing

something of the spirit and the methods best adapted for arousing the interest of young pupils in elementary science.

The second and final volume of the 'Die Schule der Chemie' appeared in 1904. In this volume the author discusses in the same style some of the more important elements and compounds. The translation of this is promised soon.

Newell's Descriptive Chemistry. This book is true to its title a descriptive chemistry. In the preface the author tells us that the 'book is intended for teachers who wish to emphasize the facts, laws, theories and applications of chemistry.' The order of treatment is that which has recommended itself to most authors of elementary texts, no attempt being made to follow strictly the periodic classification; in fact the discussion of the periodic law is postponed until the next to the last chapter in the book. The book is divided into two parts. The first part consists of 436 pages of text with an appendix of 15 pages. The second part (100 pages) contains the experiments. There is an index of 36 pages.

The general subject is treated in a comprehensive and interesting way. As the title would indicate, considerable space is given to the applications of chemistry. Thus nearly four pages are devoted to the manufacture of coal gas. The theoretical side, however, has not been neglected. The experiments are well chosen and are such as can be performed readily by elementary students. But few quantitative experiments are included. At the end of each chapter is a complete list of questions on all the topics discussed in the chapter.

value of the book. It is certain that many students will turn at once to these lists and the book then degenerates into a sort of catechism.

A number of full-page cuts of distinguished chemists add to the appearance and value of the book.

Muir's Elements.-According to the preface, the objects of the book are: "To present some of the fundamental facts, generalizations, principles and theories of chemistry, lucidly, methodically and suggestively, to train the student in a few of the methods of investigation and reasoning which have been used in the past and some of the methods which are used to-day, for discovering and coordinating the connections between the properties and the compositions of systems of homogeneous substances; to attempt to lay the foundations of chemistry in such a way that the student may be prepared for going more deeply into the science, if he wishes so to do." The author also adds: "I hope I have not merely added one more illustrated catalogue of chemical odds and ends to the many which have already appeared under the title of 'A Text-book of Chemistry." Surely the author has hitched his wagon to a star.'

The book is divided into twenty-six chapters. Of these the first five are devoted to the definitions of chemical terms, the statement of the laws of combination, the determination of the combining weights of elements and the reacting weights of compounds and the representation of interactions by means of formulas and equations. Then follows a study of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, potassium, sodium, iron (note the order) and other elements, with chapters interspersed on oxidation and reduction, the molecular and atomic theory, the periodic law and the measurement of thermal values of chemical changes.

The text is similar to Ostwald's 'Grudlinien' in that the molecular and atomic theories are given comparatively little prominence. Thus while the first half of the book abounds in formulas and equations, these are all explained from the standpoint of combining weights and reacting weights, the latter term being defined as 'the quantity by weight of the com

The author has certainly been successful in not producing a catalogue of chemical odds and ends.' Whether the method of treatment is an improvement upon the more common methods is a question that must be decided by trial in the lecture room.

Noyes's Organic Chemistry.-The author states in his preface that "an attempt is here made to present the fundamental principles of organic chemistry for the use of those beginning the subject. The most radical departure from the method of treatment adopted in other books treating of the same subject consists in the dropping of the division into 'fatty' and 'aromatic compounds and in the adoption of what appears to the author a more fundamental and logical classification."

The subject-matter is divided into twentyfive chapters. Of these, chapters I. and II. deal with purification and analysis of compounds, the determination of molecular weights and formulas and a general discussion of the physical properties of organic compounds. Chapters III. to VIII., inclusive, treat of the hydrocarbons. In chapter IX. is given the classification of the derivatives of the hydrocarbons. The remaining chap-. ters are devoted to a discussion of these derivatives.

The most striking feature of the book undoubtedly lies in the fact that the time-honored classification of the compounds into the so-called fatty' and 'aromatic' classes is set aside and the corresponding members of each class discussed together. While this is a very radical departure, there is no question but that the method chosen is a logical one and at least well worth a trial in the lecture room. The

book bears unmistakable evidence that its author has been an enthusiastic worker in the field of organic chemistry and that he has given to the student, in so far as the space would permit, a clear and comprehensive discussion of the science as it exists to-day. It is a question whether some of the general reactions discussed might not have been illustrated by simpler examples. As the author states in his preface, however, no two authors would make the same selection, and that here given is doubtless open to just criticism at some points.'

To write an elementary text in a science which includes a study of over 100,000 compounds besides a number of growing theories is not an easy task, and the person who does this successfully is certainly deserving the commendation of the teachers of the science. Noyes's text must be regarded along with Remsen's as the best of modern elementary texts of organic chemistry.

SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS AND ARTICLES.

The Journal of Experimental Zoology for November, 1905. T. H. Morgan (Polarity' considered as a phenomenon of gradation of material) discusses in the light of some new experiments with the hydroid Tubularia the so-called 'polarity' of organisms, as seen especially in the phenomenon of regeneration. The author advances the hypothesis that organic 'polarity' is an expression of the gradation of the organ-forming substances present in the adult. These substances are traceable to the egg, which owes its development in part to their localization. The phenomena of development and of regeneration are thus brought under a common point of view. H. S.

Jennings, in a paper entitled 'Modifiability in Behavior. I. Behavior of Sea Anemones,' shows that the course of the internal physiological processes, the past experience of the organism, and various other internal factors, partly determine the behavior of sea anemones and modify fundamentally their reactions to external stimuli. In a second paper entitled 'The Method of Regulation in Behavior and in other Fields,' the same author gives a general outline of the method of regulation shown in the behavior of the lower organisms. E. B. Wilson's Studies on Chromosomes,' No. II., deals with some of the specific classes of chromosomes in the Hemiptera, and their history in the maturation phenomena, and is intended to clear the ground for a study of the sexual relations of the chromosome groups. An appendix records facts, determined by later observations, that give complete confirmation of the theoretic expectations regarding the sexual relations, stated in the general discussion. (See issue of SCIENCE for October 20, 1905.) Chas. W. Hargitt (Variations among Scyphomedusæ), gives a detailed study of the variations found in Aurelia flavidula, with a view to determine their relations to the problems of adaptation and natural selection. Lorande Loss Woodruff (An Experimental Study of the Life-History of Hyptrichous Infusoria), describes five cultures, all of which passed through cycles of greater and less general vitality as measured by the rate of division. Recovery from a period of extreme depression was effected by extract of beef. Minor fluctuations occurred which are termed 'rhythms' and are to be clearly distinguished from cycles. A description is given of the cytoplasmic and nuclear changes during the life-cycle, as well as of a series of experiments on the effect of salts on the division rate.

SOCIETIES AND ACADEMIES.

THE CONVOCATION WEEK MEETINGS OF SCIENTIFIC

SOCIETIES.

There will meet at New Orleans:

The American Association for the Advancement of Science.-The week beginning on December 28. Retiring president, Professor W. G. Farlow, Harvard University; president-elect, Professor C. M. Woodward, Washington University, St. Louis,

Mo.; permanent secretary, Dr. L. O. Howard, Cosmos Club, Washington, D. C.; general secretary, Professor C. A. Waldo, Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.; secretary of the council, Dr. John F. Hayford, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington, D. C.

Local Executive Committee.-Honorary president, President E. B. Craighead, Tulane University; executive president, Professor George E. Beyer, Tulane University; secretary, Henry M. Mayo, The New Orleans Progressive League; treasurer, Mr. Clarence F. Low, of the Liverpool, London and Globe Insurance Company.

Section A, Mathematics and Astronomy.-Vicepresident, Dr. W. S. Eichelberger, U. S. Naval Observatory, Washington, D. C.; secretary, Professor L. G. Weld, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa.

Section B, Physics.-Vice-president, Professor Henry Crew, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.; secretary, Professor Dayton C. Miller, Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio.

Section C, Chemistry.-Vice-president, Professor Charles F. Mabery, Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland, Ohio; secretary, Professor Charles L. Parsons, New Hampshire College of Agriculture, Durham, N. H.

Section D, Mechanical Science and Engineering. -Vice-president, Professor F. W. McNair, Houghton, Mich.; secretary, Professor Wm. T. Magruder, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.

Section E, Geology and Geography.-Vice-president, Professor Wm. North Rice, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.; secretary, Dr. Edmund O. Hovey, American Museum of Natural History, New York, N. Y.

Section F, Zoology.-Vice-president, Professor Henry B. Ward, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebr.; secretary, Professor C. Judson Herrick, Denison University, Granville, Ohio.

Section G, Botany.-Vice-president, Dr. Erwin F. Smith, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.; secretary, Professor F. E. Lloyd, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, N. Y.

Section H, Anthropology.-Vice-president, Dr. George Grant MacCurdy, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.; secretary, George H. Pepper, American Museum of Natural History.

Section I, Social and Economic Science.-Professor Irving Fisher, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.; secretary, Dr. J. F. Crowell, Bureau of Statistics, Washington, D. C.

Section K, Physiology and Experimental Medicine.-Vice-president, Professor Wm. T. Sedg

wick, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Mass.; secretary, Dr. Wm. J. Gies, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City.

At New Orleans in conjunction with the American Association for the Advancement of Science there will meet:

The American Chemical Society.-President. F. P. Venable, University of North Carolina; secretary, Dr. William A. Noyes, the Bureau of Standards, Washington, D. C.

The Botanical Society of America.-January 4. President, Professor R. A. Harper, University of Wisconsin; secretary, Dr. D. T. MacDougal, N. Y. Botanical Garden, Bronx Park, New York City.

The Association of Economic Entomologists.— January 1, 2, 3. President, Professor H. Garman, Lexington, Ky.; secretary, Professor H. E. Summers, Ames, Iowa.

The Society for Horticultural Science.--December 27. President, Professor L. H. Bailey, Cornell University; secretary-treasurer, V. A. Clark, Phoenix, Ariz.

The American Mycological Society.-January President, Chas. H. Peck, state botanist, 1-4. Albany, N. Y.; secretary, C. L. Shear, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. The Southern Society for Philosophy and PsyPresident, Professor J. Mark Baldwin, chology. The Johns Hopkins University; secretary, Professor E. F. Buchner, University of Alabama.

At Ann Arbor will meet:

The American Society of Naturalists.-President, Professor William James, Harvard University; secretary, Professor W. E. Castle, Harvard University. President (Central Branch), Professor H. H. Donaldson, University of Chicago; secretary, Professor W. J. Moenkhaus, Indiana University. The Eastern Branch will not meet this year.

The American Society of Zoologists (Eastern and Central Branches).-December 28, 29, 30. President (Eastern Branch), Professor W. E. Castle, Harvard University; secretary, Professor H. S. Pratt, Haverford College. President (Central Branch), Professor Frank R. Lillie, University of Chicago; secretary, Professor C. E. McClung, University of Kansas.

The Society of American Bacteriologists.— December 28, 29. President, Professor Edwin O. Jordan, University of Chicago; secretary Professor Frederic P. Gorham, Brown University, Providence, R. I.

The American Physiological Society.-December 27, 28. President, Professor W. H. Howell, the Johns Hopkins University; secretary, Professor Lafayette B. Mendel, New Haven.

The Association of American Anatomists.-December 27, 28, 29. President, Professor Charles S. Minot, Harvard Medical School; secretary, Professor G. Carl Huber, 333 East Ann St., Ann Arbor, Mich.

The Society for Plant Morphology and Physiology. December 27, 28, 29. President, Professor E. C. Jeffrey, Harvard University; secretary, Professor W. F. Ganong, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.

At New York City will meet:

The Astronomical and Astrophysical Society of America. December 28. President, Professor Simon Newcomb; secretary, Professor Geo. C. Comstock, Washburn Observatory, Madison, Wis. The American Physical Society.-December 29, President, Professor Carl Barus, Brown University; secretary, Professor Ernest Merritt, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.

30.

The American Mathematical Society.-December 28, 29. President, Professor W. F. Osgood, Harvard University; secretary, Professor F. N. Cole, Columbia University.

The American Paleontological Society.-December 27, 28. President, Professor William B. Scott, Dr. Princeton University; secretary, Marcus S. Farr, Princeton University.

At Cambridge will meet:

The American Psychological Association.-December 27-29. President, Professor Mary Whiton Calkins, Wellesley College; secretary, Professor Wm. Harper Davis, Lehigh University.

The American Philosophical Association.-December 27-29. President, Professor John Dewey, Columbia University; secretary, Professor John Grier Hibben, Princeton University.

At Ithaca will meet:

The American Anthropological Association.December 27-29. President, Professor F. W. Putnam, Harvard University; secretary, Dr. Geo. Grant MacCurdy, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

At Ottawa will meet:

The Geological Society of America.-December 27, 28, 29. President, Professor Raphael Pumpelly; secretary, Professor Herman L. Fairchild, Rochester, N. Y.