334 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS discussed in a chapter devoted to each respectively. One feels a strong sense of appreciation for the authors' efforts to bring together the many diversi- fied data on wool under one cover. Such a vast project is not without its liabilities. The different schools of thought on physical and chemical theories and fact are presented, though the authors give their own too, a commendable feature. This book is not on an elementary level as mentioned in the cover jacket. It is definitely for the graduate level worker and wool specialist. The date covers a time period through 1952. Basically, the material is strongly chemical. When the authors step out of this field, they find themselves in deep water especially in wool morphol- ogy, although the illustrations in this chapter are very good. The book is fairly priced and should find a place in the library of workers on human and animal fibers.--M. G. DEN^V^RRE. TI•E DETERIORATION OF MATERIALS edited by A. G. Greathouse and Carl J. Wessel. Reinhold Publish- ing Corp., New York 36, N.Y. 1954. 835 pages, 6 X 9 inches, illustrated and indexed. Price $12. Twenty-four contributors, all specialists in their respective fields, contributed the material that com- prises this book. The theme here is "deterioration prevention" as evaluated by a school of scientific work resulting from the problems of the last war. Fifteen chapters, divided into four separate parts, discuss deterioration of each major commodity, means by which it occurs and aspects of preservation. The climatic data on different strategic points around the world are a most useful compilation. A list of paper preservatives is given on page 371. In fact, this section on paper spoilage is of vital signifi- cance to the cosmetic industry. Spoilage due to sunlight presents valuable data for our consideration. Every chapter is so full of material it is difficult to single out any one as best. This is claimed to be the first book ever published to cover all aspects of deterioration prevention --and it is. The only deterioration not covered is such as we are con- cerned with due to rancidity and microbial spoilage of a product. Somehow one is not certain that it belongs in the book, for, if included, it calls for still other chapters on foods and drugs to name some. The book is well organized and expertly edited. This is one refer- ence everybody needs.--M. G. DENAVARRE. MICRO ^ND SEMIMICRO METHODS, by N. D. Cheronis with contributions by A. R. Ronzio and T. S. Ma. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York 1, N.Y. 1954. 628 pages, 6 X 9 inches, illustrated and indexed. Price $12. This is volume VI of "Technique of Organic Chemistry," of which Arnold Weissberger is editor. The book is divided into three main parts with cumulative index to Volumes I through VIIi. Seventeen chapters comprise the work. ' The first four chapters discuss general methods. The next nine chapters review the well-known preparative reactions such as oxida- tion, nitration and so on. Part three, consisting of four chapters, presents the various analytical pro- cedures and reactions. The material is well presented. No errors were noted. The present volume compliments its predecessors. Analysts will find it valuable and useful.--M. G. DEN^v^•,•.E.