374 ,|OURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS PHOTOMICROGRAPHY, by Roy M. Allen. Second Edition. D. Van Nostrand Co., Inc., Princeton, N.J. 1958. 441 pages, illustrated and indexed, size 6 X 9 inches. Price $9.00. In the second edition of his book, Dr. Allen has brought up to date an excellent review of equipment and techniques, taking cognizance of the important developments of the 17 years since the first edition. The discussion of basic principles can serve as an excellent introduc- tion to lighting, optical principles and microscopy in general. The survey of photomicrographic equip- ment can be very helpful to the scientist who will not normally have an opportunity to compare directly the varied types of equipment avail- able. Particularly pleasing is the in- clusion of a chapter on homemade equipment, because modern com- mercially available equipment is so costly that many scientists might be discouraged from undertaking pho- tomicrographic work without some guidance on improvisation. The chapter on technique of photomicrography is good as far as it goes, but it deals entirely with the optical aspects of technique. In this reviewer's opinion, the major problems of photomicrography are not with light, m•croscope, fil- ters, camera, etc., but with the object being examined. As Dr. J. H. L. Watson of Edsel B. Ford Institute for Medical Research has so aptly put it: "Manipulation of the instrument is not microscopy. Rather, the science (which too often may be less a science than an art) centers on manipulation of the specimen and interpretation of mi- crographs." In this critical area, Dr. Allen's book offers the reader relatively little guidance. Although the book has an appendix of over 50 out- standing illustrative photomicro- graphs that demonstrate beyond doubt the superb technique of the author, they provide the novice only with "a mark to shoot at," as Dr. Allen puts it. They offer little guidance with respect to sample preparation, and hold out only the promise that it may take 40 years of experience to equal the results. The book deals with special pho- tomicrographic processes, and de- votes an entire new chapter to phase microscopy. The chapters on electron micros- copy and microphotography seem out of place in this book, and are to() brief to be of any real value. The chapter on photographic processes is useful. The book is excellent from the point of view of printing and bind- rag. It is remarkably free of typo- graphical errors. The illustrations are profuse and outstanding. The index is good. So far as value is concerned, this depends on the needs of the reader. If he is inexperienced with respect to optical principles, photomicro- graphic equipment and the manipu- lation of the microscope, he can learn much from this book. If he is inexperienced with respect to prep- aration of samples for microscopy, he will have to supplement this book with other guidance.--ML-•^•' B•mc}c, Evans Research and I)e- velopment Corp. PHOSPHORUS AND ITs COMPOUNDS, Vol. I., by John R. Van Wazer. Interscience Publishing, Inc., New York 1, N.Y. 1958. 954 pages, illustrated and indexed. Price $27.50. Though a text on either inorganic or organic chemistry cannot be considered complete without a con- siderable treatment of the corn-

BOOK REVIEWS 375 pounds of phosphorus, the present author prefers to develop a "philos- ophy for the nascent discipline of phosphorus chemistry." It can be reasoned that the body of recognized chemical science is too great and specialization is the answer. Just as silicon, sulfur, nitrogen and car- bon compounds have necessarily been dealt with separately, so must phosphorus be considered. Perhaps the most outstanding feature of this volume is the author's self-assurance in discussing the chemistry of the compounds of phosphorus. This may stem from his industrial background, on which he depends to fill in the voids often found in texts authored by academi- cians. Thirteen chapters cover the "chemistry" of the phosphorus com- pounds. (A subsequent volume will discuss technology and appli- cations.) Of particular interest to this industry are the chapters treat- ing the polymeric phosphates. Here one notices the author's strong convictions regarding structure. He backs up his reasoning with a well documented study. The book is well and convincingly written. One awaits the second volume to complete the subject. Both author and employer Mon- santo are to be complimented for this book.--M. G. DENAV^RRE. ABREGE DE COSMETOLOGIE PRA- TIQUE, by Paul Larrieu. Editions Varia, Paris VI, France. 1957. 72 pages, size 7 X 101/2 inches. Price 820 francs. The title word "Cosmetologie," the use of which is still discussed by cosmetic chemists in this country, has been adopted definitively in Europe as meaning the "science of beautifying," involving interrela- tions with biology and dermatology. The book itself is written spe- cially for pharmacists to give them a basic knowledge which they un- doubtedly should have. The first chapter describes the skin, its composition, its role and how it is affected by internal and external conditions, normal and abnormal, naturally occurring or artifically produced. The second chapter lists alpha- betically and describes various raw materials, including vitamins, es- sential oils, vegetable and animal extracts, used in European cos- metics, their functions, their limi- tations. The third chapter is a rather con- densed formulary explaining quali- tatively the composition of cos- metics and giving a few quantitative examples. A description of types of skins, systems of classification and sug- gested treatments form the fourth and last chapter which is followed by a bibliographical list of references from French publications. This book is exactly what it sets out to be: an intr.oduct.ory presenta- tion to cosmetic science which should give a taste, and a good one, of its substance and methodology to pharmacists who may not know it.-- P•ERRE L. BOUILLETTE, Givaudan- Delawanna, Inc. COLORIMETRIC DETERMINATION OF TRACES Or METALS Third Edition, by E. B. Sandell. Chemical Analy- sis Series, Vol. III. Interscience Publishers, New York, N.Y. 1959. Illustrated and indexed, size 61/4 X 91/4 inches. Price $24. The third edition is a revised, enlarged version of the second edi- tion. The format of the volume is identical to the first two editions general aspects in Part I and spe- cific procedures in Part II. How- ever, this edition which is 50 per cent