BOOK REVIEWS 265 biochemical studies and the present volume is a historic account of the development of radio-isotope research and the appreciation of 'the highly dynamic situation that prevails in living organisms'. The papers range from delightful short papers on 'Lead content of rock', 'Phosphorus exchange in yeast' and 'Note on the number of pollen grains identified in the fruit of the Aspen' to detailed studies such as 'The effect of X-rays on the rate of nucleic acid formation in the Jensen-Sarcoma'. The papers are grouped under 11 main headings--inorganic and physical chemis- try, life science, phosphatides, acid soluble phosphorus compounds, fatty acids, permeability studies, labelling of red corpuscles and clinical investigations, iron metabolism, nucleic acids, studies in radiation biology and botanical studies. The book will be of fascinating interest to all biologists and especially those con- cerned with phosphorus metabolism. All cosmetic chemists will find the experimental designs and techniques of considerable value, particularly those on permeability studies, although these are mainly concerned with capillary walls and erythrocytes. This volume can be confidently recommended not only as a book of reference but as interesting and fascinating leisure reading. M.A. COOKE A HISTORY OF THE MODERN BRITISH CHEMICAL INDUSTRY. D. W. F. Hardie and J. Davidson Pratt. Pp. xi-[-380 -[- Ill. (1966). Pergamon Press, Oxford. 21s. The editors are to be congratulated on preparing this handy little volume which will fill a long-felt need. The essential developments in the British chemical indus- try are outlined and it is shown how these have led up to the modern industry. The description is divided into three parts: the origins and nineteenth century development of the industry, transition to the modern phase, and the history of twentieth century developments. This history is followed by a section giving summary accounts of over 180 important firms. It is somewhat surprising that firms like Cyclo Chemicals, I.F.F., Nipa Laboratories, and Westbrook Lanolin Co. are not listed, and their omis- sion does detract from the value of this otherwise useful book. There is also a section describing the objectives and activities of some 40 trade associations serving the chemical industry, followed by an Appendix listing scientific, technical and professional organizations of special interest to the chemical industry. Our own Society is included, albeit with the address of an Hon. Secretary who re- signed at the beginning of 1964! A notable, and regrettable, omission from that Appendix is the Association of Consulting Scientists. There is but little doubt that a book of this type, appealing as it does to every person who has the slightest connection with the chemical industry, will need frequent revision to keep in step with the changes within the industry and it is hoped that the editors will not miss the opportunity of correcting the errors and omissions of this, the first, edition. A.H. CAROTENOIDS OTHER THAN VITAMIN A. I.U.P.A.C. Pp. v q- 215-278 q- Ill. (1967). Butterworths, London. 20s. This book comprises the main lectures {four in number) read at the Interna- tional Symposium organised by the Organic Chemistry Division of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in conjunction with the Norwegian Chemical

266 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS Society and held at Trondheim in 1966. The contents have already appeared in Pure Appl. Chem. 14 No. 2 (1967). Three of the lectures, dealing largely with the biosynthesis, chemistry and chem- ical synthesis of carotenoids, will probably only be of interest to the specialist. The fourth lecture, "Carotenoids as food colourants", is under the joint authorship of three scientists at Hoffmann-La Roche, Basle and covers, in a general way, commercial production, colour-structure relationship, use as food colourant, analysis in food and animal toxicity. This lecture, with its full-colour illustrations and 23 references, will be very useful to development chemists and others concerned with the colouring of cosmetics, foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, etc. B. COOK HIGH EFFICIENCY AIR FILTRATION. Editors: P. A. F. White and S. E. Smith. Pp. xi q- 314 q- Ill. (1964). Butterworths, London, 82/6. This handbook has in its list of contributors authorities mainly from U. K.A.E.A. and two from one industrial organisation. It is, therefore, fundamentally written from the U.K.A.E.A. point of view, which aspect would appear to be emphasized in presen- tation, in that throughout the book there would appear to be a lack of desire to leave the sentence without thinking of yet another verse which could be inserted into it. This would appear to widen the classification of its readers, but relegates it to an in- between type of publication which really is a little bit on the elementary side for the expert and all-embracing for the student. Over-profusely illustrated it has a considerable amount of good meat inter- mingled with the bread-stuffing. K. SAMES CHEMISTRY OF NATURAL PRODUCTS-4:. I.U.P.A.C. Pp. vii q- 213 q- Ill. (1967). Butterworths, London. 50s. The contents of this book appear in Pure and Applied Chemistry i• 1 (1967) and comprise two plenary lectures followed by twelve section lectures given by experts in their own spheres from U.K., U.S.A., Germany, the Netherlands and Japan. They follow the usual line of such specialized lectures, being absolute models of erudition and clear thinking exposition in their own spheres. As a form of reference and as a tabloid fund of information for the advanced student of chemistry, this deserves room on any reference library shelf. K. SAMES. MODERN PACKAGING FILMS. Editor: S. H. Pinner. Pp. vi q- 249 q- Ill. (1967). Butterworths, London. 55s. There can be few commodities which have gained universal acceptance as rapidly as polymer films for packaging. Despite the rapid growth of this technology, or perhaps on account of it, there has been no authoritative book giving a balanced account of the production techniques, properties and application areas of the principal modern packaging films. The topic was therefore chosen for a Symposium at the Borough Polytechnic, London, and the present volume is a consequence of the interest shown at that Symposium. The arrangement of the book is systematic, starting with an account of the early