554 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS reviewed include solubility, effect on reaction kinetics and acid/base strength, their use as media for a variety of organic syntheses, and a brief account of their function as reactants per se. The survey of polycyclic diterpene chemistry by McCrindle and Overton is par- ticularly timely notable advances in authenticated stereochemical elucidation, and the elegant correlation of terpene taxonomy effected particularly by the biosynthetic studies of the Manchester and Zurich schools, have advanced our understanding of this branch of natural product chemistry a long way beyond the historical resin acids. This review neatly catalogues di-, tri-, tetra-, and penta-carbocyclic direrpenes into eight skeletal families, and for each is nominated a consistent and memorable number- ing scheme appropriately modified from the now generally accepted steroid notation. Dr. Tichy's contribution is not quite as monumental as the pagination at first implies. In fact, the review proper is confined to some 50 pages describing typical stereochemical interpretations of H-bonded ir spectra, with the emphasis shifting from configurational assignment to quantitative applications. The balance of his article comprises a tabulation of OH stretching data for 1600 compounds. To this extent his survey is less specialised than the other two, but all three are to be com- mended as most useful and comprehensive reviews of our present knowledge in their respective areas. G.F. PHILLIPS. INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH IN BRITAIN. 6th Edn. Pp. 923. (1968). Harrap Research Publications, London. 168s. This new edition provides a wealth of information for those engaged in industrial research. This ranges from a useful list of abbreviations in the first few pages, through sections dealing with the various Ministries concerned with the adminis- tration of research laboratories trade associations independent research laboratories universities and technical colleges professional and learned societies international and overseas industrial research associations embassies and scientific attaches computer services libraries British periodicals and abstracts covering industrial research, to superb indexes of names of organisations and titles, and of subjects. Whereas all the chapters contain useful information, there would appear to be little justification for that on "Patent Agents" which contains nothing but the address of the relevant Institute. This volume, with I. D. L. Ball as able advisory editor, can be thoroughly recom- mended to every person in contact with scientific organisations of any kind. A.H.

Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain ANNUAL REPORT OF COUNCIL FOR 1967-68 The year under review has again been a very active one and has been noteworthy for an increasing interest in symposia, a record rise in membership, the production of a Council Operations Manual, and the sponsoring of a Joint Select Committee on Cosmetic Legislation with the Toilet Preparations Federation. At the same time, the Society's Office at Kingsway has come into full operation. Membership A total of 51 new members joined during the year, resulting in the largest net increase in membership on record. Membership figures on 31st March were:-- 1965 1966 1967' 1968 Honorary Members 6 6 6 6 Members 359 378 377 412 Associates 48 48 39 50 , TOTAL 413 432 422 468 It is with regret that Council records the death of Mr. J. Bather and Mr. E. S. Maurer, both Founder Members, and Dr. L. Salfeld. The Society's office The efficient and smooth running of the Society ultimately depends upon the effectiveness of the central secretarial facilities and it was for this reason that Council leased the office in Kingsway from which Mrs. Taylor, the then General Secretary, began working on 1st June 1967. Unfortunately, Mrs. Taylor was unable to stay with the Society.