506 BOOK REVIEWS discussed in further chapters. Genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors in the control of melanogenesis are dealt with in several papers, as are amphibian melanocytes and malignancy. One cannot do justice in a short review either to the editors or to all the contributors to this comprehensive and splendidly produced book. Fortunately this does not matter, since the Montagna series has already become indispensable to all skin workers whether derma- tologists, scientists or c.osmeticians. F. J. EBLING. •VATER PURIFICATION BY ION EXCHANGE. T. V. Arden. Pp. viii + 184 + Ill. (1969). Butterworths, London. oe2.75 ($5s). The author states that he has set out to fill a gap in the literature on ion exchange and he has to a large extent succeeded. The outlook of the book is essentially practical and theory is only given in the minimum depth, required for understanding the practical principles and processes described. The early chapters cover the prin- ciples of the ion-exchange process and the equilibria and kinetics which apply. The later chapters show how these principles are applied in practice start- ing with simple processes (Chapter 4) and moving on to more complex systems (Chapter 5). In addition more specialised aspects such as the poisoning of resins and the industrial use of ion-exchange are also covered. This book is good background reading for anybody directly or in- directly connected with the use of pure water. The format is slightly old- fashioned and the diagrams and tables are not always as clear as they might be. The book is reasonable value for money. S. GOLD•NG PRACTICAL DETERGENT MANU- FACTURE 1968. M. Sitrig. Pp. 212 + Ill. (1•68). Noyes Development Cor- poration, New York and London. $85. This book like many others in the same series covers a very specialised area of interest. This work reviews the current literature, predominantly United States patents, covering the manufacture of detergent raw materials (pages 1-165) and the sulfonation and sulphation process (pages 166-205). In addition almost as an afterthought a few pages are devoted to the formu- lati,on of detergent compositions (heavy and medium types). The book is heavily biased towards the chemical engineer and gives con- siderable process details including in- formation suct• as feed materials, re- action conditions and media, catalysts, reactor design and product recovery process. The range of materials covered is extensive and includes all the materials currently used for detergent manu- facture. The author stresses the need to use biologically soft materials and having described the preparation of branched chain olefins (hard) in the first chapter, goes on to cover poten- tially soft detergent raw materials such as linear alpha olefins, linear paraffins, straight chain alcohols, alkyl aromatics and other raw materials. The book is of little general interest to the cosmetic chemist who is using detergents in his work but could be of considerable interest to the chemical engineer who wants to keep up to date with the latest developments in his own area. The book is very expensive and the writing is inclined to be rather stilted and difficult to read can be used adequately as a reference book. S. GOLD•NG

Society of Cosmetic Great Britain Chemists of 1969 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 20th Annual General Meeting was held at the Washington Hotel, London, W. 1., on the 21st May 1969. 36 members were present and 102 voting papers were received, representing approximately 22% of the Members. Mr. C. Pugh, the outgoing President, reviewed the activities of the Society during the last year emphasising the work done as the scientific body representing the industry in cooperation with the Toilet Preparations Federation. The Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain/Toilet Preparations Federation Joint Committee had requested our Society to draw up a "Code of Practice" for the industry, and this document would shortly be presented to the Committee. He also reported on the investi- gations carried out into methods for increasing the training facilities avail- able to cosmetic chemists and their assistants. Mr. G. A. C. Pitt, the Honorary Treasurer, presented the financial report and balance sheet for the year. He referred to the satisfactory increase in membership but pointed out that the encouraging financial position of the Society is a result of a series of profitable symposia. Contri- butions to the Publications Prize Fund have now exceeded the •2 000 target. Dr. J. J. Mausner was then installed as President for the coming year, and he thanked Mr. Pugh on behalf of the Society for the excellent work he had done during the last year. Dr. Mausner thanked the Society for the honour of electing him President and said he would continue the work of projects already in hand to improve the scientific status of the Society. After a lapse for a number of years the proceedings included an address by the retiring President and Mr. Pugh chose as his subject "A review of the history of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Great Britain". 507