BOOK REVIEWS.

ATLAS OF NOMOGRAMS FOR PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY, by G. V. Vinogradov and A. I. Krasitlschikov. 144 pages, tables. 33 X 44 ems. Moskva. Govern- ment Publishing House of the Technical Literature. 1940. This Atlas consists of 200 nomograms and is the first attempt ever made to

systematize the application of nomography to the study of the problems of ap- plied chemistry.

This Atlas is intended to simplify and to unify physico-chemical calculations thus allowing solutions to be reached much sooner.

The 144 page volume of instructions examines the principle of nomographic calculations and explains the use of nomograms.

B. d. B.

NEW HANDBOOK OF THE HEAVENS, by Hubert J. Bernhard, Dorothy A. Bennett, and Hugh S. Rice. 2gg pages, illustrations, 16 X 24 ems. New York, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. Price $2.50.

The authors were the editors of “Handbook of the Heavens,” in which various chapters were written by various members of the Junior Astronomy Club in New York, but this new volume, which supersedes the other, has been completely written by Bernhard, Bennett, and Rice.

Intended for the beginner in astronomy (hut not for the veriest youngster), it admirably accomplishes its purpose. The very abstruse topics are avoided com- pletely, which is certainly better than trying to discuss a technical point in half- truths. Most of the material is directed toward those who will go out to look at the sky, and perhaps study it with field glasses or small telescopes. It is really a ‘I handbook.”

The slips are few and far between. Perhaps one should mention the repeti- tion of the common error concerning our knowledge of the atmosphere of Mars. The Mount Wilson observers have determined that the instrumental technique employed would permit the detection in the atmosphere of Mars, of about I/IOOO as much oxygen as over an equal area of the Earth, and perhaps 5 per cent. as much water vapor; none is found, therefore these must be considered upper limits, and the lower limits may be zero. The authors have said, as usual, that these upper limits are the amounts that exist in the atmosphere of Mars.

We are told that the polar caps of Mars “may be either frozen carbon dioxid (sic) or frozen water.” It has been known for some time that the polar caps nearly or entirely disappear in infra-red’ photographs, indicating that they are purely atmospheric phenomena, and not solid deposits on the planet itself.

There has been for the past fifty years an average of five comets per year, and not “sometimes as many as five.”

But the book is very nearly free of errors and bad statements, and has a good glossary and index.

ROY K. AfARSHALL.

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