VOLUME 33, NO. 12, DECEMBER, 1956 647

(1) Flow of fluids past particles. (2) Systems involving relative motion

between a fluid and particles. (3) Applications of mass transfer. (4) Applications of heat transfer. (5) Size reduction, classification, mix-

ing. Some of the general problems of scaling

up are discussed in the chapter on mixing and particular features are discussed throughout the book.

The illustrations of commercial equip ment are excellent and the general format of the hook is pleasing.

These two volumes could serve a8 a u8e- ful text in undergraduate courses with the reservation that care would have to be used because of it8 being an English book. I t certainly maken a welcome addition as a reference text in the unit operations field.

8. RICKLIN Rrcsbia R ~ a ~ * n c a A e s o c l a ~ ~ s P ~ O V ~ ~ N C E . RHODE I.L*ND

BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY SYMPOSIA NO. 13: THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF VITAMIN B,,

Edited by R. T. Williams. Cambridge University Press, New York, 1955. 123 pp. 20 figs. 22 tables. 16.5 X 25.5 cm. $3.75.

Tnrs volume consists of papers pre- sented at the symposium held at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on February 19, 1955. The contributors to this symposium try to bring the readers up to date on various aspects of the title theme. Vitamin BI1 constitutes too large and active a field for the coverage in such a. set of papers to be exhaustive. However, the authors have succeeded in bringing forth a very good book in a concentrated style, mainly covering the later work just short of the final (except possibly as regards the double-bond arrangement) mnounoement of the complete structural formula, for vitamin B,, by Hodgkin, el al.

After an introduction by Sir Alexander Todd, E. Lester Smith briefly discusses the isolation and rhemistry of this extraord- inarily complex vitamin. The next paper by S. K. Kon gives an cxcellcnt description of the multitude of other fao- tors related to vitamin B,s while the s p e r i b methods of measurement of this as- sortment are covered hy M. E. Costes and J. E. Ford. "The absorption and ex- cretion of vitamin BU in man" by D. L. Mollin and S. J. Baker includes the perti- nent clinical work and recent data. In- trinsic factor remains one of the less un- derstood facets of the B1n story, and for this reason one might wish for an even more complete presentation of the subject than that given by A. L. Latner in his interesting paper on this subject. The book concludes with two papers by H. R. V. Arnstsin and by J. Lascelles and M. J. Cross which describe, respectively,

our knowledge of the biochemical func- tions of vitamin B,s in animals and in mieraorgmisms.

The thirteenth symposium is successful and fills a special need for those in the field. The hook itself is of good general quality, adequately illustrated, and mad- erately priced.

IRVING H. SHER GUSTAV J. MARTIN

THE NATIONAL DBUG COMPANY PBILADELSHI*, PENNBTIVANI*

CATALYSIS. VOLUME m: HYDROGENATION AND DEHYDROGENATION

Edited by P o d H. Emmett, Gult Research and Development Company's Multiple Fellowship, Mellon Institute. Reinhdd Publishing Corp., New York, 1955. vii + 504 pp. 98 figs. 101 tables. 15.5 X 23.5cm. $12.

Tnrs text is the third in a series dealing with the subject matter of catalysis. I t consists of ten chapters written by several authorities, and edited by Paul H. Em- mett. The first 50 pages, written by Trapnell, develop the background and give the present status of parahydrogen and orthodeuterium conversions, and also hydrogen-deuterium exchange. In the next 30 pages Eley critically discusses the present status of the much studied catalytic hydrogenation of ethylene. In regard to the mechanism of this hydro- genation he concludes that "no really critical experiments far deciding this mechanism have as yet been made!' In the following 30 pages Corson discusses the catalytic hydrogenation of olebic hydrocarbons including selective hydro- genation, and also suitable catalysts, including calciom-ammonia. and alkali metals. About 40 pages are devoted by Bond to a consideration of the addition of hydrogen to carbon-carbon triple bonds. Catalysts, bond energies, and reaction mechanisms are discussed for both gas- phase and liquid-phase hydrogenations, especidy for acetylene and methyl ace- tylene. Chapter five consists of 20 pages devoted to a discussion by Smith and Bedoit of the cstalytic hydrogenation of nitro compounds, principally over nickel or platinum. In Chapter six covering some 90 pages Frankenburg makes a rather complete survey of developments in the catalytic synthesis of ammonia (from nitrogen and hydrogen) during the period from 1820 to 1940. In Chapter seven written by Bokhoven, van Heerden, Westrik, and Zwietering over 80 pages are devoted to important research develop- ments in ammonia synthesis since 1940, considerable of the data being previously unpublished. Chapter eight comprising some 60 pages devoted to the synthesis of methanol is written by Natta and draws ta a considerable extent upon the au- thor's extensive work on this synthesis.

About 35 pages are devoted by Feuge in Chapter nine to the problems of hydro- genation of glyceride oils, and the proper- ties and preparation of suitable catalysts. The last chapter of about equal length is written by Kearhy and is devoted to catalytic dehydrogenation, primarily of petroleum products to olefins, diolefins, and styrene.

This latest addition to the Crttdy& series maintains the high standard of ex- cellence which has characterized t.he pre- ceding volumes and is a book which will bo widelv read bv all havine an interest in this fihd.

W. W. RUSSELL B n o w ~ UN~VERBITY PROV~DENCE. RHODE IBL*ND

THE ALKALOIDS: CHEMISTRY KM) PHYSIOLOGY. VOLUME V. PHARMACOLOGY

Edited by R. H. F. Manske, Dominion Rubber Research Laboratory, Guelph, Ontario. Academic Press, Ine., New York, 1955. ir + 388 pp. Tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $9.50.

THERE is little doubt that Vohmes I-IV of this series constitute the most ex- haustive and authoritative treatment of the chemistry of the alkaloids which is currently available. Since in these earlier volumes only about onefourth of the chapters contained sections on pharma- cology, the editor has used the present volume to round out the area which is con- cerned with physiological activity. The result is a. very useful pharmacological supplement to an already standard chem- ioal treatise. The pharmacological pres- entation is not, however, as camprehen- sive as is the treatment of the chemistry afforded in Volumes I-IV. Notable omis- sions would include discussions of the pharmacology of reserpine and protovera- trine. Perhaps these will be covered in a mpplementay volume. The pharmaco- logical treatment adopted in Volume V is based on the physiological action of the alkaloids rather than on chemical struc- ture. For this reason alkaloids of diverse structure but similar actions are discussed in each of the separate sections. Chap- ters covering the following are included: Narcotics and Analgesics, Cardioactive Alkaloids, Respiratory Stimulants, Anti- malarials, Uterine Stimulants, Anesthee ics, Pressor Alkaloids, Mydriatics, and Curare-like Effects. Also included is a chapter on Lycopodium alkaloids and one on miscellaneous alkaloids.

Volume V of this series is recommended as a valuable companion to the elegant chemical treatment given in Volumes I-IV.

EDMUND C. KORNFELD L~LLV REBEARCH LABORATORIES INDL*N**OL,B. IND,*N*