nological. Naturally occurring glycerides are discussed only briefly. References to other books more adequately covering this subject are given. The very brief discussion of alkali metal soaps is inadequate in view of their great commercial importance and fundamental interest. References to work published during the past ten years on the polymorphic forms of soaps are not given. Phase studies of soaps are not mentioned and no reference made to the many publications on this subject.
The graphs, tables and figures are well done. However, much information now presented in sentences would be more easily understood and readily used if presented in tabular or graphic form.
The book is an authoritative and thorough summary of our present knowledge on the subjects discussed. Over 5000 references to original publications are given. In an effort to impart a good understanding of the field, the author has discussed, where he considered desirable, such allied subjects as some reactions of low molecular weight aliphatlc acids, catalysis, theory of distillation, the reaction of carbon with fluorine, and the Stieglitz formulation of the Hofmann rearrangement.
Dr. Ralston received the 1946