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models despite his tendency t o seek analo- .
"Chemists and Chemistry" series is the first
hook-length biography t o chart the life and
work of Boussingault (1802-1887). Evolving
from a Ph. D. (London) thesis and based on
primary and secondary sources obtained from
twenty-five libraries and archives located in
four different countries, i t is intended t o
"lead to a greater understanding and appre-
ciation of the multifarious interests of one
whose aloofness fitted him for the life of a
cloistered academic, yet experiencing mare
than the usual share of adventure."
The neglect of Boussingault, who, inci-
dentally, was married t o Marie SalomB
Alexandrine Adele LeBel, paternal aunt of
Joseph Achille LeBel of stereochemistry
fame, is due t o several factors. In mid-nine-
teenth-century agriculture, the pioneering
research of Boussingault, Persoz, Kuhlmann,
and Ville in France, Thaer and Sprengel in
Germany, and Lawes and Gilbert in England
was eclipsed by the more popular, didactic,
and polemical work of Justus von Liehig. The
emphasis in French chemistry a t that time
was on structural organic chemistry, which
may also account for Boussingault's com-
parative and unjustified neglect in the history
of science-a neglect which McCosh's hiog-
raphy seeks to remedy.
Undeterred by the lack of a university ed-
ucation (He attended the Ec6le des Mines a t
Saint-Etienne near Lyon), Boussingault was
basically a shy man whose introversion may
have contributed to his incapacity to learn a
foreign language despite more than a decade
of geological and meteorological research in
South America (1822-1832), whieh earned
him recognition as a scientist and election t o
the AcadBmie des Sciences (1839). During his
travels he developed the polymath tendency
characteristic throughout his life, and the 45
papers that he published during these for-
mative years were devoted togeology, mining,
mineralogy, chemistry, medicine, meteorol-
ogy, and vulcanology. He recommended that
iodized salt be used for Andean goiter suf-
ferers, and he made numerous observations
on malaria, which he had contracted. His
travels had been recommended by Alexander
von Humboldt, and just as Humholdt, who,
like Boussingault, had been trained as a sci-
entist a t a mining school, made a life study of
geophysics, for whieh he had never been
trained, so did Boussingault devote much of
his long life toagricultural science, for which
he too had never been trained.
On returning to France, Boussingault de-
voted the years 1836 t o 1848 to animal and
crop husbandry. In 183fi he established the
first agricultural research station a t his farm,
Bechelbronn, in Alsace, where he made the
first complete analysis of crops in rotation.
The years 1849-51 were devoted largely to
political affairs. (He was elected to the As-
sembiCe Nationale in 1848and to the Conseil
d'etat in 1849.) From 1852 to 1859 heagain
took up his agricultural work, dealing with
problems of sail fertility, crop rotation, plant
and soil fixation and assimilation of nitrogen,
plant nutrients, animal nutrition, and forage
crops. He devoted the years 1860 to 1883 t o
the metallurgy of iron and steel, photosyn-
thesis, and soil nitrification.
In his well balanced study MeCash not only
discusses Boussingault's triumphs but also
points out his professional weaknesses-his
tendency t o ignore contemporary and past
work, his inability to construct conjectural
" .
eies. and his "ooen mind" attitude or refusal
to make any possible inferences until his ex-
periments were concluded. The book is re-
plete with syllabuses of Boussingault's lec-
tures a t the Conservatoire des Arts et MB-
tiers, detailed notes for the Introduction and
subsequent sixteen chapters, a complete list
of Boussingault's scientific papers ( e 3 5 0 in
all) and 17 hooks, a list of archival docu-
mentary material (4 pp.) and works consulted
(7 pp.), and nime (4 pp.) and subject (4 pp.)
indexes. This highly recommended volume,
of particular interest to persons involved in
agricultural chemistry, metallurgy, applied
chemistry, history of science, and 19th-cen-
tury French history as well as to the general
reader, should serve t o acquaint this reader-
ship with the life, work, and times of a re-
markably prolific but sorely neglected sei-
entist.
George B. Kauffman
Califwnia State University. Fresno
Fresna, CA 93740
Modern Inorganic Chemistry
William L. Jolly. McGraw-Hill, Inc., New
+
York. NY. 1984. xiv 610 pp. Figs. and
tables. 16.5 X 24 cm.
The past two years have pnmidrd profes-
sors of inorganic chemistry with what must
certainly he a record number of new upper-
level inorganic chemistry textbooks for ex-
amination. This latest arrival, William L.
Jollv's "Modern Inoreanic Chemistrv."-. is..in
~
"
the words of the author's nrefaca.
~~~~~~~~ ~ .~~~--~
n erentiv
..,---.-
expanded and updated version of his 19%
~-
~~~
text, "The Principles of Inorganic Chemis-
try." But Jolly's earlier text was a slender
volume, some 375 pages, and this new one
remains a text of manageahle size. Indeed, it
is almost exactly one-half the size (when
number of pages and page size are taken into
account) of the third edition of Huheey, the
text against which all other inorganic texts
seem t o he measured nowadays.
Despite the hook'ssize, noimportant top-
ics have been neglected. Jolly's style is concise
while retaining the clarity of explanation
necessary for a good undergraduate text.
There were few places where I felt that a
fuller exolanation was needed.
Jolly, a well-known inorganic experimen-
talist and author of textbooks of inorganic
synthesis, has provided a strong component
of theory. The text begins, as usual, with a
review of fundamentals such as atomic
quantum theory, nicely condensed into 20
pages. There is a fuller development of sev-
. .
eral "theoretical chemisttv" h i e s than is
..
~~~ ~ ~~
usuallv~,seen: the~-LCAO-MO
~. method
~~~-~~~ .(, 5 nn.).
-..
llurkel theury, hoth 5implr and txtenrlnl, \I,
LIP.)m d 5CF m e t h d i 15pp.1 A slim section
introduces the basic ideas of orbital symme-
try (no longer an arcane suhject in sophomore
organic chemistry texts) and applies them t o
some simple reactions, in a chapter on gas-
phase kinetics.
I felt that the chapter on acid-base reac-
tions was particularly good, incorporating
much descriptive chemistry, although the
concept of t h e levelling effect of solvents was
not made explicit. The Pearson HSAB and
Volume 62
~" .
E & C anoroaches
. are nicelv
combined.
The author often points out the practical
application of the chemistry described (and
even some potential applications), a feature
which will he welcomed by those who wage
the battle t o keep descriptive chemistry in the
science. For example, the chapter on semi-
randuetors concludes with a brief descrintion
of the chemistry of photography and a men-
tion of xerography.
The Latter half of the text is devoted to
transition metal chemistry. Crystal field
theory receives a cursory treatment (3 pp.!),
MO theory a much fuller one. Granted, MO
theory is the more powerful, hut, in my
opinion, n y ~ t afield
l theory still has value for
an introductory-level course.
T h e treatment of transition metal chem-
istry concludes with chapters on homoge-
neous catalysis, heterogeneous catalysis, and
hioinorganic chemistry. The chapter on het-
erogeneous catalysis has an excellent section
on surface chemistry, in which the impor-
tance of surface adsorption in catalysis and
in determining reaction products is empha-
sized. Here, as elsewhere, the author intro-
duces less-familiar experimental techniques
(in this case X-ray photoelectron spectros-
copy and LEED). The material on structures
of solids (octahedral and tetrahedral sites,
etc.), introduced earlier, is put t o good use.
The bdok is illustrated with a large number
of tables and figures and several appendices.
I t is virtually free of typographical errors. A
formula index is a welcome addition.
This book provides a good coverage of the
suhject matter of inorganic chemistry, orga-
nized in a more or less traditional manner. I t
should he considered by anyone looking far
a text of a size suitable for a one-semester
course.
E. J. Billo
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA 02167
Equilibrium Thermodynamics, Third
Edition
C. J. Adkins, Cambridge University Press,
+
New York. NY. 1984. xiii 285 pp. Figs.
and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $39.50.
Although this textbook is in its third edi-
tion, i t has never been reviewed in this
Journal for an understandable reason; by the
author's design, i t is for the "undergraduate
physicist; but it is also suitable for use in the
material sciences, engineering and chemis-
.
trv." With its emnhasis on the concerns of
piwit..+and engineering, lhe hook isnot likely
to Ire suiuthlr as a texthook in a traditimnl
undergraduate course in chern~ralthermo-
dynamics. This does not mean, however, that
the hook should he ignored by chemical ed-
ucators.
C. J. Adkins has written a little gem of a
~~. usins..an aooroach
hook on thermodvnamlcs ..
that is clacaical and without any e x t r d e d
diwussion <,Istati.~r~rnl mechanics. The au-
thor does manage to weave into the text fre-
(Continued on page A140)
Number 4 April 1985 A137

quent, qualitative "microscopic" interpre-
tations of such topics as entropy, phase
transitions, and magnetic phenomena which
aid in understanding these concepts. The
writing style is straightforward and clear with
derivations and explanations that are easy to
follow. In terms of background material re-
quired for the textbook, it is sufficient to have
had a conventional introductorv course in
~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~
nwltivariablr rnlrtrlus and general physin.
'I'hc level uf mathematical cm~plexirynrver
strays beyond those hounds.
The topia covered are the traditional ones
expected for a first time study of thermody-
namics in depth. Beginning with an excellent
first chapter on terms and definitions, Adkins
moves in progression from the Zeroth Law
and the concept of temperature through the
First and Second Laws and then devotes
several chapters to applications of these great
generalizations to a wide range of physical
phenomena. The Third Law does not appear
until the final chapter of the textbook.
Much of the treatment of thermodynamic
~~. ..
conceots follows an a~nroachfamiliar to anv
~ ~
srvdcnt oi closs~cnlthermodynamics, al-
though thpre are some nwel dwrlopnwnts.
Fur example, Adkins intruducrs thc idea of
a generalized heat capacity, uses the concept
of availability to derive the general conditions
for equilibrium and, as expected considering
the audience of the hook, discusses work in a
much broader context than the usual ex-
pansion/electrieal kinds of chemical ther-
modynamics. The author's most notable de-
velopment is, after two chapters devoted to
the traditional treatment of the Second Law
by the Clausius-Kelvin approach, a return to
the entropy concept by way of the formalism
of Caratheadory. The abstract beauty of this
treatment comes through, although I expect
many first timers will not see it.
There are problems for the student to do
and these are collected together at the end of
the hook. The choice of problem types runs
from the plug in and grind the crank kinds to
more challenging ones demanding thought
and understanding. The absence of any
worked out examples in the text and the lack
of answers to the problems will be a disap-
pointment to many.
As one might expect of a textbook targeted
a t physicists, the emphasisof topics and the
choice of examples are suitable to that audi-
ence. Standard states, thermochemistry, and
chemical equilibrium are either absent or are
treated very briefly and it is for this reason of
~. .
tooic eoveraee rather than aualitv
~ . of the text
that I would nor rcronmcnd ir asatprtlr*rk
h r a wume in c h c m d thermodynamics.
Adkins' hook, however, is a valuable rc-
source to a teacher of chemical thermody-
namics. I t is always instructive to read an
approach to a familiar topic from another
point of view. Even more to the issue, reading
the hook eave me a eood lesson in the wneral
apldirahility of thermudynamics by e r t ~ n d -
ing my undersunding of rhc rangeof naturd
phenomena which comes under its purview.
The hook has good treatments of real and
ideal heat engines, adiabatic demagnetiza-
tion, temperature scales, gas liquefaction and
higher order phase transitions which are more
extensive than one finds in physical chemis-
try texts. I found Adkins'discussion valuahle
A140 Journal of Chemical Educati
to communicating these concepts to students
and this is where I expect the book will be of
most utility to those of us who teach chemical
thermodynamics.
C. J. Adkins has written an excellent,
comprehensible textbook on introductory
classical thermodynamics. Its utility for the
chemical education community will he as a
reference book for the teacher of chemical
thermodynamics.
Robelt G. Kooser
Knox College
Galesburg. iL 61401
Idea Bank Collation: A Handbook for
Science Teachers
Irwin Talesnick, (Editor), Science Supplies
8 Sewices CO., Ltd., Kingston, Ontario.
Canada, 1984. 650 pp. Figs. and tables.
10.5 X 26.5 cm. $28.50 PB.
The purpose of this book according to
Talesnick is to "give teachers a large com-
prehensive set of true, tried and tested
classroom demonstrations and ideas." The
contents were compiled and collated from
articles appearing in the IDEA BANK, a
section found in both The Science Teacher
(the Journal of the NSTA) and The Crucible
(the Journal of the Science Teachers associ-
ation of Ontario).
An II)M r a n b e defined as a classroom
demunsrration, experiment or another pus.
s ~ b l euse for a typical piece of lalrmtmy
equipment or overhead projector, etc. The
617 IDEAScontained in this book are divided
into five major topic areas-biology, chem-
istry, earth science, general science, and
.. . .
ohvsics. The maioritv of the IDEASare for ~~ ~
rhemiitry, followed hg physics, general
s&nre, l,iolum, and earth science. There is
n detailed rubjrct index by discipline with the
IDEAS alphabetically listed. A subject matter
index and an index of key words is also in-
cluded. These indices make it very easy to
find IDEAS for a certain topic.
This volume is ouite comolete and useful
and, as xuch, woula he a welcome addition w
any science teacher's collection whcrhrr for
the college, secondary or elrnwntarv lcvrl.
Frank Mikan
University of Texas at Austin
Austin. TX 78712
SafeStorage of Laboratory Chemicals
David A. Pipitone, (Editor). John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.. Somerset, NJ. 1984. xvi 280 +
pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm.
$55.00.
This collection of papers from an ACS
sympmium provides wen-integrated answers
to questions about chemical stores: ordering,
receiving, storing, dispensing, and dirpming.
Authors include well-known Nmnan V.
Steerr. Leslic Hrethenck. L. .lewd N ~ h o l l s .
Allen C . Macenski, ~ a t r i c i aAnn ~ e d d e n ;
Frank L. Chlad, E. Lamar Houston, Jack
Gerlovich, John Bequette, and the editor.
There is a concern with laboratories large
and small. One chapter deals with an online
IMS datahase system for warehouse and in-
ventory management; another describes the
Iowa system for eliminating dangerous
chemicals from schools. There is useful in-
formation on the segregation of incompatible
chemicals, on fire protection, and on the
handling of spills. Relevant regulatory mea-
sures are identified. Experience in the in-
spection of academic facilities is reported.
Appendices cover the new labeling systems
for chemicals, a glossary of word processing
and microcomputing terms, safety equip-
ment, the flash points of common flammahle
liquids, and a chemical storage check list.
In short this is a useful book for all who are
concerned with chemical stockrooms. I t will
he a handy authority far reference by non-
specialists, and the better informed will
henefit from a reading.
Malcolm M. Renfrew
Univenity of Idaho
MOSCOW, ID 83643
Maklng S c i e n c e Laboratory Equipment
X. F. Careke, John Wiley & Sons, Inc..
+
Somerset, NJ, 1983. xiii 273 pp. Figs.
and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $18.95.
On first receiving this book for review,my
immediate reaction was "not another how to
make it book for a science laboratory." In-
deed this is not just another how to make it
type of book. The author has presented in a
clear, elementary, well-illustrated manner the
techniques, methods and practices needed to
produce quality laboratory materials in de-
velooine nations of the world. All too often we
... t6e
in .~ 1'inited
~ . States
- ~ - fail
~~~ ~ realize
~ to
~~ ~ - the need of
~ ~~~
educators in economically depressed states
of the world. This reference fills a definite
niche in the science library. For teachers in
developing nations, this work could be as in-
dispensable as a creative mind.
Divided into nine chapters, the honk begins
hv offerine an introduction to workine with
~
metal, wwd, plastic. and glass. A hnsir I"-
tn,ducrwn ru rl~rtronicsand principles of
clcctricity is also included. The rrodrr IS na-
sumed to have no prior knowledge of tools or
the techniques for working with the materi-
als. Where possible, the author also gives al-
ternatives to a purchased tool by providing
the needed directions and olans to make a
of the respective areas, complete, detailed,
and accurate diagrams, text and materials
lists are provided to assist the builder in
making tools and special purpose items.
Nearly half of the projects in the book can
he made solely from scrap materials and sal-
vaged items. For those that do require pur-
chased materials, a chapter dealing with
sources of international aid and funding for
education is presented. With the lack of
money far educational materials even more
critical in developing nations, this chapter
provides some very important information.
This is even more true for the uninitiated
teacher in a developing country. Guides to