aration of the rubber, factory plans and machinery, reclamation, rubber substitutes and rubber fabrics, with details of the manufacture of hard and soft goods. Completely illustrated and well supplied with references to patents. Reviewed in India Rubber World, Dec., 1915, p. 123.

12. *Gardner, Walter Myers, editor. The British coal-tar industry; its origin, development, and decline. London: Williams & Norgate, 1915.

436 p.

illus. 8°.

VOF

"The chemical industry and in particular that branch concerned with coaltar derivatives, has, owing to the war, been recognized by the British public to an unprecedented degree. This does not involve adequate comprehension and appreciation, but merely the fact that hitherto, except in scientific circles, chemistry and chemist have been two words associated almost entirely with pharmacy and drugs. Perhaps the press and platform discussions of the past year have enlightened some of the densest of the ignorance abounding on the subject, but in many directions the result has been to impart the little learning that is so dangerous a thing. Certainly most of us have heard put forward panaceas for the shortage of dyestuffs and fine chemicals which would never have found expression had their authors any more substantial insight into the industry than that gained by perusal of the newspapers, or if they had ever known of the existence of it in the days before its transference in greater part to Germany.

"For these and for many other reasons we hope that the collection of papers constituting the volume which Professor Gardner has just published will be widely read. It consists of the chief lectures and addresses given in this country on the subject since the establishment of the industry by Perkin up to the present day. They are given in chronological order, and the first twenty-two deal with the history and development of the industry, the remainder dealing with the problem presented since the outbreak of war. They can be read with interest and profit by the man-in-the-street, as well as by the chemist, and will serve to show that more than one factor enters into the problem of the British coal-tar industry, its decline and perhaps its recovery. The papers commence with the Cantor lectures delivered in 1868 by Perkin himself on the aniline or coal-tar colours, and conclude with Professor Perkin's presidential address to the Chemical Society this year." — Chemical Trade Journal, Oct. 23, 1915, p. 389.

Also reviewed in Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, Oct. 22, 1915, p. 986. 13. *Hamilton, Alice. Industrial poisons used in the rubber industry. Washington: Gov. Prtg. Off., 1915. (United States. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 179.)

64 p. 8°. Bulletin. no. Economics Div.

An important public document by one of the best known authorities on occupational diseases. The investigation covered thirty-five rubber factories located in fifteen cities and towns in nine states. Dangerous chemicals used were found to be the lead salts, antimony pentasulphide, aniline oil, carbon disulphide, carbon tetrachloride, coal-tar benzol, and various petroleum products, such as naphtha, benzine, etc. Comparatively few of the workers are, however, exposed to a harmful extent.

"It is possible so to equip and manage a rubber factory that exposure to these various industrial poisons may be reduced to an insignificant minimum or wholly eliminated. Relatively little, however, seems to have been done in this direction. Often the danger is not realized, so that even when the equipment of a factory permits a given process to be carried on safely, through ignorance or carelessness, it may be performed in a fashion which makes it dangerous." — p. 12.

M

14. *Scott, E. W., and E. H. SIEGLER. Miscellaneous insecticide investigations. Washington, 1915. States. Agriculture Department.

47 p.

Bulletin.

8°. (United

no. 278.)

VOF p.box

Results of field and laboratory experiments on over 200 samples at Benton Harbor, Mich., during 1912, 1913, and 1914.

"The most promising new insecticide developed during the course of the experimental work is arsenate of calcium. This arsenical may be manufactured at less cost than arsenate of lead or may be readily prepared at home as described on page 30. During the season of 1912 and 1913 arsenate of calcium gave encouraging results. In 1914 a commercial arsenate of calcium paste in combination with lime-sulphur gave very satisfactory control of the codling moth. While arsenate of calcium may have certain limitations, it will doubtless prove of value for the control of chewing insects on certain host plants.". p. 42-43.

15. *Stock, Erich. Die Fabrikation der Öllacke und Siccative; Anleitung zur Herstellung sämtlicher Öllacke und Siccative, nebst einer Einführung in die Chemie und in die qualitative und quantitative chemische Analyse. Mit 16 Abbildungen. Für die Praxis bearbeitet und theoretisch erläutert von Erich Stock. Wien: A. Hartleben, 1915. (A. Hartleben's chemisch-technische Bibliothek. [Bd. 355.1)

356 p. illus. 12°.

VOP

Another of the well known Hartleben series. Based on articles by the author in the leading German periodicals devoted to the varnish and chemical industry. Part one, to which the greatest space is given, deals with the raw materials. Part two concerns the manufacture of varnish and dryers. Part three has to do with the chemistry of raw material and finished product and contains directions for equipping a laboratory. Drawings are mostly by the author.

1916.

Reviewed in Kunstoffe, Munich, July 15, 1915; in Chemiker Zeitung, Feb. 2,

Civil Engineering

16. *Betts, H. S., and J. A. NEWLIN. Strength tests of structural timbers treated by commercial wood-preserving processes. Washington, 1915. 15 p. 8°. (United States. - AgriculBulletin. no. 286.) VEM p.box

ture Department.

"Presents the results of tests made by the Forest Service, in co-operation with the Illinois Central Railway and three wood-preserving companies, to determine how the strength of bridge stringers is affected by commercial creosote treatments." Concludes that timber may be very materially weakened by preservative processes, although creosote in itself does not appear to have that effect; also that a process which will seriously injure one timber may have little or no effect on the strength of another.

17. Burr, William Hubert. The elasticity and resistance of the materials of engineering. New York: J. Wiley & Sons, Inc., 7. ed., thoroughly rev. illus. 8°. VEE

1915. 928 p.

Seventh edition of this well known standard work by the professor of civil engineering in Columbia University.

"The present edition has been completely rewritten and re-arranged, much of the old matter has been displaced by new topics of greater present practical importance, and a new book has virtually been created... This classic work has long been regarded as the leading American authority in the field of the elasticity and resistance of materials. It is a source of gratification to the engineering profession that Prof. Burr has been willing to undertake the arduous task of revision, and has completed this work in so thorough and satisfactory a manner.” — Engineering Record, Jan. 1, 1916, p. 25.

Also reviewed in Mining and Scientific Press, Nov. 20, 1915, p. 801, in Canadian Engineer, Jan. 27, 1916.

18. Grieves, Loren Chester. Military sketching and map reading for non-commissioned officers (illustrated). Washington: United States Infantry Association, 1915. 70 p., 2 pl. diagrs. illus.

4°.

VWI

Thirty graded and well illustrated lessons intended to relieve organization commanders of devising a new course each year, to standardize instruction, and to furnish a basis for the prescribed tests by battalion commanders and inspectors. Author was engaged for some years on the progressive military map of the United States and the Philippine Islands, and has had considerable experience in teaching this subject to non-commissioned officers. One of the chapters tells how to make contour models.

19. Hool, George A. Reinforced concrete construction. Volume III, Bridges & culverts: prepared in the Extension Division of the University of Wisconsin by George A. Hool, S.B...assisted by Frank C. Thiessen... with chapters by A. W. Ransome, Leslie H. Allen, Wm. J. Titus, Albert M. Wolf, Philip Aylett and P. J. Markmann, and articles by A. C. Janni and S. W. Bowen. York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc., 1916. 688 p. 1. ed. 8°. (Engineering education series.)

New

illus.

VEOM

Nearly 700 pages of carefully prepared text and copious illustrations the third of a series of four volumes on the general subject of reinforced concrete construction. Designed primarily for correspondence study in the Extension Division of the University of Wisconsin. "An attempt is made to meet the needs of the students by omitting intricate mathematical analyses involving the calculus; by avoiding mathematical sign language wherever it is found possible; and by including complete methods of design of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical arches, not only of single span, but of multiple spans with elastic piers."

Has sections on construction plant (Ransome), estimating (Allen), artistic design (Titus), European concrete bridges (Aylett and Markmann) and construction in detail of several types of bridges (Wolf) including the Yardley bridge over the Delaware river, and the famous Tunkhannock viaduct of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railway.

"The book gives the most comprehensive and best treatment of reinforced concrete bridges in print.”. - Engineering & Contracting, Jan. 19, 1916, p. 74.

20. Holt, R. maintenance...

[1915].

Bickerstaffe. Tramway track construction and London: Tramway and Railway World Offices illus. 8°.

249 p. ΤΡΙ ...The author is permanent way engineer to the Leeds Tramways, and, as such, has been responsible for the construction and maintenance of a large tramway system for many years time enough to find out what happens to tracks in use under conditions of subsoil, surroundings and traffic of considerable diversity; and he has recorded the results of his experience with clearness, sincerity, and a fullness of reasons for his practice and advice that is somewhat rare in technical books of this kind... In conclusion, one may say that whilst this book is a valuable and very fairly complete exposition of tramway track construction in town streets, it does not deal with the important differences that occur in work on country roads, or unformed roads and cross-country work where mixtures of tramway and light railway methods apply, and where capital economy is of paramount importance. This is no discredit to the author, who has confined himself to the conditions of his own experience, but indicates that a text-book on construction in different conditions is still needed." - Electrical Review, London, Dec. 31, 1915, p. 840.

21. *Mann, H. Leslie. A text-book on practical mathematics for advanced technical students. London: Longmans, Green

& Co., 1915.

487 p. 8°.

OEF

Based upon senior work at the Woolwich Polytechnic and presupposes a preliminary knowledge of algebra, trigonometry, mensuration, and the use of logarithms and squared paper. Section one is designed to strengthen the student in algebra and trigonometry; section two is a somewhat elaborate treatment of the calculus; while section three consists of the applications of mathematics to those practical problems more or less familiar to the technical student. There are many problems all with answers.

"The practicing engineer frequently meets a ready formula which he would like to deduce and check to satisfy himself of the validity of the assumptions on which the formula has been built and of the correctness of its derivation. In his scientific studies the engineer also encounters many an equation he would like to establish or to solve, and especially in analyzing the conditions of new problems he requires the concentration and definiteness of the mathematical symbol. He then is thrown back upon his old mathematical knowledge and not infrequently finds it rusty, and himself awkward in handling the old tools. In such times the engineer will be grateful to find at hand a work which in a short and concise manner presents methods of treating problems Isimilar to his. Mr. Mann's Practical Mathematics is such a book. While the author calls it a textbook, it is by no means what the name implies. It does not teach mathematics; it rather presumes a knowledge of it. It does better; it reminds one of what he has forgotten. It consists practically of methods to solve problems in as few words as possible... The book has a thoroughly practical aspect, and it is evident that an experienced and practical mind has written it. The reader, or rather the user, of the book will be grateful to the author for its production." - Engineering News, Dec. 16, 1915, p. 1169.

22. Mead, Daniel Webster, 1862-. Water power engineering; the theory, investigation and development of water powers New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1915.

...

843 P.

illus. VDM

A complete revision of one of the best books on the subject. Author is professor of hydraulic engineering in the University of Wisconsin. Has supplementary chapters on well-known plants, costs, financial and commercial

considerations, operation and maintenance, with tables covering tests on standard turbines. Well illustrated and provided with an abundance of references. "This is a revised and greatly improved edition of Professor Mead's valuable and well known book on hydraulic work. It will be a welcome and nearly indispensable addition to the library of every person who is interested in hydraulic engineering... If every engineer who is entrusted with the responsibilities of designing and developing water power projects would read this book and profit by the methods and advice given in the same, fewer blunders would be made in the building up of water power sites in the future and the general water power and hydro-electric business would assume a saner and safer foundation."-Engineering & Contracting, Jan. 19, 1916, p. 69.

Also reviewed in Canadian Engineer, Jan. 27, 1916, p. 193; in Engineering Record, Jan. 8th, 1916, p. 56.

23. *Pearson, Joseph C., and W. H. SLIGH. An air analyser for determining the fineness of cement. Washington: Gov. Prtg. Off., 1915. illus. 4°. (United States. - - Bureau of Standards. Technologic papers. no. 48.)

74 P.

VBDA This well illustrated government document of 74 pages describes the bureau's apparatus and the results of experiments. Also describes several standard analyzers.

"The analyzer has been developed with the particular purpose in view of determining the granulometric composition of very finely ground and airseparated cements to be used in a further investigation of the value of fine grinding, which is now under way. It is also adapted in its present form to comparisons of the products of different finishing mills and to the separation and grading of abrasives and other hard-grained materials. In view of the considerable variety of finely divided materials already tested with the analyzer, the apparatus promises to have a much broader field of usefulness than that for which it was originally designed.” — p. 74.

24. Popplewell, William Charles. The elements of surveying and geodesy. London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1915. illus.

8°.

244 p. VDE

"This book deals with surveying and geodesy in a very comprehensive and concise manner and it can safely be recommended to students as one of the most useful works on surveying yet published... The range of the book is so wide that few branches of the art of surveying are left untouched... A list of examination questions, a bibliography of surveying works, traverse tables, logarithm and mathematical tables and a very useful index are give at the end of the book.” — Surveyor, London, Nov. 19, 1915, p. 532.

25. Sibert, William Luther, and J. F. STEVENS. The construction of the Panama canal. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1915. 339 p., 16 pl. 8°.

TSB

General Sibert was formerly a member of the Canal Commission, in charge of the construction of the Gatun locks and dam and of the channel from Gatun to the Atlantic ocean. Mr. Stevens was for some time the chief engineer of the whole enterprise. The book first touches briefly upon the personnel of the several commissions and on the condition of the work as left by the French. Then follow chapters on the preparatory period (1904-1907) concerning such subjects as the relative merits of a sea level and lock canal, the reconstruction of the Panama Railroad, the_development of plans, housing and feeding of the force, and management. The second section deals with the technical side of actual construction.

"This book gives an excellent idea of the design and construction of the