SOMETHING TO LOOK THROUGH Glass in the Modern World A Study in Materials Development F. J. Terence Maloney (London, A ldus Books, 1967, 192 pp., 2216)

This book is one of a series dealing with modern materials, other volumes being concerned with ceramics and metals. If the volume on glass is a guide to the others, then forensic scientists should hope that there will be further additions. For this book fulfills a need which practising forensic scientists so often experience, a book which describes briefly but concisely, the properties, manufacture, history and use of a particular material.

The first two chapters are taken up with the property of glass, including its atomic structure and optical as well as physical characteristics. The treatment is thorough and comprehensive and well supported, as througliout the book, by excellent diagrams and colour photographs.

The chapter dealing with the history of glass includes a brief description of a process used in Alexandria in 300-330 B.C. in which rods of coloured glass were fused together into a block, this then being sliced in pieces each having the same pattern, rather like modern-day seaside rock !

The chapter on glass manufacture includes a section on annealing, the tech- nique of float glass and glass fibre production, as well as the more traditional float glass and container manufacturing processes.

The author, who is an astronomer, deals quite fully with the making of optical glass, lenses and prisms and includes the theory that polishing processes used are effective because the glass flows during polishing and it is apparently possible to polish glass so that it does not have any weight loss in the process.

The last two chapters are concerned with commercial and industrial uses of glass and new kinds and uses of glass. These sections are particularly useful to forensic scientists who are constantly battling to keep up with the incessant flow of new materials, any of which they may be called upon to examine.

In short, this is a well written book, concise but very meaty, well illustrated and reasonably priced. A book, in fact, to read whilst waiting to give evidence in a glass case.

P. D. B. Clarke.

NICK BOTTOM'S TRADE Woven Cloth Construction A . T. C. Robinson and K . M a r k s (Manchester and London ; T h e Textile Institute ; Butterworth, 1967 ; 180 pp., LZ-15-0)

Forensic scientists must of course be fully conversant with the properties and identification of fibres, especially textile fibres ; and of course, they are. Fibre identification in fact plays a very important part in their work. The weave identification of fabrics is however, less familiar ground but it could be important where pieces of fabric as distinct from individual fibres are being compared. This present slim volume is perhaps unique in that it deals with this question a t the level of the general scientist. Actually it is addressed in the first instance to students for the Ordinary National Certificate or Diploma course in general textiles and for candidates preparing for the Textile Institute's examination for Associateship. In view of its specialised nature, what is common knowledge to the textile chemist, is within the scope of the experience of the general forensic scientist. The fact that the authors are the Head of the Textile Department and a Lecturer in charge of Weaving of Bolton Institute of Tech- nology and that the book is published under the sponsorship of the Textile Institute, amply guarantees its authority.

The authors deal in turn with the various types of weave and show how they can be characterised in terms of the constituent material and a mathematical

expression embodying properties of the yarn used, such as twist factor, tex (or denier), weight, dimensions, etc. There are copious illustrations of the different weaves as seen under low-power magnification. Fibre chemists will find this a valuable adjunct to their work on characterising weaves--but they will also be very surprised that staple fibre as such is nowhere mentioned.

Julius Grant.

TRUE Al'OTHECAIIY, T H Y DRUGS ARE QUICK

Drugs and the Police Terence Jones (London. Butterworth and Co. Ltd. , 1908, 66 @@., index, lo/-)

This book helps to clarify a great deal of the "mystique" which surrounds the growing problem of misuse of drugs in the United Kingdom. In its easily readable form it simplifies the complex legislation on drugs and the role of the police as law enforcement agents in dealing with the many difficulties arising from illicit drug dealing.

Mr. Jones has presented a comprehensive pen-picture on the subject of drugs and tlle unhealthy consequences resulting from the abuse of such substances. He has produced what could almost be described as a "reference" book on drugs for use bv his colleagues in the police service. In addition, this is a worthwhile publication for persons who are conscious of the need for all interested bodies to co-operate fully in a united effort to combat this menace wliich is affecting our society and, more particularly, our young people.

John R. Inch.

The Drug Scene in Great Britian Journey into Loneliness Glatt et al. (London. EdwlarrE Arnolti Lttl., 1968, 114 b?., index , 281- boards, 151- @a@ev)

This journey is one which readers will not look back on with pleasure but one which, nevertheless, should be undertaken if for no other reason than to acquire an insight into the drug scene in this country as dramatically outlined by the four expert collaborators in this work. Their specialised record of the study of the drug subculture in Great Britain conjured up in the mind of the reader the frightening possibilities of experimentation with drugs by the uninitiated.

The sub-title underlines the fact which shines through all tlie pages of this book that, whilst a start has been made, the urgent implementation of much more research into the whole problem of drug misuse is necessary to assist the pathetic figure of the drug addict who has taken such a trip.

John R. Inch.

SEAKCEI, SEEK, 1;ISU OUT

Ultra Violet and Visible Spectroscopy C.N.R. Rao Chemical Apfilications. 2nd Erin., (London : Butterwortlzs, 1.967, 200 pp., 50i-)

Although ultra violet and (to a lesser extent) visible spectroscopy is widely used in chemical investigation it is frequently employed on only an empirical basis.

The first edition which was published in 1961 provided a useful introduction to the theoretical concepts which underlie the use of this technique in analytical chemistry. The second edition has now been extensively revised but the virtues of the book as a concise introduction to the subject have not been lost.

The first chapter gives a short introduction to general theory and experimental method and is followed by chapters on chromophores, simple molecules, con- jugated and aromatic molecules and heterocyclic compounds. There is a useful

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