Handbuch der Experimentalphysik

Abstract

PROF. NIGGLI of Zurich, formerly a colleague of Prof. Laue of Munich, is well known as the author of a comprehensive text-book of mineralogy, the second edition of which was recently reviewed in NATURE (vol. 119, p. 595; 1927). This new work forms the first part of the volume on crystallography in the “Handbuch der Experimentaiphysik”, and deals with the formal and mathematical study of crystal structure. The originality of the author is shown in his theoretical treatment of crystal symmetry, which contains a number of new methods and points of view. He states that his aim has been to elucidate the fundamental principles and to make the theoretical study of the subject prac. tically useful. Although it was not possible to develop in full detail all the mathematical formuke and relations, valuable tables are included embodying the most important results, and a word of special praise must be given to the numerous diagrams. Each chapter is provided with a short bibliography of the relevant literature, the older papers receiving special attention. The work should be of service both to the student and to the teacher of crystallography. Handbuch der Experimentalphysik. Herausgegeben von W. Wien F. Harms. Unter Mitarbeit von von H. Lenz. Band 7, Teil 1: Krystallographische und strukturtheoretische Grundbegriffe. Von Prof. P. Niggli. Pp. xii + 317. 32.50 gold marks. Band 7, Teil 2: Strukturbestimmung mit Röntgen-interferenzen, von Dr. H. Ott; Gittertheorie der festen Körper, von Prof. Dr. K. F. Herzfeld. Pp. xiii + 433. (Leipzig: Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft m.b.H., 1928.)