BOOK REVIEW Humus. Origin, Chemical Composition, and Importance in Nature. By SELMAN A. WAKSMAN, professor of soil microbiology, Rutgers University, and microbiologist, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1936. Pp. xi + 494, figs. 45, tables 63. Price $6.50. One who has followed the numerous reports of the author’s researches on the microbial transformation of organic materials is familiar with the subjects receiving particular emphasis in this monograph, for it is about the subject matter of these reports that the treatise is developed and considerably ex- tended. It is far more than a recapitulation of this material, involving a thorough and careful consideration of the extensive literature on the properties and importance of the organic formations found in nature. The author’s investigations of the last fifteen years have yielded much new information which has revised the conception of the nature of soil organic matter and of the processes leading to its formation. His critical and keen interpretation of the facts, his originality of approach, and his broad appreciation of the many aspects of the subject have resulted in the creation of logical order from the confused and seemingly contradictory evidence in the scientific literature. In any attempt to codrdinate such conflicting views as pervade the subject it is almost inevitable that there will be divergence of opinion. It is with temerity that most persons would assume the task; particular commendation is therefore due the author for having so effectively surmouted the difficulties. According to the author: “This book is an attempt to tell the story of humus, its origin from plant and animal residues, its chemical composition, its physical properties, its importance in nature, especially in soil processes and in plant growth, and finally its decomposition.... Humus is a complex aggregate of brown to dark colored amorphous substances, which have origi- nated during the decomposition of plant and animal residues by microdrgan- isms, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, usually in soils, composts, peat bogs, and water basins.... The chemical composition of humus is deter- mined by the nature of the residues from which it is formed, by the conditions of its decomposition, and by the extent to which it is decomposed. Chemi- cally, humus consists of numerous organic complexes, the major group of which consists of lignins and lignin derivatives and of proteins; a minor group contains carbohydrates, fats, organic acids, alcohols, and other carbon com- pounds.” ‘The use of such terms as “humins,” “ulmins,” “crenic acid,” “apocrenic acid,” and others as they are applied to preparations is considered by the 395 » aK396 BOOK REVIEW author to be unwarranted. He prefers to characterize humus by the relative proportions of the various chemical substances such as cellulose, hemicellu- loses, lignin, proteins, etc., which it contains. More information concerning lignin in particular, its composition, characteristic properties, and decomposi- tion, is still needed to complete an understanding of the behavior of the soil organic matter. Although there is considerable emphasis upon the chemical and physical properties of humus as a whole and of its specific constituents, principal atten- tion is directed to the activities of microdrganisms in determining the nature of the residues and products of decomposition which characterize the humus. Among the organic substances considered, other than soil humus, are plant residues, animal manures, peat, coal, and organic matter in waters. The practical importance of these: materials is indicated, but chief attention is focussed upon the fundamental principles which should be the basis of agri- cultural practices. A list of chapter titles inadequately suggests the variety of subjects con- sidered: The rdle of humus in the organic cycle in nature; Nature and char- acteristics of humus; The réle of humus in plant nutrition; The changing conceptions concerning the chemical nature of “humus” and “humic acids”; “Humification” of organic matter in soils and in composts, and methods of “humus” determination; Origin of humus; Isolation of definite organic chemi- cal compounds from humus; Chemical nature of humus as a whole; Humus formation in composts, animal manures, and green manures; Humus in forest and heath soils; Humus in mineral soils (field, grassland, garden, and orchard); Humus in peat and in coal; Organic matter formations in water systems; Physical and physicochemical properties of humus; Decomposition of humus in nature; Presence in humus of specific substances which have an injurious or a beneficial effect upon growth of plants, animals and microérganisms; Utilization of various forms of humus for agricultural and industrial purposes; Soil humus and the science of pedology; Humusas an organic system; Appendix —Methods of analysis of humus and of certain humus constituents. There are 1311 items in the bibliography, including many more than this number of individual references. There are both author and subject indexes. This volume should prove useful to all who are concerned with the most profitable use and conservation of the natural resources of organic materials, particularly to students of soils and plants. Rozert L. STarKEY.