These are the first two volumes of a new dictionary of terpenoid compounds; they cover monoterpenes and will be followed by other volumes dealing with sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, sesterterpenes, poly preñes, and meroterpenes. Each volume had some 30 pages at the beginning of an introductory character (same in each), instructing the reader in the use of the work, providing him with a broad introduction to terpene chemistry, and including an index of skeletal types.Volume I then provides some 200 pages listing the structure (including stereo-chemistry where appropriate), b.p., refractive index (for liquids), specific rotation (where appropriate), spectral properties (uv, ir, pmr, and mass, principal features, not curves; references are given to cmr), natural sourcefs), and other pieces of information (under "Remarks") relating to acyclic monoterpenes. Each compound has a page to itself, and at the foot of each page is a list of the more important references dealing with the substance; references are given to syntheses. The molecular formula and molecular weight are given in each case, and compounds are given code numbers which relate to the skeletal type index; there is a systematic arrangement based on carbon skeletons. Terpenoid alkaloids are included. At the end are indexes of compounds and of botanical species, and a general bibliography.Volume II accords similar treatment to mono-, bi-, and tricyclic monoterpenes (462 pages). The indexes in both volumes are cumulative.The over-all impression created is that this is a useful collection of information about terpenes and will be a help to terpene chemists, especially those working with essential oils, and taxonomists. It is timely, although its appearance coincides with Glasby's Encyclopedia of the Terpenoids, which would seem to be a rival work; there are also other works of a less comprehensive character. The literature is covered up to December, 1977; perhaps an effort should have been made to make it rather more up-to-date [in the preface it states that Dec., 1979, is the limit, but in the general remarks (p. 3 in either volume) Dec., 1977, is given}. The price is inflated, as is the case with chemistry texts generally nowadays. The work will chiefly find its way into libraries and other places where it will be available communally.It is difficult to spot errors in a work of this type since it is not read in the usual sense. However, a few have been observed. In the Table of Contents, the index pages need to be reversed (both volumes), and in Vol. II index (p. 502), the entry "butyrate" needs to be deleted. On pp. 231 (Vol. I) and 495 (Vol. II), ref. 7, the publisher, date, and place of the reviewer's text on terpenes are incorrect. One final point: it might have been better if the volume numbers in the references had been set in bold type.
