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A few recommended texts for the hobbyist, science teacher, or student:
Biochemistry & Related topics:
Lowry, O.H., et al. "Protein Measurement with the Folin Phenol Reagent." Journal of Biological Chemistry 193, 265-275 (1951).
Since this
paper is one
of the most widely-cited in all of biochemistry, it's worth tracking
down in
your nearest university library!Scopes, Robert K. Protein Purification: Principles and Practice. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1994.
Whether
your interest is
hands-on or purely academic, this book is essential for anyone
interested in
separating proteins from one another.Mineral Chemistry & Analysis
Hillebrand, William, and Lundell, G. Applied Inorganic Analysis With Special Reference to the Analysis of Metals, Minerals, and Rocks. New York: Wiley & Sons, 1929.Out of
print, and rather
expensive when it can be found, this book is an absolute classic. Very
detailed
and comprehensive, the book was originally penned by Dr. Hillebrand, a
chemist with the U.S. Bureau of
Standards. Smith, Orsino C. Identification and Qualitative Chemical Analysis of Minerals. New York, London, Princeton: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1953.
Also out
of print, this
book is excellent and probably should be reprinted by Lindsay's
Technical Books
or someone else who would appreciate this absolute gem of a text.
(However,
hobbyists can have a very difficult time obtaining the simple chemical
reagents
outlined within, thanks to our modern society's climate of fear and
liability
concerns.) Warren, Charles. Determinative Mineralogy. New York: McGraw Hill, 1921.
Another
long-out-of-print text from the days of old-time lab analysis, this
book is
worth looking for on the used market. Much of the information is also
in Orsino
Smith's later (and more comprehensive) text, but there are a few
tidbits of
info that aren't. One interesting suggestion is the separation of
pulverized,
iron-containing minerals by a variable electromagnet- at low power, the
magnetite is pulled out, then the ilmenite, and then at high enough
power
levels, even minerals such as the iron garnets will adhere. Wayland, S.F. Guide for Weekend Prospectors. Surrey, B.C.: Hancock House Publishers, Ltd., 1997
Of the
modern books,
this one has probably the best content for the beginner who's inclined
to do
his / her own mineral testing. It is fairly short (about 90 pp.) and
touches on
basic chemistry concepts but does so from a non-chemist's standpoint-
so it's
not confusing to the beginner. The author is a mineral hobbyist of over
forty
years and shares his knowledge in a pleasant, accessible manner.Mineralogy & Mineral collecting:
National Audubon Society Pocket Guide: Familiar Rocks & Minerals of North America
Pough, Frederick. A Field Guide to Rocks and Minerals. Peterson Field Guide Series, 1997 (5th ed.; earlier editions are still available from used booksellers).
This book
outlines some
of the "classic" lab and field tests for identifying minerals,
including the use of a few chemicals such as cobalt nitrate,
hydrochloric acid,
and borax. The book is useful even to advanced collectors or
professionals, yet
the information in it is accessible to beginners as well.Sinkankas, John. Field Collecting Gemstones & Minerals. Tucson, AZ: Geoscience Press, 1995.
This book
is essential
for serious field collectors. Sinkankas was one of the best-known
writers on
the subject of minerals & gems, and this book is a good example of
why. It
is available in a recent edition that you should be able to order from
any
bookstore.Sinkankas, John. Mineralogy for Amateurs. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1964.
Out of
print, but worth
tracking down a copy. In fact, every serious collector and amateur
scientist
should have this book. A revised and updated version, titled simply
Mineralogy, came out in 1986.CR Scientific Catalog
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