THE INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. FOUNDED, 1877. INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER, 1885. JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS 1926. PART VI. Issued under the supervision of the Publications Committee. RICHARD B. PILCHER, Registrar and Secretary. 30, RUSSELLSQUARE, W.C. 1.LONDON, December, 1926. Publications Committee, 1926-27 T. SLATER PRICE (Chairman) 0. G. HENDERSON (President), H. C. La BLOXAM, A. J. CHAPMAN, W. M. CUMMING, LEONARD DOBBIN, J. C. DRUMMOND, W. R. FEARON, R. H. GREAVES, C. A. F. HASTILOW, I, M. HEILBRON, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY (Treasuver), A. W. KNAPP, W. H. LEWIS, THOMAS MACARA, B. G. McLELLAN, L. G. PAUL, FRANK SOUTHERDEN. 247 Proceedings of the Council. NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1926.Death of Sir William Tilden.-The Council regret to record the death of Sir William Augustus Tilden, who was President of the Institute during the years 1891 to 1894. During his presidency the affairs of the Institute were placed on a more stable foundation. It became for the first time possessed of its own premises and laboratories, at 30, Bloomsbury Square; the scheme of training for the Associateqhip was thoroughly revised, and the basis of professional ethics in chemistry was more clearly establislied. Sir William served as a Member of Council from 1881-84, and 1885-1890; he was an Examiner from 1883-87; a Vice-President from 1894-97, 1899-1902, and 1911-14; and a Censor, from 1891-1901 , 1902-06, and 1910-13.Poisons and Pharmacy Acts.-On the 7th October the Council forwarded a Memorandum on the title "Chemist," to the Departmental committee on the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts. The Committee was also informed that the Institute would be prepared to appoint a representative to appear before: the Committee to support the views expressed in the niemo- randum and to supply further information should it be desired. The Departmental Committee, however, has expressed the desire that all evidence submitted should, for the present, be treated as confidential. The publication of the Memorandum of the JOURNAL has, therefore, been postponed, but full information will be given in due course. Sir Edward Frankland Prize and Medal.-On a sug-gestion raised by the Bristol and South-Western Counties Section, and a motion thereon submitted by Prof.E. C. C. Baly, the Council referred to the Nominations, Examinations and Institu- tions Committee, for consideration and report, a proposal to award prizes for essays by registered Students of the Institute. 248 Acting on the recommendation of the Committee the follow- ing scheme has been adopted:- I. As an inducement to registered Students to develop a sense of professional public spirit, and to devote some thought to questions of professional organisation and to the position of chemists in the life of the community, the Council will offer, annually, a Medal and Prize for the best essay not exceeding three thousand words, on a set subject of professional, as opposed to technical, or purely chemical, importance.2. Entries will be limited to registered students under the age of twenty-two years. 3, The Medal will be awarded in niemory of Sir Edward Frankland, K.C.B., D.C.L., F.R.S., first President of the Institute (1877-ISSO),and there will be, in addition, a Prize of Ten Guincas. 4. (a) Intending competitors will be required to send their essays to the Honorary Secretary of the Local Section of the district in which they reside, on or before 31st December in each year. (h) Each essay must be accompanied by a signed declara- tion that it is the independent work of the candidate. (c) The Committee of each Local Section will be asked to select, from among the essays received, not more than three considered to be most worthy of the award of the Medal and Prize. (a)The essays will be valued partly for their literary style and technique, but niainly for the thoughts and ideas contained therein.(e) The essays selected will be sent to the Council, and will be referred to Assessors appointed by the Council. (I)On receiving the report of the Assessors, the Council will decide whether an award be made. 5. The Medal and Prize will be presented to the successful candidate, by the President of the Institute, at the Annual General Meeting, or by the Chairman of the Local Section to which the successful candidate belongs, at a meeting of the Section. Further arrangements will be aniiounced in due course.249 Substitutes for Ethyl Alcohol.-In Part V of the Journal, particulars were given of the Memorandum received from Messrs. J. W. Blagden, Oliver Chick, Bernard F. Howard and S. Gordon Liversedge, which was forwarded by the Legal and Parliamentary Committee of the Institute to the Inter- Departmental Committee on Substitutes for Ethyl Alcohol, together with a statement to the effect that the Institute, as a general principle, favoured the unrestricted use of duty free solvents for industrial purposes. In response to an invitation from the Inter-Departmental Committee, the Council appointed Mr. E. Richards Bolton, Vice-president, to give evidence on the matter. Mr. Bolton attended before the Committee on Thursday, the 25th November.Lecture.-Mr. A. Chaston Chapman, Past President, has kindly consented to give a lccture before the Institute in March next when he will deal with the general progress of the profession of chemistry during the past fifty years. Further particulars will be issued in due course. Factory and Workshop Act.-Information was recently received that a Borough Council had demanded the right to inspect a private house where a member of the Institute had a small chemical laboratory exclusively for his own use, without assistants, and in which no form of manufacture was conducted. An enquiry was, therefore, addressed to the Home Office, as to whether a local authority had any such right and, particularly, whether a laboratory for professional practice of chemistry was regarded as a factory. In reply, the Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories stated that such a chemical laboratory as that described would not come within the scope of the Factory and Workshop Act.Appointments.-The Chemical Warfare Research Depart- ment recently advertised for an engineer with works experience for chemical plant design, erection and maintenance. The candidate was required to have University or similar training and it was stated that preference would be given to ex-Service men. The salary advertised for the position was only @65, which appeared to be absurdly inadequate fof the services expected. An enquiry was, therefore, addressed to the Department; but a reply was received confirming the amount, though expressing doubt 250 whether the type of man required would be obtained for the remuneration stated, in which case the question of an increased rate would have to be considered.A further letter was addressed to the Department expressing surprise at the offer of a salary which would not in ordinary circumstances attract a man competent for the design and erection of plant and for the responsibilities attached to such work. It would seem that the committee hoped to take ad- vantage of the present industrial depression, as the result of which a good man temporarily out of work might be disposed to accept an appointment at a salary far below his real market value. It was pointed out, moreover, that such conditions as those proposed could only result in disappointment in the long run, because any such man would grasp the first opportunity of obtaining an appointment elsewhere, and that would obviously not be in the best interests of the Department.In this connection, it was also mentioned that foremen of chemical works frequently earn more than k5 per week, and it might very well happen that the Department would be employing workmen whose wages would come to more than the pay of the man who was directing them, since chemical plumbers and lead burners, for example, earn 2s. 6d. an hour on a forty- eight hour week. The Council of the Institute trust that although representa- tions of this kind do not always immediately produce the results hoped for, yet in the course of time the authorities concerned will have regard to the danger of a cheese-paring policy where scientific work of vital importance and of highly responsible character is involved.British E n gin eering Standard s Asso c i ation .-Mr . Ronald George Browning has been appointed representative of the Institute on the Aircraft Dope Ingredients Panel of the British Engineering Standards Association in the place of Dr. 0. L. Brady who has retired from the panel owing to pressure of other duties. Local Sections.-The Council has received a letter from the Manchester Section recommending that manuscripts of lectures delivered before Local Sections should be kept in the Library of the Institute, and be available for perusal by 251 Fellows and Associates, and that lists of such manuscripts should appear periodically in the Journal with a short synopsis of the contents. The matter having been referred to the Publications Com- mittee, the Council has decided, on receiving a report from that Committee, that, if any Section considers a paper of sufficient merit and interest to be filed at the Institute, the necessary space will be provided on the condition that the Section supplies a short synopsis of the paper, which, if it is approved by the Publications Committee, shall be published in the Journal.The Council realises, however, that it may not always be possible to make it a condition that a lecturer should provide and deposit a copy of his paper. Election of Council.-On a suggestion from the North- East Coast Executive Committee, consisting of representatives of Leeds, Huddersfield, and the North-East Coast Sections, the Council has referred to the -consideration of the Local Sections a proposal to the effect that the Council be asked to reconsider the advisability of electing its members by districts alone.The Committee also suggested that it would be desirable that the Council should consider the advisability of altering the regula- tions governing the composition of the Council so that it might include Associates. The Council has replied, however, that the latter proposition wmld be contrary to the constitution of the Institute. Council Attendances-A record of the attendances of Officers and Members of Council at meetings held during the present session is given on page 307.New Zealand.-The Council has sanctioned the formation of a local section for the Dominion of New Zealand. The chairman of the section is Prof. T. H. Easterfield, the committee consists of-Prof. T. H. Easterfield, Messrs. B. C. Aston, T. A. Glendinning and J. Sword with Mr. W. Rest Mummery as Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. W. Donovan has been appointed Hon. Auditor. 262 Local Sections. Belfast.-A meeting of the Section was held in the Chemistry Department of Queen’s University, on 27th October, when Dr. W. H. Gibson read a paper on “Some Difficulties in the Applica- tion of Science to Industry.’’ Dr. Gibson said that a young chemist on entering industry frequently found himself unhappy because he was in a strange land and it took him some time to become acclimatised to his new surroundings, conditions and difficulties which were not merely of a technical nature.He had generally been brought up in an atmosphere of pure chemistry and found it difficult not merely to appreciate industrial chemical problems but also to realise exactly the requirements of the management. The em- ployer, usually untrained in scientific matters ,failed to appreciate the chemist’s point of view. Dr. Gibson advised any chemist entering industry to look at his work from an industrial point of view and not from that of pure science: to realise ‘that the business man had only one object, which was to make a success of the business.In the course of time business men would gradually acquire the scientific attitude of mind because in the face of severe competition industry must of necessity be con- ducted on more scientific lines, and as a consequence the relation- ship between the employer and employed would become easier. The raw recruit to industry should not rate recent discoveries too highly from the business point of view. These were not generally or largely used. It was of the utmost importance that he should make sure of the fundamental principles of his subject and be able to apply them to the problems with which he was confronted. He should not be always striving after novelty but should make use of well-tried and reliable methods.Dr. Gibson said that he realised that the Universities gave a thorough training in pure science without special reference to industry, but he suggested that some stress should be laid on commercial problems. He thought that the courses of the technical colleges were often defective, largely because the right type of 253 teacher could not be obtained for the work, since those who were thoroughly versed in the requisite knowledge were paid better in industry than by the educational authorities. It was the business of the scientist in industry, just as it was the business of the manufacturer, to study the needs and requirements of the public. An interesting discussion followed on some of the points raised by Dr. Gibson who received a cordial vote of thanks. On the 23rd November, the Section was visited by the Pre- sident, who was entertained to dinner at Thompson’s Restaurant.Dr. Gibson presided, and a number of distinguished guests, includ- ing representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Education, were present. On the evening of the 24th November, the President gave a public lecture on “The Chemist and the Community” in the Belfast Municipal College of Technology. Dr. Gibson, who presided, explained that the Institute was a professional body which was concerned with the interests of chemists who looked to it as guide, philosopher and friend. The Belfast Section was an offshoot from the parent body devoted to the interests of chemists residing in the Belfast district. In the course of his address, Prof.Henderson deplored the indifference of the community towards science and particularly towards chemistry. The future progress and prosperity of industries depended upon the appreciation of the results of scientific research, and the utilisation of the services of scientific men. The majority of ordinary citizens were unaware of the far-reaching effects of chemistry upon the welfare of the com- munity. The science had a direct bearing on the daily life of the people in respect of fundamental things such as food, water, air, light and heating. After referring to the various food adulteration Acts passed to protect the public, he said that the chemist played an important part in safeguarding the health of the nation.He put before them two propositions:-First, that the import- ance of the services which the chemist renders to the community could hardly be exaggerated; and, second, that the great majority of their fellow-citizens were pathetically ignorant of the part which the chemist played in promoting the welfare of the com- munity, and in ameliorating existing conditions. Without the profession of chemistry the future of the country would be in danger. 254 The business of the Government could not be carried out efficiently without the aid of the chemist: practically all Govern- ment departments found it necessary to employ members of their profession. They were employed in the fighting forces, in the departments of industry and manufacture, and in the Govern- ment laboratories.They played an important part at the British Museum and also at the Imperial Institute, where information and advice on industrial development and tropical agriculture were given. Prof, Henderson mentioned the services rendered by members of the profession to county and municipal authorities, drainage boards, &c; and repeated the statement that the assistance of the chemist was essential in the discharge of local, as well as imperial, government, for the safe-guarding of public health, and in the vital matter of preventing the adulteration of food. He laid emphasis on the manner in which chemists services were utilised in agriculture and productive industries.When they considered what the chemist was doing in all these matters, and further the dependence the engineer had on the chemist for the investigation of the most suitable materials for the manufacture of ships, motor cars, aeroplanes, &c., and of the fuels most suitable for such, from the power and economic points of view, he thought it would be agreed that the chemist had not yet reached the status to which his profession was entitled. Chemists must form themselves into a united body which could speak with authority for the profession, and then aim at educating the public as to the value of their work, and its wide- spread importance in the affairs of the world. Such an organisa- tion, they already possessed in the Institute of Chemistry, which represented to-day the great majority of the qualified chemists in the country.The proceedings concluded with a cordial vote of thanks to the President. Birmingham and Midlands.-The Annual General Meeting of the Section was held at the White Horse Hotel, Birmingham, on 24th November. Prof. A. R. Ling in the Chair. The accounts for the past session were presented and adopted, and the Officers and Committee for the current session were elected. The Chairman delivered an address on “Chemistry as a Career.” 255 After referring to the foundation of the Chemical Society, the Pharmaceutical Society and the Institute and to their various objects and functions, Prof. Ling said that at the time the Institute was founded, Chemistry was unrecognised as a pro- fession in this country, Many of the Public Analysts’ appoint- ments which existed were held by medical practitioners with oiily a smattering of chemical knowledge, who sometimes served in the dual capacity of Public Analyst and Medical Officer of Health.It was also a rare thing for a factory to employ a chemist to control the processes carried out. The Pharmacist at the time the Institute was founded had appropriated the title Chemist, and medical men occupied some of the official positions which should properly have been held by professional chemists. The position was outlined most lucidly by the late Dr. Alder Wright in an article published in the Chemical News in 1876. It was there shown that, in the absence of organisation and without due recognition by the public of the existence of the profession of chemistry, the work of the chemist was commonly shared by medical men, engineers, and others, many of whom had little or no qualifaction for such practice.There was a general feeling that unless some steps were taken to ensure the proper training of professional chemists, their calling would be reduced speedily to a low standing in the public estimation; few men of culture would follow it, and the progress of chemical science would be thereby retarded. Most, if not all these evils had been corrected by the Institute, and when it was stated, as it sometimes was, that the Institute had done little to help the profession, he suggested that those who made such a statement should cast a retrospective glance into the early days when the Institute was first incorporated.Chemists were now recognised as belonging to one of the learned professions by the better informed of the public and also by the Government. This recognition was tardy in coming about but it was a con-summation brought about entirely through the influence of the Institute. The Institute, through its Council and its censors had raised the status of the profession and established a code of professional ethics which did not exist before its foundation. The Institute had aiso exerted a profound influence on the education and training of chemists. It was the first body to establish a scheme of practical examinations which was as near perfection as possible.The student instead of relying entirely on his memory was put in the same position as a qualified 256 chemist in practice to whom a problem was submitted for solution. He was allowed free access to books, periodicals and apparatus required for the solution of the problems submitted to him, and aU these could be obtained by him by asking for them. It was gratifying, therefore, that the principle of the Institute’s examination came nearer to the ideal as a test than that of any of the University examinations which were previously in vogue, and it was a significant fact that most, if not all of the Universi- ties had remodelled their examinations on the same plan.Before a young chemist could start on his career he had to be trained. The applications of chemistry were very wide and there should be plenty of scope for young chemists to obtain employment if they were trained in such a manner as to fit them for the positions awaiting them. It was necessary that the student before he entered the University or College should have received a sound education in the ordinary elementary subjects. Schoolmasters aimed at teaching science and as a rule taught it on didactic lines- as if our knowledge of any branch of science were complete -instead of encouraging their students to think and reason. The consequence of this was that some students who came to the Universities-even those, in some cases, with the Higher School Certificate-had the conceit of ignorance and had to be un-taught what science they had been taught at school.The chemistry student might take up, as his career, pure science in which he would devote himself specially to academic studies, or he might take up one of the numerous branches of applied chemistry, such as analytical chemistry, applied inorganic and physical chemistry, organic chemistry including the manufacture of synthetic chemicals and dyes, public health, food and drugs, agriculture, fermentation, biochemistry, etc. But whatever branch he adopted, a sound training in pure chemistry, physics and mathematics was necessary. In the University of Birmingham a student who entered his studies with a definite object-let us say to bccome a biochemist-was required, after passing the matriculation examination, to take chemistry as principalsubject, with physics and some other branch of science as subsidiary subjects.The chcmistry course included a thorough training in inorganic, physical and organic chemistry, and it extended over three years, or two years if the student entered with the Higher School Certificate. He could then proceed to the ordinary degree of B.Sc. In the majority 267 of cases he did not stop at that, but without taking the ordinary degree-merely qualifying for it-entered the Honours School in one of the departments. In the Honours year he received instruction in methods which would prepare him to carry out original research, and having completed this and satisfied the examiners, he was awarded the degree of BSc., with Honours in Class I, 11, or 111.After this stage there were no more examinations. Should a student proceed to higher degrees, the test imposed was the quality and quantity of the research work he had performed under the guidance of his teachers. In his (Prof. Ling’s) opinion-which was shared by all his colleagues in the University-a student should be compelled to read throughout the whole of his training. The plan, formerly in vogue, of advising students to regard their lectures as text- books, was deprecated. Lectures should be merely guides to reading. They should give in succinct terms the main points of the subject matter, leaving the details to be acquired by reading.Advanced students should be advised to consult original papers rather than textbooks, although at the present time some excellent books of the latter class were published which, unlike those of former years, did not pretend to be more than indexes to original literature, to which they gave copious refer- ences. In all branches of chemistry, analysis was of fundamental importance, and the consulting and analytical chemist of to-day was one who should have received a thorough training in analyti- cal technique in addition to having acquired a sound knowledge of scientific principles. A student trained in analytical chemistry should be able to devise methods of analysis to meet his require- ments and to solve the problems submitted to him.In former years the so-called analyst was little better than an empiricist. Nowadays, however, thanks to the training afforded by our Universities and Science Colleges, he was a highly trained scientific man, and this change was largely due to the Institute. A young chemist who had been well grounded in the principles of the science would do well in all cases to study routine com- mercial analysis, not, however, as some people imagine on lines in which accuracy was sacrificed to speed. Indeed, in com-mercial work the highest accuracy was called for. The student who had learnt how to carry out single determinations must be taught to perform, with equal accuracy, the analysis of a dozen or 258 more samples at one and the same time.Even those who intended pursuing an academic career would do well to acquire a certain amount of practice in routine methods of analysis. The chemist attached to modern industries required not only a sound knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics, but also some acquaintance with engineering. For some years it had been the fashion to plead for the training of a specialist who had been termed a chemical engineer. Personally he (Prof. Ling) felt that to devote more than a very limited portion of his train- ing to engineering might prove waste of time to the chemist. He should undoubtedly be acquainted with the principles of steam raising and generally be able to appreciate the difference between work in the factory and in the laboratory, but beyond these he would readily acquire that special engineering knowledge which was needful to him in the factory itself.The aim of the industrial chemist should be to free himself as soon as possible from the trammels of routine analysis and to prove his value to his employer as a research worker, with the ultimate object of becoming a works manager. Some might think that such a position could only be held by an engineer. Numerous cases could be mentioned in which men, trained in the first place as chemists, occupied positions as works managers, having ac-quired the necessary engineering knowledge and experience for such posts. Indeed, chemists could say without any egotism that an engineer could be made of a chemist, but that the con- verse was a very different if not an impossible operation.This was because chemistry and physics were fundamental branches of scientific knowledge. Among the careers open to chemists most of those of which he could claim a knowledge were concerned with some branch of organic chemistry. He would not venture to express views on the preparation and manufacture of fine chemicals and the various industries in which synthetical methods played a part, but he had given special attention to bio-chemical processes- more especially those connected with food and drugs, sugar, fermentation, general plant biochemistry, and bacteriology. Each of these furnished an avenue for study in the Honours’ School or for post-graduate research.The importance of the study of food and drugs was such that it offered an increasing number of positions both at home and in various parts of the Empire to chemists who had received the necessary training. Among these positions might be mentioned those of the public 259 analyst and the agricultural chemist, and those connected with the manufacture of foods and of pharmaceutical products. The sugar industry, which was now establislietl in this country, offered positions which might be regarded as stepping stones to positions concerned with research and factory control and management. A knowledge of physical, iiiorganic and organic chemistry as well as of the subsidiary subjects of engineering, agriculture and bacteriology, was required.The sugar factory was so much concerned with engineering, that that subject might almost be regarded as of primary importance, and students who intended taking up the manufacture of sugar as their career, certainly required more training in engineering than those attached to most other branches of manufacture. The fermentation industries in their wider sense offered a great prospect for a young chemist. Not only was there scope in the great industries of malting, brewing and the distillation of potable alcohol, but even more in the manufacture of industrial alcohol and power alcohol which sooner or later must take the place to a large extent of petrol. With regard to the raw materials from which alcohol could be obtained by fermentation, the British Empire furnished limitless sources and even in this country there were possibilities of utilising for this purpose materials which were now counted as waste.But fermentation by yeast was not the only type of fermentation which offered practical possibilities. There were certain forms of bacteria which were likely to be harnessed in the future for the fermenta- tion of cellulose and other polysaccharic es. In connection with fermentation he mentioned the direct conversion of starch into alcohol by the so-called amylo process which consisted of a symbiotic fermentation with a variety of mould belonging to the ~UCOYiamily, and the so-called Chinese yeast, developed in France by Professor Calmette. Surely the time had arrived for the successful working of the many processes of making alcohol by fermentation from some product, waste or otherwise, eniana- ting from plant life.Fermentation played an important role in many other processes such as the curing of tobacco, and the maturing of the tea leaf. In this latter connection, he referred to the fact that three past students of Birmingham University held responsible positions with the Tea Associations in India where they were carrying out research work for tea growers. It would seem that many of the distinctive flavours of tea were to be ascribed 260 to fermentation by different yeasts indigenous to the leaf. Ferrnentation also played an important part in the manufacture of cocoa and chocolate from the cacao bean. The resources of the British Empire in plant products, which at the present time remained uninvestigated, offered possibilities for the employment of chemists who were properly trained for attacking the problems presented.Further, in many cases products of vegetable origin were imported into this country from many parts of the Empire where they were obtained by barter with the natives. In other words, they were derived from wild crops which sooner or later must be exhausted. This state of affairs was to be compared with living on capital, and it would seem that the time had arrived when trees and other vegetable growths should be systematically cultivated just as the rubber trees had been cultivated successfully in the plantations of the Malay Peninsula.In conclusion, Prof. Ling emphasised that the profession of chemistry demanded a high standard of general education : this could not be too strongly brought to the notice of parents who wished their sons to enter it as a career. Such education should include at least one foreign language, preferably German, whilst a knowledge of Latin would help the student to write and think clearly. The study of scientific subjects was not so necessary during the period the student was at school and was best left to University teachers. On entering the University the student should not attempt to specialise, but should spend his time, up to the pass degree stage, practically entirely in pure science.He would then have a sufficient insight into the science to be able to judge which of its departments to choose for his career. Bristol and South Western Counties.-On 8th November, the Section met at the University of Bristol, and the Registrar gave his lecture on “Alchemists and Chemists in Art and Literature,” illustrated by lantern slides. Sir Ernest Cook presided. The lecture was also given in the Chemical Department of the University College of the South-West of England, Exeter, on 9th November, when, in addition to the students, a considerable number of members from the neighbourhood attended. Mr. Frank Southerden has been nominated for re-election as District Member of Council. 261 The next meeting of the Section will be held on the 19th January, at 7.30 p.m., in the Chemical Department of the University of Bristol, when a paper on “Researches on the Nutrition of Fruit Trees,” illustrated by lantern slides will be given by Mr.T. Wallace. Cape.-On 22nd October the Section met in the Physico- Chemical Laboratories of the University of Cape Town, Prof. J. Smeath Thomas, Chairman of the Section, presiding. The financial statement for the year was received and adopted. The Secretary announced that Mr. Croghan had been appointed to represent the Section on the South African National Commit- tee of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Prof. J. Smeath Thomas gave an address on “The Spectro- scope and its Applications in Industry.” After pointing out that the function of the spectroscope was primarily to analyse the radiations emitted by any source of radiant energy, Prof.Smeath Thomas dealt with the measurement of radiation. The length of the spectrum capable of being seen by the human eye extended from 3,900 to 7,600 Angstrom units. A very much wider range, however, could be photographed. Attention had in the past been principally focussed upon the short wave radiations, chiefly because of the study of X-rays and because of the development of modern theories of atoms and crystal structure. Comparatively little was known of the infra-red region, but he felt that when this had been more fully investi- gated it might rival the short wave region in importance. Beyond the infra-red region there were still longer waves measurable in metres.These, however, were outside the scope of spectro- scopy. The two instruments principally employed in industry for spectroscopic measurement were the spectrometer and the spectrograph. Prof. Smeath Thomas exhibited types of these instruments and explained their construction. One type of spectrometer was particularly useful in the dyeing industry : with this, the purity of a dye could be tested, and even the quan- tities of impurities present could be determined. In the glass industry these instruments were in use every day and they were also used in connection with lighting problems, and in the iron and steel industries. Greater sensitiveness was obtained with the spectrograph, and when the optical parts of the instrument were constructed of quartz a very much wider range of the spectrum could be investigated.Spectrographs were extensively used in testing all kinds of materials, e.g. minerals and soils, al- kaloids, water, etc. In dealing with the application of the spectroscope in metal- lurgy, Prof. Smeath Thomas explained the method adopted for comparing the spectra of pure metals with those of metals whose purity it was desired to check. It was extremely useful in detecting the presence of small traces of impurities. The presence of very small quantities of metals in explosives might be extremely dangerous. One ten-millionth part of a gramme of mercury in an explosive could be determined spectroscopically. In conclusion, the lecturer gave an illustration of the quantita- tive use of absorption spectra; by this means the quantity of nitrogen peroxide formed during the decomposition of explosives in moist air had been found to be far greater than had been previously imagined.Mr. E. H. Croghan proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Prof. Smeath Thomas for his most interesting lecture. Prof. Newbery, in seconding, referred to the use of the spec- troscope for estimating organic acids by means of absorption bands. Mr. P. L. Malan also mentioned instances of the extreme delicacy of spectroscopic tests. Prof. Smeath Thomas in reply warned his audience that there was a tendency to over-estimate the possibilities of identification of substances from absorption bands.He had in his laboratory one of the largest quartz spectro- graphs and he would be glad to give a demonstration to any member who cared to see it. Edinburgh and East of Scotland.-A Special Meeting was held in the North British Station Hotel, Edinburgh, on zIst October, when the statement of the Special Committee on Regis- tration was considered. Dr. J. F. Tocher presided and in opening the proceedings referred to the question of a statutory title and the possibility of some compromise being ultimately arrived at with the phar- maceutical profession. Mr. John Hanley, Hon. Secretary to the Liverpool and North- Western Section, in response to an invitation from the chair, dealt with the discussions upon Registration, which had taken 263 place in his locality, and, in conjunction with those of the Man- Chester Section, had led to the preparation of the statement laid before the Special Committee.He said that opinions were divided, and whilst some members desired to restrict the profession others would like to have a closer relationship with their friends in other Societies. A lively discussion followed and the debate covered a wide field, but no point was raised which had not been dealt with to some extent by the Special Committee. Most of the speakers proved to be in favour of definitely restricting registration authority to the Institute and a motion to this effect was adopted. On a further motion the meeting expressed the view that it would be in the interests of the Institute to seek an amendment of the PharmacyAct,1868,to make it clear that the title “chemist” was not restricted to pharmacists ;so that those withqualifications such as the Fellowship and Associateship of the Institute could legally be described as chemists.Thc meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Mr. Hanley for at tending. The first Ordinary Meeting of the new session was held jointly with the Society of Chemical Industry in the Pharmaceu- tical Hall, Edinburgh, on 26th October. Mr. W. A. Williams gave his Inaugural Address as Chairman of the Local Section of the Society of Chemical Industry. Dealing with “Costs in Industry” Mr. Williams paid attention especially to the questions of labour and power, and referred to his own experience and to the methods adopted in order to obtain the maximum efficiency from workers and plant.In the discussion a number of those present spoke in apprecia- tion of the address and Mr. Williams replied to questions. The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Williams. Glasgow and West of Scotland.-The Annual General Meeting of the Section was held at the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders on the 29th October, Prof. Forsyth J. Wilson in the chair. The Honorary Secretary, Dr. Cumming, reported on the proceedings of the Section during the past 12 months, mentioning that six meetings had been held, most of them jointly with the Local Section of the Society of Chemical Industry, and submitting an encouraging report on the work of the Sub- committee on Publicity.Twenty-four articles had been pub-lished in the Glasgow Herald and about fifty short articles and answers to queries in the Evening Times. 264 The thanks of the Sub-committee were due, he said, to Sir Robert Bruce, the Editor of the Glasgow Herald, to Mr. Davidson of the Evening Times, and to all who had contribute3 articles, The articles contributed to the Glasgow Herald were :-Author. Title. Dr. R. Burns A Cup of Tea. Prof. R. M. Caven Elements and Compounds. How Atoms Hold Together. The Air of a City. Mr. W. H. Coleman The Motor Industry. The Alcohol Problem. Dr. J.A. Cranston Matter and Energy (2 articles). Dr. A. B. Crawford Electric Incandescent Lamps (2 articles).Dr. W. M. Cumming Motor Industry and Research. The Alkaloids. Congress of Chemists. Dr. W. B. Davidson Gaseous Fuels. Prof. D. Ellis Ferments and their Work. Edible Oils and Fats. Colour in Food. Dr. G. S. Ferrier Matter in t.he Wrong Place. Dr. J.D. Fulton The Relation of Chemistry to Pharmocology. The Proteins. Mr. J. W. Hawley The Microscope. The Polarimeter. Mr. J. Henderson My Lady’s Gems. Dr. I. V. Hopper British Chemical Industry (2 art icles). Mr. A. Kent The Picaresque in Alchemy (2 articles). Dr. J. Knox The Chemist in Industry. Dr. E. C. Pickering Precious Stones. Dr. C. Smith The Application of Colloids. Dr. J. Sword Essential Oils (2 articles). Dr. S. H. Tucker Benzene.Benzene Inside. Prof. F. J. Wilson Colours and Perfumes of Plants. The fifth Ramsay Dinner was held-under the joint auspices of the Local Sections of the Institute, the Society of Chemical Industry, and the Society of Dyers and Colourists, together with the Glasgow University Alchemists’ Club, the Andersonian Chemical Society, and the Ardeer Chemical Club-in the Gros- venor Restaurant, on 9th December. Sir Donald MacAlister, Bart., Principal of the University of Glasgow, presided over a company numbering about 250, including ladies. After the loyal toasts had been received, Sir Gregory Foster proposed the toast of “Sir William Ramsay and his profession.” 265 He said it had been his privilege to know Sir William Ramsay for nearly 30 years.He was an undergraduate when Ramsay was elected to the Chair of Chemistry at University College, London. He remembered the advent of the new professor with peculiar vividness. A week or two after the opening of his first session Prof. Ramsay came to a students’ social gathering. There was an awkward pause, until the professor sat down at the piano and played a tune to a whistling accompaniment (laughter). The incident illustrated his faculty for winning the hearts of his associates (applause). Later, said sir^ Gregory Foster, he had served for many years under Sir William at University College, and knew him as a wonderful and inspiring teacher. There was no need to tell to-day how he had rapidy built up in London a brilliant school of chemistry, or to dwell upon his scientific research work, the value of which had been recognised by the award of a Nobel Prize.When Sir William came to London the University was nothing but an examining board. He was one of the leading spirits in bringing about a transformation, which had elevated the University of London into an organisation to unite the various colleges existing in the metropolis. Sir William had been instrumental, among others, in convincing government of the country that university education was worthy of the financial support of the State. Two years after he had come to London the first small government grant for university education was given. No one had had a more remarkable memorial than that represented by the Ramsay Fellowship.From every part of the world contributions had been made to that scheme, and an endowment had been raised for a chair that was to express the aspirations of the great scientist, the Chair of Chemical Engineering (applause). Prof. G. G. Henderson, President of the Institute, in reply, having mentioned that he began his studies in chemistry in the last year that Sir William Ramsay was at the University of Glasgow, dealt with the importance of the services which the chemist rendered to the community, following the lines of his address at Belfast (p. 252). Mr. Archibald Crawford, K.C., proposed “The City of Glasgow.” The Lord Provost (Mr. David Mason), in reply, referred to the many directions in which municipal service was now aided by the work of the chemist.Mr. M’illiam Rintoul proposed “The Guests,” and Mr. Francis H. Carr, President of the Society of Chemical Industry, replied. The company afterwards engaged in dancing till midnight. 266 The Section has appointed a Registration Committee :-I. To enquire into the statements that : compulsory Registra- tion is at present impossible ; voluntary Registration would serve no useful purpose; Registration, so far as this question had been as yet outlined, is impracticable. 2. To report if Registration is at all desirable. 3. To examine and to report on a scheme which Dr. Gordon has suggested for increasing the scope and influence of the Institute. 4. To consider the formation of a third grade of Institute membership.Huddersfie1d.-The Annual General Meeting of the Section was held at the Queen Hotel, on the 15th October, Dr. H. H. Hodgson in the chair. The accounts for the past session were received and adopted, and a donation was voted to the Benevolent Fund of the Institute out of the balance of unofficial funds. It was decided to suspend for one year the Local Section subscription. Mr. H. W. Moss was elected Honorary Auditor, and Mr. A. 0. Jones was elected to the Committee in the place of Mr. J. H. Wilson who retired after several years’ service. A discussion ensued on the subject of Registration, but no definite suggestions were put forward for transmission to the Council. The following points were raised :-That if ultimately steps are taken to attain a statutory title, a Voluntary Register would be almost a necessity as a nucleus on which to base a request for legislation. That whatever protection is at present afforded the public by chemists would be considerably enhanced by Registration, in that a “Registered Chemist ” could be bound to an undertaking not to indulge in any fraudulent practice nor to condone such on the part of his employer.These points expressed the feelings of the meeting although no vote was taken. Future arrangements include: a paper by Prof. R. Robinson on “Electronic Displacement Theories in Organic Chemistry,” on a date to be fixed in January, 1927;a paper on “Transmission of Reactivity in Molecules,” by Prof.C. K. Ingold, on the 9th February; and a paper on a political topic to be introduced by Prof. Heilbron, on the 11th March. Irish Free State-The Annual General Meeting of the Section was held on 24th November, in Trinity College, Dublin, Prof. W. E. Adeney presiding. The reports of the Secretary and Treasurer were received and adopted and the Committee was re-elected as follows:-Prof. W. E. Adeney, Mr. B. G. Fagan, Dr. A. G. G. Leonard, Dr. J. H. Millar, Mr. A. O’Farrelly, Mr. J. W. Parkes and Prof. S. Young. Messrs. G. Brownlee and P. O’Callaghan were re-elected Honorary Auditors. After the meeting, Mr. John Hanley, of Liverpool, gave an exhibition of lantern slides illustrating the processes and types of machines employed in oil milling and extraction.A short discussion followed and the meeting terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Hanley. Leeds Area.-The Annual General Meeting was held in the Great Northern Hotel, Leeds, on 1st November. Mr. J. T. Thompson took the Chair in the absence of Professor J. W. Cobb. The Treasurer’s report was read and approved. Messrs. W. McD. Mackey, A. H. Clucas, G. Hagues and A. Jaffe were elected to fill vacancies on the Committee. Messrs. R. Gawler and J. Firth were elected auditors. Mr. H. J. Hodsman, M.B.E., MSc., F.I.C., was appointed Honorary Secretary in place of Dr. R. B. Forster. Dr. L. L. Lloyd (Bradford) opened a discussion on “The Training of a Textile Chemist.” He favoured a course of training covering four years, which included the principles of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.He deprecated the insistence on memorising extreme detail in any of these branches which the examination system and present curricula seemed to exact. The cultivation of powers of observation was, in his opinion, more important. A certain knowledge of colour chemistry, of the processes of textile manufacture and of engineering was necessary. Bacteriology had its bearing on the detection and avoidance of some types of faults. The refinement of textile manufacture called for increasing control on the part of the chemist. An acquaintance with one or two foreign languages was desirable,. and more attention needed to be paid to the economic side of industry.The discussion ranged round the time for training. Dr. Lloyd’s opinion that four years should suffice for thp normal case found favour, and there was agreement that the memorising of detail for examination purposes should be reduced in favour of training 268 in observation. The cultivation of personality was advocated. The chemist had often of necessity to concentrate on the minutiae of experimental technique, which hindered his acquiring experi- ence of men and of affairs. Young chemists were advised to use what means were available to them to overcome this disability, which was often shown, as one speaker stated, in the lamentable way in which so many men drafted applications for appointments. Dr. Lloyd’s paper was the first of a series, covering various industries, which is being arranged by the Section, which should be valuable to Associates and Students, as indicating the scope of the chemist in various indiistries, as well as enabling them to benefit by the experience of the older members. Prof.Cobb will read a paper on “The Training of the Fuel Chemist,” on 24th January, and Mr. B. G. McLellan a paper on “The Work of the Chemist in the Food Industry,” on 14th February. On 3rd December, in the Great Northern Hotel, Leeds, a “Chemists’” dinner was held for the first time in this district. It was jointly arranged by the Leeds Area Section of the Institute and the Yorkshire Section of the Society of Chemical Industry. Nearly 80 guests, including ladies, were present.The Chairmen of the two Sections, Prof. J. W. Cobb and Mr. B. A. Burrell presided jointly, and the President of the Institute attended as guest. Mr. Burrell, in proposing the toast of “Our Profession,” alluded to the need for perfecting our organisations so as to restrain those who indulge in unscrupulous and unprofessional practices, which bring loss and deception to the general public. Prof. Cobb, in supporting the toast, contrasted the service rendered by chemistry to industry, to medicine, etc., with the inadequate recognition on the part of the general public. The President, Prof. Henderson, spoke of the desirability of unifying the profession and the good which would accrue to joint social meetings. He stressed the importance of educating the general public in the matter, advocating for the purpose the more extensive use of the Press and the opportunities presented by Broadcasting.The success of the venture encourages the idea of making this an annual event in the district. Liverpool and North-Western.-A meeting of the Section was held on the 14th October, Mr. Alfred Smetham in the Chair. 269 Prof. Roberts having explained a new scheme for housing the Scientific Societies in Liverpool in the Liberty Building, the matter was referred to the Publicity Department of the Section, Dr. R. A. Morton then gave an account of the discussion on the subject of Registration of Chemists by the Manchester Section, and was thanked for his report. Mr.Bennett expressed disappointment with the statement on the subject which had appeared in the Journal of the Institute: it consisted only of the views of the Liverpool and Manchester Sections and the views of the Council. Mr. Hanley thought that if that was a correct description, the account should be adjudged satisfactory as a comprehensive statement of the views expressed up to the present. Mr. Bennett said that a suggestion had been thrown out at Manchester that the Registers of the Institute and of other chemical bodies should be bound in one volume, to constitute a Register of Chemists. The situation had not been eased by the Registrar’s statement at a dinner held by the British Association of Chemists that the Institute only could deal with the question of Registration.Prof. Roberts suggested that that was a statement of the powers vested in the Institute by the Charter. Mr. Hanley thought that the Registrar’s utterance was not to be interpreted as raising difficulties but as a statement of the position which had to be faced in dealing with the subject. Mr. Lunt referred to Prof. Roberts’ proposals regarding a General Chemical Council and the public benefit which would accrue therefrom. It was resolved that Prof. Heilbron be asked to represent the Section at the meeting to be held in Edinburgh for the discussion of this subject; that failing Prof. Heilbron, Mr. H. J. Evans be asked, and failing him, the Honorary Secretary. Mr. Bennett thought that the representatives of the Liverpool Section who were members of the Registration Committee should have been specially invited to be present when the subject was being discussed, and that pressure should be exerted to secure better attendance.He would be interested to know what other chemical societies thought of Registration. It was decided that Prof. Heilbron and Mr. Evans be asked to represent the Section on the Joint Committee with the Man- Chester Section which was to be appointed to prepare a statement 270 showing the ground for the contention that registration was in the publicinterest, and that they should have power to co-opt other members. Dr. Morton proposed that in future notices of discussions, members should be invited to send their views in writing if they were unable to attend.Mr. Bennett asked what was the feeling in Manchester regarding the third grade. Dr. Morton replied that it did not appear to be well defined; but the members seemed to realise how difficult the problem was. It seemed to be held that the registering body should be an independent one. Mr. Bennett suggested that the “B” qualification of the British Association of Chemists might be regarded as the minimum standard of the third grade. The Section considered the question of the local subscription and came to the conclusion that it should be discontinued. If the Institute’s subsidy were found insufficient for the needs of the Section, a hospitality fund could be founded. The Secretary distributed tickets for the Hurter Memorial Lecture and stated that he had for disposal tickets for the cinema exhibition of scientific films organised by the Learned Societies in Liverpool and district.At the Annual General Meeting of the Section held on 11th November at St. Georges Restaurant, Redcross Street, the committee for the present session was appointed. Prof. I. M. Heilbron was elected Chairman. Four new members, Messrs. Bennett, Hilditch, Rideout and Turnbull were elected to take the place of the retiring members. It was agreed that the offices of Secretary and Treasurer be separated, Prof. W. H. Roberts being appointed Treasurer. The Secretary and Assistant Secretary were re-appointed and Messrs. Hardwick and Knowles were appointed as Auditors.Dr. Tate was re-appointed representative for the Benevolent Fund. A resolution was carried that the Section subscription be abolished. A proposal was submitted that the subscriptions should be diverted to the Benevolent Fund, and Prof. I. M. Heilbron was apppointed as a collector for that fund. An appeal was made for contributions to secure the Old Blue Coat School for housing the scientific societies of Liverpool. Dr. Morton invited further articles for the Liverpool Daily Post. 271 The remainder of the evening was devoted to the consideration of further action to be taken by the Section with regard to Registration. London and South-Eastern Counties.-% Robert Robertson presided at a Meeting of the Section held at the Institute on 20th October. There were present only 48 members despite the urgency of the notice convening the meeting.The subject for discussion was the Report of the Special Committee upon Registration. The Chairman introduced the discussion by summarising the report. Since there are already two grades of membership of the Institute, Fellowship and Associateship, the question of establishing a third grade-consisting of persons not at present in the Institute and not all qualified for admission-had been raised. There appeared to be three main headings under which the discussion should be held and upon which the Council wished for the views of the Section. These were:- I. Is a Third Grade of chemists desirable for the purpose of Registration ? This heading might be sub-divided as follows:-(a) Is a Third Grade of chemists, within the Institute, desirable for purposes of Registration? or (b) Is a Third Grade of chemists, apart from membership of the Institute, desirable for purposes of Registration? 11.If a Third Grade be desirable, should Registration be compulsory or voluntary? 111. If a Third Grade be undesirable, should Registration be compulsory or voluntary? He doubted whether the third conclusion would logically arise. Mr. Pooley suggested that the Third Grade was necessary; otherwise Registration would imply the inclusion of many chemists who were not up to the standard of the Institute. Mr. Aspland doubted the desirability of registering persons who were not up to the Institute’s standard since it would be difficult to exclude any who had no sense of professional responsibility or but little professional integrity.Mr. McLachlan suggested that a Third Grade was necessary, but that they should be styled Licentiates rather han members. 272 Mr. Hawkins pointed out that the suggestion that a Third Grade should be inaugurated had first arisen in 1917,and that the Institute had since then consistently taken steps to include so far as it reasonably could, all who might legitimately be termed chemists. He reminded the meeting of the new Regula- tion adopted by the Council which permitted chemists of not less than 30 years of age, whose training had been not strictly in accordance with the normal regulations, to apply for an examina- tion for the Associateship.This examination was not necessarily the full ordinary Associateship examination. He felt that there was now no ground for a Third Grade of membership since no man who could not comply with this Regulation could legitimately claim to be a chemist. He emphasised that, in all the discussons on the subject, no suggestion had been made as to the standard of qualification of those whom it was decked to register, but did not come within the wide terms of the Institute’s Regulations. Mr. Gatehouse suggested that there should be more con-sideration of the views of those who were not members of the Institute. The Third Grade did not necessarily affect member- ship of the Institute.Mr. A. J. Chapman suggested that it was undesirable to register and hall-mark those who were unable to come within the Institute. Mr. Barrett, in answer to Mr. Hawkins, suggested that the minimum qualifications should be 10years’ experience and such theoretical training by evening classes or otherwise as was necessary. Mr. Golding said that F.I.C. and A.I.C. were prized because they carried a qualification. Any admission to the Institute of members with slight qualifications would inevitably harm the Institute. He would therefore vote against such people being admitted. Mr. Barrs thought that the discussion had really originated with the desire for the Institute to widen its scope. At least two bodies had been formed within recent years to deal with matters which had been deemed to be outside the scope of the Institute.He felt therefore that Registration must be the function of the Institute. Mr. Aspland suggested that qualified workers who wanted to be registered should continue their studies until they were able to join the Institute. 273 Mr. Lipscombe thought that there was no necessity for a Third Grade. He doubted whether there would be any sympathy in the medical profession for the registration of qualified nurses by the British Medical Council. Mr. Johnstone thought that at first the Third Grade would consist of younger qualified men, of experienced men who might well come within the Institute under the new Regulation and of men in private practice, of wide practical knowledge and no theory.He gave examples of the danger of according any hall-mark of alleged competency to the Third Grade cases. Messrs. Eynon, Tritton, Kent- Jones, Innes, Cosbie and other members contributed to the discussion. The following motions were put to the meeting:- I. Is a Third Grade of chemists within the Institute desirable for the purpose of Registration? There voted for the motion I and against 47. 11. Is a Third Grade of chemists, who shall not be included on the Institute’s Register, desirable for the purpose of Registration ? There voted for the motion 20 and against 23. The meeting proceeded to discuss the other points mentioned by the Chairman but, in view of the above voting, no further motions were put to the meeting, It was pointed out that those present were obviously in favour of voluntary Registration by the Institute. The eighth annual general meeting of the Section was held at the Institute on 17th November, Sir Robert Robertson in the Chair.The Committee’s report and the financial statement for the past year were received and adopted. The report stated that four meetings had been held in addition to a dance, and that the Section had paid a visit to the Government Laboratory. The social functions had proved especially successful. The Committee had given serious thought to the results of the voting for General Members of Council at the annual general meetings. It appeared that despite the fact that the Section represented more than one-third of the total membership of the Institute, certain London and South-Eastern Fellows who were able and willing to do excellent work for the Institute had failed to secure election.The solution under the present by-laws lay with the members of the Section, who were urged to exercise their right to vote. 274 The CoInniittee had been gratified to note the larger attend- ance at meetings of the Section, partly due, no doubt, to the fact that every member of the Institute resident in the area was now a member of the Section without the necessity of paying a separate subscrip tion. The Committee looked to the continued support of the members in expressing the views of a large proportion of the Institute upon the many topics of professional interest which might engage the attention of the Council from time to time.The Officers and Committee were elected as follows:-Chairman, Sir Robert Robertson; Vice-Chairmen, Messrs. E. R. Bolton and G. S, W. Marlow; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Arthur J. Chapman; Hon. Secretary, Mr. E. B. Hughes; Committee, Messrs. C. E. Barrs, E. T. Brewis, L. E. Campbell, Frankland Dent, J, C. Drummond, Lewis Eynon, B. F. Howard, S. J. Johnstone, D. W. Kent- Jones, J. L. Rosedale, G. T. Morgan,P.J.Sageman (Fellows), Messrs. A. W. Barrett, A. V. Hussey, Miss S. M. L. Snelus, Messrs. C. W. Spiers, S. G. Stevenson and F. J. Tritton (Associates). Messrs. R. A. 0. Claudet and J. McAulay were elected Honorary Auditors..On the conclusion of the official business, light refreshments were served, and an enjoyable smoking concert was held, the artistes being :-Mrs. Boseley, Miss Maconochie and Messrs. Burrage and Harrnsworth. hlr. Boseley played the accompani- ments, and the company, led by the Chairman, Hon. Secretary and spontaneous volunteers, joined in singing choruses and sea chanties. A vote of thanks was accorded the artistes. Manchester and District.-A meeting of the Section was held on 11th October, to consider the statement of the Special Committee on the Registration of Chemists. Dr. Herbert Levinstein in the Chair. In the absence of Mr. F. Scholefield, who was to have opened the discussion, a few preliminary observations were made by the Chairman, who expressed the hope that it would be possible to put forward proposals which would alter the views taken by the Registration Committee.He considered that registration would add to the social position of the chemist which at present was not commensurate with the intellectual work necessary to obtain qualification and was not adequately recognised by society in 276 general. He regarded a legal definition of the word “ chemist” which would restrict other persons from using the title as desirable. It was necessary to get the general body of chemists, including pharmacists, to agree with the definition and in order to make registration effective to have a legislative enactment. He thought that if the minds of chemists were made up clearly as to what they wanted they would, with perseverance, attain their wishes.Mr. S. E. Melling (District Member of Council), commented on the excellently reasoned statement of the views subscribed to by the Manchester and Liverpool sections, and said that the Council was greatly impressed by it and appreciated the principles laid down, Registration, however, must be shown to be in the public interest and for the public good, before it could be supported by Parliament. He pointed out the difficulty of drawing a line of demarcation between men engaged in the widely differing branches of the profession, and the variations in the necessary skill required in various branches. The workers in each and all these branches might fairly claim to be chemists.A man might claim to be a chemist who was not a member, nor eligible to become a member of the Institute. Was such a man to be stopped from using the title Chemist? The Chairman asked the meeting whether any divergency of opinion existed as to the desirability of Registration. There was a unanimous expression in favour. In order to expedite Registration, Mr. A. J. Hall advocated the formation of a third class of members in the Institute, with the simple title of “Members,” and that such members having their qualifications approved by the Institute should come under the title ‘‘Chemist ” along with Fellows and Associates. Mr. Melling pointed out that this had already been considered by the Council in May last, but was not then found feasible.What was to be done with a man not considered eligible for the associateship, who refused to come into this third grade, and with the man fully entitled to use the name chemist who would not come into the Institute at all and desired no privileges from the Institute? The Chairman suggested a collaboration with the Engineers, who had a similar problem. He thought a good deal of advice and assistance might be obtained from the Engineers. Mr. Rogers, in assuming that Mr. Hall did not intend anyone io be a member of the Institute who was in a position inferior 276 to an F.I.C. or A.I.C., said that a fully skilled chemist would probably object to be classified in a third grade. If a “member” was considered as well qualified as an A.I.C.this difference would be largely overcome. Mr. Wilde thought that Parliament would have to carry out an enactment similar to that in the case of the dentists and that anyone remaining out of the Institute after a given period should be ruled out of consideration. Mr. Melling pointed out that this might affect an independent practitioner, but would not touch the academic chemist who did not earn fees by a practice. The Chairman raised a number of practical points, such as the question of paying a subscription to the Institute: was any man calling himself a chemist to be charged a fee? Was a man automatically a chemist after passing a certain examination ? Mr. Bate said he thought a great number would stay out of an Institute Register, and suggested that only new recruits to the profession should be required to join the Institute and pay the necessary fees.Dr. Morton (delegate from Liverpool) questioned whether at a Council Meeting, the question of the desirability of Registration, apart from its practicability, would have received a unanimous vote in favour. Did the Council really believe in Registration, but regard it as impracticable ? Again, would the Council change its opinion about the impracticability if registration could be carried out by a body apart from the Institute? There was a possibility that the members of the Council individually might desire Registration but might not desire it through the Institute. Mr. Melling replied that the first question was never put specifically; in regard to the second, he said that the Council felt strongly that if ways and means of controlling Registration could be found, they would rather keep it to themselves. He had the impression that, individually, the majority of members of Council were in favour of Registration, but found difficulty in the method of effecting it.Mr. Rogers said that he had not quite the same impression as Mr. Melling; although Registration appealed to the Council as a form of unity he did not think they were unanimous on the principle of Registration up to January last. Mr. Wood alluded to the Registration of School Teachers. He would not include Members of the Institute on a register unless they applied.He thought it would be a mistake for the 277 Institute to take a lead on Registration without holding conver- sations with other Chemical Societies. Mr. Mills thought that discussing what to do with people who would not enrol on a register was beside the point. After reading the August number of the Journal of the Proceedings he felt that Registration was damned. He agreed with the suggestion of the Chairman that we should get in touch with the Engineers and not waste time in discussing what should be done with men who would not form a register. The Chairman said that although the criticism did not appear to be helpful to those desiring Registration it could not be ignored. It was fair criticism that had to be met.Mr. Marchant discussed the method of formation of a register. He pointed out that, according to the findings of the Special Committee, the Universities were not considered suitable, the Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry, and the British Association of Chemists were dismissed as not being concerned with qualifications and Registration, and that the only suitable body remaining was the Institute. He suggested that this was not the case. He stated that ever since the formation of the B.A.C., Registration had been one of the main planks in its platform. He proposed that representatives of the various societies, including the Universities, should be invited to meet together to discuss the matter, and that whether they were or were not suitable, should be left to their representatives to determine.In this way he thought a skeleton register might be evolved. Mr. Mills seconded the proposal. The Chairman said he would be quite willing to accept the proposal later on, but that he would like to have a resolution passed which would crystallise the complete point of view of the meeting. He referred to the possible financial effect on the Institute, and considered it too much to expect hearty support in the Council or from the Officers of the Institute to a proposal which might have a deleterious effect on the financial stability of the Institute. Mr. Hall thought this point could be met by the Institute acting in a dual capacity-granting diplomas and compiling the register.All subscriptions paid for the purpose of Registration would be taken to cover the financial obligations incurred by the Institute. Mr. Stern advocated co-operation with the British Association 278 of Chemists. He considered it by no means unreasonable for a man to pay the necessary expenses of being enrolled on a register even if he had previously practised as a chemist. Such expenses might, of course, be reduced in the case of members of the Institute. Mr. Rogers asked whether the discussion was considered as being between members of the Institute or between individual chemists. The Chairman held that the discussion was informal and stated that any resolution passed would be submitted to the Institute. Mr.Rogers stated that he believed the financial effect upon the Institute was a fundamental point in the minds of many of the members of the Council, and that if Registration was to come it must operate through the Institute. The Chairman agreed that in any scheme of Registration the Institute must play an important part. Dr. Lewis Dale said that chemists might prefer a form of Registration, rather than membership of the Institute, on account of the probable lower cost; but if through the Institute, the result would be greatly to the good of that body. An extension of the Institute Register would carry great weight ;a register without the hearty support of the Institute would not be very helpful. The really great point he considered was that Registration should be in the public interest, and should be considered from that point of view.He stated that he had three men workingeight- hour shifts, one an Honours B.Sc. of London, and, the other two, men who had been laboratory boys. How could the former be enrolled as a chemist and not the latter? He thought that an analyst testing steel rails was definitely working in the public interest. He did not consider the case of the Engineers to be on all fours with that of the chemists. Dr. Morton suggested the publishing of a list of the members of the various chemical bodies as a nucleus of a register. Mr. Hall thought the Council should decide who should be called a chemist. Mr. Fairbrother was of the opinion that closer co-ordination between all qualifying authorities was desirable and asked for the relative number of men qualified by the Institute, the Universities and other bodies.Mr. Rogers proposed and Mr. Wilde seconded: “That a small sub-committee be formed to draw up a case showing that Registration would advantageously affect the public interest .” 279 To this was added, on the motion of Mr. Stern: “That the Man Chester Section co-operate with Liverpool in preparing the report.” This motion was carried unanimously. (The previous motion by Mr. Marchant was withdrawn by consent until the report of the sub-committee was to hand.) The annual general meeting of the Section was held on 25th October at “The Manchester,” Ltd., and was attended by the President, Prof.G. G. Henderson. The Chairman of the Section, Dr. Levinstein,gave a short resum6 of the activities of the past session, commenting on the keen interest which had been shown by the members. The Hon. Treasurer’s report was read and unanimously adopted. Messrs. T. R. Hodgson and F. Scholefield were elected Hon. Auditors, and Dr. A. Coulthard was re-elected as Hon. Secretary. Four places on the Committee were filled by the appointment of Dr. P. Lewis Dale, Messrs. T. R. Hodgson, W. D. Rogers and G. D. Elsdon. The President, having extended a hearty welcome and presented certificates to several new members, gave an address on “The Chemist and the Community.” (This address was also given before the Belfast Section, see p. 252.) Prof.H. B. Dixon, in proposing a vote of thanks to the President for bringing such important facts to notice, said he was glad that Prof. Henderson did not despair of the republic of chemists, and he felt sure that ultimately the general public would realise the share of the chemist in the promotion of civilisat ion. Mr. L. G. Radcliffe seconded the vote of thanks. He con- sidered the greatest obstacle to a proper understanding bythe public of the work of the chemist was the jargon used by the chemist. He thought it possible to describe scientific facts in language which could be understood by everybody. The Manchester Guardian and its auxiliary journal, the Man-Chester Guardian CovnnzerciaZ were now publishing articles on chemical subjects, by acknowledged experts, in language which, if not intelligible to the man in the street, might be understood at any rate by the man in the suburb.The vote of thanks was carried with great enthusiasm. Mr. William Marshall has been adopted as District Member of Council, and the following have been appointed members of a Sub-committee to confer with the Liverpool Section on zsv the question of Registration :Messrs. F. Scholefield,W. F. Rogers, G. D. Elsdon, E. N. Marchant and A. Coulthard. NewcastIe -on-Tyn e and North-East Coast.-The Annual General Meeting of the Section was held in the Chemical Industry Club, on 17th November,-Dr. J. T. Dunn in the Chair. The report of the Committee for the year and the financial statement of the Treasurer were adopted.Five meetings had been held during the session and a dinner, jointly with the Society of Chemical Industry, at which the President of the Institute occupied the chair. The following were elected as members of Committee for the ensuing year:-Prof. H. V. A. Briscoe, Mr. H. C. L. Bloxam, Prof. G. R. Clemo, Mr. H. R. Whitehead, Dr. A. A. Hall, Mr. J. Hamilton, Mr. T. Wallace (Hon. Treasurer), and Mr. F. H. Walker (Hon. Secretary). Messrs J. B. Duncan and A. Short were re-elected Hon. Auditors. The following arrangements for meetings were announced :-1st December, Mr. J. F. Wood, on “The X-ray Analysis of Crystal Structure ”; 12th January, 1927, Mr. T. Wallace, on “The Production of Caustic Soda” ; 9th February, Prof.G. R. Clemo, on a subject to be arranged later; and 9th March, Mr. T. Russell Goddard, on “The Preservation of Museum Specimens.” The disposal of part of the Balance of funds in hand was discussed, and it was agreed that such portion as could be spared should be devoted to the Benevolent Fund. A discussion then took place, as requested by the Council, on the subject of “The Registration of Chemists.” Mr. H. C. L. Bloxam, opening the discussion, said he thought that the members ought to know if bodies outside the Institute had initiated this question and if so what were their views; for it was difficult to see why the demand for registration should come from those who were already registered. Registration had been forced upon other professions by the public for its own protection.This was not so with the chemists. Registration had been refused to the accountants. The difficulty of obtaining legal sanction would be very great. The question had been before the Council during the last two or three years. The Special Committee appointed by the Council had approached the matter with the greatest sympathy, but had been overwhelmed by the numerous difficulties which it presented. It was desirable that candidates for registration should be examined by one and 281 the same body. He realised that the great progress and rapid growth of chemistry in recent years probably accounted for the pressure for an enlarged register and thought that such a register would be a very good thing, but the difficulties were insurmount- able.He was of opinion that it was desirable to have the ideas of those who were outside the Institute. The Chairman (Dr. J. T. Dunn) emphasised the fact that the Institute was already a registering body. The difficulty was that all Chemists were not members of the Institute. He agreed with Mr. Bloxam that they should have all the available evidence before them before coming to a decision, including the views of chemists who were not members of the Institute. Mr. T. Wallace said that this matter had been raised by two local sections of the Institute, and their views should be con- sidered very carefully. The Institute need not necessarily consider the views of those who were not members.The main question was whether the Register proposed would be in the public interest. Chemists would have to demonstrate that it was in the public interest before legal sanction could be obtained. Public Analysts were already adequately provided for by legisla- tion. He was opposed to the introduction of a third grade and thought that the standard of competence ought not to be lowered. It might be a good thing, however, if it could be brought about that only qualified chemists be allowed to give evidence in courts of law on chemical matters, or in cases of accidents in works. There was more hope of raising the status of the chemist on those lines. Dr. A. A. Hall said he would like to know what were the “vital interests ” referred to in the statement of the Manchester and Liverpool sections.Were outsiders trying to get the benefits of the Institute without having the qualifications? He agreed that the standard of competence ought nut to be lowered. Mr. H. R. Whitehead said that, in order to obtain legal sanction, there must be some ultimate altruistic motive in forming a Register, as in the case of the medical profession, where the object was to prevent quackery and protect human life. Mr. J. Hamilton hoped that the Institute would continue to explore the matter. The status of the profession would be enhanced if unqualified people were eliminated, but they desired to help those not in the Institute to become members. Prof. G. R. Clemo thought that the movement for registration arose mainly from a desire for unity.He was not satisfied that 282 the objections raised against forming a register could not be overcome. Dr. P. E. Bowles said there were many good chemists who were not in the Institute, and he wondered whether the Council had explored all the avenues whereby such men could be admitted to the Institute, while at the same time maintaining the full dignity of the profession. Dr. W. B. Davidson said that during the war there arose an agitation among chemists for the recognition of their status. This was most marked amongst younger and less fully qualified men. Under pressure, the Institute at that time admitted to the Associateship large numbers of chemists without examination on the production of other evidence of their attain- ments.Since then the prescribed conditions of admission had again been brought into strict operation. He did not think that chemists who neglected the opportunity of becoming Associates under those relaxed conditions ought to be admitted too readily now. He was not in favour of instituting a third grade with a distinctive title. On the other hand it was difficult to say what real good the Institute did to its Fellows and Associates. In some respects membership was apparently a detriment, for in the analytical business Fellows were debarred from advertising or touting for work or charging less than the recognised fees, while analytical chemists who were not members were not hampered in this way.For this reason a general register or union would be welcome. Mr. C. H. Ridsdale wrote that he regretted being unable to attend the meeting. He had followed the question very care- fully during the many years it had been, under one guise or another, before the Institute. He was pleased to see that the Special Committee had arrived at the views expressed in VIII and IX, p. 181of the August proceedings for 1926. He believed this was the only equitable and wise conclusion and thought it ought to be adopted by the section and the Institute as a whole. As one of the few surviving older Fellows (viz. since 1887) he had always felt that the recent attempts to elevate the Fellowship by classing all chemists who for any reason had not submitted to the requirements of the Institute as inferior, and the wish to debar such men from practising were derogatory to the dignity of an Institute which purported to follow high ideals and the elevation of the profession.He failed to see that such views could spring from any but selfish motives. Moreover, as the Committee had 283 indicated, if put into force they would be futile. It was high time the energies of the members were directed to a more useful purpose. Mr. J. F. S. Gard said that Civn Servants and Public Analysts were already provided for, and the employer could look after himself as regards industrial chemists. Registration as suggested was impracticable. Mr. S. A. W. Wikner thought that the whole weight of industry would be against such a move.Mr. J. Graham agreed with the findings of the Special Com- mittee. Everything possible ought to be done to get all com- petent chemists into the Institute. Some general discussion followed as to the possibility of sending some definite expressions of opinion from the meeting. The following resolutions were carried unanimously :-I. “That the meeting expressed its appreciation of the work done by the Special Committee on Registration and agrees with the policy of keeping the matter open for the present.” 2. “That this discussion be adjourned until further in-formation had been received and until the views of the Manchester and Liverpool sections on the objection raised were made known.” 3. “That the Secretary be instructed to ask Council if any information or proposals on this matter were avail- able from bodies outside the Institute of Chemistry.” 4.“The Local Section Committee be asked to consider the invitation of speakers, who advocated Registration, from other Local Sections to address the members of this Local Section on the subject.” South Wales.-A large gathering attended the first meeting this session of the South Wales Section, held jointly with the Society of Chemical Industry at the Technical College, Swansea, on 27th October, when Mr. C. M. W. Grieb, read a paper on “Anti-knock Compounds.” The Chair was taken by the new Vice-chairman, Mr. A. M. O’Brien of the National Oil Refineries. Mr. Grieb said that the automobile engine was very inefficient, due principally to incomplete combustion and to the fact that there was a limit to the compressibility of the explosive mixture of fuel and air.Beyond a certain compression, “knocking” or 284 “pinking” was caused. Of the many theories which had been propounded to explain this phenomenon, Mr. Grieb favoured the detonation theory. Anti-knocking was the description applied to certain substances with respect to their property of preventing “ knocking ” in internal combustion engines, when added in very small proportions to the fuels used in such engines. The object of anti-knocking agents when added to fuels was to cause the latter to burn rapidly and completely, without detonat- ing. The addition of such agents to fuel gave the following advantages :-(a) conservation of petrol due to increased mileage obtainable in a high compression motor; (b) reduction of CO contamination of the air due to increased efficiency of combustion ; and (c) reduced first cost of the motor, as the explosive mixture could be compressed more highly and would thus do more work on ignition: a smaller motor would therefore suffice.Such fuels as benzol or alcohol were not anti-knock sub- stances in the strict sense of the word, as large proportions of these fuels had to be mixed with petrol before compression could be much increased. On the other hand, with certain anti-knock substances, only 0.2 per cent. by volume-or even less-would have this effect.Mr. Grieb dealt with the work on this subject by Midgley and others in America, and by the Air Ministry Laboratory in this country. Lead tetra-ethyl was being used in America and iron carbonyl in Germany. The manufacture of these substances and also of nickel car- bony1 was described, and comparisons were drawn between them as to their efficacy as anti-knocking substances, whilst a detailed chemical and physical explanation of their action was given. The Chairman, in opening the discussion, said that he thought the lecturer’s view of the theory of prevention of knocking or pre-ignition was open to criticism. Various explanations were given as to what was “Pre-ignition ”; the lecturer stated that the production of small waves, before the large explosion wave, prevented a detonation, thus obviating knocking.The ionisation theory of the prevention of knocking, pro- pounded by the lecturer, was criticised by Prof. Coates who described experiments conducted with a cylinder in a strong 285 magnetic field, which continued to knock when the particles had been deflected to the cylinder walls. The Meeting terminated with a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Grieb. The Annual General Meeting of the Section was held at Swansea, on 26th November, when the annual report and state- ment of accounts for the year ending 31st October, were received and adopted. The annual report showed that the new arrangements for grants to local sections had proved satisfactory and had led to an increased interest being shown in the affairs of the Institute by members in South Wales. Joint Meetings had been held with the local sections of the Society of Chemical Industry, and one with the Wales and Monmouthshire Junior Gas Association, in addition to a dinner, which was attended by Mr.R. Leslie Collett, Assistant Secretary of the Institute. Although local subscriptions had been discontinued, the financial statement showed a substantial balance. The meeting then proceeded to discuss the question of the Registration of Chemists and decided to transmit the following resolutions to the Special Committee on Registration :-This Meeting is in favour of the general principle of Registration. This Meeting is of the opinion that compulsory Registration is practicable and advisable in the national interest and considers that a case to the contrary has not been made out in the Report.This Meeting suggests that in pursuing its investigation of the subject the Institute should actively co-operate with the British Association of Chemists. With reference to para. 3, this Meeting, whilst not question- ing the desirability of the Institute functioning as the registering body, is of the opinion that it is by no means essential that the registering body be also the qualifying body, since, in other closed professions this is not always the case. If a separate registering body be created there would be no necessity to create a lower grade of Institute membership.It is suggested that when the Special Registration Com- mittee issues its next Report, the inclusion of a Minority Report would be desirable. 286 Notes. Income Tax.-In the case of Daphne v. Shaw (Inspector of Taxes), heard before Mr. Justice Rowlatt, reported in The Tirnes, on 10th November, a solicitor claimed abatement of tax in respect of professional books. He contended that, under Section 16 of the Finance Act of 1925, which extends to pro- fessions, employments, vocations, and offices the allowance granted to traders by the Income Tax Act, 1918 (Schedule D, cases I and 2, rules 6 and 7), in respect of the wear and tear of machinery and plant, and in respect of expenses incurred in replacing obsolete machinery and plant, he was entitled to prefer a claim for expenses for wear and tear, during the year, of his law library, that being his machinery or plant for the purposes of his profession; and, further, that he was entitled to claim allowance for certain legal books which had become obsolete in consequence of new legislation.The Commissioners held that the books in the law library of the appellant were neither machinery nor plant, and that he was not entitled to relief for either wear and tear or obsolescence in respect thereof. His lordship in giving judgment, on appeal, said that he was unable to say that the books of a solicitor or of a barrister, or of a judge, which were used in the sense of being consulted, were plant. It was impossible to deny the suggestion one naturally conjured up when the word “plant ” was added to the word “machinery.” Though section 16 of the Finance Act, 1925, had extended the provisions of Schedule D, that extension did not involve an extension of the sense in which the word plant was used.Un-doubtedly there were many professions or avocations where plant and machinery were used which would be covered by the use of the words as ordinarily understood. He was sure gg out of every IOO persons would exclude from machinery and plant the books of reference on their shelves. Undoubtedly the books which were used in the professions did entail a great expense, but he had to administer the law as he found it, and must, therefore, dismiss the appeal, with costs. 257 Streatfeild Memorial Lecture.The President, in opening the proceedings, said that when Finsbury Technical College came to the close of its career, the Institute was asked to administer the Streatfeild Memorial Fund, which had been instituted by a number of past students of the College in memory of Frederick William Streatfeild. Mr. Streatfeild was for many years the friend, and even more than the friend of so many students of the College. The Institute very willingly undertook to administer the Fund and to secure that the memorial lecture should be delivered, though under somewhat new conditions, in the future. The lectures had, so far, been by former Finsbury Technical College students. He called upon Mr. Francis C. Robinson, another former student of the College, to address the meeting. Mr.Robinson chose as his subject “The Chemist in the Non-Ferrous Metallurgical Refinery.’’ He stated that he had been guided in the choice of his subject by the principles under- lying the practical training given at Finsbury Technical College and so conscientiously practised by Mr. Streatfield, whose willing assistance and genial character were still remembered by his old students. He proposed to confine his remarks rather to the works chemist than to the academic or research chemist. As Mr. F. H. Carr in his lecture last year had pointed out the need for men who could apply chemistry to industry, the present lecture would be devoted to a consideration of some of the duties and experiences falling to the lot of a chemist in the non-ferrous refinery, with particular reference to the precious and noble metals, followed by some suggestions on the training of the chemist and his assistants.THECHEMIST’SRANGEOF ACTIVITIES. Each class of smelting, extraction or refining works had its own special problems. Apart from the routine and research work usually associated with the laboratory, the chemist would be required to undertake the supervision of most scientific or 288 technical tests, unless the works were very large, in which case there might be a metallographic expert, and special departments for pyrometric, electro-chemical or potentiometer tests and for work connected with smelting operations. In any case the technical manager of all these departments must have had a broad training, of which the principal constituents should be chemistry, chemical engineering, and plant.The lecturer’s own experiences had been in connection with the extraction and refining of the precious and noble metals, but he said such experiences were typical of other non-ferrous metals. After a brief outline of the work of smelting and refining of gold, silver and the platinum metals, a review was given of the developments of the past 30 years, noting the more important changes. New and quicker methods of analysis had become necessary, the result being a great saving of time and increased accuracy in many cases, as for example : the volumetric determination of lead by a standard solution of ammonium molyb- date; iodometric determination of copper in the presence of nitrates; cyanometric methods for nickel, etc.; Volhard’s thiocyanate method for silver-preferred by several public assay offices to the Gay Lussac or salt method; the discovery of dimethylglyoxime as a precipitant for nickel and its separation from cobalt. In electro-analysis, the rotating electrode method had enabled the determination of copper to be carried out in one-twentieth of the time formerly required. 0 NEW METHODS. Some of the greatest developments had taken place in the extraction, separation, and refining of the noble metals, and the increased demand for these metals in a state of purity, coupled with an enormous rise in price, had given a stimulus to work in this connection.Methods of analysis and refining had had to be worked out on very meagre outside information, and all those who had to tackle these problems would agree that they were probably the most difficult which had to be solved. With the advance of scientific methods had necessarily come increased work for the chemist. In investigations of faulty metal, complete analysis was no longer considered sufficient to explain some defects. An examination of the metal for its physical properties, fracture, and constitution as revealed by etching and the micro- scope, often threw light on the character of a commercially pure metal or alloy and faults for which the refinery had often been blamed, were now easily traceable to improper melting, casting, rolling and annealing.The science that had made the most profound advance and change in industry in the last 30 years was electricity, and the electro-refining of silver and its separation from gold and platinum had exhibited such economy and efficiency that the old processes had become a back number. Electro-refining was being used successfully for the refining of gold from the anode slimes, and its separation from small quantities of silver and platinum. Electri-city had also been applied to the melting of silver, although not so largely as in connection with alloys of the base metals. We in this country, had not developed the use of electricity for melting metals other than steel to the extent that had taken place in the United States, although the Ajax-Northrup high frequency induction furnace was being used in small sizes for melting 70 to IOO 02. of platinum successfully.Another application of electri- city which was finding favour among smelters was the electrostatic precipitation of fume from waste flue gases, the principle of which was first applied by Sir Oliver Lodge, but developed and adapted commercially by Cottrell in the United States. Some plants for this purpose were installed in this country, one having been erected to save the potash salts in blast-furnace gases. The refining of gold and platinum was still mostly a wet chemical process, and in recent years there had been a move in the direction of the wet extraction of the metals from their ores and products.THE HANDLINGOF MEN. These various developments had involved greater and greater demands on the chemist in the non-ferrous metallurgical industry. Mr. Robinson emphasised the importance to chemical students of visits to works during their period of train- ing, and pointed out to employers the advantages to themselves of affording their junior assistants opportunities of attending evening classes. He urged upon the works chemist the need for tact in order to secure the necessary co-operation in intro- ducing new processes. Some time ago he worked out a method of making the action of boiling sulphuric acid selective in the solution of certain metals in an oxidised residue, leaving others unattacked.By previous reduction with sulphur dioxide the desired object was obtained, but after the process had been performed successfully by the men in the works for some time the 290 results became unsatisfactory, and it was found that the men were not continuing to carry out instructions. Since this difficulty had been overcome the process had continued to be a success. This difficulty with workmen manifested itself in all directions. Some workmen of the old school had strange notions, and passed them on to others. Nevertheless, it was impossible not to have great respect for the experienced and intelligent workman who took a pride in his job. It must not be inferred that when a process was working with clock-work precision a chemist was no longer needed, because without the supervision of the chemist and the analyst it was more than probable that things would not con- tinue to go on satisfactory.There had often been noticed a ten- dency for men, if left too much to their own devices, to revert to the primitive way of doing things in preference to keeping the plant provided up to concert pitch. Speaking in defence of labora- tory experiments on any contemplated new process, Mr. Robinson said that, if properly performed, experimental melts in a No. 5 Battersea crucible gave, on the whole, a good indication of what would happen in the reverberatory furnace,although the conditions of time and atmosphere were so different. A charge could then be tried in the reverberatory furnace without much risk or special outlay.In wet processes, too, the laboratory results could be further tested in larger and provisional plant. It was important to consider the health of the employees, and not merely in a degree sufficient to satisfy the Home Office Regulations. It must be recognised that some men were more liable to skin troubles than others in working with certain chemicals, and such men should be transferred to other work. On the other hand, perhaps quite a simple alteration by way of a preventive measure would remove the difficulty. The real point to bear in mind, said the lecturer, was that men were more important than machinery. THEEDUCATIONOF THE CHEMIST. As regards the education of the chemist, a good general education at school was a necessary foundation.The chemical student desiring to enter metallurgical industries, besides acquiring a knowledge of chemical principles and analysis, must also know something of theoretical and practical physics, electricity, mathematics, and engineering. He must also study metallurgy and metallography and endeavour to extend his studies, perhaps at evening classes, to geology, mineralogy and mining, whilst it 291 would well repay him to retain the knowledge he had of French and German, and even to increase his acquaintance with these languages. When it was realised what a chemist had to learn, perhaps it was not surprising that he was not always found to be a good business man.Nevertheless, if he aspired to control commercial processes, he must interest himself in the commercial aspect. Looking back, concluded Mr. Robinson, he could consider the Finsbury chemical course a very suitable one for the works chemist, but two years was not adequate in these times. At the same time, if a student stayed too long at a college or university he became less inclined for the commercial application of his knowledge in the works and it took him longer to adapt himself to the works way of doing things. He was doubtful whether the present system of university training, with its lure of degrees and honours, was the best for our industries, or as suitable for the works chemist or chemical engineer as it was for the research chemist or the teaching profession, but the facilities offered by some of the universities for post-graduate courses were excellent.It would be a great help if a chemist or metallurgist could finish his training with the facilities that were offered to the engineer in many universities and have access to chemical plant and large scale apparatus similar to the experimental workshop and engi- neering and electrical plant, which was provided at the old Fins- bury Technical College. In any event, the managers of works should be prepared to give facilities for their chemists to become acquainted with the processes used on the works and to have a plan for training them to greater utility. If the practical chemist were required he must not be shut up in the laboratory too long with his books and beakers, but must have opportunities of gaining experience of men, methods, material and money.At the conclusion of the lecture, the President proposed a very hearty vote of thanks. If it was true to the type of the Streatfeild Memorial Lecture, the Institute would look forward with pleasant anticipation to future lectures. In thanking Mr. Robinson for his lecture, he had a pleasant duty to perform-to ask his acceptance of the Streatfeild Memorial Medal, with a portrait of Mr. Streatfeild. Prof. Gilbert T. Morgan said that before the meeting closed he desired to express on behalf of former Finsbury Students their thanks to the President for having presided, and also to the 292 Institute of Chemistry for taking over the scheme by which they commemorated the name of Streatfeild.This was the ninth Lecture. Streatfeild died on 24th March, 1918, and before the end of the year the first lecture was given by Sir William Pope. Year by year the memory of this teacher had been recalled in this way and, as the President had said, the lectures had all been given by old students of the College. If Streatfeild could have heard the Lecture it would have delighted him-it was so practical and had covered the ground so fully. Streatfeild was a sceptical chemist with a very slight regard for theory. The lecturer had referred to the fact that the course at Finsbury Technical College was rather in chemical engineering, and it seemed the irony of fate that now Finsbury Technical College was closed chemical engineering should be so much in the fore- ground.Prof. Morgan thanked the President and the Institute. The President, in reply, assured those present that it was not the fault of the Institute that the Finsbury Technical College was closed. The Council did all that was possible to prevent this, but other powers prevailed. Not only had the Institute under- taken the administration of the Streatfeild Memorial Fund, but it had been approached and had gladly housed the Meldola Library. Some of those present might like to see the Library. He was very proud to have had the privilege of presiding at the first of the Streatfeild Memorial lectures held under the auspices of the Institute. He could foresee that they would enjoy a continued series of brilliantly practical lectures from old Finsbury students.Mr. Robinson, having acknowledged the vote of thanks which had been accorded to him, the meeting was dissolved. 293 Institute of Chemistry Students’ Association (London). The fourth Annual General Meeting was held at thc Institute, on 28th October, when the Report of tlw Committce for the Session 1925-1926 was received. In addition to several evening meetings, two dances and a debate, the Association arranged visits to the following works during the year :-Messrs. Pears’ Soap Works ;The Royal Arsenal, Woolwich; The Gas Light and Coke Co.; Messrs. J. Lyons and Co. (Cadby Hall and Greenford) ;Messrs.Watney, Coombe and Reid’s Brewery, and the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers. The thanks of the Committee were accorded to all who had afforded these facilities to members of the Association, and also for their hospitality. The following officers have been appointed for the session 1926-27:-President, Prof. Arthur Smithells ; Vice-president, C. F. Tumber (University College); Hon. Treasurer, R. B. Pilcher; Won. Secretary, F. E. Joselin (Birkbeck College) ; Hon. Secretary for Works Visits, D. C. Reese (Sir John Cass Technical Institute); Committee, A. Wilson (Battersea Poly-technic), Miss G. M. Gel1 (Bedford College for Women), W. S. Ferguson (Chelsea Polytechnic), A. Brewin (East London College), E. S. Hawkins (Imperial College of Science and Technology), R.K. Christy (King’s College), D. T. Purdie (Northern Polytech- nic, J. 13. Hamence (Thc Polytechnic, Regent Street), H. Gardner (West Ham Municipal College), R. I,. Collett, and G. S. W. Marlow. A programme of works visits and meetings is in course of preparation for the session 1926-1927. 294 Books and their Contents. The following books have been presented by the authors or publishers, and may be seen in the Library of the Institute:- “Essential Oils, The.’’ H. Finnemorc. Pp. xv. -1 880. (?,ondon: Ernest Berm, Ltd.). L3 TOS. A comprehensive account of the ctssential oils arranged iii the order of the botanical classification of the plants from which t,hey are derived. “Indicators.” Their use in quantitative analysis anti in the colorimetric determination of hydrogen-ion concentration.I. M. Kolthoff, translated by N. H. Furman. Pp. xii. +z6g. (London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd.). 17s. 6d. Neutralizations ; amphoteric compounds ; colour change of indicators ; colorimetric determination of hydrogen-ion concentrations and its applications ; indicator papers ; theory of indicators. “Oil Industries, Chemistry of thc.” J. E. Southcombe. Pi). ix.+224. (London: Constable & Co., Ltd.). 12s. 6d. Introductory organic chemistry ; theory of the colloidal state ; mineral oils; natural sources ; preparation, composition and properties of the saponifiable oils and fats ; impurities and methods of removal ;natural waxes ; analytical methods ;industrial application ; burning oils, edible oils and margarines ; saponification on a technical scale ; candle mmii -facture; soap; glycerine.“Organic Chemical Analysis, Qualitative and Quantitative, A Student’s Manual of.” J. F. Thorpe and M. A. Whiteley. Re-issue with appendix on new methods of organic analysis, by H. Ter Meulen and J. Heslinga. Pp. x+250. (London: Longmans Green & Co.). 9s. “Petroleum Technology, The Scientific Principles of .” L. Gurwitsch, translated and revised by H. Moore. Pp. xvi.+470. (London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd.). 25s. Part I : Raw material; constituents of petroleum ; natural gas ;physicalproperties; characteristics of crude petroleum oils. Part I1: Manu-facture ; distillation ; cracking ; sulphuric, alkali and other processes of refining; distillation of waste products.Part I11 : Products; benzine ; illuminating and lubricating oils; paraffin wax and vaselines. 295 “Tobacco Culture: A Comparison of methods adopted in the United States and in Nyasaland.” A. J. W. Hornby. Pp. 89. (Zomba: The Government Printer, Nyasaland.) 5s. 6d. The Institute has received a copy of Art de L’Ingknieur et M&allurgie : Risistance des Materiaux et Donnies Numeriques Diverses rkdigkes par L. Descroix. This publication is produced as one of the series of Tables Annuelles de Constantes et Donnbes Numbriques, published under the patronage of the International Council of Research and of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, by the International Committee ap- pointed at the Seventh Congress of Applied Chemistry, held in London in June, 1909.The section dealing with “Engineering -Metallurgy,’’ ex-tracted from Volume V, is being issued at special rates to the members of recognised societies : Fellows and Associates of the Institute can obtain bound copies at 94.50 frs. instead of 126 frs., and paper-bound copies at 78.75 frs. instead of 105 frs. Applications for copies should be made to Dr. Ch. Marie, 9, Rue des Bagneux, Paris, VI. 296 Obituary. ~COBERT NWOLLENNOXdied at Lewisham, on 1st Novoinber, in his G7th year. He was a pupil of and afterwards assistant to Professor Dittrnar at Anderson’s College, Glasgow, and during that time was engaged on chemical investigations in connection with the ChallengerExpedition. In 1881, he was appointed chemical assistant in the labora- tories of the Royal Institution where he remained until 1910, being asso- ciated with Sir James Dewar in his experimental work on the lique-faction of gases, and in his chemical aid physical researches at low tempera- tures.He had much to do also with acid resisting alloys, etc., such as “tantiron,” which are much used in chemical works. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1916. CHARLESRUMBLEdied at Streatham on the 14th October in his 74th year. He attended courses at the Birkbeck College and King’s College, London, and also at the Royal College of Science and in 1889 became assistant to Mr.W. H. Hatcher in the Belmont Works of Price’s Candle Company, where in due course he became managing chemist, which position he retained until his retirement some years ago. He devised an instrument for testing viscosity of oils, of which the standard Redwood Viscometer is a modification. This, Sir Boverton Redwood acknowledged in a paper read before the London Section of the Society of Chemical Industry in March 1886. In conjunction with Mr. Sear, he patented a method of preparing safety cloth oils, and his name is also associated in a patent for improvement in the production of glycerine. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1888. WILLIAMAuGusTus TILDENwas born in London on 15th August, 1842. He was educated at Kidderminster Grammar School, at various private schools, and at Bedford Modern School, and studied science at the School of t’ho Pharmaceutical Society, where he won the first Bell Scholarship.He attended Hofmann’s lectures at the Royal College of Chemistry from 1860 until 1862, when he became engaged in the research laboratory of Dr. Stenhouse at Islington, where he was associated with the late Prof. Meldola, Charles E. Groves and Mr. Thomas Bolas. In 1863 he was appointed Demonstrator in chemistry at the Phar- maceutical Society, where he remained for seven years, during which time he obtained the degree of B.Sc. (London) being placed first in the honours list. In 1871, ho proceeded to the higher degree of D.Sc., and in 1872 was appointed senior science master at Clifton College, where he remained until 1850, in which year he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.In the same year he was elected to the Chair of Chemistry at Mason College,-now the University,-Birmingham, which he occupied until 1894. He then succeeded Prof .-later Sir Edward-Thorpe, as Professor of Chemistry in the Royal College of Science, London, where he remained until 1909. He was President of the Chemical Section of the British 297 Association at its meeting in Bath in 1888, and President of the Institute from 1891 to 1894. He was Treasurer of the Chemical Society from 1899 to 1903 and President from 1903 to 1905. He was appointed Dean of the Royal College of Science in 1905, received the Davy Medal of the Royal Society in 1908.He was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Science of the University of Dublin in 1892, and on his retirement, in 1909, was appointed Emeritus Professor in the Imperial College of Xcicnct. and Technology and received the honour of Knighthood. His publishd work iiwlutles ail Inlrocluctioia to C‘hernical Philosophy ( 187Ci), Practical Cherktvy (1880), Hints on il’cachiny C‘heinistry (1895), ,Short History of the Progrebs of Scientijiic Chemistry ( 1899), The Elements (1910), Chemical Discovery and Irwention ii~the l’werbtieth C’entuiy (1917), The Life of Sir Williurn Rarnsay (1918), and E’arnous Chertiists ; illhe Men and their Work (1921). Sir William was known for hi5 work on the specific heat of metals and the relation of specific heat to atomic weight, arid for his invcstigations into the nature of terpenes and the hydrocarbons derived from pinewood.In 1874, he prepared the nitroso-chloride of pinene, and, by showing how isoprene can be polymerized irit,o rubber, he indicated the possibility of its synthetic manufacture. He died at Northwood on 11th December, 1926. Mr. A. Chaston Chapman, Past President, and the Registrar represented the Institute at the funeral which took place iii Northwood Parish Church on the 15th December. 298 The Register. At the meetings of Council held on ~9thNovember and 17th December, 1926, 3 new Fellows were elected, 4 Associates were elected to the Fellowship, 59 new Associates were elected and 31 Students were admitted.The Institute has lost 3 Fellows by death. New Fellows. Morgan, Howard Houlston, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Lond.), A.H.C.S., Revelstoke, Slough, Bucks. Oberlander, Otto, Ph.D. (Heid.), 29-31, Queen Street, London, Bl.C.4. Rakshit, Jitendra Nath, Ghazipur, United Provinces, India. Associate elected to the Fellowship (by examination). Snelus, Miss Suzanne Mabel Lavinia, 67, Elgin Mansions, London, W.9 Associates elected to the Fellowship, Gaunt, Eufus, M.Sc. (Leeds), Ph.D. (Rcrlin), 60, Bent Lane, Pretjtwich, Manchester. Gupta, Iresh Chandra, M.Sc. (Cal.), c/o H.M. Mint, Bombay. Woodhead, John Ezra, B.Sc. (Lond.),22, Sancroft Street, London, S.E.ll. New Associate elezted after Oral Examination under clause C” of regulations (fi. 14).Newington, Frederick Henry, 6, St. Ursula Grove, Southsoa. New hssooiates (elected without Examination). Bailey, Wilfred Arthur, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., 16, Heathwood Gardens, Old Charlton, London, S.E.7. Barnicoat, Cuthbert Richmond, M.Sc. (N.Z.), 29, Brougham Street, Wellington, New Zealand. Bell, James, jr., B.Sc. (Glas.), 3, Finnart Terracc, Creenock. Blundell, Reginald Walter, M.Sc. (Sheff.), c/o Deputy Controller, Imperial War Graves Commission, Longuenesse, St. Omer, Pas-de -Calais France. Bond, Arthur James, B.Sc. (Birm.), 142, Broinsgrove Street, Birmingham. Bowles, Reginald Frederick, B.Sc. (Lond.), 8, Lambourn Road, Clapham, London, S.W.4. Butcher, Noel Felix Howard, B.Sc. (Lond.), Broadway, Waywards Heath, Sussex. Charles, Frank Roland, 1B.Sc.(Lond.), A.R.C.S., 186, Eswyn Road, Tooting, London, S.W.17. Cochran, Kenneth Haldane, M.A., B.Sc. (St. Andrews), Duneam, Hamilton Road, Mount Vernon, Glasgc )\v. Colyer, Miss Brenda Hastings, B.Sc. (Lond.), 39, Palace Road, Streitthani Hill, London, S.W.2. Corran, Robert Frederick, B.Sc. (Liv.), 86, Upper Hill Street, Prince’s Park, Liverpool. 299 Davies, Walter Culr, B.Sc. (Wales), 9, Grove Place, Penarth, S. Wales. Duffin, Walter Mark, I3.Sc. (Lond.), A R.C.S., 35, Binfield Road, Clapham, London, S.W.4. Eaves, Stanley, B.Sc. (Lond.), 112, Russell Avenue, Wood Green, London, N.22. Evans, Sidney Ungoed, B.Sc. (Wales), Ungoed Stores, Gorseinon, Swansea. Ferrey, George James Watson, B.Sc. (Mane.), Newlyn, Campbell Road, Swinton, nr.Manchester. Fleming, Peter, B.Sc. (Edin.), Main Street, Balerno, Midlothian. Foster, Laurence Dallington, &l.Sc. (N.Z.), Chemistry Section, Depart- ment of Agriculture, JT7ellington, New Zealand. Foxton, Frederick, B.Sc. (Liv.), 9, Scarisbrick Avenue, Litherlaiitl , Liverpool.Gait, Alban JamtAs, M.Sc. ( liontl.), Allandalc, Feltham Road, Ashford, Middlesex. Gardner, Alexander, M.Sc. (S.A.),21, Tliomson Street!, Clydebank, Glasgow. Grieve, Henry Osburn, B.Sc. (Eclin.), The Square, Kirkliston, Scotland. Grieve, Stanley Trothowa, M.cCc. (Louisiana), 43, Grove Park Gardens, Chiswick, London, W.4. Hamer, Philip, B.A. (Oxon.), 108, Idmiston Road, West Norwood, London, S.E.27. Hayes, Richard Sydney, 13.8~.(Birm.), 19, Woodbrooke Road, Bournville Birmingham.Hedges, Ernest Sydney, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Mane.), Bedford College, Regent’s Park, London, N.W. 1. Hillman, Herbert Colston, B.Sc. (Bris.), 5, Pembroke Street, Swindon. Huntley, Arthur Ryland, R.Rc. (Bris.), Kosemount, Lyncornbe Hill, Beth. Ingharn, Bcrtram Hobart, M.So. (Manc.), Yew Hank, La,ngham Road, Bowdon. James, William Stanley, B.Sc. (Wales), 13, Digby Mansioris, Harnmtr- smith Bridge, London, MT.6. Jones, Arthur Frederick, B.Xc. (Lond.), Wesleyan Methodists’ Missionary Society High School, Belize, British Honduras. Kieser, Miss Margaret Elizabeth, B.Sc. (Bris.), 42, ttavenswood Road, Redland, Bristol. Levy, Miss Eva Rebecca, B.Sc. (Lond.), 21, St. James’ Mansions, West Hampstcaci, London, N.W.6.Lloyd, Ellis, B.Sc. (Wales), Bronwydd, Griffithstown, nr. Newport, Mon. Lyle, William Claude, B.Sc. (Glas.), 308, Dumbarton Road, Glasgow. Macleod, Donald Hamilton, B.Sc. (Glas.),3, Burnbank Terrace, Glasgow. Macmillan, William George, B.Sc. (hbercl.),32, Ferryhill Place, Aberdeen. Maw, William, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Dun.). Governmcnt Laboratory, Clement’s Inn Passage, Strand, London, W.C. 2. Menon, Chenglath Kunhirsma, B.A. (Madras), B.hlct. (Sheff.), ‘rho University, St. George’s Square, Shefield. Mukerjee, Binay Chandra, iL1.Sc. (Cd.), Office of the Metallurgical Inspector, Indian Stores Department, Jamshedpur, U.P., India. McDowoll, Charles Stophen, B.Sc. (Q.U.B.),33, Wellington Park, Belfast. Nuttall-Smith, Ralph Nuttall, B.A.(Oxon.), 13, Northam Road, Oxford, Orrell, William Ramsden, K.Sc. (Mane.), 17,Wyresdale Road, Bolton, Lancs. Pouncy, Allan Ernest, B.Sc. (Lond.), 22, Tanntifelcl Road, Sydenham. London, S.E.26. Pounder, Donald Whitworth, B.Sc. (Birm.),79, Springfield Road, Moseley, Birmingham. Riddell, Andrew Campbell, 1B.Sc. (Glas.), 57, Albert Road, Gourock, Renfrewshire. Shipp. Henry Leigh, B.Sc. (Lond.), Wayside, The Ridge Way, Sanderstead Smith, Miss Margaret Llowellyn, B.Sc. (Lond.), 5, The Grove, Highgate, London, N.6. 300 Smith, Robert Frederick, B.Sc. (Lond.). 254, Higham Hill Roar\, ITal-thamstow, London, E.17. Spencer, John Herbert, B.A., B.Sc. (Oxon .), 22, Highfield Terrace, Parkinson Lane, Halifax. Spilhaus, Karl Wilhelm, B.Sc. (Lond.), Lubeck, Lochiel Road, Rondebosch, Cape, S.Africa. Storm, Herbert Carl, B.A. (Cepe), Ph.D. (Zurich), Glen School of Agri-culture, Glen, O.F.S., S. Africa. Walkden, James, M.Sc. (Vict.), 33, Hemming Street, Winnington, North- wich. Walker, Leslie Arthur, B.Sc. (Birm.), 61, Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham. Watson, Eric Mervyn, R.Sc. (W.A.), 12, Bernard Street, Claremont, Western Australia. White, Leonard John, B.Sc. (Lond.), 39, Hrocklehurst Street, London, S.E.14. Willavoys, Herbert James, R.Sc. (Bns.), Gordon Terrace, Brimscombe, nr. Stroud, Glos. W7itt, Frank, R.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., 136, Manners Road, Southsea. New Students. Baker, Herbert Charles, 22, Birchington Road, Kilburn, London, N.W.6. Bennett, William Herbert, 16, Warrender Road, Tufnell Park, London, N.19.Burt, Rex, Hinton, Druid Stoke Avenue, Stoke Bishop, Bristol. Cameron, Allan, A.M.C.T., 16, Scarsdale Road, Victoria Park, Manchester. Charlton, Frank Evan, 17, Bath Street, Finsbury, London, E.C.l. Clark, James Frederick, 35, Ennismore Street, Burnley. Coats, Percy Murray, University Union, College Road, Newcastle-on-Tyne. Courtier, Geoffrey Bernard, Mount View, Dollis Avenue, Finchley, London, N.3. Cowan, Harold McNeill, 35, Ward Avenue, Bangor, Co. Down. Davies, David Percy, 231, Cowbridge Road, Cardiff. Dudman, Miss Violet Dorothy, 42, Garfield Road, Lavender Hill, London, S.W.11. Farmer, Charles Sandell, Marlborough House, Wardle Road, Sale, Farmer, Philip Arnold, 7, Upper Park Fields, Putney, London, S.W.15.Foster, Denis, 22, Duffield Road, Pendleton, Manchester. Hamence, Jack Hubert, 18, Cranfield Road, Brockley, London, S.E.4. Hatcher, Frederic William, Standene, Bridge Road, Epsom. Kempton, William John Horell, 34, Raglan Road, Plum?tead, London, S.E.18. Newns, John Edward, 8, Glen Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Oliver, George Frederick, 39, Cantcrbury Road, Brixton, London, S.W.9. Parker, Miss Margaret, 91, Armadale Street, Dennistoun, Glasgow. Rosen, Miss Olga Naomi, 59, Brondesbury Road, London, N.W.6. Saunders, Sydney Leonard Morgan, 6, Woodgrange Gardens, Woodhouse Road, N. Finchley, London, N.12. Sellman, Miss Tillie, 27, Osbaldeston Road, London, N. 16. Shaw, Otto Leslie, Betula, Park View Road, London, S.E.9.Smith, Percy, 23, Langworthy Road, Salford. Spackman, Norman, Craigside, Bath Road, Worcester. Statton, Archibald George, Forest Cottage, Kensington Road, Redland, Bristol. Tomlinson, Leslie George, 34, Haddon Street, Derby. Warren, Leonard Arthur, 16, Bourne Hill, Palmers Green, London, N.13. Weston, Bernard Allan, 51, Queens Road, Leigh-on-Sea. Younger, James John, 637, Old Kent Road, London, S.E.16. 301 DEATHS. Fellows. Robert Nicol Lennox. Charles Rumble. Sir William Augustus Tilden, D.Sc., F.R.S. REGISTER-ADDRESSES UNKNOWN. The Registrar would be greatly obliged if any member who knows the address of any of the following Fellows and Associates would kindly communicate with him, giving the required information.F. Alford, H. J. A. McParland, A. Q. A. Allan, H. A. Morris, E. F. A. Asherson, N. A. Neilson, J. F. A. F. a. A. Bamford, F. Beynon, E. 31. Brazier, W.E. Bayley, F.s. A. F. A. A. Newton, A. U. Norris, W. H. H. Oriel, J. A. Purdon, A. 0. A. Brown, I. V. F. Reeve, H. T. A. Burton, J. A. Richards, C. H. A. Cousins, F. G. A. Richards, 144. ill. A. A. Coyle, V. I. Craddock, G. L3 A. A. Richardson, E. Robinson, E. A. A. F. Crook, S. E. Cunningham, H. J. Davies, P. M. F. A. A. Roos, C. B. Scott, $3. H. Scott, J. L. A. Evans, H. G. F. Scott-Smith, G. E. F. A. Fraser, J. I). Gartlner, illrs. U. E. P. A. A. Sellars, E. L. Siderfin, N. 3:. A. 3’. A. A. F. A. F. A. A. A. A. Gifford, E. C. Goldsbrough, H.A. Hampson, 33. E. V. Harrap, F. N. Hay, J. G. Hazeldoii, J. N. Head, C. J. Highfield, A. Hodkin, I?. W. Holligctn, P. T. Holmes, F. H. A. A. A. I?. A. F. A. A. h. I!. A. Singh, K. Smith, H. L. Stern, H. Stevens, 31. 11-. Storer, G. 1’. Stuart, C. M. Sugden, It. Talbot, Ic. Thudichum, G. P. Wallace, Miss D. 0. Sykes, 1,. S. A. A. Hughes, E. W. Jarrard, mT.J. A. A. Waters, P. MT. Webster, T. A. F. Johnson, E. E. A. Weil, J. A. A. Judd, Miss H. M. A. JVeil, V. M. A. A. A. A. A. A. Kear, 1. E. Kenny, T. C. Kotihhaskar, M. (4. Mackley, F. McLaren, Mias M. C. Lodge, (2. A. I?. A. A. A. A. Weston, E. 1’. Whewell, G. Wignall, H. Wisp, J. F. Worcester, D. Yeats, H. 302 General Notices. MeI doI a MedaI.-The Meldola Medal is awarded annually to the chemist whose published chemical work shows the most promise and is brought to the notice of the administrators during the year ending 31st December prior to the award; without restricting the award to any particular branch of chemical work, the administrators have primary regard to work bearing on analytical chemistry. The recipient must be a British subject not more than 30 years of age at the time of the completion of the work; but until 1928 the award may be made to candidates who at the time of the completion of the work are more than 30 years of age, provided that the age of the recipient does not exceed 30 by more than the period during which the recipient was engaged on active naval, military or air service.The Medal may not be awarded more than once to the same person.The Council will be glad to have attention directed (before 1st January, 1927) to work of the character indicated. The award for the year 1927will be made in January, 1928. Sir George Beilby Memorial.-The Joint Committee of Officers and representatives of the Institute of Chemistry, the Institute of Metals, and the Society of Chemical Industry will be glad to receive further contributions towards the fund for the establishment of a menlorial to the late Sir George Beilby, towards which a sum of i3260 has already been subscribed. From the income of the Fund, at intervals to be determined by the administrators, awards will be made to mark appreciation of records of distinguished work in science, bcaring in mind the special interests of Sir George Beilby, viz., applied chemistry, chemical engineering, and metallurgy. The proposal does not imply an award on the result of a competition for work on a set 303 theme or the solution of a definite scientific problem, but the recognition of work of exceptional merit.Contributions may be addressed to the Hon. Secretaries, Beilby Memorial Fund, 30, Russell Square, London, W.C.1. Examinations in 1 927.-The arrangements for exaniina- tions for Associateship and Fellowship during 1927 are as follows: Dates of Exams. Entries close. 25th to 30th April. Monday, 14th Feb., 1927. or 2nd to 7th May. 19th to 24th Sept. Monday, 18th July, 1927. or 26th Sept, to 1st Oct.Notice to Associates.-Associates elected prior to January, 1924, who have been continuously engaged in the study and practical applications of chemistry for at least three years since their election to the Associateship, can obtain from the Registrar particulars of the Regulations for admission to the Fellowship. Appointments Registep.-A Register of Fellows and Associates of the Institute of Chemistry 'who are available for appointments is kept at the Offices of the Institute. For full information, inquiries should be addressed to the Registrar. Fellows and Associates are invited to notify the Institute of suitable vacancies for qualified chemists. Students who have been registered as Students of the Institute for not less than six months and are in the last term of their college course may receive the Appointments Register of the Institute on the same terms as Fellows and Associates, provided that their applications €or this privilege be endorsed by their Professors.Lists of vacancies are forwarded twice weekly to those whose names are on the Appointments Register. Fellows and Associates who are already in employment, but seeking to improve their positions, are required to pay 10s. for a period of six months. Members and Students who are without employ- ment are required to pay 6s. 6d. for the first period of six months, and, if not successful in obtaining an appointment, will there- after be supplied with the lists gratis for a further period of six months if necessary.304 The Institute also maintains a Register of Laboratory Assistants who have passed approved Preliminary Examinations and, in some cases, Intermediate Science Examinations. Fellows and Associates who have vacancies for such assistants and students are invited to communicate with the Registrar. The Library.-The Library of the Institute is open for the use of Fellows, Associates, and Registered Students between the hours of 10a.m. and 6 p.m. on week-days (Saturdays, 10a.m. and I p.m.), except when examinations are being held. The library consists of books which are likely to be required by candidates during the Institute’s practical examinations. The comprehensive Library of the Chemical Society is avail-able, by the courtesy of the Council of the Society, for the use of Fellows and Associates of the Institute wishing to consult or borrow books, from 10 a.m.to g p.m. on weekdays (Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Registered Students of the Institute are also permitted for the present year to use the Library of the Chemical Society for reference purposes, but not to borrow books. Members and Students of the Institute using the library of the Society are required to conform to the rules of the Society regarding the use of its books. Covers for Journal.-Members who desire covers for binding the Journal (cost about IS. zd. each) are requested to notify the Registrar of their requirements by indicating the dates of the years for which they are desirous of binding the Journal.Arrangements have been made with Messrs. A. W. Bain & Co., Ltd., 17-19, Bishop’s Road, Cambridge Heath, London, E.2, to bind volumes of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGStheon following terms :-Buckram case, IS. zd. ; binding, 2s. 9d.; pQstage and packing, 9d.; in all, 4s. 8d. Lantern SIides for Lectu res.-Fellows and Associates are invited to co-operate in forming a collection of slides, to be kept at the Institute and placed at the disposal of members who wish to give lectures, or, alternatively to notify the Registrar if they are prepared to lend slides for this purpose. The collection 305 includes a large number of portraits and pictures of alchemists and chemists, which are especially useful to members lecturing on various phases of the history of chemistry.Changes of Address,-In view of the expciise involved, through frequent alterations of addressograph plates, etc., Fellows, Associates, and Registered Students who wish to notify changes of address are requested to give as far as possible, their permanent addresses for registration. Official Chemical Appointments : 6th Edition, 1927. --The sixth edition of A List of Oficial Cheunical Appoi?ztments is is now in preparation. Corrections and suggestions which may increase the usefulness of the List, will be welcomed. Com-munications should be addressed to the Registrar. District Members of Council.-The following have been returned as District Members of Council to take office at the Annual General Meeting to he held on Tuesday, 1st March, I927 :-(ii) Bristol and South-Western Counties : Frank Southerden, B.Sc.(iii) Liverpool and North-West Coast : Two Fellows have been nominated and balloting papers are being cir- culated to members in this District. (iv) London and South-Eastern Counties: Lewis Eynon, B.Sc. (v) Manchcster and District : William Marshall. (vi) North-East Coast and Yorkshire : Percy Ewart Bowles, Ph.D. (vii) Edinburgh and East of Scotland: John Adam Watson, A.C.G.I. (viii) Glasgow and West of Scotland: Walter Henry Coleman. (ix) Wales and the County of Monmoutlishire: Christopher Maurice Walter Grieb, BSc. (x) Northern Ireland: Joseph Harold Totton, B.A., BSc.(xi) Irish Free State: Alfred Godfrey Gordon Leonard, B.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.C.Sc.1. (xii) The Overseas Dominions, The Empire of India, and Abroad: Frankland Dent, Ph.D., M.Sc. 306 Nomination of General Members of Council.-Attention is directed to the By-laws relating to the nomination of Members of Council:-By-law 26. (1) Any twenty Members, not being Members of the Council, may nominate one eligible Fellow as a candidatc. for election as a General Member of the Coimcil, but no Member shall nominate more than one such Fellow. (2) Any nomination made under this By-law shall be delivered to the Secretary six weeks at least before the Annual General Meeting, and shall be in the following form : “We the undersigned, Members of the Institute of Chemistryof Great Britain and Ireland do hereby certify that A.B., of (registeredaddress) , a Fellow of this Institute, is, in our estimation, a fit and proper person to be a General Member of the Councilof the Institute, and we do hereby nominate him as a Candidate for election as a General Member of the Council.” (3) Any such nomination may consist of several documents in likr? form, each signed by one or more Members.(The name of every candidate nominated in accordance with By-law 26 will be included in the Balloting List.) By-law 24 (2). No person who has been elected as a District Member of the Council for any year of Office shall be eligible for election as a General Member of the Council for that year of Office and if such person is elected as President, Vice-president or Treasurer, for that year of Office he shall vacate his Office as a District Member of the Council arid the vacancy shall be filled up as on a, casual vacancy.Nominations must be received before 4 9.m. on Tuesday, 18th January, 1927. The Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, Ist March. The names of the President, Vice-presidents and General Members of Council who retire at the next Annual General Meeting, and who are ineligible for re-election as such, are as follows: President: George Gerald Henderson, D.Sc., F.R.S. ; Vice-Presidents : Edward Charles Cyril Baly, C,B.E,, F.R.S., Alfred Chaston Chapman, F.R.S., Thomas Slater Price, O.B.E., F.R.S., Edward William Voelcker, A.R.S.M. ; Members of Council : Richard Henry Greaves, D.Sc., William Henry Lewis, M.A., Robert Selby Morrell, M.A., Ph.D., Frank Lee Pyman, D.Sc., Ph.D., F.R.S., Clarence Arthur Seyler, B.Sc., Arthur Slator, D.Sc., Ph.D., Jocelyn Field Thorpe, C.R.E., F.R.S., James Fowler Tocher, DSc.307 ATTENDANCES AT MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL AND COMMITTEES, MARCH TO DECEMBER, 1926. Council. Council in Committees. Uommittee. G. G. Henderson, Pres. Glasgow . . E. C. C. Baly, V.P. LiverpoolE. R. Bolton, V.-P. London .. A. Chaston Chapman, V.-P. London .. .. .. .. .. 6 1 7 3 31 3 19 7 4 1 10 1 T. Slater Price, V.-P. London E. W. Voelcker, V.-P. London €1. G. Colman, V.-P. London 1’. H. Kirkaldv. Trects. London . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 5 6 7 11 19 22 31 I1 16 14 31 F.W. F. Arniud ..Maidstone .. 3 0 5 2 H. C. L. Bloxam A. J. ChapmanG. C ClaytonJ. W. Cobb .. .. .. .. Newcastle-on-Tyno 3 London .. .. 6 Chester .. .. 3 Leeds .. .. 0 0 ti 0 0 8 18 15 0 0 12 1 0 W. H. Coleman .. London .. .. 1 2 0 0 W. l\iI GummingFrankland Dent L. Dobbin .. J. C. Drummond .. .. .. .. GlasgowLondon .. Edinburgh London .. .. .. .. .. 1 7 2 4 0 5 2 0 10 1(j 10 1 0 16 2 0 13. Dyer .. A. V. Elsden .. .. London London .. . . .. .. 6 5 2 3 5 1 3 3 8 11. J. Evans . W. 1%. Fearori .. .. Dublin .. Liverpool .I .. 1 3 1 0 ) I 2 0 A. G. Francis .. London . . .. T n 3 3 T. Gray . . R.H. Greaves C. A.I!. Hast-ilow Ei. M. Hawkins I. M. Hailbroil E. Hinks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. London .. Glasgow BirminghamCanterbury LiverpoolLondon .... .. .. .. .. .. .) 2 3 7 3 ) 7 3 1 1 7 0 5 2 1ti 12 27 7 14 0 1 23 1 14 > I A. W. KnappW, H. Lewis T. LMacara .. H. G. niIcLellaii .. .. .. .. BirminghamExeter . . Londoii . . Yorlr .. .. .. .. .* 5 4 (i 3 0 0 5 3 7 5 I (i 10 1 0 13 0 S.E. MellingR. S. Morroll L. G. Paul .. .. .. .. Manchestor . . Huddersfield .. Wolverhamptori I 4 3 0 1 0 1 0 2 10 2 1 0 F. L. PymaiiL. G. Radcliffe .. .. Mancliester Manchester .. . . 5 2 0 3 4 1 1 0 E. K. Rideal W. Rintoul .. .. .. CambridgeArdrossan .. .. 3 1 3 1 2 4 0 0 I?. Scholefield .. Manchester .. 1 0 7 1 C. A. Seyler .. A. Slator . . .. .. Swansea .. .. Burton -on-Treil t 2 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 F. Southerden .. Exeter .. .. T I 5 0 J. F. ThorpeXJ. F. Tocher .... London .. Aberdeen .. .. 4 5 1 1 14 5 0 0 J. H. Totton .. Belfast .. .. 1 0 2 1 * Abroad for three months.