THE INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. FOUNDED 1877. INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER, 1885. Patron -H.M. THE KING. JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. PART IV: 1936. Issued under the supervision of the Publications Committee. RICHARD B. PJLCHER, Registrar and Secretary. 30, RUSSELL SQUARE, LONDON,W.C.1, August, 1936. Publications Committee, 1936-37. LEWIS EYNON chairm ma.^), ROBERT H. PICKARD (President), JAMES BELL, HAROLD BURTON, G. R. CLEMO, ALBERT COULTHARD, W. M. CUMMING, B. S. EVANS, A. E.EVEREST, ALEXANDER FINDLAY, A. E. FINDLEY, H. H. HODGSON, WILLIAM HONNEYMAN, D. JORDAN-LLOYD, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY (Hon. Treasurer), C. AINSWORTH MITCHELL, J. R. NICHOLLS, T. F. E. RHEAD, ADAM TAIT, E.A.TYLER, ERNEST VANSTONE. 281 Editorial. Vocational Suitability.-The Report of the Industrial Health Research Board recently published (H.M. Stationery Office, gd. net) deals, inter aZia, with Vocational Suitability, which suggests a subject for comment as it applies to the profession of chemistry. It will not be considered here in respect of the youth who is leaving school, but of the student leaving college,- the newly qualified chemist. He has decided his vocation. For what branch of work is he best suited? Industry, private practice, Government or municipal service, or teaching ? In-organic, organic, physical, or biological chemistry, metallurgy, etc. ? Analysis, research, plant control, etc. ? In the early days of the Institute and for many years after its formation, it was generally held that a young man who contemplated a career in chemistry had little prospect of success, as that term is commonly accepted.Some regarded making a profession of chemistry as an affront to philosophy, but, in any case, sheer folly, unless the individual had a well-to-do father or the means to maintain himself independently of his earnings. Well-known chemists, however, who are still doing good work, find satisfaction in recalling the warnings to which they were obliged to listen in their youth. Some, although great success in terms of wealth has not come their way, can say with good reason that they could not have been happy in any other profession, while they too, have the satisfaction of having rendered good service.Comparatively few of those pioneers who persisted in their original choice have found the endeavour desperate. At one time industry and commerce were not ready to utilise chemists in proportion as the universities and colleges produced them; but as the profession increased in utility and it became recognised, it attracted more and more aspirants. The member- ship of the Institute has steadily increased, but the supply of available chemists since 1919 has rarely exceeded the demand by more than about 3 per cent. Yet that does not mean that nearly all have been absorbed into chemical practice; on the other hand, many who have qualified since 1918 have turned, for various reasons, to other professions.Some are to be found among medical men, barristers, chartered patent agents, engineers and journalists, and it is certain that their technical training has not been wasted; but it must be allowed that others, by leaving the profession, have felt that they have missed their vocation. Judged by the average length of life of chemists, chemistry as a profession is generally selected by men and women of sound constitution, who know how to take care of themselves. They live longer than most people. Physical fitness is necessary for men and women who stand for hours at the laboratory bench, or who are constantly “on the works.” However, the physical and medical considerations of the Industrial Health Research Board cannot be dissociated from other important considerations in dealing with the fitness of those who venture upon careers in the various branches of professional chemical work, which not only demand varying technical abilities and different personal human characteristics, but not infrequently call for a willing acceptance of conditions foreign to many other spheres of professional service.The chief study of the Industrial Health Research Board has been directed to “the temperamental and other factors which function at the root of human behaviour.” The minds of men are suited to many different capacities: the selection of the appropriate branch of work for a particular individual must depend upon many circumstances. In the past, among craftsmen, with whom the industrial pyschologists are so much concerned, generation after generation followed and showed a natural aptitude for the same craft, as a matter of course; although since the provision of education for the masses, the practice is now less frequently continued.On the other hand, among chemists, comparatively few have followed in their father’s footsteps. There have been outstanding examples; but the profession is not one into which it is advisable to press a son or daughter who has no desire for it, Very few have merely drifted into it; the majority have made the choice for themselves. The prospective chemist has encountered a test of his en-thusiasm in prolonged education and in examinations,-the preliminary examination in subjects of general education, in-evitable for all professions, and the intermediate examinations in his technical subjects, in order to determine his fitness to proceed to higher education. Such tests in themselves offer substantial checks and prevent many from going forward.283 Eventually, having overcome these obstacles, the student has obtained a degree or other qualification which entitles him to a place in his chosen profession. He may have the opportunity of post-graduate research for a higher academic distinction, or may have to proceed at once to the more severe test of practical experience. In any case a career in science involves the necessity of perpetual study, in order to maintain efficiency compatible with the progress of discovery and invention.Granted, then, a trained mind and the necessary knowledge, skill and general competence, and disregarding, at this stage, such psychological prognostic tests as are applicable in early youth, what can be done to put him on the right road? Chemistry undoubtedly calls for enthusiasm and pleasure in work as the first essentials to successful performance : efficiency must be maintained and, as incentives to efficiency, there must be a prospect of congenial work with adequate reward and scope for future advancement. While the openings in industry and private practice were few, a number of trained chemists took to teaching in public and secondary schools: many not from choice, but from the lack of other opportunities.The increased provision of teachers’ train- ing centres and the sifting process which they exercise assisted in deciding vocational suitability of would-be teachers and pro- moted efficiency, while improved conditions afforded greater inducements to chemists to take up educational work. It is sometimes deplored that many honours graduates give their lives to teaching elementary science. Often they are not content to do so, unless they are allowed opportunities of carrying on research. If they are sincerely devoted to educational work they should have a sympathetic understanding of the difficulties of their pupils, tempered by a recollection of their own in similar circumstances ;they must possess the necessary power of expres-sion, patience and tact and, above all, must adhere to the idea that their pupils have not only to accumulate facts, but to think and to reason. It needs to be impressed upon all who hope to be teachers of chemistry that a sound knowledge of the highest branches of the subject is necessary to teach the more elementary facts in their proper setting.The question whether a particular chemist who has persisted in the ordeal of qualifying is suitable for any particular branch 284 of work, will be largely settled by his adaptability to any opening which may be offered to him. Specialised vocational suitability cannot always be determined by the individual himself, and yet specialisation is almost imperative. He must earn his living, and he is wise to make a start as soon as possible, and take any reasonable opportunity of proving his worth.In any case, he must face the difficulty of getting his first appointment, which depends not only on the vacancies available in the various branches of work, but also on what may be termed the personal ratio between the prospective employer and employee. Although, on qualifying, he should be conscious of his particu- lar bent and be able to determine the sphere in which he would prefer to work, managers, staff establishment officers of industrial concerns, heads of departments and principals have also, as occasion arises, their own ideas as to how the services of a candi- date for a vacancy may be employed to their own, and possibly to his own, best advantage.In general, an employer having selec- ted his “short list ” seeks the candidate who can supply his special requirements, but, if he can, he will certainly select one with whom he and those associated with him can live and work. The new edition of the Register of the Institute will show that an increasing number of chemists are occupying positions as directors, managers and assistant managers in important under- takings. The industrial chemist, who is required to control plant, and may in due course be entrusted with departmental or general management, is expected to be also a good physicist. He must acquire, in addition, a practical knowledge of the methods and conditions of working on the large scale, of the engineering underlying works operations, and of costs and business.Further, and no less important, he must be possessed of personality; be able naturally to accept responsibility; be respected for his attainments and common sense; and have consideration for those who work with and under him. He must be adaptable to circumstances and ready on occasion to cope with emergencies. His chief asset is practical wisdom. Industrial leaders say that good analysts are always in demand. The analyst, whether in private practice or in industry, should be methodical and accurate. He must be minutely careful as to accuracy in matters of legal or financial significance, although with samples received in works practice “rough testing” is often sufficient. He should be no less observant than the research chemist, and his results and his opinions must be unbiased,- founded on fact.His bent for research may lie in the direction of discovering new analytical methods. Skill in the laboratory arts-glass blowing, working in wood or metal, and the im- provisation of ingenious apparatus-is all-important both to analysts and research workers. When is a chemist entitled to the adjective “Research”? Often the classical tag, nascitur non $t, has been applied to the genius who has the intuition and the flair for original investigation. The aim of the research chemist is to discover, extend and prove phenomena by experiment, observation and reasoning. By a scholarship or grant, the graduate may be able to continue at college and obtain valuable research experience and an additional degree; but when he gets into industry, without the guidance and supervision of his professor, he may find life very different.He may be a sound chemist, grounded in scientific laws and principles and experienced in the method of procedure; he may have manipulative skill, imagination, perseverance and the ability to express lucidly his results and opinions, but he should possess initiative and resource, and be capable of working independently. If, however, he joins an industrial laboratory where team-work is the rule, he must be ready to work loyally with others. This implies a genuine will to co-operate, to discuss freely, and to make the best contribution he can to the problem in hand.As one of a team he may feel at first that he is not so much appreciated as he thinks he deserves. He must not be easily discouraged by disappointments. He may sometimes have good reason to be aggrieved, for example, when he is taken off work and it is given to someone else, just as he thinks he is about to produce results, but, generally, he will not be deprived of the credit of his achievement. In the numerous openings in Government and muni.cipa1 service, the requirements, technical and personal, are much the same as in private practice or in industry, or other branches: the necessity for integrity, discipline and discretion is common to all. It will be realised that these observations are not addressed to chemists in established positions, but it is hoped that they may contain some useful suggestions to Registered Students and those who are about to become qualified.286 Proceedings of the Council. CouncilMeeting, 19thJune, 1936.-Arising from previous Minutes, an acknowledgment and expression of thanks was received from the Council of the Institution of the Rubber Industry for the decision of the Council of the Institute to support the Petition of the Institution for the grant of a Royal Charter. A report was also received from the Surveyors to the Institute regarding the proposal of the University of London to build on to the west wall of the Institute’s premises, for which a Deed of Grant is necessary in order to constitute a party wall.Among other matters submitted to the Council was a request from the Thames Barrage Association that the Institute should support the demand for a public enquiry into the proposals formulated by the Association for the construction of a dam at Woolwich Reach, on which the Council came to the conclusion that the matter was not one upon which the Institute should express an opinion. A communication was received from the Malaya Section regarding the election of a District Member of Council for the Overseas Dominions and elsewhere abroad, and the appointment of an Honorary Corresponding Secretary for the Far East, on the approaching retirement of Colonel B. J. Eaton. On a report from the Censors, the Council resolved that the name of an Associate of the Institute be removed from the Register of the Institute and that he cease to be an Associate thereof.On the recommendation of the Finance and House Committee, a donation of twenty-five guineas was voted to the Lord Mayor’s Fund for the memorial to His Late Majesty King George V, Patron of the Institute. On the report from the Nominations, Examinations and Institutions Committee, in addition to recommendations for the admission of students and the election of Fellows and Associates, the Council received and adopted a recommendation that the Doncaster Technical College be added to the list of institutions 287 recognised for training candidates for admission to the Associate- ship, subject to the usual provisions, which now include a con-dition that such recognition is, in the first instance, for a period of three years and is subject to review at the end of that period.The Publications Committee reported on the qualifications and initials to be allowed against the names of Fellows and Associates in the published Register of the Institute, and the arrangements made for lectures during the coming session (see p. 290). The Council also received a report from the Appointments Committee on the desirability of establishing more clearly the principles which should guide the Council in deciding the cir- cumstances in which the Institute may be justified in intervening in matters relating to the status and remuneration attaching to appointments for chemists.The Council adhered to the principle that the Institute should not officially intervene in any question concerning the relations between an employed chemist and a private employer or an industrial concern, except where the public interest might be involved; but agreed that the executive officers should con- tinue, as they had done in the past, to give general advice to members on such matters, and should use their discretion as to whether questions concerning public appointments should be brought before the Appointments Committee. The Council reaffirmed its opinion that the Institute should, so far as possible, discourage local authorities from offering professional chemical work to tender, and that the officers should bring to the notice of the Committee cases where it was alleged that routine work was being undertaken for local authorities by State-aided institutions, or the analysis of routine samples, or consulting, as distinct from research work, was alleged to be undertaken by such institutions, except in those cases where the institutions maintained the only laboratories sufficiently equipped to be able to carry out the work in a satisfactory manner.The Appointments Committee reported that the number of vacancies notified on the Appointments Register had shown an appreciable increase of over 140 between October, 1935 and May, 1936, compared with the corresponding period in 1934-35. (The number of Fellows and Associates known to be unemployed is less than 1.6 per cent.of the total membership.) 288 Mr. H. Douglas Elkington, Vice-president, kindly consented, in the unavoidable absence of the President, to receive the Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections at the Conference held on 20th June. Council Meeting, 24th July.-The President mentioned that at the meeting of Council to be held in October it would be necessary to fill a vacancy arising from the retirement from the Council of Mr. H. J. Page, on his taking up an appointment in Malaya. A letter was received from the Chemical Council stating that, with a view to effecting economies, estimates had been invited from a number of firms for tenders for printing the principal publications of the three constituent bodies.In the aggregate, it was estimated that an annual saving of approximately ;6700 would be made, including about ;670 in respect of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGSof the Institute. The thanks of the Council were accorded to the Chemical Council for the action taken, which the Council of the Institute confirmed. In this connexion the Council agreed that the Chemical Council should accept the contract with the present printers of the Institute, and requested that the Publications Committee should not contemplate making any change in the conditions without first conferring with the Chemical Council, and should inform the Chemical Council of any alteration which might be in view with regard to the form of the JOURNAL. The Council of the Institute also expressed its appreciation of the services rendered by Mr.F. P. Dunn with regard to this matter. A letter was received from Dr. A. D. Mitchell reporting progress made in connexion with the work of the Committee of the British Standards Institution on chemical symbols and abbreviations. The attention of the Council was called to the Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation) Bill which had been introduced in the House of Lords on 15th July. As this matter had been before the Council on several occasions, on the representation of the Glasgow and Liverpool Local Sections and of several members, the Council decided to refer the matter to the Legal and Par-liamentary Committee for consideration and report. The Finance and House Committee reported, in accordance with instructions received from the Council, and with the con- currence of the executors of the late Mrs.Meldola and that of 289 the Royal Society, that the Gold Davy Medal, awarded to Pro- fessor Meldola, had been sold, and that the proceeds, together with a sum of nearly E30 transferred to the Institute with the Meldola Library when Finsbury Technical College was closed, would be invested, in order that the income therefrom might be devoted to a prize to be awarded annually to the recipient of the Meldola Medal. The Report of the Benevolent Fund Committee dealt with a number of cases which had been reviewed and showed that regular allowances to the end of the year would amount to approximately l4go as against a balance on current account of l306 5s.8d. The Council received the report of a meeting of the Joint Committee of the Scottish Education Department and the Institute re National Certificates in Chemistry (Scotland). The President informed the Council that the Joint Committee of the Institute and the Board of Education re National Certifi- cates in Chemistry (England and Wales) had received the Report from the Assessors on the Examinations held during 1936,and that it would be submitted to the Council in October. The Report of the Conference of Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections held on 20th June was received and discussed. The Council did not deem it advisable to make any alteration on the lines suggested in the resolution recommending that District Members of Council should be replaced by Honorary Secretaries or Chairmen of Local Sections.The suggestion in paragraph 10, for an Editorial on the subject of Libraries, was referred to the Publications Committee, and the suggestions in paragraph 11:, regarding the Benevolent Fund, were also referred to the appro- priate Committee. The Council endorsed the views expressed in the conclusion of paragraph 12 on the subject of training for works employees. The thanks of the Council were accorded to Mr. H. Douglas Elkington, Vice-Presiden t ,for receiving the Honorary Secretaries. iiModern Chemical Nomenclature. ’‘-The Council of the Institute gratefully acknowledges the courtesy of the Council of the Chemical Society in arranging for the supply of copies of Dr.Clarence Smith’s lecture on “Modern Chemical Nomen- clature ’’ to Fellows, Associates and Registered Students of the Institute. Reprints of the lecture are being circulated with this Part of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 290 Lectures.-The Council is glad to be able to announce that the following Lectures have been arranged to take place during the coming Session:- Gluckstein Memorial Lecture.-Dr. Robert H. Pickard, F.R.S., President of the Institute, will give the Gluckstein Memorial Lecture on Thursday, 5th November, at 8 p.m. Streatfeild Memorial Lecture.-Professor John Read will give the Streatfeild Memorial Lecture on Friday, 20th November, at 8 p.m. Subject: “A Chapter in the Chemistry of Essential Oils.” Professor Eric K.Rideal, M.B.E., F.R.S., will give the first of two Lectures on “Recent Work on Films,” on the 11th or 18th December, and the second, in March or April, 1937. Further details will be published and tickets issued in due course. Lectures are open to Fellows, Associates and Registered Students of the Institute. The Streatfeild Memorial Lecture is also open to all former Students of Finsbury Technical College. Tickets may also be obtained by persons other than members and students of the Institute on application to the Registrar. The Chemical Council.-The appeal of the Chemical Council for an endowment fund for the publication of new know- ledge, the maintenance of the Chemical Library, and eventually for securing suitable premises, has been issued to a large number of companies and firms which have derived direct benefit from chemistry.So far, the receipts and promises for the fund amount to over E19,200. Fellows and Associates who are in a position to further the movement can obtain copies of the appeal from the Hon. Secretary, The Chemical Council, 30, Russell Square, London, W.C.I. 291 Fourth Conference of Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections. The fourth conference of Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections was held at the Institute on Saturday, 20th June. The following attended and were welcomed by Mr. H. Douglas Elkington, Vice-president :-Mr. G. W. Beaumont, Liverpool and North-Western. Dr. H. Burton, Leeds Area.Dr. A. Coulthard, Manchester and District. Mr. R. Craven, Aberdeen and North of Scotland. Mr. G. Elliot Dodds, Edinburgh and East of Scotland. Dr. E. H. Goodyear, Huddersfield. Mr. F. P. Hornby, Bristol and South-Western Counties. Mr. R. F. Innes, London and South-Eastern Counties. Mr. A. R. Jamieson, Glasgow and West of Scotland. Mr. R. H. Jones, South Wales (Swansea). Dr. A. G. G. Leonard, Dublin. Mr. C. S. McDowell, Belfast. Mr. C. W. North, East Midlands. Dr. E. A. Rudge, South Wales (Cardiff)-vice Dr. W. Cule Davies. Dr. W. E. Scott, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and North-East Coast. Mr. Garfield Thomas, Birmingham and District. Mr. William Wall, South Yorkshire. Every Section in Great Britain and Ireland was represented, and the Registrar and the Assistant Secretary were in attendance. Mr.Elkington, in opening the proceedings, expressed the regret of the President that he was unable to be present to wel- come the representatives of the Local Sections. In conveying the best wishes of the President and Council for the success of the Conference, he said how much they valued the services given by the Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections and the work that the local Committees did for the Institute. Dr. Burton, having been elected to the chair, Mr. Elkington was accorded a vote of thanks for welcoming the Conference, which proceeded to discuss the following matters :-(I) A rksum6 of last Session’s activities of each Section, with comments. (2) Preparation of a short panel of lecturers, to help outlying (3) The possibility of printing-in, say, the October part of Sections.292 the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,-the names Of Officers and Committee of the Local Sections, and particulars of their meetings for the ensuing Session. The acquisition of property by Local Sections, e.g. lantern for lectures. The necessity for an Annual Conference of Honorary Secretaries. (One Secretary suggested that one in three years would be sufficient.) That the Annual General Meeting of the Institute be held during the day, and be followed by an Annual Dinner. That District Members of Council be replaced by Honorary Secretaries of Sections, ex-ojicio. Nomination of District Members of Council in districts where there is more than one Section.That Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections be informed regarding the work of the Chemical Council,-if per-missible. The possibility of extending library facilities, so far as provincial members are concerned. The desirability of further publicity to improve the con- dition of the Benevolent Fund. The training of chemical workers (works employees). (1)A RBSUMBOF LAST SESSION’S ACTIVITIES OF EACH SECTION,WITH COMMENTS.-The Conference discussed the ad- vantages and disadvantages of joint meetings with other Bodies and the type of meeting that received the most support. It was necessary to make arrangements for the presentation of certificates to new members and for other formal business of the Institute.In some Sections, this need was recognised by the other Societies; in other Sections, the formal business was reserved for meetings to which only members of the Institute were summoned. The view was expressea that, in some cases, the social side was lacking or insufficiently provided for, but in most Sections there were opportunities for conversation when light refresh- ments were provided and a “break” was made between the conclusion of a lecture and the discussion. When refreshments were not provided until after the meeting, it was found that 293 many members did not stay to avail themselves of the oppor- tunity of meeting their fellow members. Opinions were expressed as to the value and attractiveness of certain lectures.In more than one Section, it appeared that an attempt had been made to introduce subjects of wider interest (e.g., economic, political, etc.) than those of special concern to chemists. Ad-dresses on such subjects, by members of other professions, followed by discussion, had made very successful meetings. In one or two Sections, the “refresher” type of lecture was very greatly appreciated. In some Sections, an informal dinner was held before every event. Demonstrations of laboratory work and exhibitions of apparatus and instruments appeared to be successful. Reference was also made to visits to works, which were very popular in certain districts. The company of ladies added to the social success of the visits.The Chairman summed the matter up by remarking that the needs of Sections appeared to vary according to their environ- ment, There was a difference of opinion whether the meet-ings were more successful when held in lecture theatres, hotels, or clubs, and also as to the time of meeting, whether after tea or after dinner. No general rule seemed to be applicable. It was agreed that each Secretary should send in a short statement as to the success of lectures and meetings held during the past session, in order that his views might be circulated privately among the others. OF OF LECTURERS,(2) PREPARATIONA SHORTPANEL Es-PECIALLY FOR THE BENEFITOF OUTLYING DIsTRIcTs.-The Officers were asked if they could ascertain from prominent members whether they would be willing to allow their names to be placed on a panel.After discussion, it was thought better that Honorary Secretaries should consult the list of lectures which appears in the Annual Report of Council, and should obtain, from each other, confidential information as to those particular lectures which had been most appreciated. The Officers considered that it was unlikely that the Council would agree to approach chemists directly. Well-known lec- turers found that it was impossible to be in readiness to give many lectures in different parts of the country during the session, but several Members of Council were mentioned who had frequently lectured before the Sections during the past few years, (3)THEPOSSIBILITYPRINTING-IN, SAY, THE OCTOBEROF PART OF THE Journal and PYOCeedhgS,-THE NAMESOF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEEOF THE LOCAL SECTIONS, AND PARTICULARS OF THEIR MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING SESSION.-It was found that the Annual Meetings of Sections, and the preparation of their programmes took place at different times in the year, and therefore it was not possible to print in any single Part of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGSa complete and up-to-date list of the Committees and Officers and the programmes of the various Sections.It was very helpful, however, for each Section to notify the others of its arrangements, and it was advisable that all meetings should be included under “Coming Events’’ in the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. (4)THE ACQUISITIONOF PROPERTYBY LOCAL SECTIONS, E.G., LANTERNFOR LECTURES.-SOme Sections have, in the past, made special application to the Council for the provision of lanterns, epidiascopes, and office equipment, and such requests have been sympathetically received and dealt with. It was revealed that in one Section an epidiascope had been acquired, but had not been frequently used; in fact, when meetings were held in lecture theatres, lanterns and the services of a good operator could be had at little cost.In these circumstances, the outlay on expensive apparatus did not seem to be justified. In other Sections, however, lanterns belonging to the Sections were in frequent use. The Chairman suggested that the Council would always be ready to consider reasonable requests from the Sections.(5) THE NECESSITYFOR AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF HONORARYSECRETARIES.-one Honorary Secretary had sugges- ted that, in view of the expense, the Conference of Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections might be held less frequently. The Officers expressed the view that the Council found that the Conferences had been productive of valuable suggestions. It was very advantageous that the Honorary Secretaries should meet one another for a friendly talk and interchange of views on the management of Local Sections. If held less frequently, some Honorary Secretaries would have few, if any, opportunities of attending meetings of that kind. (6) THATTHE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE INSTITUTEGENERAL BE FOLLOWED BY AN ANNUALDINNER.-It was suggested that 295 if the Annual General Meeting were held in the afternoon and a dinner in the evening, provincial members would have an opportunity of meeting one another at least once a year.The Conference of Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections might also be held at about the same time. Several members suggested that it would be difficult for them to make arrangements to attend a Conference except on a Saturday. The Officers said that the arrangements of an Annual Meeting and Annual Dinner on the same day naturally increased the work of the office, but apart from that, it had been the policy of the Institute for various reasons not to hold an Annual Dinner,- partly because of the expense and partly because of the numerous functions arranged by other chemical bodies, and the expense to the individual members who participated in such functions. The arrangements for an official public dinner involved about three months’ work for three hours enjoyment, with perhaps three inches in the press on the following day.The main value of dinners was that they provided a means of bringing members together and opportunites of renewing friendships. When the Annual Meeting had been held in the afternoon, it was not very well attended, but it might be said that generally the annual meetings of professional Bodies were not well attended, unless the agenda included something of unusual interest. (7) THAT DISTRICT MEMBERS OF COUNCILBE REPLACEDBY HONORARY OF SECTIONSSECRETARIES ex-oficio.-The Honorary Secretary who advocated this change contended that the Honor- ary Secretaries had to do a great deal of work, and that it would make for efficiency if they could also be Members of Council, and thus be intimately acquainted with all that was going on at headquarters.It was pointed out that Associates who were Honorary Secretaries could not be Members of the Council without an alteration of the Charter and By-laws. The Local Sections had matters very much in their own hands. In most cases, they were able to nominate the District Member of Council, and there was not often a ballot for an election for any District Member. The suggestion that Honorary Secretaries should also be Members of Council implied that they would have to give up time, in addition to that required for the work which they 296 undertook locally.In some cases, the District Member was the Chairman or Honorary Secretary of the Local Section. In all cases, the Honorary Secretary of a Section could get in touch with Members of Council within his district for information. It was pointed out that, so far as it lay in the power of the Council, an endeavour was made to secure that branches of chemical work, as well as districts, were represented. After further discussion, it was moved, seconded and resolved : That the Council should consider making an alteration in the Charter and By-laws so that District Members of Council be replaced by Honorary Secretaries or Chairmen of Local Sections, ex-oflcio,-the motion being carried by 11 votes to 3.One Member suggested that a full account of the proceedings of the Council should be circulated to the Honorary Secretaries of the Sections. (8)THE NOMINATIONOF DISTRICTMEMBERSOF COUNCILIN DISTRICTSWHERE THERE IS MORE THAN ONE SECTION.-A short discussion took place on this subject, which is of special interest to districts comprising more than one Section, e.g. Yorkshire,-- comprising Huddersfield and Leeds Area ; South Wales,--com- prising Cardiff and Swansea. It was mentioned that East Midlands and South Yorkshire would also be asked to agree to the election of one district member for the area covered by those two Sections. The Honorary Secretaries asked that they be specially reminded, in good time, to nominate District Members.The mechanism for the election of District Members of Council is reprinted annually in JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,Part V, and it was mentioned that where the representatives of a Com- mitteeof aSection were required to attend a meeting incompliance with the By-laws of the Institute, the expense would be borne by the Institute. (9) THE WORK OF THE CHEMICALCouNcIL.-Several members of the Conference having expressed a Wish to know more about the proceedings of the Chemical Council, the Registrar, who is also Honorary Secretary of the Chemical Council, gave a brief resum6 of its work since its formation. It had decided on its policy and had framed Standing Orders; it had made temporary provision for the maintenance of the Library of the Chemical Society, and its recommendations as to the constitution of the Library Committee had been adopted.It had framed an Appeal to leaders of industry, companies and firmsfor the establishment of a fund to provide for the endowment of chemical publications and the future maintenance of the Library, and aimed at estab-lishing a further fund for the purpose of securing premises for the Chemical Societies. In this connection, the Honorary Secretary of the Chemical Council mentioned that it was well known that the premises of the Chemical Society would be unable to accommodate any additional books after 1939;that the present accommodation of the Society of Chemical Industry was totally inadequate, and the lease of its present offices would expire in less than twelve months.He hoped that the Honorary Secre- taries of Sections would do their best to encourage chemists to help these funds, for which already a substantial sum had been received or promised, mainly from chemists themselves, who hoped, by starting a preliminary list of contributors, to encourage others to contribute. The supporters were mainly those who supported all things of this kind, but it was hoped in this case that the Appeal would receive a wider response in order to place British chemistry on a sound foundation. The three Chartered Bodies were co-operating: there was no suggestion of amal-gamation. An article on the work and aims of the Chemical Council had been contributed by Professor Thorpe to Chemistry and Industry (20th June) and to Part I11 of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGSof the Institute.(10)THEPOSSIBILITYEXTENDING FACILITIES,OF LIBRARY SO FAR AS PROVINCIAL MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED.-The view was expressed that information regarding new books was not sufficiently available, in spite of the fact that many publishers circularise men of science from time to time regarding their publications. It was suggested that the books noticed in the list of additions to the Library of the Chemical Society might also be mentioned in the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGSof the Institute, and that further publicity be given to the Library facilities existing in London and the provinces, and possibly an “editorial” on the subject might be published in the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGSat an early date.Members mentioned that, in several important provincial centres, the public librarians were very ready-with little formality-to obtain new technical books where they were likely to be useful to students in universi- ties or technical colleges. Endeavours to make arrangements 298 whereby chemists and engineers could have free access to uni- versity and college libraries did not appear to have been satis- factory. Chemists rarely took advantage of such facilities. (11)THE POSSIBILITY FURTHER TOOF PUBLICITY IMPROVE THE CONDITION OF THE BENEVOLENTFuND.-The small annual turnover and the comparatively small capital fund of the Bene- volent Fund were discussed.It was suggested that greater publicity should be given to the fund. The Registrar, as Honorary Secretary of the Benevolent Fund, informed the meeting that it was hoped next year, being Corona- tion Year, to make a special appeal for the Capital fund. The accounts for the half year ending 30th June, 1936, would show an improvement on those for the first half of 1935. Experience showed that, so long as there was a useful balance on the current account, members did not respond so readily as when funds were low: so soon as the fund got into debt, and it was evident that help was urgently needed, the money came rolling in. Moreover, members who had been helped during temporary anxieties and troubles were steadily returning loans made to them.At the moment, the position was not very serious, although a good deal of money still had to be found for cases receiving regular allowances. The Committee would be in a much happier position if there were a more general response on the lines suggested by several members,-namely, that everyone who could do so, should spare at least 5s. a year for this object. Without mentioning names, the Registrar related particulars of several cases, to illustrate the real need for help. He rather deprecated the raising of money at meetings, because it dissuaded men, who could not afford to subscribe, from attending meetings, and that was most undesirable. Those who were living in comfortable circumstances could not always appreciate how frequently the private affairs of others, into which nobody had any right to enquire, determined their ability or inability to deal with the appeals to which they would be very ready to respond, if they were not obliged to maintain poor relations, pay heavy doctors’ bills, or meet other like obligations. (12)THE TRAININGOF CHEMICALWORKERS (WORKS EM-PLOYEES).-It appeared that, apart from laboratory assistants,- assistants who have matriculated and are working for degrees by means of evening classes, there are in industries, in some districts, plant-workers and foremen, for whom no provision exists for technical training of any kind.Employers occasionally raise the question as to whether technical colleges could not provide courses in chemistry and engineering, especially with reference to structural materials, for foremen, process watchers, and workmen of the better type.Some expressed the opinion that such instruction was liable to be dangerous : workmen could be trained to carry out responsible operations well and regularly, without mishaps; whereas, a little knowledge was often a dan-gerous thing, when exercised by those who had no real scientific training. Provision had been made for encouraging youths who had matriculated and were able to pass examinations for National Certificates. Further provision for training on the lines sug-gested for technical workers was not regarded as desirable, while it would be very difficult to meet the needs of various industries.Consideration of the above subject (12)led to a reference to candidates who had obtained National Certificates and desired to proceed to the Associateship. The Assistant Secretary stated that it would be difficult to frame a general ruling as to their eligibility, owing to varying circumstances. Colleges were informed as to the special arrange- ments which could be made to meet certain cases. Another member suggested that employers should be notified by the Institute when a member of their staff had passed the examinations of the Institute. It was pointed out that this might lead to difficulties, and it was agreed that it should certainly not be done without the con- currence of the successful candidates.Another member suggested that the point could be met by a notification in the local press, and that arrangements could probably be made to call the attention of employers to such a notification when this was deemed to be desirable. The Assistant Secretary reminded the members that he would be glad at all times to receive notification of suitable vacancies for chemists, appearing in papers in different parts of the country. The Registrar asked that members would do all they could to send in good reports of meetings,-with prkcis, if possible, supplied by lecturers,-in order that they might contribute to the general improvement of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 300 Reverting to the subject of maintaining touch between the Council and the Honorary Secretaries of Local Sections, several members expressed the opinion that it was highly desirable that Honorary Secretaries should be in frequent touch with District Members of Council.The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to Dr. Burton for presiding. The Honorary Secretaries were subsequently entertained to luncheon at the Hotel Russell, after which several returned to the Institute to inspect the premises and laboratories and the office equipment. Chemists in Germany.-The Verein deutscher Chemiker estimates the number of chemists employed in Germany at the beginning of 1936 at IZ,~OO, representing an increase of about 1,300 since the beginning of 1935. The output from both high schools and universities appears now to be steadily absorbed.301 Local Sections. [The Institute is not responsible for the views expressed in papers read, or in speeches delivered during discussion.] Aberdeen, Edinburgh and G1asgow.-The Joint Summer Meeting of the Scottish Sections of the Institute, and of the Society of Chemical Industry, with Fellows of the Chemical Society, was held in Glasgow, on zznd and a3rd May. An informal dinner was held in the North British Hotel, on the zand. Mr. J. G. Roberts acted as chairman and extended a cordial welcome to the members from the other Scottish Sections, and to guests, including Professor F. Weigert of the University of Leipzig. After a discussion on the form which future summer meetings should take, the evening was devoted to music.On 23rd May, the party travelled from Glasgow to Millport to visit the Marine Biological Station on the island of Cumbrae. The journey was made by rail to Wemyss Bay, thence by steamer to Millport. After lunch the company proceeded to the Marine Station, where they were received by Mr. Elmhirst, the Director, and Dr. A. P. Orr. Mr. Elmhirst gave an interesting survey of the work which was engaging the attention of the staff at the time and also gave a description of the various exhibits in the aquarium. This was followed by a tour of the laboratories. A series of microscope slides showed the various stages in the growth of the food of herring. Another exhibit showed the effect of various wood preservatives after immersion of the treated wood in salt water for varying periods of years.In the chemical laboratory some original appliances for the sampling of deep sea water and mud were on view. The visit concluded with a tour of inspection of the small survey ship Nautilus, belonging to the Scottish Marine Biological Association. During afternoon tea, kindly provided by the Station staff, Dr. P. F. Gordon expressed the thanks and appreciation of the visitors to the Director for a most interesting visit, and also to Dr. A. P. Orr for his great assistance in making the meeting a success. Bristol and South-Western Counties.-The Summer meeting of the Section took the form of a visit, on 10th June, to the works of the United Chemists’ Association, Ltd., at Chelten- ham, a firm engaged in the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations of a very varied nature.The party, which included several ladies, was welcomed by Mr. Miller, the managing director, and conducted over the works, where every opportunity was given to inspect the various pro- cesses of manufacture : the coating of tablets, the preparation of capsules and cachous, the machinery for emulsification and filtration, and the vacuum plant for filling bottles and tubes. Especially interesting was the well-equipped and organised laboratory, where every batch of material made by the firm is tested before being dispatched, and where several demonstrations were made for the benefit of the visitors. The party was subsequently entertained to tea, kindly pro- vided by the firm.Mr. F. E. Needs, Chairman of the Section, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Miller and his co-directors, to which Mr. Miller responded, Cape.-A meeting of the Section was held in the Argus Board Room, Cape Town, on 17th April-Dr. St. C. 0. Sinclair in the Chair. Mr. W. S. S. Laddell gave an address on ** Muscle Metabolism.” Mr. Laddell has kindly supplied the following summary:- The development of the knowledge of muscle metabolism may be divided into three main stages; the first stage was prior to 1907, when very little more was known about muscle than the facts of its contraction and relaxation. The second stage was inaugurated by Fletcher and Hopkins in 1907 by their demon- stration of lactic acid in active living muscle, and reached its climax in I924 with the discovery of the production of lactic acid from glycogen and the demonstration of the classical lactic acid cycle.In 1926 the discovery of phosphagen, simultaneously by the Eggeltons in England and Fiske and Subarow in America, cast doubt upon the old ideas, and in 1929 Lundsgaard by his discovery of the alactacid activity of a muscle poisoned by iodo- acetic acid, and the confirmation by other workers of Embden’s discovery, first made in 1924, that the lactic acid production of a muscle occurs mainly after the contraction had been com- pleted, paved the way for the new theories. The first of these was the suggestion that the initial reaction was the breakdown of phosphagen into creatine and phosphoric acid with the release of energy for contraction, and that during recovery there was a breakdown of carbohydrate to lactic acid, which provided energy for the re-synthesis of the phosphagen.But the intimate analysis and study of the compounds found in muscle, which had already done much to elucidate the problem, was to carry the matter still further. Some of the most important compounds are the hexose phosphates, of which two series, the diphosphates and the monophosphates are found; Meyerhof by measuring the rate of hydrolysis, has shown that the important diphosphate ester is a ketose diphosphate, and attention has latterly been concentrated on this substance. It was at one time thought that methyl glyoxal was an important intermediary in the breakdown of glycogen to lactic acid, being derived from the monophosphate; but work by Embden and others has now shown that this substance is not in the direct line of the main breakdown, though a certain amount of sugar may be converted to lactic acid by this route.The present-day view is that fructose diphosphate breaks down to give two molecules of phosphodihydroxyacetone ; this suffers an intramolecular change to form phosphoglyceraldehyde, which undergoes a Cannizzaro reaction with the formation of phosphoglycerol and phosphoglyceric acid ; the latter substance forms phosphopyruvic acid and is then dephosphorylated, the resulting pyruvic acid reacting with the previously formed phosphoglycerol to form lactic acid, the immediate end-product, and phosphoglyceric acid which re-enters the cycle at an earlier stage.These series of changes require a complex enzyme system, which has been recognised, and also a substance in the nature of a phosphate carrier for the preliminary phosphorylation of the hexose, and for the dephosphorylation of the phosphopyruvic acid; such an agent is adenyl pyrophosphate, which parts with its phosphate in the early stages of the cycle with the release of free adenylic acid and receives it back later. Adenylic acid, however, is readily attacked in its free state by muscle enzymes, but it is protected by phosphagen, which temporarily phosphory- lates the adenylic acid while the intermediate stages are being gone through and releases it again when it is required later; thus during these intermediate stages free creatine is found and not free adenylic acid, and phosphagen takes up a subsidiary position as merely a conserver of the important phosphate acceptor, adenylic acid.Hence the idea of the processes taking place in muscle changes, according to Parnas (of a series of linked re- actions taking place successively in time) , has developed into that of one main reaction, with simultaneous subsidiary ones purely concerned with the more or less mechanical function of the donation and acceptance to the main reaction of some important reagent-phosphate. The subsequent fate of the lactic acid is the oxidation of part to carbon dioxide and water and the re-synthesis of the remainder to glycogen possibly by way of the hexose mono- phosphate.The oxidation has been shown by Hahn to involve first the formation of pyruvic acid from lactic acid; this breaks down to carbon dioxide and acetaldehyde; the acetaldehyde is oxidised to acetic acid, two molecules of which combine to form succinic acid which substance by way of fumaric and maleic acids forms pyruvic acid again and carbon dioxide. This :st of changes involves a series of oxidising enzymes, dehydrogenase, peroxidase and catalase ; the complete system has been dissected by Szent-Gyorgyi and his co-workers and has been shown to com- prise a dehydrogenase, a co-enzyme, cytochrome and an oxidase. Present-day evidence suggests that the lactic acid mechanism is only called into action during anaerobic muscle activity; and though the classical lactic acid cycle still holds in principle, thermodynamical considerations and a fresh analysis of experi- mental evidence suggest, according to Margaria and others, that only one-tenth of the lactic acid is oxidised anc nine-tenths are re-synthesised, whereas the original theory formulated by Hill and Meyerhof in 1924 postulated the oxidation of at least one-fifth of the lactic acid formed.The address was followed by a long discussion. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the lecturer. A meeting was held in the Board Room of the South African As<ociation, Church Square, Cape Town, on 29th May.Prof. Newbury took the Chair, and after welcoming members of the Cape Chemical and Technological Society, called upon Dr. C. B. 0. Mohr to give an address on 6b Nuclear Chemistry,” of which the following is a summary :-Many physicists to-day are spending their time studying a new kind of chemistry, namely nuclear chemistry. Just as the 305 chemist studies the structure and properties of molecules in terms of their constituent atoms, so the “nuclear physicist ” studies the structure of the central nuclei of the atoms by the process of “mixing” nuclei, as the chemist mixes molecules. While the technical methods are, of course, entirely different in the two cases, the types of reaction that occur are often quite similar.Thus, there are analogous examples of monomolecular chemical reactions in the case of the breaking up of the nuclei of radio-active elements, whether these be natural like radium, or arti- ficially produced or synthesised, as in the case of radionitrogen and radiophosphorus. Again, corresponding to photochemical reactions, there is the similar phenomenon of the disintegration of certain nuclei by means of gamma rays, the process being a photoelectric effect involving the nuclear particles. The most common type of nuclear reaction is that in which two nuclei react, producing two new nuclei, and often releasing a net surplus of energy in the process. The way in which all these experiments are done is to fire high-velocity nuclei of one particular type at other nuclei.However, since in ordinary matter the nuclei are extremely small in size compared with the distances between them, only occasionally does one such swift nucleus hit another nucleus head-on and penetrate into it; so, only on a very tiny scale, are we able to transmute elements and release “atomic ”-more correctly, nuclear energy. However, in the “white dwarf” stars which are very dense, the nuclei are packed very close together, and nuclear reactions may take place which involve quite large quantities of matter, so providing part of the large supply of energy which these stars are continually radiating. The nuclei themselves are composed of neutrons and protons. The neutron has practically the same mass as the proton, but unlike the proton has effectively no charge.In nuclei, in general, there are at least as many-if not more-neutrons than protons. There is an attraction between a neutron and a proton which holds them together when they are close enough to each other, as when they are combined in the deuteron or heavy hydrogen nucleus. There seems to be only a very small attraction, if any, between two neutrons or between two protons when they are very close together. Hence what holds the particles together in any nucleus is the attractive force between each neutron and each proton, there being a “bond” between each neutron and 306 each proton. However, the particles are not all equivalent in this respect, for if they were, the number of separate cross-attractions would increase so rapidly with the addition of more particles to a nucleus, that the heavier nuclei would be much more stable than we know them to be.What happens, however, is that the neutrons and protons in a heavy nucleus are arranged in successive “shells,” just as are the electrons round an atom, though, of course, the numbersof particles in the shells are different in the two cases. Thus, two neutrons and two protons complete the innermost shell in a nucleus, and further neutrons and protons must occupy shells outside these. While the superficial aspects of nuclear chemistry and inorganic chemistry seem similar, the resemblance is less close when it comes to detail. Prof. Newbury, in thanking the lecturer, congratulated him on the way in which he had made clear to his audience the intricacies of atomic physics.East Midlands.-Arising out of a resolution passed at the Annual General Meeting of the Section, invitations were sent to the Local Sections of the other Chemical Societies in the area to attend a Conference to discuss co-operation within the area. A scheme was formulated, which is now under the consideration of the Committees of the various Societies. Meetings which have been arranged for the forthcoming session are notified under “Coming Events.” London and South-Eastern Counties.-At a meeting of the Section, held at the Institute on 18th March, Dr. S. Glasstone gave a lecture on Oxidation-Reduction Potentials, and their Practical Applications,” of which he has kindly supplied the following summary: The first attempts to measure oxidation-reduction potentials appear to have been made by Bancroft in 1892. Five years later Peters deduced the fundamental relationship between the potential of a reversible system and the concentrations of the constituents. About this time it was also recognised that only systems which were reversible in the thermodynamic sense could be expected to give potentials having any real significance : many of the potentials measured in so-called oxidation-reduction systems are really irreversible and are more a property of the electrode material, or of other extraneous conditions, than of 307 the systems themselves.Nevertheless, useful comparative results can often be obtained in irreversible systems provided the limitations are appreciated. A knowledge of oxidation potentials is of great value in analytical chemistry, since by their aid it is possible to determine whether any particular process involving oxidation and reduction is likely to proceed to a sufficient extent to be of use for analytical purposes. In many cases hydrogen ion concentrations influence the potentials, and the conditions have to be adjusted accordingly. This point is well illustrated by the reaction between the arsenate- arsenite and iodine-iodide systems : in strongly acid solutions, the potential of the former is greater, and hence arsenate will oxidise iodide ions to virtual completion; but, in alkaline solution, the potential of the latter system is greater and so the quantitative titration of arsenite by iodine is possible.It may be noted also that the action of the quinhydrone electrode for the determination of hydrogen ion concentrations depends on the influence of these ions on an oxidation-reduction system. The value of various reagents used in analytical chemistry, e.g. ceric salts for oxidation, and titanous for reduction, can be readily seen from a study of the curves showing the variation of potential with the ratio of oxidised to reduced forms. Oxidation-reduction indicators of various kinds are substances which themselves give reversible electrode potentials, and the colour they attain is determined by the oxidation-reduction potential of the system in which they are placed.Towards the end-point of a titration the potential of the system changes rapidly, and so consequently does the colour of the indicator. It is important to use an indicator which changes colour in the potential range appropriate to the particular substances involved in the titration. Oxidation-reduction potentials have acquired great impor- tance in recent years by their application to the study of biological systems : ascorbic acid (vitamin C) yields a reversible oxidation- reduction system which can be measured and can be correlated in some manner with the function of the vitamin. Incidentally, this property permits of the analytical estimation of ascorbic acid; the oxidising agent used is z :6-dichlorophenol indophenol, which acts as its own indicator.Lactoflavin, apparently identical with vitamin B,, also forms a definite oxidation-reduction system upon which its biological activity is believed to depend. Among other similar systems of biological importance 308 may be mentioned cytochrome C, glutathione and adrenalin. The Schardinger test for heated milk and the bacterial test involving methylene blue depend on the oxidation-reduction potentials of substances present in the milk. Interesting information concerning the properties of bacteria and the action of certain enzymes can be obtained in an analogous manner. Oxidation-reduction potentials have also been applied in the examination of soils and sewage, and in following the ripening of cheese.After a discussion, in which many members participated, a vote of thanks, moved by the Chairman, Mr. F. G. Edmed, was accorded to the lecturer. Manchester and District.-The Annual Golf Competition, held at Wilmslow on 17th May, was won by Mr. R. Owen Jones; Dr. Murray was runner-up, and Mr. J. C. Law took third prize. The prizes were distributed by Mr. T. Horner, who has been Captain for the last two years. The Annual Golf Match with the Institution of the Rubber Industry was held at the North Man- Chester Golf Course on 25th June. The Institute’s team won by a margin of three games. A large number of members participated in the Annual Summer Meeting, held in the grounds of the Marbury Hall Country Club, Cheshire, on the 27th June.The chief attraction was the open air swimming pool, where the visitors indulged in water sports, prizes being awarded to the successful competitors. Mr. S. A. Brazier presided in the absence of the Chairman, and Mrs. Brazier presented the prizes. The evening was devoted to dancing. New Zealand.-Members of the Section held a joint meeting with the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry on the 7th May, to view four films of industry. The meeting was opened by Mr. T. H. McCombs, who spoke on the economic value of scientific research. Each film was preceded by a short lecture concerning the industry, the processes involved and other matters of topical interest.“Iron Ore to Pig Iron ” was introduced by Mr. J. J. Cornes; “Tableware,” by Mr. L. R. Dunn; “Wheat to Bread,” by Mr. R. L. Andrew, and “Leather,” by Mr. Philip White. A vote of thanks was accorded to the speakers on the motion of Dr. G. M. Moir. 309 Notes. Honours.-In the Honours List published on the King’s birthday, 23rd June, 1936:- Fellows Professor Gilbert Thomas Morgan, O.B.E., D.Sc., F.R.S.-Knight Bachelor ; Professor Cedric Stanton Hicks, M.Sc., M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D. -Knight Bachelor ; Dr. Godfrey Rotter, C.B.E.-C.B. Dr. Sura Rajagopal Naidu-M.B.E. Mr. Frederick Henry Newington-M.B.E. Purification of Ethers.-Following on the letter com-municated by Sir Gilbert Morgan and Dr. R. H. Pickard, pub- lished in JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,Part IV, Professor E.A. Werner has drawn attention to a simple, rapid and efficient method for the purification of ethers, based on the action of freshly precipitated silver hydroxide in destroying ‘‘peroxides’’ and oxidising unsaturated compounds, which was described in The Analyst in 1933 (58, 335-337). The method has been in use in many laboratories, but it seems desirable to remind members of it, because all ethers in general use are liable, on exposure to air, light and moisture, to give rise to more or less explosive peroxides. The Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation)Bill,introduced in the House of Lords by Lord Feversham, on 15th July, passed the second reading on 23rd July. (H.M. Stationery Office, Id.) Lord Feversham stated that the use of hydrogen cyanide for fumigation was on the increase and the Bill was intended to safeguard human life by regulating such use.The Bill seeks to give the Home Secretary power to make regulations with respect to the fumigation of premises and articles, with a view to protecting persons from dangers in connexion with such operations. The regulations may- “(a) regulate the manner in which the hydrogen cyanide is to be generated and require the admixture therewith of any substance; 310 “(b) prohibit the carrying out of any such fumigation except by or under the supervision of persons having such training or experience as may be specified in the regulations and by such number of persons as may be so specified; “(c) regulate the disposal of the residues of any substances used in the fumigation; ‘‘(d)for the purpose of preventing injurious effects resulting from the fumigation, impose temporary restrictions upon the use of any premises or article, and require such tests as may be specified in the regulations to be carried out after the fumigation ;” and may distinguish between different classes of fumigation, and may also contain special requirements or exemptions in relation to any class.Clause (2)of Section I provides that regulations made under the section shall not apply to the fumigation of rabbit warrens or to fumigation carried out in the open air; clause (3) provides for penalties for contravention of regulations; and clause (4) requires that regulations made by the Secretary of State under the section shall be laid before Parliament as soon as may be after they are made.Section 2 provides that notice be given to the Secretary of State of accidents resulting from fumigation, and penalties for failing to comply with the provisions of that section. Under Section 3, the provisions of the Petroleum (Consolida- tion) Act, 1928 (relating to inquiries into accidents and to coroners’ inquests on deaths resulting from accidents), shall, as set out with modifications in the Schedule to the Bill, apply in relation to accidents of which notice is required to be given to the Secretary of State. Section 4 provides for the application of the new measure to fumigations with other substances.For several years past the Council of the Institute has urged the necessity for such legislation. The Bill is under the consideration of the Legal and Parliamentary Committee, who will have the advantage of the advice of Fellows of the Institute with long experience in fumigation operations. While the measure seeks to give to the Secretary of State extensive powers, it may be thought desirable to make further provisions, for example, for the appointment of personnel for 311 the administration of the Act, and to include power to deal with matters other than those specified, especially transport, conditions of storage of hydrogen cyanide and the control of storage, ventila- tion and clearance after fumigation, and rescue work.It would appear to be essential to provide that persons engaged in such work should not only be properly trained, but medicallyand temperamentally fit, and that they should not work singly. The exemption, under clause (2)of Section I, of fumigation “in the open air” has been questioned. Accidents have arisen and may easily arise from the amateur treatment of wasps’ nests and the gassing, from without, of houses, outbuildings, haystacks, etc., for the destruction of rats. Members who are interested in the matter are invited to communicate their views to the Legal and Parliamentary Committee. Science in Parliament.-The following notes have been prepared from abstracts received from the Hon. Secretary of the Parliamentary Science Committee.In the House of Commons on the 1st July, in reply to a question as to the sums which had been spent on scientific research during each of the last five years, exclusive of museums and defence research services, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury gave figures indicating an average of &1,533,674 a year. This included the cost of buildings maintained by the Office of Works in connexion with research services, but, with the exception of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, did not include the cost of administrative staff. While expenditure incurred in respect of museum services generally had been excluded as requested, the figures given included the cost of the Museum of Practical Geology, an essential part of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, which is included in the research services under the administration of the Depart- ment of Scientific and Industrial Research.On 6th July, Mr. Markham asked the Lord President of the Council what sums had been allocated for non-commercial research work in universities during the past five years, and whether any encouragement had been given by the Government to universities to foster such research. The Lord President, in reply, said that it was not practicable to devise a method of assessing total university expenditure on research as distinct from expenditure on other purposes, even if it were possible to form an adequate definition of non-commercial research. Encouragement had been given by the Government to foster certain forms of specialised research, and the amount expended on this during the past five years was approximately LI ,866,000.In addition, the vote for universities and colleges (Great Britain) had provided during the past five years Eg,3oo,ooo, distributed in block grants for maintenance of university institutions as centres of higher education and research. On 18th July, on the motion of Mr. T. Johnston, a debate took place on Malnutrition. The Minister of Health, in the course of his contribution to the debate, said that in framing Government policy, he looked for guidance to the Ministry’s Advisory Committee on Nutrition, which, under the chairmanship of Lord Luke, had been re-constituted and enlarged to include a number of scientific authorities.The Committee had recently informed him that the available data on the consumption of various kinds of food in this country were insufficient to justify any safe and far-reaching conclusions. The Committee had recommended that further information in relation to family budgets should be collected. He had consulted with the Minister of Labour, who had arranged for the required information to be obtained in the course of the inquiry which the Minister of Labour had recently set up in connexion with the cost of living index numbers. About-2,250,000 school children were receiving daily rations of one-third of a pint of milk for a halfpenny, and local education authorities were giving free milk to over 300,000 school children.Children under five years who were in need could obtain milk from the clinics throughout the country. Nearly all the 422 maternity and child-welfare authorities provided milk for mothers and children free, or at cheap rates. The total annual provision in this respect had been estimated to be equivalent to seven million gallons,-including dried milk. The Government would be willing to support any practicable proposals for the extension of the scheme. The matter was closely linked with the whole question of milk-marketing, which was under the examination of the Milk Reorganisation Committee. It would be highly un- fortunate if they took any action which might have the effect of increasing the price of milk to general consumers.He hoped, however, when the Report of the Commission was received that 313 it might be possible to find means of enlarging the schemes which were now doing such valuable work. Professor J. Graham Kerr said that the problem of nutrition was an extremely complicated one, beset by many pitfalls, chief among which was the use of statistics: the greatest care should be taken to see that the figures were carefully scrutinised by an unprejudiced investigator ; otherwise, there would arise dis-turbing factors which might invalidate the whole of their conclusions. On 29th July, in the House of Commons, Mr. Alan Chorlton asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, whether he would consider setting up a Board of Invention to encourage and examine devices for protection against aerial attack and for other problems of defence? The Minister, in reply, said that facilities already existed for the examination by experts of any proposal of the nature indicated : inventions of all kinds were frequently received, and were given the fullest consideration.On the following day, Mr. Chorlton asked the Home Secretary whether arrangements had been made for the sale of gas-masks to those who wished to take this precaution, and through what channel they could be obtained? In reply, the Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs said that the Government had recently published a scheme, under which manufacturers who made approved types of respirators and accepted certain conditions, including liability to Government inspection, would be licensed to affix a Home Office certification mark to respirators placed on sale.So far, no application for such a licence had been received, but when the scheme was in operation, respirators on which the public could rely would be on sale. Science and War.-A group of members of the staff and research workers of the University of Cape Town, formed to investigate the root causes of war and to find means of avoiding it, will welcome contacts with similar groups elsewhere, in the hope of being able to arrive at a common programme.-Nature, 11th July, p. 80. At a meeting held at Oxford on 17th July, the British Medical Association discussed the subject of Chemical Warfare.It was stated that the Council of the Association was considering, in connexion with the Air Raid Precautions Department of the 314 Home Office, the question of the protection of the community against the effects of poison gas. A resolution was adopted- “That this meeting condemns unreservedly the use of poison gas in warfare as inhuman in its results and degrading to civilisation, and relies upon the Council to do everything in its power with a view to securing the co-operation of the medical profession in all countries in order to prohibit the use of poison gas.” An appeal was made to men of science generally as well as to members of the medical profession, to protest collectively against the destruction of civilian population by the use of poison gas, and to secure international co-operation with this end in view.In Nature (25th July, p. 155), the opinion is expressed that scientific workers should let the community know that they dissociate themselves from the use of such methods. By men of science remaining silent, it should not be understood that they acquiesce in the application of their discoveries to the degradation of civilian life. Distressed Areas.-In July, 1935,Mr. L. D. Whitehead, J.P., Chairman and Managing Director of the Whitehead Iron and Steel Company, Ltd., offered a prize of LI,OOO and l200 in additional prizes for practical suggestions which could lead to a permanent and substantial reduction in unemployment and distress in South Wales and Monmouthshire.About 180 proposals were received and investigated by the National Industrial Development Council of Wales and Mon- mouthshire, and subsequently by three independent adjudicators -Lord Portal of Laverstoke, Sir W. T. Layton and Lieut.-Col. Sir George Schuster-whose recommendations were transmitted to Mr. Whitehead. No proposal was considered to merit the EI,OOO prize, but the adjudicators selected eight which they regarded as worthy of recognition. Dr. James Watson, Fellow, received an award of LIOO, for suggestions regarding Blast- furnace Slags, their constitution and utilisation, and the manu- facture of Sand-Lime Bricks. The Confederation of Management Associations has notified the arrangement for the 35th week-end Lecture Con- ference to be held at Balliol College, Oxford, from 24th to 28th September, when the subject for study will be “The Planned Development of an Individual Business,” and how it is achieved in the experience of certain representative companies.315 The Confederation consists of :-The Incorporated Sales Managers’ Association ;The British Works Management Associa- tion ; The British Industrial Purchasing Officers’ Association ; The Office Management Association ; The Institute of Industrial Administration ; and The Institution of Labour Management and Buyers’ Association of Great Britain. Particulars can be obtained from Mr. Reginald Pugh, Hon- orary Secretary of the Confederation of Management Associations, British Industries House, 499-500, Oxford Street, Marble Arch, London, W.I.Testing Materials.-The Second International Congress of the International Association for Testing Materials will be held in London from 19th to 24th April, 1937. The President of the Congress will be Sir William Bragg, O.M., K.B.E., President of the Royal Society and Director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. The Chairman of the Executive Committee is Sir Frank E. Smith, K.C.B., C.B.E., Sec. R.S. Fellows and Associates of the Institute can obtain further particulars and forms of application for membership from Mr. K. Headlam-Morley, Hon. Sec. of the Congress, 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1. Uses for Glue.-A competition was held some time ago by the “Epidos” International Association of Bone Glue Manu- facturers with the object of stimulating research for the increase and improvement of outlets for bone glue.The competition aroused interest among research workers, and promising ideas were put before the Association. A sum of 30,000 Swiss francs was distributed to the winners in the competition. The Epidos Association has put aside a further sum for the purpose of encouraging research by those who will put forward interesting ideas for the use of glue, and also for recompensing those who have proposals already for development. The General Secretariat of the International Association, at 40 Rue du Colisde, Paris, is prepared to furnish further informa- tion on this matter to any person desirous of submitting a proposi-tion for a new use, or the improvement of an existing use, for bone glue.-British Glues and Chemicals, Ltd., 29th June, 1936.Dr. Thomas Harold Durrans, Fellow, has been co-opted to the Board of Directors of Messrs. A. Boake, Roberts & Co., Ltd. 316 Obituary. BENJAMINHENRY GERRANS died at Clapham Park on 12th August, at the age of nearly 70 years. He studied chemistry at the City of London College and also under Meldola at the City and Guilds of London Institute. He worked for three years at University College, London, as Assistant in the Laboratory of Hygiene, under Professor Corfield, and in 1884 became chief assistant to Colonel Charles E. Cassal. In 1895 he was appointed a gas examiner to the London County Council; in 1910 to the Urban District Council of Sittingbourne, Kent; and in 1921 to the County Borough of West Ham.He was acting public analyst for the Royal Borough of Kensington, and additional public analyst for the City of Westminster and the Metropolitan Borough of Battersea, for some time prior to the death, in 1921, of Colonel Cassal, whom he succeeded as public analyst for Kensington, the administrative counties of the Parts of Kesteven and of Holland, Lincolnshire, the Borough of Chepping Wycombe, Bucks, and as official agricultural analyst for Kesteven. He was subsequently appointed public analyst to the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea, and official agricultural analyst for the Parts of Holland.He was elected an Associate of the Institute in 1888 and a Fellow in 1892. HALPINJAMES FRANCIS died on 21st June, in his 70th year. Educated at Camelford School, he studied chemistry at King’s College and the Royal College of Science, London. In 1892 he joined the staff of the Government Laboratory, then at Somerset House, and in 1901 was appointed to the permanent staff on the recommendation of Professor-later Sir Edward- Thorpe. From 1904 until 1930 he was attached to that branch of the Government Laboratory which is in the Custom House, London. In 1929, having attained the position of Superintending Chemist, he was awarded the Imperial Service Order (I.S.O.). In 1930, after his retirement from the service of the British Government, he was appointed Director of the Egyptian Government’s Tobacco Laboratory at Cairo.He was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1908. FRANCISCHARLES LEWISwas killed by an explosion at Woolwich Amenal on 8th July, in his 42nd year. Educated at Woolwich and Cardiff Municipal Secondary Schools, he pursued his scientific training at UniversityCollege of South Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff, and graduated B.Sc. (Wales) with First Class Honours in chemistry in 1915. During the war he was engaged with Nobel’s Explosives Co. at Pembrey, where he became Superintendent of the T.N.T. Department, and later joined the Royal Air Force as a Flight Cadet. After obtaining his discharge in 1919 he obtained an appointment with the British Dyestuffs Corporation, at Dalton, Huddersfield, where he remained until October, 1921, when he joined the staff of the Research Department at Woolwich.At the tho of the accident he was occupied with experimental investigations on high ex- plosives, with particular reference to the methods of applying them to Service requirements in order to obtain the highest efficiency. He had an intimate knowledge of the behaviour of high explosives under all conditions and of the precautions necessary in handling them. He was elected an Associate of the Institute in 1918. 317 JNANENDRANATH SINHA died at Lucknow on 8th July, in his 44th year. He was educated at Narikeldanga High School and proceeded to Calcutta University in 1907, graduating in science in 1912.He continued his studies at the University until 1916 and, in the following year, worked as an Assistant Analyst in the Customs and Excise Laboratory at Calcutta. In 1919 he came to England for further study, at the College of Technology, Manchester, passed the Final B.Sc.Tech. in 1921, continued research with Mr. Julius Huebner, and was awarded M.Sc.Tech. in 1922. After some experience in a paper factory at Treuenbrietzen, in Germany, he was chemist in the Rajahmudry Paper Mills, Madras,until 1925, in which year he became paper and pulp expert at the Upper India Couper Paper Mills at Lucknow, where he was subsequently manager, and introduced on an industrial scale, Raitt’s system of fractional digestion, designed and constructed an improved Hollander engine for beating pulp, and introduced improved methods in chemical processes and engineering devices.He was elected an Associate of the Institute in 1923. 318 Books and their Contents. The following books have recently been presented by the authors or publishers. Copies may be seen in the Library of the Institute :-“American Chemistry, Annual Survey of.” Vol. X, 1935. Edited by Clarence J. West. Published for the National Research Council. Pp. 488. (New York: The Reinhold Publishing Corporation ; London : Chapman & Hall, Ltd.) 25s. net. Theories of solution; the kinetics of homogeneous gas reactions ; mole-cular structure ;thermodynamics and thermochemistry ;contact cataly- sis ; inorganic chemistry, 1933-35; analytical chemistry, 1934-35; applications of X-rays in metallurgy; ferrous metallurgy ; the platinum metals ; electro-organic chemistry ; aliphatic compounds ; carbocyclic compounds ; heterocyclic compounds ; alkaloids ; food chemistry ; insecticides and fungicides ;gaseous fuels, 1934-35 ;petroleum chemistry and technology ; detergents and detergency; cellulose and paper ; synthetic plastics; rubber; unit processes in organic synthesis ;chemical economics, 1931-35.Indexes. ‘‘Blanchiment Teinture et Impression.” Georges Martin. Pp. 218. (Paris: Librarie Armand Colin). Frs. 10.50,broch4; Frs. 12,reli6. Propri6tes des fibres textiles ;produits utilisd dans l’industrie du blanchi- ment ;blanchiment des fibres animales ;blanchiment des fibres vdghtales ; definitions et theories relatives aux phenomknes de teinture ; teinture de la laine; charge et teinture de la soie; teinture du coton et autres fibres cellulosiques naturelles ;teinture des rayonnes ;teinture des articles mixtes; le material et les operations mhcaniques de la teinture; ghndrali- ti& sur la technique de l’impression; impression BUT fibres animales; impression sur fibres v6ghtales.Bibliographie. Tables des figureset des matikres. “Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry, A Comprehensive Treatise on.” Vol. XV. J. W. Mellor, F.R.S. Pp. 816. (London: Longmans, Green & Co.) L3 3s. net. Nickel; ruthenium ; rhodium; palladium; osmium; iridium. Index. “Practical Everyday Chemistry.” H. Bennett. Pp. 306. (London: E.& F. N. Spon, Ltd.) 10s. net. How to make what you use. Practical modern working formulae for making hundreds of products. 319 Mersey & Irwell Watershed : Joint Committee Proceedings, 1935-36. Pp. 114 and Index. (Preston: T. Snape & Co., Ltd.) “ Physical and Chemical Constants and Some Mathematical Functions.” G. W. C. Kaye and T. H. Laby. Eighth Edition. Pp. vi + 162. (London: Longmans, Green & Co.) 14s. net. General physics, astronomy, etc. ; heat; sound; light; electricity; mag netism; rays, radioactivity and gaseous ionization; chemistry; mathe- matical tables. Index. Ribble Watershed : Proceedings of Joint Committee, Year ending 31st March, 1936. Pp. 88 and Index. (Preston: T. Snape & Co., Ltd.) TheBritish Standards Institution has recently published, inter alia, and presented the Institute with copies of, the following Specifications:-No. 144-1936.Coal Tar Creosote for the Preservation of Timber (Types A, A2 and B). No. 156-1936. Enamelled High-Conductivity Annealed Copper Wire. No. 168-1936. Electrical Performance of Industrial Electric Motors and Generators with Class A Insulation. Rating permitting overloads. No. 368-1936. Pre-Cast Concrete Flags. Corrigendum to No. 548-1934 :-No. C.E. (IS) 52-1936. High Tensile Structural Steel for Bridges, etc., and General Building Con- struction. NO. 675-1936. Sugar Flasks. No. 676-1936. Three Special Flasks with Graduated Necks. NO. 679-1936. Protective Glass for Welding and other In- dustrial Operations.NO. 681-1936. Carbon Chromium Steel. NO. 682-1936. Three per cent. Nickel Chromium Case- Hardening Steel. NO. 684-1936. Standard Methods for the Analysis of Fats. (Internationally agreed.) NO.686-1936. The Analysis of Coal Ash and Coke Ash. NO. 687-1936. The Ultimate Analysis of Coal and Coke. NO. 691-1936. Clinical Maximum Thermometers. NO. 692-1936. Meteorological Thermometers (Maximum, Minimum and Ordinary) Sheathed Type. NO. 695-1936. Floating Dairy Thermometers. 320 The British Standards Institution has also forwarded a copy of the Handbookof Information including the Annual Report, 1935-1936,and Indexed Lists of British Standards Specifications and Methods of Test, published in July.(Obtainable from the Institution, 28, Victoria Street, London, S.W.I. Price IS.) The Institution of Petroleum Technologists announces the publication of Petroleum Technology 1935 ” being a comprehensive summary of developments in petroleum tech- nology during 1935,containing over 2000 references to publica- tions on petroleum and cognate subjects. Obtainable from The Institution of Petroleum Technologists, Aldine House, Bedford Street, Strand, W.C.2. 7s. 6d. net., post free 8s. od. The International Tin Research and Development Council has presented the following brochures:- SERIESA. No. 40. “The Detection and Colorimetric Determination of Tin by Means of Substituted I : 2-Dimercapto-benzenes.” A Specific Reagent for Tin by R. E.D. Clark. Reprinted from The Analyst, 1936, 61, 242-245. No. 41. “The Preparation of Substituted Benzene-o-dithiols for Use as Specific Reagents for Tin” by R. E. D. Clark. No. 42. “On Opacifiers in Wet and Dry Enamels” by L. Stuckert, of the Technical High School, Munich. Translated fror a paper presented to the Verein Deutscher Emallfachleute, Leipzig, February, 1936. No. 43. A further Study of the Constitution of the Cadmium- Tin Alloys, by D. Hanson and W. T. Pell-Walpole. The Director of the Rothamsted Experimental Station has announced the publication of Volume IV of the Rothamsted Conferences on Present-Day Problems in Crop Production, corn- prising reports of the last five Conferences held at Rothamsted :-(16) “ Problems of Potato Growing.” (17) “Modern Changes in the Treatment of Light Soils.” (18) “Brood Diseases of Bees.” (19) “The Production of Pigs for Bacon.” (20) “The Cause and Control of Swarming in Bees.” 10s 6d.post free.321 Messrs. Longmans, Green & Co., Ltd., announce the re-issue of Volume I1 of * Recent Advances in Organic Chemistry ’’ by Professor Alfred W. Stewart, with the addition of Part I1 by Dr. Hugh Graham,-21s. net. The new Part includes- chapters on the bile acids and sterols, the heart aglucones, the hormones, and vitamins. The Seventy-Second Annual Report on Alkali,etc. Works for the year 1935, by the Chief Inspector, has been recently published (H.M. Stationery Office, gd. net). The number of works registered in 1935 was 977, involving the operation of 1,846separate processes.The inspectors made over 4,300 visits; and 2,320 quantitative analyses of chimney and other gases were made in connexion with the inspections. Special attention is being given to smoke and fumes from burning Colliery Spoil Banks. The inspectors report on the problem of extinguishing burning banks, and also on the con- struction of banks in such a way as to reduce liability of firing. Other valuable reports refer to fumes from wire enamelling; smoke, grit and fumes from gasworks; fumes and grit from electric power stations; dust emission from cement works, etc. The Report deals with-acid works, chemical manure works, sulphide works, arsenic works, and bisulphide of carbon works; paraffin oil, tar and benzine works; and contains, inter alia, an appendix (IV) on the estimation of carbon bisulphide.The pamphlet also includes the Report of the Inspector for Scotland. The Annual Report of the Chief Inspector of Factories and Workshops for the year 1935, published in July (H.M.Stationery Office, 2s. net) includes chapters on- Safety : dealing with transmission machinery, hoists, overhead cranes; paper cutting guillotines and meat mincing machines; building structure failures, explosions, and fires. Health : dealing with industrial diseases, lead poisoning in various industries, mercury poisoning, aniline poisoning, anthrax, etc.; diseases caused by fumes and gases, dust (silicosis and asbestosis); dermatitis, etc.Other chapters deal with hours of employment, welfare, piece-work particulars, etc. 322 The Register. At the meetings of Council held on 19th June and 24th July, 2 new Fellows were elected, g Associates were elected to the Fellow- ship, 41 Associates were elected, I Associate was re-elected, and 17 Students were admitted. The deaths of z Fellows and 2 Associates have been reported. New Fellows. Edwards, Karl Basil, BSc., Ph.D. (Lond.), 11, North Park, Eltham, London, S.E.9. LeFevre, Raymond James Wood, Ph.D., D.Sc. (Lond.), 17, Homestead Park, London, N.W.2. Associates elected to the Fellowship. Brierley, Frank, A.I.R.I., Croydon Cable Works, Ltd., Mitcham Road, Croydon.Gibson, James, 5, Castle Drive, Ilford, Essex.Jackson, John Stanley, B.Sc. (Durham), 48, Bodley Road, New Malden, Surrey.Longman, George Frederick, B.Sc. (Lond.), 52, Old Chester Road, Lower Bebington, nr. Birkenhead. Kanji, Homi Ruttonji, BSc. (Bombay), Ph.D. (Lond.), D.I.C., 112, Gower Street, London, W.C.l. Nicol, Hugh, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Lond.), 46, Barnfield Road, Harpenden, Herts. Prince, Alfred John, M.Sc. (Lond.), I.C.I. (F. & S. P.), Ltd., Billingham- on-Tees. Quinton, Ernest Eric, B.Sc. (Birm.), Dunlop Rubber Co. (S.A.), Ltd., Durban, South Africa. Sen, Dhires Lobhan, M.Sc.Tech. (Mane.), M.Sc. (Bombay), College of Technology, Manchester, 1. New Associates. Benford, Gilbert Arthur, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Lond.), 27, Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, Middlesex.Bennister, Henry Leonard, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., 3, Englewood Road, London, S.W.12. Berg, Isaac, B.Sc. (Lond.), 57, Cleveland Street, London, E.l. Blair-McGuffie, Malcolm Hugh, B.Eng., 7, Percy Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne. Bolam, Francis Metcalf, B.Sc. (Durham), 41, Richmond Road, Connah’s Quay, North Wales. Eaton, Robert Turner, B.Sc. (Lond.), Station Road, Borrowash, nr. Derby.Ellis, Howard Windley, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., The Clayton Aniline Co., Ltd., Clayton, Manchester. Farrand, George Noble Spencer, B.Sc. (Vict.), 27, Claremont Road, Blackpool.Finn, Stanley Russell, BSc. (Lond.), 15, Wellington Road, Bilston, Staffs. Grieve, James, BSc. (St. Andrews), 182, Lochee Road, Dundoe. Haley, John Barber, B.Sc. (Lond.), 518, Northwood Hall, Hornsey Lane, London, N.6.Harper, Bernard Ernest, B.Sc. (Birm.), 56, McKean Road, Oldbury, nr. Birmingham. Hogarth, Laurence Totherick, B.Sc. (Lond.), Belston, Heol Hir, Llanishen, Glam. Hopkin, Norman Maynard, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.S.M., 62, North End House, London, W.14. Hopkins, Geraint, M.Sc. (Wales), Rhosycoed, Glanamman, Carm. Hum, Ralph, B.Sc. (Lond.), 83, Kaye Lane, Almondbury, Huddersfield. Jones, John Idris, M.Sc. (Wales), 46, Kingston Road, Teddington, Middle- sex. Jones, Thomas Elwyn, B.Sc. (Wales), 2, Herbert Street, Treorchy, Glam. Kent, Arthur Vincent, M.Sc. (Wales), Prior Park College, Bath, Somerset. Landquist, Justus Kenneth, B.Sc. (Lond.), 4, Purley Avenue, London, N.W.2. McGowan, John Carswell, B.Sc.(Lond.), 10, Woodland Gardens, London, N. 10. Milner, Geoffrey, BSc., Ph.D. (Leeds), c/o Mrs. Steel, Rose Cottage, High Street, Rawmarsh. Moon, Charles Herbert, B.Sc. (Bris.), 32, Hampton Park, Bristol, 6. Parker, William George Sharland, R.Sc. (Lond.), 74, The Drive, Loughton, Esses. Partridge, Stanley Miles, B.Sc. (Lond.), Carantoc, Church Road, Northolt, Middlesex. Paxon, Leslie Arthur, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., 30, St. George’s Road, London, N.13. Pearman, Frank Howard, B.Sc. (Lond.), 49, Grosvenor Gardens, Woodford Green, Essex. Pepper, Kenneth Welch, B.Sc. (Lond.), Queen Mary College, Mile End Road, London, E.l. Pirie, Douglas George Cruickshank, B.Sc., Ph.D. (St. Andrews), 21, Park Avenue, Carnoustie, Angus. Potterill, Roy Henry, B.Sc.(Lond.), 101, Byrne Road, London, S.W.12. Satyanarayana Naidu, Devara, M.A., M.Sc. (Cal.), Government Test House, Alipore, Calcutta, India. Saunders, Benjamin, R.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., Roselea, Boley Drive, Clacton -on-Sea. Siddappa, Gurunanjappa Siddappa, M.A. (Madras),c/o Director, Vegetable and Fruit Preservation Research Station, Campden, Glos. Skeen, James William, B.Sc. (Lond.), 11, Howberry Close, Whitchurch Lane, Canons Park, Edgmare, Middlesex. Smith, Walter Anthony, B.Sc. (Birm.), 20, Northumberland Grove, Norton, Stockton -on-Tees, Co. Durham. Swain, Geoffrey, B.Sc. (Lond.), Offerton, Albany Road, Derby. Walters, Walter Gilbert David, M.Sc. (Wales), Harper Adam Agricultural College, Newport, Salop. Watkins, Thomas Frederick, M.Sc.(Wales), Danybryn, Graddfa Road, Llanbradach, nr. Cardiff. White, Arthur Douglas, B.Sc. (Lond.), 47, Norman Street, Kimberley, Nottingham.iVillock, James Taylor, B.Sc. (Vict.), 61, Holmfield Road, Blackpool, N. Wolfe, Kenneth Jack Blackler, B.Sc. (Wales), 7, Cambridge Street., Barry, Glam. Re-elected Associate. Byron, John Percy, 126, Musters Road, West Bridgford, Notts, 324 New Students. Allison, Lindsay Rowand, 224, Hampden Road, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia. Beeston, George, 21, Derby Road, Birkenhead. Dowaon, William Montague, 40, Kenilworth Road, Beeston, Nottingham. Eggle, Ernest Charles, 36, Grovelands Road, London, N. 13. Hallett, Stanley George, 42, West Ham Lane, London, E.15. Hesford, Edward, 25, Birkdale Street, Cheetham, Manchester, 8.Hood, Geoffrey Mortimer, The Mount, Leicester Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. Knight, George, 2, Holly Street, Norton-on-Tees. MacAulay, John Weale, 41, Park Range, Victoria Park, Manchester, 14. Portwood, Walter Ernest, 26, Harrow Road, Brooklands, Cheshire. Selby, Joseph Walter, 247, Commonside East, Mitcham, Surrey. Smith, Lewis, 72, Hanbury Street, London, E.l. Walker, Wilfred, 24, Laverack Street, Handsworth, Sheffield, 9. Ward, Frank, 100, Kenyon Street, Abbey Hey, Gorton, Manchester. Waterland, James Arthur, 123, Milton Road, West Hartlepool, Co. Durham. Watson, Alan Campbell, c/o 6, Wilfrid Gardens, North Acton, London, W.3. Williams, Edmund Gardner, M.A. (Cantab.), Dellside, Heswall, Wirral, Cheshire.DEATHS. Fellows. Benjamin Henry Gerrans. James Francis Halpin, I.S.O. Associates. Francis Charles Lewis, B.Sc.(Wales). Jnanendra Nath Sinha, M.Sc.Tech.(Manc.) CHANGE OF NAMES. Miss Marjorie Belle Carter, Associate, to Mrs. Marjorie Belle Robinson, on her marriage. Miss Nita Elise Speer, Associate, to Mrs. Nita Elise Knaggs, on her marriage. 325 Coming Events. 1936 August-September COMMISSION3 1-4 INTERNATIONAL FOR UNIFORM METHODS OF SUGAR ANALYSIS:Ninth Session; at the Institute of Chemistry, 30, Rw-sell Square, London, W.C. 1. September 7-12 THIRD WORLD POWER at Washington, U.S.A. CONFERENCE, 9-16 BRITISH ASSOCIATION OFFOR THE ADVANCEMENT SCIENCE, at Blackpool.On 10th September, Professor J. C. Philip, O.B.E., F.R.S., President of Section B (Chemistry), will give an address on “The Training of the Chemist for the Service of the Community,” introducing a discussion on “Chemistry and the Community.” 21-26 IRON : Autumn meeting, Diisseldorf. Preei-AND STEELINSTITUTE dent, Sir Harold Carpenter, F.R.S. October 7 INSTITUTE (East Midlands Section) : Joint Meeting OF CHEMISTRY with the Chemistry Section of the Leicester Literary and Philo- sophical Society : “Indicators,” Dr. A. D. Mitchell, at Leicester College of Technology, 7.45 p.m. Informal Dinner, Grand Hotol, Leicester, 7.0 p.m. 9 INSTITUTEOF CHEMISTRY: South Wales (Swansea) Section : SpeoialBusiness Meeting. SOCIETY30 CHEMICAL :“Lipochrome Pigments in Plants and Animals.” Professor I.M. Heilbron, D.S.O., F.R.S., at Swansea. INSTITUTEOF CHEMISTRY(Aberdeen and North of Scotland Section) : “Chemistry in the Aquatic Realm.” Dr. J. A. Lovern, in the Chemistry Department, Marischal College, Aberdeen, at 5.15 p.m. INSTITUTECHEMISTRY (London and South-Eastern Counties OF Section): Dinner and Dance. November 3 THECFIEMICALCLUB: Annual General Meeting, 8 p.m. 5 INSTITUTEOF CHEMISTRY:Gluckstein Memorial Lecture, Dr. Robert H. Pickard, F.R.S., President. OF (London and South-Eastern Counties 18 INSTITUTECHEMISTRY Section):Annual General Meeting. 19 INSTITUTEOF CHEMISTRY(East Midlands Section) : “Chemistryand Railways,” Dr. P. Lewis-Dale, at Derby, at the Technical College, 7.30 p.m.Informal Dinner, St. James’ Restaurant, 6.45 p.m. 20 INSTITUTE :South Wales (Swansea) Section : AnnualOF CHEMISTRY General Meeting. November 20 INSTITUTEOF CHEMISTRY: Streatfeild Memorial Lecture. “A Chapter on the Chemistry of Essential Oils,” Professor John Read. December OF :4 INSTITUTE CHEMISTRY South Wales (Swansea) Section : “Defence against Gas for the Civil Population.” Mr. J. Davidson Pratt, O.B.E. RAMSAYCHEMICAL DINNER: Central Hotel, Glasgow ; Professor G. G. Henderson, F.R.S., in the Chair. 9 INSTITUTECHEMISTRYOF (London and South-Eastern Counties Seetion): Visit to the Laboratories of Messrs. J. Lyons 8: Co., Ltd. OF10 INSTITUTE CHEMISTRY (East Midlands Section): “Heavy Hydrogen and its use in Chemistry.” Professor M.Polanyi,at Nottinghaa, at 7.30 p.m. Informal Dinner at 6.45 p.m. 1937 January OF20 INSTITUTE CHEMISTRY(London and South-Eastern Counties Section): Lecture by Dr. C. Ainsworth Mitchell. 29 CHEMICALSOCIETY: “Recent Progress in Inorganic Chemistry.” Dr. Wm. Wardlaw, at Swansea. INSTITUTEOF CHEMISTRY(Aberdeen and North of Scotland Section) : “Scientific Control in Papermaking.” Mr. Stephen R. H. Edge,in the Chemistry Department, Marischal College, Aberdeen, at 5.15 p.m. February 4 INSTITUTE (East Midlands Section) : “A SymposiumOF CHEMISTRY on the Determination and Identification of Fats.” Mr. E. Richards Bolton, Mr. F. G. Bullock, and Mr. A. D. Powell, at Loughborough College, Loughborough, at 7.15 p.m.Tea at the ColIege at 6.45 p.m. 10 INSTITUTECHEMISTRYOF (London and South-Eastern Counties Section): Visit to the Battersea Power Station. 12 INSTITUTE (Edinburgh and East of Scotland Section) :OF CHEMISTRY “From Boyle to Priestley,” illustrated by lantern slides. Mr. Richard B. Pilcher, O.B.E., Registrar and Secretary. INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY-south Wales (Swansea) Section : “Floc-culation in Theory and Practice.” Mr. J. 0. Samuel. OF17 INSTITUTECHEMISTRY(London and South-Eastern Counties Section): Lecture by Professor Jocelyn F. Thorpe, C.B.E., F.R.S. March OF4 INSTITUTECHEMISTRY (East Midlands Section) : “Oxidation and Reduction Potentials.” Dr. Samuel Glasstone, at Notting- ham, at 7.30 p.m. Informal Dinner at 6.45 p.m.OF5 INSTITUTE CHEMISTRY(Aberdeen and North of Scotland Section): “Some Aspects of Blood Chemistry.” Mr. John Duckworth. in the Chemistry Department, Marischal College, Aberdeen. at 6.16 p.m. 327 March OF CIEEMICALINDUSTRY12 SOCIETY :Jubilee Lecture. “Refractories.” Dr. J. W. Mellor, F.R.S., at Swansea. 17 INSTITUTECHEMISTRYOF (London and South-Eastern Counties Section): Lecture by Dr. R. E. Stradling, or a Member of the Staff of the Building Research Station. April 8 INSTITUTEOF CHEMISTRY(East Midlands Section) : Annual General Meeting. Address by the President, at Derby. Informal Dinner at 6.45 P.m. St. James’ Restaurant, Derby. Meeting at 7.30 p.m. OF CHEMISTRY9 INSTITUTE : South Wales (Swansea) Section :Annual General Meeting.21 INSTITUTECHEMISTRYOF (London and South-Eastern Counties Section): Visit to the Paper Works of Messrs. John Dickinson & Co., Ltd., Heme1 Hempstead. May OF5 INSTITUTECHEMISTRY (London and South-Eastern Counties Section): Visit to Sewage Works, Mogden, Isleworth. June OF2 INSTITUTECHEMISTRY(London and South-Eastern Counties Section): Visit to Ford Works, Dagenham. JdY 2-1 1 ACHEMA VIII : Chemical Engineering Exhibition, Frankfort-on-the -Main. 328 General Notices. Examinations.-The arrangements for Fellowship and Associateship Examinations in 1937 will be as follows :-FORTHE FELLOWSHIP. Last Date for Entries. Period of Examination.* Monday, 8th February, 1937. 12th to 17th April, 1937.(The list for Branch G and special subjects will close on 1 lth January, 1937.) Monday, 5th July, 1937. 13th to 18th September, 1937. (The list for Branch G and special subjects will close on 7th June, 1937.) FORTHE ASSOCIATESHIP. Last Date for Entries. Period of Examination." 9th November, 1936. 4th to 9th January, 1937. 8th February, 1937. 5th to 10th April, 1937. 5th July, 1937. 13th to 18th September, 1937. * When the number of Candidates renders it necessary, Examinations may also be held during the succeeding week. Forms of Application and further particulars can be obtained from the Registrar. The Meldola Medal (the gift of the Society of Maccabzeans) is normally 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 Decem-ber prior to the award.The recipient must be a British subject not more than 30 years of age at the time of the completion of the work. The Medal may not be awarded more than once to the same person. The next award will be decided in January, 1937. The Council will be glad to have attention directed, before 31st December, 1936, to work of the character indicated. Beilby Memorial Awards.-From the interest derived from the invested capital of the Sir George Beilby Memorial Fund, at intervals to be determined by the administrators 329 representing the Institute of Chemistry, the Society of Chemical Industry, and the Institute of Metals, awards are made to British investigators in science to mark appreciation of records of distinguished original work, preference being given to in- vestigations relating to the special interests of Sir George Beilby, including problems connected with fuel economy, chemical engineering and metallurgy.Awards are made, not on the result of any competition, but in recognition of continuous work of exceptional merit, bearing evidence of distinct advancement in knowledge and practice. The administrators of the Fund are the Presidents, the Honorary Treasurers] and the Secretaries of the three partici- pating Institutions, who will be glad to have their attention directed to outstanding work of the nature indicated.Corres-pondence on this subject should be addressed to the Convener, Sir George Beilby Memorial Fund, Institute of Chemistry, 30, Russell Square, London, W.C.I. The administrators will meet towards the close of the year. Sir Edward Frankland Medal and Prizefor Registered Students.-A medal and prize KIO 10s.) for the best essay, not exceeding 3,000 words, will be awarded in January, 1937,and will be presented at the next Annual General Meeting, or at a meeting of the Local Section to which the successful competitor is attached. Entries are limited to registered students who are less than 22 years of age at the time of forwarding the essay. The object of the essay is to induce Registered Students to develop a sense of professional public spirit and to devote thought to questions of professional interest and to the position of chemists in the life of the community-the essay to be on a subject of professional, rather than technical or purely chemical importance.Having due regard to the objects stated above, Registered Students are informed that the Council is prepared to consider an essay on any subject which has a bearing on chemistry or chemical work, provided that it does not deal with any purely chemical, technical, or historical subject. Each essay must be sent to the Honorary Secretary of the Local Section of the district in which the competitor resides (see 330 list of Local Sections at the end of the JOURNAL) on or before the 31st December, 1936, and must be accompanied by a signed declaration that it is the independent work of the competitor.Essays will be valued partly for literary style and technique, but mainly for the thoughts and ideas contained therein. The Committee of each Local Section will be asked to select, from those received, not more than three essays considered to be worthy of the award. The essays selected by the Local Sections will be referred to assessors appointed by the Council. On the report of the assessors, the Council will decide whether, and to whom, an award be made. The award willnot be made more than once to any individual competitor. Notice to Associates.-The Council desires to encourage all Associates to qualify for the Fellowship. Copies of the regulations and forms of application can be obtained from the Registrar.Appointments Register.-A Register of Fellows and Associates who are available for appointments, or are desirous of extending their opportunities, 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 training for the Associateship, may receive the Appointments Register of the Institute, provided that their applications for 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 thereafter be supplied with the lists gratis for a further period if necessary. The Institute also maintains a List of Laboratory Assistants who have passed approved Preliminary Examinations and in some cases, Intermediate Science Examinations. 331 Fellows and Associates who have vacancies for Registered Students or Laboratory Assistants 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 is primarily intended for the use of candidates during the Institute’s practical examinations. The comprehensive Library of the Chemical Society is available, 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 10a.m. to g p.m. on week-days (Saturdays from 10a.m. to 5 p.m.), except during August and the early part of September, when the hours are from 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. Registered Students of the Institute are also permitted, at present, 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. “Photostat” copies of Publications.-Arrangements exist for the “Photostat’’ reproduction of material contained in the Library of the Chemical Society. Particulars were published in JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,Part 111, 1936. The Institute has entered into an arrangement with The Science Library, Science Museum, South Kensington, S.W.7, whereby books may be borrowed on production of requisitions signed by the Registrar or the Assistant Secretary of the Institute.In addition to its comprehensive sets of literature on cognate subjects, which are not available in specialised libraries, this Library contains an exceptionally extensive collection of works on chemistry. Nine thousand scientific and technical periodicals are received regularly in the Library. Allpublications added to the Library are recorded in its Weekly Bibliography of Pure and Applied Science, which has a wide circulation among research workers and institutions. Boots ’ Booklovers Library .-Under the arrangements made on behalf of Fellows and Associates of the Institute, current subscriptions expired on 1st March. All who wish 332 to continue the use of the Library, or to subscribe dc mvo, should obtain application forms from the Registrar of the Institute.Members who do not immediately renew their subscriptions to the Library should return to the most convenient branch Library any volume of the Library which they may have in their possession and also their membership tokens. Lewis 's Lending Library.-Any Fellow or Associate who is not already acquainted with this Library of Scientific and Technical books may obtain a copy of the Prospectus from the Registrar of the Institute. A copy of the Catalogue of the Library (revised to December, 1927, with Supplements 1928-30 and 1931-33) is available in the Library of the Institute. A Bi-monthly list of Additions is also issued. Covers for Journal.-Members who desire covers (IS. zd. each) for binding the Journal in annual volumes, are requested to notify the Registrar of their requirements, indicating the years for which the covers are required.Arrangements may be 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 PROCEEDINGSon the following terms: buckram cover, IS. 2d.; binding, 2s. gd.; postage and packing, gd.; in all, 4s. 8d. Lantern Slides for Lecturers.-A collection of slides, mainly of historical interest, is kept at the Institute for the use of members who are giving lectures. Enquiries should be addressed to the Registrar. As the slides are frequently in demand, members are requested to notify their requirements at least 14 days before the date on which the slides are to be used.Changes of Address.-In view of the expense involved through frequent alterations of addressograph plates, etc., Fellows, Associates, and Registered Students who wish to notify changes of address are requested to give, so far as possible, their permanent addresses for registration. '*The Profession of Chemistry' ' (Third Edition, rg35), will be supplied gratis to any Fellow, Associate or Registered Student, on application to the Registrar.