THE INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. FOUNDED, 1877. INCORPORATED BY ROYAL CHARTER, 1885. JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. 1930. Issued under the supervision of the Publications Committee. RICHARD B. PILCHER, Regzstrar and Secretary. 30, RUSSELLSQUARE,Lomos, W.C. I, April, 1930. Publications Commit tee, 1930-31 LEWIS EYNON (Chairman), G. C. CLAYTON (President), H. B. BROWN, H. V.A. BRISCOE, W. J. A. BUTTERFIELD, A. M. CAMERON, A. J. CHAPMAN, F. D. CHATTAWAY, A. COULTHARD, W. R. FEARON, C. S.GIBSON, W. H. GIBSON, T. P. HILDITCH, L. E.HINKEL, J. G. KING, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY (Hon. Treasurer), D. JORDAN LLOYD, H.M. MASON, C. A. MITCHELL, W. D. ROGERS, WILLIAM WARDLAW, F. J.WILSON, A. W. M. WINTLE. Officers and Members of Council, 1930-31. PRESIDENT : GEORGE CHRISTOPHER CLAYTON, C.B.E., PH.D. VICE-PRESIDENTS : ARTHUR JENNER CHAPMAN. FREDERICK DANIEL CHATTAWAY, M.A,, D.Sc., F.R.S. LEWIS EYNON, B.Sc. EDWARD HINKS, M.B.E., B.Sc. BERNARD FARMBOROUGH HOWARD. ARTHUR SMITHELLS, C.M.G., D.Sc., F.R.S. HONORARY TREASURER : PATRICK HENRY KIR4KALDY. MEMBERS OF COUNCIL : EDWARD RICHARDS BOLTON: LONDON. ALFRED ARCHIBALD BOON, D.Sc. : EDINBURGH. HENRY VINCENT AIRD BRISCOE, D.Sc., A.R.C.S. : NEWCASTLE. HAROLD BUSH BROWN: YORK. WALTER FERGUSON BUIST, B.Sc. : LIVERPOOLAND NORTH-WEST COAST. SIDNEY WATERFIELD BUNKER, D.S.O., B.Sc. : THE OVERSEAS DOMINIONS. WILLIAM JOHN ATKINSON BUTTERFIELD, M.A.:LONDON. ALEC MUNRO CAMERON, B.Sc. : EDINBURGHAND EASTOF SCOTLAND. ALBERT COULTHARD, PH.D. : MANCHESTER. ALBERT EDWARD DUNSTAN, D.Sc. : LONDON. FRANK GEORGE EDMED, O.B.E., B.Sc., A.R.C.S.: PORTSMOUTH. GEORGE DAVIDSON ELSDON, B.Sc. : MANCHESTER. WILLIAM ROBERT FEARON, M.A., Sc.D. : IRISHFREESTATE. CHARLES STANLEY GIBSON, O.B.E., M.A., M.Sc.: LONDON. WILLIAM HOWIESON GIBSON, O.B.E., D.Sc. : BELFAST. FREDERICK WILLIAM HARRIS: GLASGOW AND WESTOF SCOTLAND. JOHN HAWTHORNE, B.A., PH.D. : NORTHERNIRELAND. THOMAS PERCY HILDITCH, D.Sc. : LIVERPOOL. LEONARD ERIC HINKEL, D.Sc.: WALES AND THE COUNTYOF MONMOUTH. GEORGE NEVILL HUNTLY, B.Sc., A.R.C.S. : LONDON. DOUGLAS WILLIAM KENT-JONES, B.Sc., PH.D. : DOVER. JAMES GRIEVE KING, PH.D., A.R.T.C.: LONDON. LESLIE HERBERT LAMPITT, D.Sc. : LONDON. HERBERT LEVINSTEIN, M.Sc., PH.D.: MANCHESTER. PERCY LEWIS-DALE, PH.D. : CREWE. DOROTHY JORDAN LLOYD, M.A., D.Sc. : LONDON. HARRY MALKIN MASON, M.Sc. : NORTH-EASTCOASTAND YORKSHIRE. HAMILTON McCOMBIE, D.S.O., M.A., D.Sc. : CAMBRIDGE. CHARLES AINSWORTH MITCHELL, M.A., D.Sc. : LONDON. BERT PUSEY RIDGE, PH.D. : MANCHESTER. WILLIAM HENRY ROBERTS, M.Sc. :LIVERPOOL. WILLIAM DAVID ROGERS, B.Sc., A.R.C.S. :MANCHESTERAND DISTRICT. GEORGE STUBBS, C.B.E. : LONDON COUNTIES.AND SOUTH-EASTERN PETER WRIGHT TAINSH, O.B.E., A.R.T.C. : BIRKENHEAD. ARNOLD ROWSBY TANKARD : HULL. OLIVER TRIGGER, M.B.E. : LONDON. WILLIAM WARDLAW, D.Sc. : BIRMINGHAMAND MIDLANDS. FORSYTH JAMES WILSON, PH.D., D.Sc.: GLASGOW. ALBERT WATKINS MAGGS WINTLE : BRISTOLAND SOUTH-WESTERN COUNTIES. 68 DATES OF COUNCIL MEETINGS: 1930: APRIL 4TH. 1930: NOVEMBER 2 1ST. MAY 16~~. DECEMBER 19~~. JUNE 20TH. 1931: JANUARY 23~~ & 30~~. JULY 18~~. FEBRUARY 20~~. OCTOBER 1 ~TH. CENSORS : 1930-1931 THE PRESIDENT, EX-OFFICIO. ALFRED CHASTON CHAPMAN, F.R.S., SIR HERBERT JACKSON, K.B.E., F.R.S., SIR ROBERT ROBERTSON, K.B.E., D.Sc., F.R.S., ARTHUR SMITHELLS, C.M.G., D.Sc., F.R.S. Committees for 1930-31. Chairman* FINANCE AND HOUSE COMMITTEE : THE PRESIDENT, WITH E. R. BOLTON, H. B. BROWN, A. E. DUNSTAN, L. EYNON, W. H. GIBSON, F. W. HARRIS, E. HINKS, B. F. HOWARD, D. W. KENT-JONES, J. G. KING, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY,* L. H. LAMPITT, C.A. MITCHELL, W. F. BUIST, G. STUBBS, AND 0. TRIGGER. LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE : THE PRESIDENT,* WITH E. R. BOLTON, S. W. BUNKER, A. E. DUNSTAN, F. G. EDMED, T. P. HILDITCH, B. F. HOWARD, G. N. HUNTLY, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY, H. LEVINSTEIN, P. LEWIS DALE, B. P. RIDGE, G. STUBBS, P. W. TAINSH, A. R. TANKARD, AND W. WARDLAW. NOMINATIONS, EXAMINATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS COMMITTEE : THE PRESIDENT* AND COUNCIL IN COMMITTEE. (VICE-CHAIRMAN: PATRICK H. KIRKALDY.) PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE : THE PRESIDENT, WITH H. V. A. BRISCOE, H. B. BROWN, W. J. A. BUTTERFIELD, A. M. CAMERON, ARTHUR J. CHAPMAN, F. D. CHATTAWAY, A. COULTHARD, L. EYNON,* W. R. FEARON, C. S. GIBSON, W. H. GIBSON, T. P. HILDITCH, L. E. HINKEL, J. G. KING, PATRICK H.KIRKALDY, D. JORDAN LLOYD, H. M. MASON, C. A. MITCHELL, W. D. ROGERS, W. WARDLAW, F. J. WILSON, AND A. W. M. WINTLE. 69 SPECIAL COMMITTEES. BENEVOLENT FUND COMMITTEE : THE PRESIDENT, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY (HoN. TREASURER),* THE FINANCE AND HOUSE COMMITTEE, WITH H. G. COLMAN, A. COULTHARD (MANCHESTER), W. M. CUMMING (GLASQOW), E. M. HAWKINS, R. D. LITTLEFIELD (BRISTOL), W. McD. MACKEY (LEEDS), G. H. PERRY, C. PROCTOR, G. RUDD THOMPSON (SOUTH WALES), AND J. F. THORPE. (In the case of Section representatives, the names of their respective towns or districts are inserted.) PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE : THE PRESIDENT, WITH F. W. F. ARNAUD, T. L. BAILEY, E. R. BOLTON, A. A. BOON, S. W. BUNKER, A. CHASTON CHAPMAN, F. D. CHATTAWAY, H.E. COX, C. H. CRIBB, J. C. DRUMMOND, B. DYER, F. G. EDMED, A. V. ELSDEN, G. D. ELSDON, L. EYNON, A. G. FRANCIS, F. W. HARRIS, ERNEST M. HAWKINS, E. HINKS,* L. H. LAMPITT, H. McCOMBIE, S. E. MELLING, C. A. MITCHELL, A. MORE, WM. PARTRIDGE, G. H. PERRY, P. A. ELLIS RICHARDS, W. H. ROBERTS, C. A. SEYLER, G. STUBBS, A. R. TANKARD, J. F. TOCHER, 0. TRIGGER, AND J. A. VOELCKER. JOINT COMMITTEE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INSTITUTE AND OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: THE PRESIDENT,* WITH H. V. A. BRISCOE, J. E. COATES, L. EYNON, E. M. HAWKINS, J.HAWTHORNE, G. G. HENDERSON, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY, G. T. MORGAN, R. H. PICKARD, T. SLATER PRICE, AND A. SMITHELLS. SPECIAL COMMITTEE re REGISTRATION : THE PRESIDENT,* THE VICE-PRESIDENTS, AND THE HONORARY TREASURER, WITH C.H. DESCH, J. C. DRUMMOND, A. V. ELSDEN, G. D. ELSDON, I.M. HEILBRON, G. N. HUNTLY, A. W. KNAPP, H. LEVINSTEIN, S. E. MELLING, H. E. MONK, F. L. PYMAN, W. RINTOUL, F. SCHOLEFIELD, AND W. WARDLAW. PEDLER FUND COMMITTEE : THEPRESIDENT* (VICE-CHAIRMAN, PATRICK H. KIRKALDY), with E. R. BOLTON, H. V. A. BRISCOE, H. G. COLMAN, G. D. ELSDON, C. S. GIBSON, G. G. HENDERSON, E. HINKS, L. H. LAMPITT, T. MACARA, T. SLATER PRICE, E. K. RIDEAL, J. F. THORPE, AND F. J. WILSON. APPOINTMENTS REGISTER COMMITTEE : THE PRESIDENT, WITH E. R. BOLTON, L. EYNON, B. F. HOWARD,* PATRICK H. KIRKALDY, AND D. JORDAN LLOYD. JOINT COMMITTEE WITH SCOTTISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT re NATIONAL CERTIFICATES : THE PRESIDENT, WITH A. A. BOON, A.M. CAMERON, G. G. HENDERSON, AND F. J. WILSON. JOINT COMMITTEE WITH MINISTRY OF EDUCATION FOR NORTHERN IRELAND : THE PRESIDENT, WITH W. H. GIBSON, H. GRAHAM, J. HAW-THORNE, G. T. MORGAN, AND T. SLATER PRICE. 70 BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR THE ASSOCIATESHIP AND FELLOWSHIP, 1930-31. Chairman : THE PRESIDENT. Three representatives of the Nominations, Examinations and Institutions Committee. Examiners for the Associateship : JOHN JACOB FOX, O.B.E., D.Sc. (LoND.). ROBERT ROBINSON, D.Sc. (MANc.), F.R.S. Examiners for the Fellowship : Branch A.-INORGANIC CHEMISTRY: JOHN JACOB FOX, O.B.E., D.Sc. (LoND.). Branch B.-PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: ARTHUR JOHN ALLMAND, D.Sc., F.R.S. Branch C.-ORGANIC CHEMISTRY: FRANK LEE PYMAN, PH.D. (BASLE),D.Sc.(VICT.), F.R.S. Branch D.-BIOCHEMISTRY : JACK CECIL DRUMMOND, D.Sc. Branch E.-CHEMISTRY (including Microscopy) of Food and Drugs, and of Water: JOHN EVANS. THERAPEUTICS, PHARMACOLOGY,AND MICROSCOPY: GERALD ROCHE LYNCH, O.B.E., M.B., B.S. (LoND.),D.P.H. (ENG.). Branch F.-AQRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY: HENRY ALLEN DUG-DALE NEVILLE, M.A. (CANTAB.), B.Sc. (LoND.). Branch G.-INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY(General Chemical Technology) : JOHN THOMAS DUNN, D.Sc. (DUN.). Examiners in the special sections of Branch G will be appoint,ed as required. HON. AUDITORSf 1930-31 : WALTER PIERPOINT HARMSWORTH AND CHARLES EDWARD BARRS. AUDITOR, 1930-31 : DAVID HENDERSON, Chartered Accountant. SOLICITORS : MESSRS. MARKBY, STEWART & WADESONS, 5, Bishopsgate, London, E.C.2.BANKERS : THE WESTMINSTER BANK, LTD., Bloomsbury Branch, 214, High Holborn, London, M7.C.1. REGISTRAR AND SECRETARY: RICHARD BERTRAM PILCHER, O.B.E., Chartered Secretary. ASSISTANT SECRETARY : RONALD LESLIE COLLETT, M.A. (CANTAB.), F.I.C. Claiitie Harris, Loidon. 1’IIOI:ESSOK ARTHUR ShlITHELLS, C.hl.G., Ij.Sc., F.K.S. &-.mident, 1927-4 930. 71 Fif ty-second Annual General Meeting. MONDAY, 3rd MARCH, 1930. THE52nd Annual General Meeting of the Institute was held at 30, Russell Square, London, W.C.1, on 3rd March, at 4.30 p.m., Professor Arthur Smithells, C.M.G., D.Sc., F.R.S., President, in the chair. The President said that the first part of the proceedings consisted in the presentation of two Medals.THE MELDOLA MEDAL. The Meldola Medal (the gift of the Society of Maccabzans) was awarded annually to the chemist whose published chemical work showed the most promise and was brought to the notice of the administrators during the year ending 31st December 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 recipient this year was Dr. Richard Alan Morton, D.Sc. (Liv.), F.I.C. Dr. Morton had made a special study of spectroscopy and had applied his detailed knowledge of photochemistry to the systematic elucidation of problems appertaining to all branches of chemistry. He had published an important series of papers dealing with absorption spectra in relation to keto-enol and lactam- lactim tautomerism, while another important group of his investigations embraced the correlation of absorption spectra and ionisation phenomena in metallic nitrates and cobalt salts.Apart from these typically academic researches Dr. Morton had made valuable contributions relating to ultra-violet actinometers and the efficiency of quartz mercury-vapour lamps. Important as these investigations were in themselves, his name was perhaps most commonly associated with his funda- mental and brilliant research in the field of vitamin chemistry, where he had shown that the methods of spectrographic analysis could be fruitfully applied to the assay of vitamin potency. 72 In collaboration with Prof.Heilbron he had been able to prove by spectrographic means that cholesterol could not possibly be the precursor of vitamin D, but that the anti-rachitic properties developed by this sterol on exposure to ultra-violet light emanated from a minute quantity of an impurity, shortly afterwards identified as ergosterol. He had also studied the photo-chemical decomposition of ergosterol on irradiation, and was now engaged in a detailed survey of sterol derivatives in the hope of determining the character of vitamin D itself. Again, he had also been able to show that the vitamin A of fish and animal liver-oils, which, like vitamin D, was also photo-labile, was characterised by the presence of a definite absorp- tion band at 328p, and in conjunction with Professor Drummond he had correlated ultra-violet absorption with the Carr and Price blue colour assay and the biological test.The President added that it was difficult in a few words to deal adequately with the full significance of these investigations. The application of the spectroscope to bio-chemical problems had undoubtedly placed in our hands an all-important tool, and it might well be that the final elucidation of the structure of the fat-soluble vitamins would come through this channel. In addition to his contributions to research we owed a debt of gratitude to Dr. Morton for his important book, Radiation in Chemistry, in which he expounded the principles of photo-chemistry in a simple and lucid manner and thus brought home to the general reader the importance of the subject.The President having expressed the gratification of the members that Mrs. Meldola was able to be present, congratulated Dr. Morton, and presented the Medal to him. Dr. Morton, replying briefly, said that he felt it was a very great honour to receive the Medal, and he appreciated the kindness of Mrs. Meldola in attending to witness the presentation; he would cherish the Medal and do his best to uphold its traditions. FRANKLANDTHESIR EDWARD MEDAL AND PRIZE,1929. The President reminded the Fellows and Associates that the Medal and Prize had been instituted to keep alive the memory of the first President of the Institute, Sir Edward Frankland. He had much pleasure in making the presentation to Mr. Bernard William Bradford, B.Sc.(Lond.), A.R.C.S., for an essay on “The Cultural Value of Science,” and congratulated him on his success. 73 Mr. Bradford received the Medal and Prize at the hands of the President. ANNUALACCOUNTS. The minutes of the 51st Annual General Meeting, held on 1st March, 1929, having been confirmed, the President called upon the Hon. Treasurer to submit the Annual Accounts and the Report of the Auditors. The Hon. Treasurer (Mr. P. N.Kirkaldy) said that if he could speak for a moment as the Vice-chairman of the Nominations, Examinations, and Institutions Committee, out of hearing of the Treasurer, he would like to express his sympathy with the Treasurer. That was the sixth occasion on which he had been asked to submit the resolution for the acceptance and adoption of the Accounts, and he found difficulty in saying anything new.The Report of the Finance Committee was prepared by the Registrar, approved by the Finance Committee, and then by the Council, before it was incorporated in the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGSby the Publications Committee, and there was little left for the Treasurer to say. Taking the Statement of the General Accounts for 1929, he called the attention of the members to the slight alteration which had been made in the form of the accounts. All the ordinary receipts and all the ordinary expenditure had been set forth so that it was possible to see at a glance the ordinary expenditure and the ordinary receipts, instead of having them mixed up, as they had been in previous years, with some extra- ordinary expenditure.The main sources of income showed a substantial increase. The overdraft of 1928, which amounted to about k185, had been paid off. They had to bear in mind the necessity of providing for the special expenses, to be incurred this year, in the publication of the Register, and the List of Official Chemical Appointments ;for that reason, the expenditure had been carefully watched. The negotiations with London University with regard to the Bloomsbury site had been concluded. Access to Russell Square had been assured, and in the event of the closing of the remainder of Keppel Street, the Institute had also been assured access, for its members and for visitors, from all entrances to the University site; so that, practically, they had a right of way over the roads of the University and, so far as he could see, there was no proposal which affected the tenancy of the Institute.With regard to the Benevolent Fund, he was glad to call 74 attention to the increase of about 120annual subscribers. Owing to the help given to some exceptional cases, the current account showed an excess of expenditure over receipts of about L90. Since the publication of the accounts it had been suggested that had the Committee used all the receipts for current expenses there would have been sufficient funds for the year. Of course that was quite true, but it was not in accord with the plan which had been laid down at the establishment of the Fund."Donations "-as distinct from "Annual Subscriptions," and "Subscriptions for Current purposes "-were placed to an Annuities Account, in order to build up a capital fund, the interest on which was used forthe provision of annuities for aged or disabled members, for annual allowances to widows, and to provide for the education of orphans. That was the original intention of the Benevolent Fund, and that intention had been kept in mind. It was still the hope of the Committee to build up such a fund as he had described. The contributions received for 1930, so far, showed an improvement on the receipts for 1929, but maintenance grants were still being paid to three members out of work, and the Committee was grateful for the help which had been received, and especially grateful for the response to the appeal which had been recently issued.He hoped that what he had said would induce any member who could help a really deserving cause, and had not already done so, to become a subscriber. He desired to thank those members of local committees who had helped in the administration of the Fund, and also those who had organised group subscriptions in various laboratories. He also took the opportunity of thanking the members of both the Finance Committee and the Benevolent Fund Committee for much help and sometimes for much forbearance, as well as the Registrar, the Assistant-Secretary, and the members of the staff, for the help which he had received during the past year.He moved:-That the financial statement for 1929 be received and adopted, and that the thanks of the Fellows and Associates be accorded to the Honorary Auditors, Mr. C. E. Barrs and Mr. W. P. Harmsworth, for their services. Dr. T. Slater Price seconded the motion. The President having invited discussion on the Accounts- Professor J. C. Philip said that he would like to congratulate the Treasurer of the Institute on the remarkably healthy state of the finances, but, personally, on looking at the accounts, 75 he found one or two features which were, to him at any rate, very disquieting. The main thing that stood out on the accounts of the Institute was the extremely large proportion which was spent on administration.The actual sum disbursed on salaries, wages, and staff assurance, was about E5000. That was a very large proportion of the subscriptions of the members of the Institute. While he felt that the high proportion which the Institute spent on administrative purposes was disquieting, what was more disquieting was the fact that the proportion was in- creasing. Eight or nine years ago the item of salaries and wages was 52 per cent. of the members’ subscriptions. It was now about 54 per cent. The membership of the Institute had in- creased very much in the interval, but he knew of no case where the expenses of administration had gone up relatively as the membership increased, because the overhead charges obviously remained the same, and the additional work involved, with the additional membership, should have made but a comparatively small addition to the expenditure.Might he say why he regarded the matter as disquieting? If the Institute were the only body in this country which served the interests of chemistry, there would be no great objection taken; but he held the view that while the Institute had to play its part, and it had obviously a very important part to play in the chemical profession, there were other bodies, notably the Chemical Society, and the Society of Chemical Industry, which had to bear a very large share in promoting such interests. In all that appertained to the publica- tion of new matter, these bodies had to bear the burden, and it was very disquieting that the Institute should take so much in the way of subscriptions from the chemical community, more especially from the younger portion, while that very circum- stance crippled the other societies which were concerned in that matter.He knew exactly how it worked. His students came to him and said: “Should we join the Institute of Chemistry? ” He replied “Yes ”;but he knew that that meant they could not join the other societies which were really doing the propaganda work of chemistry. He was not prepared with a definite scheme, but thought the time was ripe for some relief to be given to the younger members of the Institute, for instance, by omitting the Entrance Fee for Associates. The President requested the Treasurer to reply.The Hon. Treasurer said that the answer to Professor Philip’s remarks was that the main work of the Institute was adminis-trative work,* and that accounted for the expense to which he referred. The Council had considered the matter when Professor Philip himself was a member of the Council. The Hon. Treasurer added that the matter had been considered from time to time, but he held that the funds were applied to the best advantage, axd that the expense of administration was not unduly high. Considering the work that the Institute did, the cost of administration was quite reasonable. The President having invited further comments on the accounts, said that he did not propose to offer any observations on the matter, but he felt confidence in the Treasurer’s watchful- ness.He welcomed criticism, however, and he was sure that any criticism which was offered would receive full and fair consideration. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried un-animously. THEREPORT AND THE PRESIDENT’SOF THE COUNCIL ADDRESS. The Report of the Council having been taken as read, the President delivered his Address and moved: “That the Report of the Council for 1929-30 be received and adopted.” Dr. J. F. Tocher (Aberdeen) in seconding the motion, said that at the same time, he would like, on behalf of the Meeting, to * The Hon. Treasurer desires to remind the Fellows and Associates that the work of the officers and staff includes the following:-The receipt and inspaction of applications for admission to the Studentship, Examinations, Associateship and Fellowship ; interviews with parents and candidates with regard to professional education ; consideration of the curricula of colleges and technical schools ; arrangements for the examinations of the Institute ; the administration of the schemes for the award of National Certificates, in co-operation with the educational authorities in England and CZ’ales, in Scotland, and in Northern Ireland; editing and preparation of the JO~~IINAL AN[) PROCEEDINGS,Regulations, Register, Official Chemical Appoint rnents.lectures published as separate monographs, and other publications ; main-tenance of the Appointments Register, printed and issued twice weelily, and correspondence relating thereto, both with employers and candidates for appointments; Benevolent Fund; printing and issuing of notices for Local Sections ; correspondence with Government Departments and other authorities relative to professional interests ; preparation of statements, reports, etc.for consideration of the Council and Committees; Library ; lantern slides ; standardisation of scientific glassware. Information and advice are sought from the officers of the Institute on a large variety of matters relative to t,he affairs of individual members, and many enquiries are addressed to the Institute by the general public. The officers are also called upon to give lectures and addresses at meetings of Local Sections and to students in schools anti colleges.77 move a very hearty vote of thanks to the President for his very able, critical, and most interesting Address and to ask his permission for its publication in the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS. He had been greatly interested to hear that only about I per cent. of the profession was in the ranks of the unemployed, but he feared that a large number of the younger members felt that, compared with other professions, the remuneration was far from what it should be. He was also grateful to the President, on behalf of the public analysts, for his remarks on their work; and he would like to acknowledge the work of the Institute on behalf of the public analysts, and the action that the Council had taken on their behalf.The general public, and certainly the public authorities, did not recognise the chemical profession, including the public analysts, in the same way as they recognised medical practitioners; but he was quite sure that the action of the Institute with regard to public authorities was really bearing fruit. He did not claim to be very competent to speak on the training of chemists, but the Fellows and Associates would all read very carefully the President’s remarks with regard to the curricula of study. He (Dr. Tocher) agreed in the suggestion that the modern chemist was asked to learn too much within the period of his curriculum. It would be far better if a more general chemical course were taken, and specialising came after- wards.He had pleasure in seconding the motion and also offered, on behalf of the Meeting, a cordial vote of thanks to the President for his most interesting Address. Mr. A. Chaston Chapman (Past-President), speaking in support of the motion, said that he would like to say how much he had been interested in the President’s Address, and to echo the thanks which had been expressed to him on behalf of the Meeting. There was one thing which impressed him very particularly, and that was the reference to the teaching of analytical chemistry. It was a matter which might very well occupy the attention of those responsible for the curricula of students, because analytical chemistry, if properly taught by somebody who knew it thoroughly, and not as a series of pre- scriptions in some book, was one of the very best introductions to the study of chemistry.He could not imagine anybody to-day, making his entrance to chemistry through the doorway of analytical chemistry, and making it in the way that he had in- dicated, failing to appreciate to the full the beauties of chemistry, 78 and, in the end, becoming what they all desired him to become, a really good chemist. The Fellows and Associates felt that the President had rendered signal service to the Institute, and every- body would agree that so long as the Institute of Chemistry could attract to its chair, and command the services of men such as the retiring President, the Institute might be assured that not only all was well, but very well indeed.The motion was put to the Meeting and carried unanimously, with a vote of thanks to the President for his Address. REPORTOF THE SCRUTINEERS. The Registrar read the Report of the Scrutineers (Messrs. Charles A. Adams and J. H. Lane), on the voting for the election of the Officers (President, Vice-presidents, and Honorary Trea- surer), General Members of the Council, and Censors for the year ending 2nd March, 1931. The number of valid votes cast for the Officers was 973. President: G. C. Clayton (970). Vice-presidents: Arthur J. Chapman (950), F. D. Chattaway (949),L. Eynon (950), Edward Hinks (948), Bernard F. Howard (943), Arthur Smithells (963). Honorary Treasurer : Patrick H. Kirkaldy (972). The number of valid votes cast for General Members of Council was 971.The General Members of Council were elected as follows:- H. Levinstein (691), T. P. Hilditch (670), L. H. Lampitt (616),A. E. Dunstan (587),C. A. Mitchell (587), G. D. Elsdon (577),H. B. Brown (572), I?. G. Edmed (571), P. W. Tainsh (563), E. R. Bolton (545), F. J. Wilson (525), A. A. Boon (521). C. S. Gibson (521), A. Coulthard (516),J. G. King (504),H. V. A. Briscoe (493),W. H. Gibson (491),H. McCombie (490),P. Lewis-Dale (481),D. W. Kent-Jones (466). It'. H. Roberts (462). Miss D. Jordan Lloyd (450),A. R. Tankard (416),0.Trigger (413),W. J. A. Butterfield (412), B. P. Ridge (411), G. N. Huntly (411). The number of valid votes cast for the Censors was 87,5. The following were elected Censors :-A.Smithells (673), A. Chaston Chapman (610), Sir Robert Robertson (576), Sir Herbert Jackson (483). The President thereupon declared that the Fellows named had been elected to their respective offices, and moved, and not as a mere matter of form, he said, that a vote of thanks be accorded to the Scrutineers for their services. Their labours had occupied about a day and a half of hard work, and he knew that the members would wish to convey to Mr. Adams and Mr. Lane their most grateful thanks for what they had done. Mr. S. I;. Burford (Leicester) seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried. 79 APPOINTMENTOF AUDITORS. The President announced that the next business was the appointment of Auditors. He had the privilege of nominating one of the two Honorary Auditors, and nominated Mr.C. E. Barrs. The Meeting had to nominate the other, and he would be glad to receive a proposal. Mr. C. T. Abel proposed Mr. Walter P. Harmsworth. Messrs. C, E. Barrs and Walter P. Harmsworth were duly appointed. On the motion of the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. David Henderson, Chartered Accountant, was reappointed auditor, at the re-muneration of thirty guineas. THERETIRINGOFFICERSAND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL, Mr. C. J. H. Stock (Darlington) proposed a vote of thanks to the retiring Officers and Members of the Council. He said that it was a difficult task to express adequately the real gratitude of the members to those gentlemen for their services to the Institute and for the close attention which they had given to its affairs.As a past Member of the Council, and one who had had experience of the work of the Institute, he tendered the President the most hearty thanks of the members for the way in which he had graced the Chair during his term of office, and for all the courtesy and kindness which he had invariably shown to them. The President had already mentioned the names of the four retiring Vice-presidents, and, from his own experience of the work which Mr. Hawkins, Professor Henderson, Dr. Pickard, and Professor Thorpe had put into the affairs of the Institute, he could say it would be very hard indeed to find any who had so well deserved to hold high office in the Institute and had held it with such success.To the Members of the Council who were retiring he also wished to express the thanks of the Institute. Their work was very exacting, not only for those members who resided in and around the Metropolis, but, perhaps more particularly for those who had to travel long distances, and especially so for those who hailed from the country across the Border. It meant, at any rate, that some had to spare two days when they attended Council meetings, and it was not always possible to arrange that other business could be conducted at the same time. He felt that the general body of the members of the Institute should appreciate the self-sacrifice on the part of the Fellows who were Members 80 of the Council in attending the meetings.The success of the Institute was largely due to those who so unselfishly gave their time to its affairs. He had the greatest pleasure in proposing a most hearty vote of thanks to the retiring Officers and Members of Council. Miss Micklethwait seconded the vote of thanks, which was put to the Meeting and carried. The President, in acknowledging the kind remarks of Mr. Stock and the vote of thanks, said that he would not detain the meeting by any further attempt to express all that he felt on quitting the Chair, but he would like to say something with reference to what had fallen from his old friend Mr. Chaston Chapman. He had intended that any remarks which he wished to make on that occasion should be confined to analytical chemistry.He had asked Mr. Chapman kindly to send him reprints of his own addresses on the subject which he had read, and thoroughly appreciated, years before. When the addresses came, he had found that nearly all the things that he had wanted to say had been so much better said by Mr. Chapman that he could not carry out his original intention. That applied also to other addresses on analytical chemistry by Mr. Bolton, and he found really there was little of real importance left for him to say; but he would very much have liked to have added a little more to what he had said on chemical training, and he thought that he might be forgiven if he added a little more in the near days of leisure. During his period of office, he had been unfortunate in that he had been unable to attend two previous Annual Meetings.He was detained from the first by illness, and from the second by recovery. On the present occasion, he had had to face an extraordinary congestion of engagements which had prevented him from giving anything like the attention to the preparation of an address which he would have liked to have done; but he was assured by Mr. Pilcher that it would not violate the statutes of the Institute if he tried to improve his address before it was published. He thanked the members once more for all their kindness, not only on his own behalf, but on behalf of all those who were included with him in the vote of thanks; but before the conclusion of the meeting, suggested that the members would be glad to hear a few words from Professor Thorpe before he relinquished office, as he hoped, only for a short time.81 Professor Thorpe expressed his thanks to Mr. Stock for his kind remarks, also to the President for his kind expression of appreciation of the services which he had been able to render to the Institute. As a Councillor, and as a Vice-president, he had attended for six years past, but time passed so rapidly that one could not easily appreciate the fact that so long a time had elapsed. He would like to say, however, that those six years had been very pleasant to him, and he was very glad to have been able to do anything to further the interests of that great Institute. His feeling of regret at ceasing to be so closely asso- ciated with the Institute was tempered by the consideration that he would now have some little spare time for other business.The exacting nature of the office of Vice-president could only be appreciated by those who had occupied it, but he was very glad to have had the honour of serving the Institute in that capacity, and again expressed his thanks for the vote accorded to him. The President, in closing the meeting, said that the new President, Dr. Clayton, was in Bombay, but it was hoped that he would soon be among them. 82 The Address of the Retiring President PROFESSORARTHUR SMITHELLS, C.M.G., D.Sc., F.R.S. IN moving the adoption of the Report of the Council, I will follow the usual practice and review briefly the work of the year and the events of my period of office, which comes to a close to-day.I shall then ask you to bear with me while I offer a few observations on the subject of chemical training. The Reports of the Council for the past three years give the following figures, respectively, for the roll of the Institute since 1927 :-1927. 1928. 1929. 1930. Fellows .. 1763 1819 1855 1886 Associates . . 3423 3569 3703 3828 __ ----__ 5186 5388 5558 5714 __ __ -__ Registered Students 710 667 697 717 These are net figures, and show an increase for the three years of 528 members and 7 students; this increase falls short of that of the period 1922-1924, when it was 1129 members, and 1924 to 1927, 787 members. Variation in the rate of increase is inevitable, but it is, I think, quite satisfactorily accounted for in the present case.by the inevitable relaxation of the rush to the chemical profession which followed upon the M’ar. Universities and Colleges are no longer overflowing with chemical students, and we may hope that the supply does not now far exceed the demand. During the same period, 88 members have died, and 161 have formally resigned or have, in effect, resigned by the silent and inconvenient way of merely ceasing to pay their subscriptions on taking up other work. It does not appear that many of those who are continuing in chemistry have relinquished their membership. On the whole, having regard to the times in which we live, I think we may congratulate ourselves on the general progress made towards the fuller organisation of the profession, and particularly on the circumstance that the number of our members who are actually without work is very little more than one per cent. It does not become less important that the Institute should secure the adherence of those who become qualified as chemists according to its standards and intend to make chemistry their profession.For this, we must look chiefly to the professors and teachers in the recognised universities and colleges, and to those members with whom the new recruits become associated in professional work. The number of candidates for our examinations during the same period (1927-1930) has been 258, of whom 137 have passed; compared with 308, of whom 137 passed during 1924-1927, and 302, of whom 163 passed during 1921-1924.It will be observed that the proportion of passes during the last three years has shown an improvement, and I may mention that there are signs that the number of entries during 1930 will be greater. The Report of the past year shows a record of activity in all departments, and should, I think, convince the members and the community generally that the Institute is steadily fulfilling the objects for which it was founded. I should, however, in accordance with the practice adopted by my predecessors, first refer to our losses by death. Among teachers occur the names of F. W. Dootson, H. Wilson Hake, Charles James, W. W. J. Nicol, C. A.Pauls, and T. B. Wood. Among private practitioners, R. W. Atkinson, T. P. Blunt, James Davidson, G. Watson Gray, T. Vaughan Hughes, J. West Knights, E. A. Pinchin, J. C. Platts, Samuel Rideal, and E. A. Wagst aff e. Among those engaged in industry, Charles Beavis, W. J. Bowis, H. G. Lacell, F. E. Matthews, W. D. Sawers, T. A. Shegog, and H. U. Stocks. Of those who were engaged in Government employ, Frankland Dent and Arthur Stead. As I survey these names, I find many of them recall scientific eminence and great public service, notably that of Professor T. B. Wood, and I am tempted especially to say something about 84 those who were personally known to me. It is somewhat invidious to make a selection, but if we are to think of those who have identified themselves especially with the Institute, we must have a grateful memory of Dr.Hake, Nr. Watson Gray, Dr. Dent, and of Dr. Samuel Rideal, whose son, just selected for the Fellowship of the Royal Society, has already given valuable service on our Council. Referring to the matters of public interest in which the Institute has been represented in recent times, I am sure that the Council would wish that I should particularly acknowledge the good work of the representatives who met a Committee of H.M. Customs in connection with the revision of the Regulations dealing with Methylated Spirits, and the valuable services of Dr. George McGowan and Mr. S. E. Melling on the Committee of the Ministry of Health appointed to consider methods of chemical analysis as applied to Sewage and Sewage Effluents.The Report shows that we have continued to co-operate in cordial relations with other chemical bodies and professional institutions, and that representatives of the Institute have assisted, in many enquiries, on matters of public interest. On such details I need not further enlarge; but it is a matter for some regret-although there are compensating circumstances-that the Institute should, after full consideration, not have found itself able to participate in the present movement towards concentrating the headquarters and meetings of so many allied chemical bodies in one building. The fact is clear, however, that -even if the accommodation which we require, and are likely to require, were available-we could not join in this scheme without expense and loss to an extent which would be quite un- j ustifiable.The question, whether Bloomsbury or Westminster, or some other centre, would be the most convenient centre, I need not now discuss; but I may at least remind you that we possess a good building, with a lease of over 80 years yet to run, and a Redemption Fund to provide our successors, before the expiry of that time, with the substantial sum of L50,ooo for subsequent contingencies. I do not think that our decision has appeared to the co-operating societies to be either unsympathetic or unwise, and it is almost superfluous for me to give the assurance that our professional organisation, although housed apart, will in no 85 degree fall away from any kind of loyal co-operation that opportunity may afford. Of the Financial Statement and the Benevolent Fund, you have already heard from the Honorary Treasurer, who presides so admirably over the Committees concerned with these matters.Our warmest thanks are due to him and his colleagues for their valuable services, and we are glad to hear that, although the calls upon the Benevolent Fund have been heavier in recent times, the Fellows and Associates have made a generous response to the recent appeal. Under the chairmanship of Dr. G. C. Clayton, the Legal and Parliamentary Committee has done good work, particularly in the matter of Patent Law Reform. This has been well followed up by our representative, Mr.H. Douglas Elkington, who has not only served on the Joint Committee of the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers and other bodies, but has appeared as one of the witnesses to give evidence on behalf of chemists before the Committee of the Board of Trade. On the subject of Registration, I regret that the position is not yet so clear that we can proceed to the further consideration of that matter. For the present, I can only counsel patience and urge all chemists to support the Institute as the authority empowered by the Crown to register those who are qualified to practise chemistry as a profession. The Publications Committee, under the chairmanship of Professor Thorpe, has, as usual, a good record to show, and a prospect of much to be accomplished this year.Our publications are wisely directed and widely appreciated, and form an important part of the services rendered by the Institute, not only to its Fellows and Associates, but to the public. The reports of the meetings of Local Sections hardly suffi- ciently indicate the importance and interest of their proceedings ; but we have due regard to the undesirability of duplicating the work of publication which is undertaken by other bodies. The Institute, as a whole, owes a debt of gratitude to all who take an active part in the work of the Sections, which can only tend to the good of the profession. The Public Appointments Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. E. M. Hawkins, has continued to watch matters relating 86 to official chemical appointments, and particularly to those affecting public analysts. The Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government was a matter of some concern to a number of holders of appoint- ments, of which they may be deprived if legislation following the lines of the recommendations of the Royal Commission should be adopted.Changes of this kind are bound to occur from time to time; the main thing is to ensure that any who are deprived of office are properly compensated. It is sometimes suggested that the Institute does more in the interests of public analysts than in that of other members. Apart from the fact that the Institute may more properly intervene in a public matter than one which affects chemists engaged in in- dustry or in private practice, I think it right to mention that young chemists engaged in industry are the chief users of the Appointments Register, and chemists in all branches come to the Institute for advice and assistance in their affairs. For presiding over nearly all of the meetings of the Nomina- tions, Examinations and Institutions Committee, a summary of whose work is recorded in the Report, I have again to make acknowledgments to Mr.Kirkaldy. This is a Committee of the whole Council, and its proceedings concern our chief object- the qualification and registration of competent chemists. It is evident that the chairmanship of such a Committee involves the consideration of much detail and preliminary work in con- nection with the many and varied matters which come before it.Another matter to which reference should be made at this time is the endeavour of the Council to secure that students who intend to pursue chemistry as a career should be better informed with regard to their chosen profession while they are still under- going their training, and I feel that the scheme inaugurated by the Ministry of Labour, Headmasters’ Employment Committee, under which similar lectures are given to boys in public and secondary schools in the London area should also be useful not only for chemistry, but for other vocations. I am sure that this work to which our Registrar and our Assistant Secretary are indefatigably devoting themselves is very highly appreciated.It was my hope that during my occupancy of this chair the Institute might again summon a Conference on the question of the training of chemists. It was contemplated as a feature of our Jubilee Celebrations, but was then, I think rightly, 87 abandoned. The subject, truly, is always with us, and no doubt always will be, and conferences, I know only too well, are apt to be disappointing. But a great upheaval has taken place since the last Institute conference on chemical teaching in 1913-an upheaval in the science itself and in the regions of thought and action to which its influence extends. Here, as elsewhere, the War has created new conditions and new problems. The changes in the last fifteen years have affected the whole fabric of chemistry to a degree unparalleled in my own lifetime, for they are at the foundations.When I vacated the Chair of Chemistry at Leeds, in 1923,I felt that a drastic revision of the courses of instruction was overdue, and to tell the truth I was glad to make way for someone more likely to be equal to that exacting task. As a University teacher, my anxiety arose from several causes, but chiefly from the ever-increasing load put upon the professional chemical students and from the increased emphasis being laid upon mere badges of examination. I shall deal only with the first of these questions. Nothing less than a W. S. Gilbert could, I think, deal adequately with the second-a situation where the universities are offering to the world chemists who may be bachelors of ordinary grade, or with first, second or third class honours, general or special, masters of science, doctors of philosophy, or doctors of science-a situation where “a good second class honours degree’’ actually for a time marked a financial fence in the schoolmasters’ territory.I must avoid the danger that besets me of sinking into reminiscence, but perhaps it is permissible to recall a little-of my own experience, in order to remind you of the degree to which the demands upon the student have increased within less than a lifetime. When I was a student under Roscoe at Manchester, in what was then commonly regarded as our “livest ” school of chemistry, the normal training of a chemist, so far as classes went, was predominant in the inorganic province and in laboratory work almost exclusively so.Although the importance of organic chemistry had been recognised by the establishment in 1874 of the first English chair of that subject, Schorlemmer’s one sessional course of lectures was unaccompanied by any practical course in the laboratory beyond an organic combustion and perhaps the determination of a vapour density. Of physical chemistry, which then went by the name of chemical philosophy, there was nothing but one short course of lectures by Schorlemmer, which 88 embodied with history a good deal of the contents of the then untranslated work of Lothar Meyer,-Die Moderne Theorien der Chemie.* The contrast with the state of things in Germany was very striking, and it was the regular custom of English graduates who were going to make a profession of chemistry to betake them- selves to a German University, in order to get experience in the most lively section of the chemical front.Here is the array of men among whom a choice could be made : Hofmann, Kekulk, Baeyer, Kolbe, Fittig, Wislicenus, Emil Fischer, Liebermann, Ladenburg, Claus (Victor Meyer was then at Zurich), all in one field; Bunsen and Lothar Meyer, active in another. These names tell clearly of organic chemistry in its hey-day, and when I began as an English graduate for the first time to make organic preparations, there were in the laboratory at Munich, besides Baeyer, Koenigs and von Pechmann on the staff, the seniors, Otto Fischer and von Richter, and among the bevy of students, Bamberger, Curtius, Duisberg, Friedlairlder, J.B. Cohen and W. H. Perkin, jnr. There were other future English professors studying at other centres, and by the middle eighties the study of organic chemistry had taken on its intensive development in our home laboratories. Lecture courses in the subject became for all chemistry students more heavily weighted, without any relaxation of those in inorganic chemistry. In the laboratory there was at once some curtail- ment of the exercises in quantitative analysis, and mineralogy began to disappear as a normal ingredient of the chemical course. In less than ten years something of the kind I have described again came about.Van ’t Hoff had published his Studies of Chemical Dynamics, Arrhenius had appeared on the scene, and Ostwald, himself a fruitful investigator in this part of Chemistry, gathering together the work of old and new, released a cascade of literature and entered upon a remarkable propagandist campaign for a new physical chemistry. He marshalled something like a solution army, and the effect was soon evident in our British centres of teaching. A further addition was made to the student’s lecture burden of theory and facts; in the laboratory the old inorganic field was impoverished and further restricted. Lastly, we have the change of the last fifteen years to which I have * Outlines of Theoretical Chemistry.Trans. by Bedson and M7illiams, London, 1892. 89 already alluded as being in character, and affecting chemical theory, the most fundamental of all. Particularly notable in these later changes has been the increasing call for auxiliary study of mathematics. We may certainly rejoice in the great development of our schools of chemistry. They can no longer be charged with falling behind the times, and though I hope we may continue to encourage our graduates to spend some time abroad, it will be rather to gain experience of foreign ways and to enlarge their mental horizon than to get instruction of a kind or quality which they could not get at home. I should be sorry to underestimate the improvements that have taken place in the students’ opportunities.The complaint is not that we have not done enough, but rather that in a way we have done too much. It is, of course, only natural and, indeed, it is desirable that a specialist teacher in newer learning should be imbued with a strong sense of the importance of his speciality. He is likely to stake out a large claim, and the difficulty of adjusting successive claims of the new and established claims of the old becomes very great. It is easy to see how the increased burden has come upon our students. It is still the case that the course for his first degree does not usually extend over more than three University years, and it may be less. Within this time, the student is usually expected to equip himself with a knowledge of inorganic, organic and physical chemistry which, in content of fact and charge upon the memory, is, I think, not far from the double of what was exacted at the same stage from those of my own generation, and I do not think there has been any appreciable mitigation in the accompanying subjects of the curriculum.Now, of course, one may be willing to admit much superiority in the rising generation, but it is impossible to believe that in such a brief period of human evolution there has been a doubling of the powers of apprehension or of memory. Yet, however imperfectly we were taught in older days, there was quantity enough to assimilate in the time. It is clearly to be expected that the result of the circum- stances I have described will be found in the form of undigested knowledge of what are thought to be the higher things of chemical science.That is to be deplored, but it does not matter half so much in my judgment as a superficial knowledge or entire 90 ignorance of simpler-I will not say lower-things, and the sacrifice of laboratory work to book-lore. That this condition of things prevails, and largely prevails, I am obliged to affirm from experience among chemical graduates with whom my duties still bring me into contact, and I have heard the same complaint made again and again by every kind of senior professional chemist. Perhaps I should add that by senior I mean something quite remote from senile. To what can it be attributed? Certainly not to any degenera- tion in the chemical ability of the teachers or in the intellectual capabilities or industry of their students.I find no other ex- planation than the one already given: congestion in the courses that are provided and the enforced attempt to speed up mental processes. I should feel it presumptuous to offer any detailed pre- scription for a remedy and, in any case, anything like a full dis- cussion would be impossible on this occasion, but I will allow myself to make a few general observations. In the first place I think we have allowed unwittingly a good deal to come into our general courses of instruction that should be left for a subsequent period of specialisation. We have not maintained sufficient breadth of view or sense of proportion; the young chemist is now often not kept long enough or exercised sufficiently on the wider territory of the science.Each de- veloping part of chemistry of course brings something new that is of consequence throughout the whole body of the science, and must be embodied in a general training. The most im-portant contributions it makes afe to the philosophy of the subject ; then there are the improvements and innovations in the practical art; lastly, there is the wealth of new facts. If we think, for example, of organic chemistry, we reckon first its great gifts to molecular theory, its doctrine of valency and structure, its extension of chemistry into space of three dimensions. Next we think of the wonderful arts and technique of synthesis peculiar to it.And then, perhaps with mixed feelings, we contemplate the multi-voluminous "Beilstein " of facts that have been garnered in this new expanse of scientific conquest. A great gift indeed was made to the science of chemistry, and a new field opened in which teaching institutions were bound to afford ample means for specialist teaching. Much the same sort of thing has happened from the intensive development of 91 modern physical chemistry, but here the chief embarrassment lies in the abundance of theory. All I wish to insist upon is that there is a limit to what may be rightly imported from new provinces into the common stock of what purports to be general chemical training, and it is here that the difficulty arises with every fresh intensive development of the science.A teacher must, of course, be continually jettisoning old cargo to make room for new, but, in my experience, he does it reluctantly. On the other hand, the last charge he would wish to lie against him is that of not keeping up with the times. The result is that courses become overloaded, the pace too great and the foundation ill-laid. It is not comfortable to come under the suspicion of lingering to praise past times, but it is I think a duty of those with ex- perience to bear witness to what may seem to have been undue sacrifice. I am concerned to plead for a slackening of the pace because we seem to be sacrificing not so much any par- ticular kind of knowledge as the conditions under which sound knowledge can be properly acquired.I think rather of the earlier than the later stages of training, for I deem them more important, and I think chiefly of the change that has taken place from a state of things where the conditions in which the student was placed were so much more those of apprenticeship under a good master than they are to-day. The best realisation of what I mean was, in my own ex- perience, to be found in Bunsen’s laboratory. When I knew it, analysis was the staple of early instruction, but it was then some- thing both for head and hand, and it led incidentally to practical exercises of great variety. Woe to the unsuspecting novice who brought with him the habitual “Koch-buch” (so Bunsen scornfully termed it) of analytical chemistry or the too habitual notion that qualitative was distinguished from quantitative work by inexactitude and uncleanness! There you were shown how to do simple things rightly, that there was a fine craftsman- ship in chemistry from the very beginning.You found that there was even just the right gauge, the right length, the right mounting of a platinum wire and the right way of manipulating a borax bead. You became glad to spend half-a-day learning to do rightly and perhaps in alternative ways what could have been scamped in half-an-hour. You were set upon a path to observe, to find out, and follow out. You were being what is now tautologically called a “research chemist ,” though you 92 really did not know it.You were prospecting over the wide field of all the chemical elements and their progeny, and learning the varieties of chemical art. If you were favoured, the master would perhaps guide you through a separation of the platinum metals in the residues which a grateful student-prince had sent him from the Russian mint, and in which, it was whispered, signs had been found of a new element. You could not of course do everything, but different people were doing different things, and you could go round and see. There was repose but no idleness in the long day’s work; you had time to ask questions, to pick up what are now “unconsidered trifles,” and fill a basket with knowledge of the common things in nature and in the arts of daily life.You measured your progress by a conscious im- provement of your general understanding and manipulative technique, and your mind was undisturbed by syllabuses and examinations. There was little of the formal lecture, but what there was consisted of demonstration and of chemical philosophy with a merciful economy of facts. When in this way the broad foundations had been laid and right ways of thinking and working had been inculcated, you could safely be allowed to take any course of specialisation you desired. I will not attempt to paint a contrast from the past or present of the picture I have tried to give you. The present is here for you to judge, and I need not harp upon bad examples from the past, for they have been sufficiently reprobated.The language I have used about Bunsen’s ways has not been mainly inspired by the substance of what has been done, but by the conditions under which the training of the chemist was carried out, and my retrospect sums up simply to a plea that an effort should be made to recover as much as possible of such conditions. Bunsen’s laboratory r6gime was, broadly speaking, chemical analysis, and I am of course not suggesting that there should be a reversion to that r6gime in its ancient amplitude. Room has to be made for much else. No one that I know suggests that general and rational analytical experience in considerable measure can be rightly eliminated from chemical training. acquiesed, of course, in its inevitable curtailment in the Uni- versity, but always with apprehension, and it has afforded me particular pleasure to visit this Institute on examination days and witness the firm stand made for the retention of a reasonable measure of what was best of this sort in the older rkgime.93 I think I have an acute sense of the responsibility that rests upon those who have to direct our schools of chemistry, and I know that the conditions of the time are from various causes peculiarly difficult. On one important question we have recently had public evidence of strong divergence of opinion within our own ranks. Chemical training cannot to-day escape being caught up in the larger national questions which present so grave a problem to those in political and industrial life.In pursuing our own work we are apt not to look far enough afield and not to realise perhaps the full measure of our responsibilities. So much of the criticism from outside is ill-informed that we grow impatient and may neglect it where it is well-informed. I say this chiefly because I wish to take the opportunity of commending very strongly a little book which-has recently appeared under the title of Education at the Cross-Roads. The author is Lord Eustace Percy, ex-Minister of Education. I hasten to say that the book has no political complexion, and I commend it to this audience because it deals explicitly with matters of first class importance in relation to chemical training, and because I believe it is likely to exercise very great influence.But I also commend it as expounding the present national problems of education with remarkable clarity and insight. It is construc- tive as well as critical. I do not of course wish to express any view of my own on any disputable matters that are dealt with, but I feel no hesitation in saying that I think Lord Eustace Percy’s essay deserves the careful consideration of all who are concerned with the training of chemists. It brings into view many important matters that I have not touched upon, and it states plainly the problems that call most loudly for solution. Its perusal has strengthened my belief that the time is ripe for further conference. There is but one other matter on which I wish to say a few words. I have on another occasion expressed my great satis- faction in having lived to see the disappearance of lines of cleavage among members of the Institute. It is, I suppose, inevitable that in a subject of such magnitude, and of so many parts, as modern chemistry, that we shall all be adjectived.Whilst it may be convenient among ourselves, it is very confusing to the public. How, for example, are they to acquire any conception of a “colloid chemist ”? Perhaps it does not matter, but I think the confusion of terms sometimes bears hardly, and 94 I feel sure that this is the case with the highly qualified pro- fessional analyst. There was a time, no doubt, when the name analytical chemist could be taken on casy terms, and there are no doubt cases yet where it is so assumed; but it is not good that a body of men should be liable to the supposition that they are something less than complete chemists when, in fact, they are chemists and a good deal more, Of the opprobrium which is often associated with the adjective academic, I need say nothing. There can be no issue from these difficulties until some term becomes habitual which will clearly mark the rightful claim of the bearer to be recognised as trained in the science of chemistry, whatever accompaniment there be of classifying words.This is a problem which, as many of you know, the Institute has in no degree abandoned hope of solving. The four Vice-presidents who retire from office to-day- Mr. E. M.Hawkins, Prof. G. G. Henderson, Dr. K. H. Pickard, and Prof. J. F. Thorpe-have all rendered very valuable service to the Institute. Mr. Hawkins, except for a break of one year, has served for thirteen years on the Council, having twice com- pleted three years as a Member of Council, each period followed by three years as a Vice-president. Throughout that time he has shown the truest devotion to the interests of the Institute, and has brought true wisdom to its Council table. Prof. Henderson, who was elected a Vice-president on completing his three years as my predecessor in this chair, has been a never failing help to me. Dr. R. H. Pickard, in spite of his living now at a distance from headquarters, has shown unabated interest in our proceed- ings, and has always been ready to help us with his experience.Prof. Thorpe has a remarkable record throughout six years’ service-three as a Member of Council, and three as a Vice-President; for, notwithstanding the circumstance that he has for two years occupied the very exacting office of President of the Chemical Society, his record of attendance at our meetings is only surpassed by that of the Honorary Treasurer and Mr. Hawkins, while his services as Chairman of the Publications Committee have been invaluable. Of the Members of Council who retire from office to-day, I am sure the Fellows and Associates will be glad to note that Dr. Chattaway, Mr. Eynon, and Mr. Bernard Howard have been nominated for election as Vice-presidents. The remainder, 95 Dr.T. L. Bailey, Dr. Wm. Clayton, Di-. H. H. Hodgson, Prof. Ingold, and Dr. K& have all given good service. Dr. Hodgson has given unremitting attention to the business of the Council, and, having regard to the travelling which it has entailed, I think it deserves special acknowledgment, In vacating this chair, I despair of making any adequate acknowledgment of the assistance I have received in attempting to discharge the duties of my office. I have had an opportunity of saying something to the Council about the support they have given me, and of the pleasure I have had in experiencing the harmony and geniality that prevail in the Council chamber. have already made reference to individual members, but I must go back at least to the one on whom I have leaned most heavily, I mean, of course, our incomparable treasurer, Mr.Kirkaldy. He has eased my path in every possible way, doing much that I ought myself to have done, only doing it better, and I am indeed very grateful to him. I think a retiring President always finds it peculiarily difficult to say what he wants to say about Mr. Pilcher. For one thing, he is bound to plagiarise, since every President has in this respect the same experience to look back upon and must have the same feelings. Perhaps something new and suitable could be found in French by a President, who knew how to find it with words in it akin to sans pew et sans reproche. But anyhow, there is the simple fact that the sense of having Mr.Pilcher by his side gives to a President the greatest comfort he can enjoy, the assurance that the best interests of the Institute are impregnably safe-guarded against anything that might spring from his frailties. Mr. Pilcher knows, I hope, without my saying more, how greatly and truly I have valued what he has done for me. The spirit in which Mr. Pilcher serves the Institute is passed on, and I have to extend my thanks in abundance to Mr. Collett, whose work in connection with our examinations and whose consideration for examinees have particularly excited my admiration. To Miss Cawston, for unfailing cheerful kindness and as the unfailing source of instant information about just what you wanted to know or to find, I stand greatly indebted.The same alacrity to assist has been shown to me throughout the staff, giving to an office something of the warmth of home. It is with very great pleasure that I refer to the nomination of Dr. George Christopher Clayton as my successor in the chair. 96 I am sure it is good that in choosing its Presidents, the Institute should illustrate the wide range of its influence and its rightful claim to be representative of chemists in different fields of work. I am particularly glad to make way for one living in the world of industry and for one who stands there in such high esteem for what he is and what he has done. Something of Dr. Clayton’s record has already been published after the Report of Council in the Part of our Journal and Proceedings recently issued.I am sure his election will be universally applauded, and it only remains for me to offer him my warmest good wishes. 97 Proceedings of the Council. FEBRUARY-MARCH, 1930. The Council and Committees, 1930-1931.-The names of the Officers and General Members of Council and of the Censors who were elected at the Annual General Meeting on 3rd March, and of the District Members of Council, are given on pp. 67-68. L4tthe first meeting of the new Council, held on 14th March, the Standing and Special Committees and their Chairmen for the ensuing year were appointed (see pp. 68-69). Poisons and Pharmacy Acts.-The Report of the Depart- mental Committee on the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts has recently been published.(H.M. Stationery Office : Cmd. 3512, IS. net.) The Committee was appointed in July, 1926, to consider and report whether any modifications were necessary or desirable in the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts (JOURNAL A4ND PROCEEDINGS, Part IV, 1926, pp. 169-170). In October, 1926, the Council of the Institute forwarded a Memorandum and an Appendix of Historical Notes on the title Chemist to the Departmental Committee, and offered to appoint representatives to appear before the Committee to support the views expressed in the Memorandum. The Departmental Committee expressed the desire that all evidence submitted should be treated as confidential. The publication of the Memorandum has therefore, been postponed. Much of the matter included in the Memorandum and the ac- companying Appendix has, however, appeared in previous publications of the Institute, and particularly in The Profession of Chemistry (pp.5-11). In April, 1927, Dr. G. C. Clayton-now President-and the Registrar of the Institute gave evidence before the Departmental Committee at the Home Office in support of the Memorandum. The views of the Council were sympathetically received, and the general position with regard to the use of the word Chemist was 98 discussed. The difficulties in the way of effecting any con-siderable immediate change in that connection were reviewed. The representatives made it quite clear that the Institute sought to have any doubt removed that qualified men of science engaged in teaching or practising in the profession of chemistry should have the right to use the name and title of Chemist.They expressed the hope that the word Pharmacist would be more and more generally used to denote those who practise pharmacy, and that means might be found to identify more definitely those who practise chemistry. The Report of the Departmental Committee, to which a draft Bill is attached (Appendix 111),contains paragraphs 26 and 27,dealing with “Improper use of professional titles ”as follows:-“26. The Pharmacy Act, 1868 (sections I and 15) prohibits the use of certain definite titles by any unregistered person: and it is provided by clause 5 (I) of the Draft Bill as follows :-“5 (1). It shall not be lawful for any person unless he is registered as a pharmaceutical chemist to take or use the title of pharmaceuticalchemist or pharmaceutist, or for any person unless he is registered as a pharmacist to take or use the name or title of chemist and druggist, or of druggist or of pharmacist, or to take or use in connection with the sale of goods by retail and name or title of chemist.” * * * “27. Chemist.-The use of this title by an unregistered person is prohibited generally by the Pharmacy Act, 1868.The result is that a member of the Institute of Chemistry may not, legally, call himself a chemist. Though in practice this pro- hibition has not been enforced, it is, in our opinion, wrong that it should remain on the statute book. The witnesses who gave evidence on behalf of the Pharmaceutical Society, raised no objection to the use of the title ‘Chemist’ by certain qualified, though unregistered, persons, except in connection with a retail business (clause 5 (I)).This is a concession long overdue; and we propose that it should be law. “The relinquishment of the title ‘Chemist ’ by registered pharmacists was suggested; but this is, in our opinion, im-practicable both from the point of view of the expense involved in the alteration and removal of signs and facias affixed to pharmacists’ shops, and of the popular connotation of the word itself. Further, even in the event of such relinquishment, the maintenance of a high standard of qualification for chemists, which is the avowed object of the Institute of Chemistry, would not, in present circumstances, be secured.” 99 The Report will now be referred to the consideration of the Legal and Parliamentary Committee of the Institute.Other matters of interest in the Report are referred to under “Notes” in this Part of the JOURNAL (pp. 134-136). Professional Interests.-The Council has made repre-sentations to local authorities concerned with appointments of public analysts which have recently become vacant, with the result that the terms and conditions attaching to the appoint- ments have been, in some measure, improved. The Council has also made representations to the Governors of a hospital regarding the appointment of an assistant bio- chemist, the terms offered for which appeared to be inadequate, in view of the nature and responsibility of the work involved.The attention of the Council has been directed to the report of a case of alleged milk adulteration, in which the head of the chemistry department of an agricultural college appeared in support of a certificate of analysis made for the defence. The Institute has repeatedly protested against the intrusion of State-aided institutions into private chemical practice, and, in this case, the Council has expressed the opinion that such educational institutions should devote themselves to educational purposes, a view accepted by the Departmental Committee on Agricultural Education as long ago as 1907. Regarding the proposals of the Royal Commission on Local Government, to which reference was made in the Report of Council, it appears probable that thirty-four appointments of public analysts will be affected, if the recommendations of the Commission are adopted, and that the work previously attaching to these appointments may be transferred to county analysts.It is understood that there is no immediate prospect of the in- troduction of legislation to give effect to these recommendations, but it is hoped that the Ministry of Health will have regard to the desirability of safeguarding the interests of public analysts concerned, seeing that it is usual in legislation providing for the transfer of functions from one set of local authorities to another to make provision also for the transfer of officers, or for the compensation of those who may suffer by being deprived of their appointments or by diminution or loss of emoluments.Such provisions would appear to be in accord with the legislation provided in the Local Government Act, 1929,and similar pro- visions were contained in the London Government Act, 1899. 100 In this connection it is of interest to note that, in the House of Lords, on the 11th March, on consideration of the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Government, Lord Parmoor agreed that it was not right that officials should be subject to summary dismissal, and that the law ought to be altered on the lines sug-gested by the Earl of Onslow, namely, that such officers should at least be entitled to three or six months’ notice; but it is to be hoped that further provision will be made in order to ensure that officers who are deprived of their means of livelihood will be adequately compensated.Industrial Gases and Fumes.-On 21st February, at the Institute, Sir Thomas Legge, late H.M. Senior Medical Inspector of Factories, Home Office, gave a lecture on bb Lessons learnt from Industrial Gases and Fumes,” which was greatly appreciated by all who were able to be present. At the conclusion, Sir William Willcox, who had been called upon by the President to move a vote of thanks, referred to Sir Thomas Legge’s great public work in industrial medicine, especially in relation to such subjects as lead poisoning. Sir Thomas had done much to help industrial workers and to abolish industrial discomforts. Sir William also referred to his own experiences in connection with poisoning by carbon tetrachloride and tetrachlorethane, and gave a warning regarding the necessity for testing new drugs, especially therapeutic organic compounds containing arsenic, which he feared were being used without sufficient preliminary research being carried out to ascertain their effects on the human system.Dr. R. H. Pickard, Vice-president, seconded the vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation. The lecture is being prepared for publication, and will be issued in due course to the Fellows and Associates. Honorary Corresponding Secretary.-Mr. Howard Nobbs, M.Sc., has been appointed Honorary Corresponding Secretary of the Institute for the Island of Mauritius. Pedler Research Scho1arship.-Under the regulations for the award of the Pedler Scholarship, the scholar is required to undertake work on a problem or problems to be chosen by the Council, having special regard to the need for its investigation in the public interest.101 The Council invites suggestions as to suitable problems, and will be glad to receive them before the 1st June next. The selected problem will be announced in the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,Part 111. The Pedler Fund Committee will then invite applications from candidates for the scholarship. The successful candidate will be informed of his or her appointment as soon as possible after the award, with a view to commencing work early in October.The scholarship is of the annual value of j5300, payable monthly, and tenable for one year, but, at the discretion of the Council, may be extended for any further period at the same rate. The work shall be conducted in a laboratory approved by the Council, and under the general direction of any person or persons, duly authorised by the Council for this purpose, who shall report to the Pedler Fund Committee from time to time as required. The Council will defray the expenses of the research out of the Pedler Fund, all such expenses being subject to the approval of the Council or of any officer duly authorised for this purpose. The results of the investigations undertaken by the scholar shall be the property of the Institute, and shall be published as the Council may direct.Any such publication, however, shall be in the name of the scholar solely. Sir Edward Frankland Medal and Prize.-The subject selected for the Sir Edward Frankland Medal and Prize for 1930 is “Chemical Education from the Student’s Point of View” (see Page 147)-American Institute of Chemists.-Dr. Hans Thacher Clarke, at the request of the Council, has kindly consented to attend, as the representative of the Institute, a meeting of the American Institute of Chemistry convened to discuss the organisation of professional chemists in the United States. 102 Local Sections. Aberdeen and North of Scotland.--.4t a nieeting of the Section held in the University Union, Marischal College, Aberdeen, on 28th February,-Dr.J.F.Tocher presiding,-the recommenda-tions of the Committee regarding the Sectional rules were dis- cussed and approved by the members. Dr. A. N. Campbell, Lecturer in Chemistry at Aberdeen University, gave a paper on ‘‘ The Existence of Liquid Racemates.” Introducing his subject by a brief resumd of the character- istics of optically active and racemic substances, Dr. Campbell pointed out that the question of the existence or non-existence of racemates as chemical compounds in the liquid state had attracted considerable attention at various times during the last thirty years. The problem had been studied in the light of magnetic rotation, dielectric constant, molecular weight by cryoscopic and boiling point methods, solubility, vapour pressure, refractive index, viscosity, absorption spectra, and surface tension.The evidence obtained was very contradictory. Dr. Campbell’s own work had dealt with the viscosity and surface tension and other properties (cf. .J.C.S., 1929,1x11) of the liquid esters of the tartaric acid series. He had been able to show con- clusively that there was a very marked difference in the degree of association of the active and inactive forms of these esters. This, while not a direct proof of the existence of the simple doubled molecule, was proof of a marked difference in the nature of the molecular aggregate. It was very striking that the degree of association of the inactive form was always less than that of the active form.Dr. Campbell attributed this to the decrease in free energy, consequent upon the union of dextro- and laevo- molecules. Professor Findlay proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. Campbell for his interesting lecture, and expressed the hope that on a future occasion he would convey to the Section the further results of his research in this sphere. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Section should take the form of an excursion to be held in the Summer Session. The Secretary will welcome suggestions. 103 Belfast and District.-Before a meeting of the Section held in the Physics Lecture Room of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, on 6th February, Dr. G. Scott Robertson gave a very interesting account of his experiences on the occasion of his visit to South Africa for the British Association meeting last year.He described the pleasures of the voyage, the beauties of Cape Town and Table Mountain, and of the various other centres which he visited. He gave a resumk of the political situation, dealing with the difficulties in the government of a country with a population of 9,000,000, of which only 1,500,000 are white, and referring to the efforts that were being made to foster home industries by import taxes. He gave an account of the dairying and wine industries, and explained that the price obtained for dairy products in South Africa was practically the same as was obtainable in London; he thought that they would have to increase their production very considerably and reduce costs, before they could get a good export market. Another thing against this was that the stock, in his opinion, was comparatively poor, and gave a low yield.Dr. Robertson also explained at some length the working of the diamond mines and the precautions taken against theft, also the running of the gold mines; and referred to the agri- cultural crops-maize, wheat, barley, oats, and tobacco. On the 5th March, in the Physics Lecture Room of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, Dr. C. S. Thomson, the Belfast Superintendent Medical Officer of Health, gave a very interesting paper on 6b Panel Prescriptions.” Dr. G. Scott Robertson was in the chair, and there was a good attendance of members.Dr. Thomson gave particulars of test cases, with which he had been concerned in London, where panel prescriptions had been analysed as received from the pharmacist, and proceedings followed. A vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer, on the motion of Mr. Totton, seconded by Dr. Honneyman. Birmingham and Midlands.-The Annual Dinner and Dance, arranged jointly by the Local Sections of the Society of Chemical Industry, the Institute of Chemistry, and the British Association of Chemists, took place on 25th January at the Midland Hotel, Birmingham, Dr. D. F. Twiss in the chair. 104 Replying to a toast proposed by Mr. A. W. Knapp, Dr. Levinstein, President of the Society of Chemical Industry, stressed the importance of co-operation among chemists, and recalled other pleasant visits to Birmingham.Mr. George King, who made the arrangements for this meeting, was congratulated on the success of the evening. On 11th February, the Local Sections of the Institute and the British Association of Chemists met on the occasion of a Joint Concert. Mr. Knapp occupied the chair, supported by Mr. J. R. Johnson, who was largely responsible for the arrange- ments. In addition to vocal and instrumental items, a playlet entitled ‘‘Square Pegs,” by Clifford Bax, was performed by members of the Bcurnville Dramatic Society. On 12th March, the Section was visited by Mr. R. L. Collett, Assistant Secretary of the Institute. Dr. William Wardlaw occupied the chair, and the meeting was devoted to the considera- tion of matters of professional interests.Mr. Collett said that the primary object of his visit was to answer questions and to stimulate discussion on points of interest in connection with the Institute and its work. The Institute existed for a wide variety of purposes: to encourage the proper training of the chemist, whether at the University or the Technical College, was one of its main objects; valuable results had been effected in part-time chemical training by means of the scheme for the award of National Certificates in Chemistry. The safeguarding of the ethical code of the profession was an im- portant function of the Institute, and in this respect the general body of members themselves had their share in maintaining the high prestige which the profession of chemistry now enjoyed.Much of the work of the Institute in matters of professional interests could obviouslynot be published as it affected the private concerns of individual members, and the policy of the Institute was to do as much as it could by friendly, and where possible personal, negotiations. Mr. J. R. Johnson opened the discussion which followed Mr. Collett’s remarks. He doubted the advisability of placing a number of part-time trained chemists on a market which he considered already to be over full. Mr. Parkes enquired whether it would be possible, by some system of certificates, for example, to distinguish the erstwhile laboratory boy, engaged on routine work, from his juniors.105 Dr. Carter considered that the education of the chemist at the University should, and did, involve a blending of fundamentals with the more philosophical considerations of academic research ; a sure foundation of practical work was essential. He enquired whether a training in chemistry was now regarded as a good basis for appointment to managerial and administrative posts. Mr. Churchman made a lively contribution to the discussion, and asked questions concerning the grant to Local Sections for general purposes, the election of Associates to Council and the manifold problems surrounding transference from the Associate- ship to the Fellowship of the Institute. In reply to Mr. Johnson, Mr. Collett said that the demand for good trained chemists did not at the moment fall far short of the supply, and that it was often difficult to obtain men with special experience; there would always be a demand for the partly trained man for routine work.In reply to Dr. Carter, he said that he was of opinion that the training of the chemist seemed to be increasingly recognised as qualifying him for administrative posts. In reply to Mr. Churchman, he said that the Council did not desire that Local Sections should consider that they must spend up to the maximum of the grant, but he felt sure that Council wished money allotted to them to be spent on all reasonable purposes. The questions regarding the Regulations for the admission of Associates, for the transfer of Associates to the Fellowship, and the possibility of Associates serving on the Council were all linked up with one another.These subjects had all been fully discussed on the occasion of his last meeting, and he did not think he had anything further to add to what he had then said. Proposed by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Alcock, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Collett for opening the discussion. During the past term members have availed themselves of invitations to attend the lectures given under the auspices of the University Biochemical Society. Professor Ling gave a Presi-dential address on 16th January; Professor Stiles a lecture on “The Nature of Protoplasm” on 12th February; and Dr. Bishop, of Rothamsted Experimental Station, “The Proteins of Barley and Malt,” on 13th March.Bristol and South-Western.-The ninth Annual General Meeting of the Section was held on 18th March, in Bristol Univer- sity,-Mr. Edward Russell presiding. 106 After the reports of the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer had been received and adopted, two vacancies on the Committee, caused by the retirement by rotation of Mr. E. Russell and Mr. F. O’Brien, were filled by the election of Mr. K. D. Littlefield (Bristol) and Mr. K. H. Ellis (Gloucester), who, with Prof. W. E. Garner, Mr. H. F. Barke (Bristol), Prof. W. H. Lewis and Mr. F. Southerden (Exeter), will form the Committee for the ensuing year. Dr. H. F. Dean and Mr. A. E. Jones were reappointed Hon. Auditors and were thanked for their past services.A vote of thanks, proposed by Mr. Southerden, was accorded to Mr. Russell for his able Chairmanship of the Section during the past two years. A vote of thanks was accorded to the authorities of Bristol University and to Professor F. E. Francis-whose illness was regretted-for the use of rooms for the meetings of the Section. Then followed a discussion on “Some outstanding professional matters,” opened by Mr. Edward Russell, in which Messrs. F. Southerden, R. D. Littlefield, H. F. Barke, F. O’Brien, and A. W. M. Wintle participated. Edinburgh and East of Scotland.-The Annual General Meeting of the Section was held on 17th February in the North British Station Hotel, Edinburgh,-Mr. A. M. Cameron presiding.The following were elected as members of Committee to succeed those retiring:-Messrs. S. H. Hastie, W. G. R. Murray, R. G. Thin, and Dr. A. M. Smith. Since the last notes were published, the Section has held three joint meetings with the Local Section of the Society of Chemical Industry. At the first of these, held on 11th December, in the North British Station Hotel, Edinburgh, Mr. J. Adam Watson read a paper on ‘‘ The Industrial Minerals of Scotland.” The paper, which was listened to with great interest and evoked considerable discussion, has been published in Chemistry and Industry. The next meeting was held on 16th January, in the Pharma- ceutical Society’s Hall, Edinburgh,-Mr. W. A. MacGillivray in the chair. Three short papers were read: Dr.Wm. F. Ehret spoke on-‘‘ Magnetism and Crystal Structure.” 107 Mr. Norman Kemp on- ‘(The Industrial Application of X-Rays ” and Dr. A. M. Smith described a Capillary Hydrogen Electrode developed and used for local measurements of hydrogen-ion concentrations in the sap of a tuber or plant. The apparatus was demonstrated. Mr. Kemp showed exhibits of “ stereoscopic transparencies” in connection with his talk. There were also exhibits of apparatus and materials provided by the following firms :-Messrs. Griffin and Tatlock; Messrs. British Drug Houses, Ltd. ; Sofnol, Ltd. ; The Worcester Royal Porcelain Co. ; The General and Pharmaceutical Chemical Co. (Willesden); and an exhibit of recent books, by Messrs.Wm. Bryce of Edinburgh. The last of the three meetings was held immediately after the Annual General Meeting on 17th February. Professor A. J. Clark, M.C., M.D., F.R.C.P., of the Pharmaco- logical Laboratory of the University of Edinburgh gave an address upon “Drugs Manufactured by the Body.” The lecturer introduced his subject by pointing out that the body might be regarded as a combination of chemical works, which carried out operations of great complexity and variety. The subject which he wished especially to consider was the means by which the body controlled and correlated the activities of its organs. It was well known that many of the most impor- tant mechanical devices and chemical processes discovered by man were only copies of arrangements existing in the animal body, although in many cases the imitation had been made in ignorance of the original. The study of the system by which the body regulated its chemical processes was therefore one which was worthy of the attention of industrial chemists. Many of these processes it might be quite impossible to imitate outside the living body, but their consideration might yield hints as to possible lines of advance.About a century ago Sir Charles Bell showed that the functions of striped muscle were regulated by a system of sensory and motor nerves. A system of central control operating through telephones or telegraphs was quite familiar in modern life, but was unknown at that period. The control of the heart by the vagus nerve was also discovered in the first half of the nineteenth 108 century, and towards the end of the century it was discovered that the functions of all the glands and plain muscles of the body were regulated by the autonomic system of nerves.These discoveries led to the general idea that all the functions of the body were under a fairly complete and rigorous central control, a control exercised through the peripheral nervous system. During the last fifty years, however, a second system of control had been revealed, a control exercised by the release, either locally or into the general blood stream, of chemical substances which were termed hormones. These substances, which regulated the activity of the body, were numerous and had very varied functions.Their functions could be illustrated by the consideration of a few types. The lecturer dealt with these as follows:-There are at least three classes. (I) Substances such as thyroxin, which exercise a general control over the growth and metabolism of the body cells. The study of the action of substances of this type is the special concern of the rapidly growing science of endocrinology. (2)Substances such as adrenaline, which produce a general change of short duration in the functions of the body. (3) Substances such as secretin, acetyl choline and histamine, which produce a specific localised action. Thyroxi.vL.-This drug is chosen because our knowledge regarding its chemical properties and physiological action is more complete than is our knowledge of any other hormone that has a general action in regulating thegrowth andmetabolism of the body cells. Congenital deficiency of thyroxin causes abnormal development of almost every organ of the body, as is seen in the cretin, whilst deficiency and excess production of thyroxin cccurring in adult life cause typical diseases. A consideration of the formula of thyroxin I I reveals the following interesting facts.It is not a very complex structure, for although the molecular weight is about 760, yet 67 per cent. of this weight is due to the iodine. It is optically active, and physiological experiments have shown that the Z-isomer is about three times more active than the d-isomer. This is a good example of the general rule that although many 109 of the hormones are simple organic compounds, vet their action is intensely specific, and the slightest alteration in their constitu- tion suffices to modify their physiological activity.The amount of the hormone required by the body is very small, for the therapeutic dose of thyroxin is only a milligram, and the average quantity of thyroxin in the thyroid gland of man is less than 20 mgm., whilst the amount of thyroxin in circulation in the body is about 10mgm. The normal growth and metabolism of all the cells of the body depend, however, on the presence of this minute amount of drug. Thyroxin is the only important compound in the body that contains iodine, and the question naturally arises how it happens that the normal existence of the mammal depends on the regular supply of a minute quantity of this element, which is scarce in all lands, and which is extremely scarce over certain large land areas.This dependence has, of course, caused widespread endemic disease in many regions of the globe. This is probably due to an accident of evolution. The thyroid was developed before vertebrates left the sea. Sea water is comparatively rich in iodine, and the possibility of iodine shortage only arose when the vertebrates invaded the land. The dependence of the body on thyroxin appears in the mammal to be a somewhat unnecessary complication in life, and indeed to be the gratuitous introduction of an extra factor that may go wrong. Its necessity is, however, muchmore obvious in the case of the lower vertebrates, which show great seasonal changes in bodily functions, and it seems possible that the original use of the thyroid was to regulate such changes. Certainly the necessity for such a regulator is much more obvious in the case of the lower vertebrates, which undergo metamorphosis, than it is in the case of the higher mammals.Adrenaline.-This, again, is a remarkably simple substance HO I. HO--( )-CH.OH.CH,NHCH, with a molecular weight of only 183. It also is optically active and the E-isomer has a much more powerful physiological action than has the d-isomer. The adrenal glands of man contain about 10mgm. of adrenaline, and it can produce a physiological action in amazingly low dilutions.A visible effect can be produced on the isolated gut of the rabbit by a concentration of 110 IO-~ molar. The secretion of adrenaline appears to be an emer-gency measure which puts the body into a condition suitable for violent muscular activity. Digestive processes are stopped, the blood supply to the digestive organs is reduced, and thus a greater supply is available for the muscles; moreover, the output of the heart is increased. These and various other changes put the animal in a condition in which it can exert its utmost power either in flight or fight. Secretin.-Digestion is a highly complex chemical process that is carried through in a series of stages. The successful operation of the process depends on the perfect correlation of the activity of a number of glands.These glands are partly under nervous control, but digestion appears to be regulated chiefly by the release of chemical substances, of which secretin is the best known. The mechanism is as follows :-The entrance of food into the duodenum causes the excretion of bile, the entrance of bile salts causes the duodenal mucosa to release secretin, this travels by the blood stream to the pancreas, which it stimulates to secrete. One of the most striking points about this arrangement is its great complexity; indeed it almost appears as if the body preferred a complex to a simple system of control. AcetyZ ChoZziute.-The heart is in many ways the most remark-able organ in the body.During a long life-time the heart of a man performs some 3,000 million beats and the output per minute of the right and left sides together is about 3 gallons of blood, a figure that may rise to 10gallons during violent muscular activity. Moreover, it continues to function throughout life without one second’s pause for rest or repair. This is a performance quite eclipsing that of any pump made by man. Fifty years ago it was assumed that the heart’s activity was fairly completely under nervous control. In particular it was believed that the timing of the various chambers of the heart was arranged by impulses conducted through the nerves. Gaskell showed that conduction of the wave of excitation occurred through the muscle.It is now generally recognised that the contraction of the heart is due to a wave of excitation, initiated and conducted through the muscle, although the vagus and sympathetic nerves modify both the frequency and force of response of the heart. Anew light has recently been thrown on the method by which these nerves exercise their function, for Loewi has proved that 111 excitation of the vagus modifies the heart’s activity by causing the release around the heart cells of the substance acetyl choline. He has also shown that the sympathetic nerves probably act by causing the release of adrenaline. These autonomic nerves therefore act by liberating drugs, a mode of action that is very different from that of the voluntary nerves, for in these the stimu- lation is believed to be due to an electrical stimulus being trans- ferred from the nerve to the muscle.The amount of acetyl choline liberated by the vagus must be very small, but a study of the physiological action of this drug shows that an amazingly small quantity is sufficient to produce a physiological effect. Ace t yl choline has the formula (CH,),N (OH) CH,. CH,. CO .CH,. This compound has a physiological action 1,000 times greater than that of choline. It produces an action in almost incredible dilutions. Reid Hunt showed that a measurable fall of blood- pressure in the cat was produced by a dose of acetyl choline, which could only produce a concentration of about z x 10-l~ molar in the blood. This is equivalent to one milligram in 500,000 gallons.The lecturer found that IO-~ molar acetyl choline produced a demonstrable depression of the isolated heart of the frog. Experiments made to determine the quantity of acetyl choline reacting with heart cells showed that a demon-strable action was produced by not more than about 20,ooo molecules of the drug reacting with a cell, and subsequent investigations suggested that this figure was too high. (Clark, J. I-hysiol., 61, 530, 1926.) This is a very remarkable result if one considers the relative dimensions of the cell and the molecules. A cell of the frog’s heart is spindle-shaped and measures about 130 x IO~.Its volume is 3,400~~or 3.4 x IO-~C.C. The average diameter of a molecule of acetyl choline is probably about 10 A.U., and is unlikely to be as much as 20 A.U.The latter figure gives a volume of the order of IO-~O C.C. The volume of the cell is, therefore, 3-4 x 10ll times greater than that of the molecule. This relation in size is similar to that between a large whale (100tons) and a midge (one-third of a milligram). The remarkable fact is that a few thousand of these molecules when attached to the cell are sufficient to depress its activity. Acetyl choline is not unique in regard to its power to produce a pharmacological action in high dilutions, for similar effects are recorded with histamine. Dale and Richards found that this drug produced a measurable effect on the blood-pressure 112 when present in the blood in a concentration of about 10-12.This drug also occurs in the body, and either it, or a closely allied substance, is liberated when tissues are injured and causes local dilatation of the capillaries. Modern investigations show, therefore, that there is a complex system of control of the body by means of the release of drugs. The best known examples of such control are the secretions of certain endocrine glands which control growth and metabolism. In addition, however, there is an extensive system of local control. In some cases an organ liberates a drug which acts on a second organ. Moreover, the autonomic nervous system appears to control the vital organs by causing the release of drugs. The most potent of these hormones are remarkably simple com-pounds.They act in extraordinarily high dilutions and the actual quantity of drug necessary to produce an action on a cell appears to be extremely small. The action of certain poisons on catalysts may furnish examples in inorganic chemistry where comparable quantities are involved, but the mode of action of the drugs to which I have referred appears to present problems that deserve the attention of chemists. A lengthy discussion followed, and Professor Clark was called upon to answer many questions. Dr. Ehret asked for details of the methods of estimating the number of molecules required to produce a demonstrable effect on a cell. The lecturer replied, and the discussion turned then to the adsorption theory. Dr. Kermack suggested that a region of weakness might be developed on a cell wall, and this local action could perhaps account for the effects.The same speaker, dealing with the question of thyroxin in relation to evolution, pointed out how in other ways the animal picks something from its natural environment and uses it, instancing chlorophyll for haemoglobin and the bile pigments. Rather different cases were the uses of natural drugs, such as quinine, which occurs where malaria also occurs. He suggested, however, that the latent resources of synthetic drugs in organic chemistry must hold a wealth of hidden power quite as potent as that of the natural drugs, if only the specific actions could be lighted upon. The lecturer, replying, pointed out that nothing was known synthetically to equal cocaine, which could do what only a whole series of substitutes could do.While a given synthetic substitute would replace cocaine for some purposes, it would fail in other 113 directions and in spite of there being perhaps three or four hun- dred such substitutes. In reply to another question, he said that there was now a new anzsthetic with a departure from the cocaine group structure, so that the idea that this structure alone could yield the special type of activity must now be abandoned. Dr. J. E. G. Harris asked for information as to how the drugs to which Professor Clark had referred in his address were formed in the human system, whether by synthesis or degradation; also, whether the special feeding of patients could be undertaken to induce the body to make good deficiencies of essential drugs.The lecturer replied that the body would have no difficulty in synthesising, say, acetyl choline. The body did not, however, synthesise benzene rings and these must presumably come from without. Mr. Wightman, discussing the “midges on the whale,’’ sug- gested that, since the muscle cell would contain a heterogeneous assortment of molecules, the specific action of those of the drug with one kind of cell molecule might account for the effect. He asked also for information about analogues of thyroxin containing chlorine or bromine. This question was answered by Dr. McCartney, who said that twelve less active permutation compounds of thyroxin had been examined.Dr. McCartney also referred to the high dilu- tions at which it was possible to smell certain compounds, such as mercaptans, and compared this phenomenon with those the lecturer had treated. Catalysts similarly gave comparable figures in some cases. Mr. G. E. Dodds inquired why it was that dyes had been studied as specifics for sleeping sickness, and Professor Clark pointed out that these discoveries were really accidental, the dyes having been used first of all with other objects in view. Some drugs were very complex but others were correspondingly simple, and the recognition of the importance of specificity of action was a fundamental in these studies. The discussion was concluded by an appreciation of the address by the Chairman, Mr.A. M. Cameron, who then called upon Mr. A. Tait to propose a vote of thanks to Professor Clark, which was very heartily given. Glasgow and West of Scotland.-A meeting of the Section was held in the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders, Elmbank 114 Crescent, on 26th February, when Professor F. J. Wilson occupied the chair and welcomed Mr. R. L. Collett, Assistant Secretary of the Institute, who had been invited to take part in a discussion on bb Professional Matters.” The following subjects were submitted: (I) The present general prospects of Chemists in Industry; (2) The lack of Professional Representation on the Economic Advisory Council recently appointed by the Government ; (3) The Advisability of a Propaganda Committee being ap- pointed by the Council; and (4) The Remuneration of Chemists.Dr. Picton opened the discussion with a general survey of the prospects in industry. He pointed out the great changes which had taken place since the War, changes which now enabled the chemist to reach the highest positions in industry in com- petition with purely commercial men. In this connection he advised all young chemists to read the two papers which had been published by the Institute, “Chemists and Dividends,” by the late Mr. Gluckstein, and “The Chemist and Commerce,’’ by Dr. Lampitt. In reply to a question by Mr. Jamieson on the subject of chemistry students gaining works experience during their long vacation, Mr.Collett stated that it was highly desirable but difficult to arrange, since employers were only beginning to find the man useful at the end of his two months’ experience. Dealing with the lack of professional representation on the Economic Advisory Council, the consensus of opinion was that the question was more economic than chemical in nature, and as such was not within the scope of the professional activities of the chemist. The question of the appointment of a Propaganda or Pro- fessional Publicity Committee was submitted by Dr. P. F. Gordon. He suggested that if the number of members of the various Local Sections were taken as an index or measure of the industrial efficiency of a district, then Glasgow compared un-favourably with some of the districts in England. Actually the Glasgow Section, with a membership of 331,was fourth on the list, and, considering that the Section included Glasgow (with a population of a million and a quarter), Paisley.and many other 115 towns, it was a very small number of chemists for a large in- dustrial area. In this connection, Mr. Bland suggested that it would be interesting and extremely useful, from the point of view of pub-licity, if statistics could be obtained to co-relate the number of chemists employed in specific industries. He felt quite con-fident that the prosperity of the industries concerned would be in direct proportion to the number of capable chemists em-ployed by them. An interesting point was raised by Mr.MacFarlane regarding the relationship of chemists to the medical profession. He pointed out that in many of the medical schools there were professors and lecturers of medicine who lectured on purely chemical subjects. These were subjects which could be dealt with better by a chemist, but he was prevented from doing so because he had not a medical degree. Mr. Macleod commented on the attitude of certain medical men in overlooking the ability or competence of the chemist in charge of works. He instanced the case of a Medical Officer of Health, who suggested certain alterations to plant which did not meet with the approval of the chemist; and it was really a case where the alkali inspector was a much more suitable man to express an opinion than the medical man.Dr. S. T. Mitchell introduced the question of the remunera- tion of chemists. In the course of this part of the discussion, Mr. Findlay stated that the average commencing salary of the young chemist in the textile industry was about L200 per annum; but after two years he received a substantial increase, and at the end of five years he would probably earn about .&5o-L400 per annum. Other speakers raised the question of inadequate remunera- tion in temporary positions such as the beet sugar industry. Mr. Collett, in reply, pointed out the difficulty of obtaining statistics regarding salaries, but he agreed that the figures quoted by Mr. Findlay were a fair average approximation. This concluded the discussion, and, on the motion of the Chairman, a vote of thanks and appreciation to Mr.Collett was passed, for the way in which he had dealt with the points raised. There were thirty-two members present, and the majority took an active part in the discussion. Irish Free State.-A meeting of the Section was held on the 27th February, in University College, Dublin. Mr. J. W. Parkes 116 occupied the chair, in the absence, through illness, of Professor W. E. Adeney. Mr. T. Smith read an interesting paper on “Emulsions,” illustrated by lantern slides and numerous samples of the various types of emulsions. Between the bulk phases of an emulsion there was an inter- facial film of different properties from those of the bulk phases.Lowering of surface tension favoured drop formation and, hence, emulsification. If the interfacial tension was high, the liquids were of low miscibility; while, if low, the liquids were readily miscible. Thus, phenol and water had a critical solution tempera- ture of 68.8” C., and the interfacial tension was 0.03 dyne at 60°C. The general appearance and feel to the touch of an emulsion were, in general, those of the external phase ;a water-in-oil emulsion was yellowish in colour and oily to the touch, while an oil-in water emulsion was white and watery to the touch. If the refractive indices of the bulk phases were made equal, a close approximation to transparency could be attained. The emulsifying agents commonly met with were-gum acacia, tragacanth, mucilage of Irish moss, casein, soaps, egg yolk, and saponin. Soaps of sodium, potassium, and ammonium produced emulsions of the oil-in-water type ; while soaps of silver and the polyvalent elements gave the water-in-oil type.This phenomenon was connected with the atomic volume of the metallic radical present in the soap, radicals with low atomic volumes giving the oil-in-water type. The stability of an emulsion was promoted by fine particle size of the internal phase and high viscosity of the external phase. Dr. Leonard, having proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Smith, Mr. Arup, in seconding, mentioned that, in the production of margarine emulsions, a marked change in conductivity some- times occurred, which appeared to be associated with inversion of the emulsion type.Messrs. Andrews, Stringer and the Chairman, joined in thank- ing Mr. Smith, and expressed their high appreciation of the interesting manner in which he had presented his subject. Leeds Area.-At a meeting of the Section, held at the Great Northern Hotel, Leeds, on 24th February, Mr. David McCandlish in the chair, Mr. R. L. Collett, Assistant Secretary, addressed the meeting on “The Institute and the Profession of Chemistry.” 117 Mr. Collett outlined the various activities of the Institute and communicated the experience of headquarters on many questions of interest to the members. He suggested that the pessimistic views sometimes expressed as to the economic position of chemists were unwarranted, and deprecated the publicity occasionally given to cases where unsatisfactory salaries were offered.He believed that, on the whole, chemists were as well paid as members of other professions. The Institute was unfortunately not in possession of complete evidence on this point, as less than 20 per cent. of the members had answered the last questionnaire on the subject of salaries. -4 lively discussion ensued, which ranged over many topics. The Institute’s examination for the Associateship met with some criticism. The view was expressed that all external examinations placed candidates at an initial disadvantage, compared with those taking the internal examinations of universities, and that, there- fore, the Institute’s examiners should avoid setting questions demanding a great knowledge of matters of specialised detail. Mr.Collett said that he felt sure that the examiners would be willing to listen to useful criticism. The policy of the Institute had been to reduce the number of examinations, but these were necessary in the absence of any alternative method of obtaining evidence as to the knowledge and capabilities of candidates. Considerable discussion centred on the desirability of coining a new word to replace the name “chemist,” e.g., chemiologist, chemician, alchemist, being suggested. The Institute, Mr. Collett said, had spent half-a-century in advancing the claims of the chemist to his rightful name, and he held that this claim should not now be abandoned.At the close of the meeting, Mr. Gawler referred to the resignation of the Chairman of the Section, Mr. McCandlish. The meeting expressed its appreciation of his long service, and offered him its best wishes on his retirement. Liverpool and North-Western.-At the 94th ordinary meeting of the Section held on 13th February, Professor James Rice addressed the members on ‘* The Revolution in the Theory of Matter.” He said that the atom had been the subject of intense in- vestigation by the physicist for over thirty years. For the chemists of the nineteenth century it had been an invaluable conceptual unit enabling them to “picture ” the quantitative 118 aspect of the processes with which they were directly concerned.’The picture was, however, too simple to meet the needs of the physicist, pursuing his researches with gas conduction, X-rays, radioactivity and spectroscopic phenomena. He had to have a “structure.” What more natural, when he discovered the electron, than to fashion his model atom on the same plan as that great structure in the Universe-the solar system ! The conception was a magnificent one, and in many directions pro-vided investigators with that kind of simple “ physical ” appre-hension of theory which had so often proved invaluable to skilful experimentalists with little or no mathematics. Rut from the very first the model proved somewhat intractable to the mathe- matical physicist. Its lack of stability proved to be a serious matter in view of the obviously permanent configuration pre- served under all sorts of shocks and trials by the units of elements, whatever they might be.If the planetary electrons in the atoms and the free electrons in our discharge tubes responded to electrical influences in the same way as large pieces of electrified matter did in our experiments, i.e. if they “obeyed” the New- tonian laws of motion and the Maxwell laws of the electro- magnetic field, it was next to impossible to bring fact and theory into agreement. So, bit by bit, “classical laws” gave place to new and somewhat hostile conceptions, so far as electrons and such small scale bits of matter were concerned. Mass, instead of being a fundamental, unchangeable property, was found to be dependent on speed; in its place, electric charge became the unalterable property of the electric corpuscle, electron or atomic nucleus.Classical laws of motion were too lax; something more rigorous had to be introduced to provide for precise orbits in which the electron could move in the atom and to exclude as entirely irrelevant a whole infinity of orbits, which on classical grounds were just possible, but which were entirely incompatible with the permanent properties of the atom as revealed by the spectroscope. Even when restricted to these “quantised ” orbits the electrons were not behaving classically, for then in their rapid oscillations they would ha\-e been radiating energy, i.e. light, and again the spectroscope said, “No! that won’t do.That they radiate energy is quite true; not in these periods of ‘ lawful behaviour ; but in certain altogether mysterious intervals -quantum jumps-when they disappear from one orbit and turn up in another.” Now this was decidedly peculiar. When the electron was behaving itself in a rational fashion, the atom 119 which is its home was literally doing nothing; it was emitting no energy; for us it did not exist. Only in these breaches of good behaviour did it bring itself to our notice. So this blend of classical law and quantum hypothesis which for several years provided experimentalists with innumerable interesting prob- lems, had had its day, and was in course of passing away. At the moment the mathematician was formulating new laws for the behaviour of the microcosm, but they were phrased in his own special tongue, not understandable by many.In this codification on the model atom, the picture which appeared to the mind’s eye, played no part. Its ruins lay behind us like those of many other models in physical theory. Those who upheld this attitude simply stated that the atom was not open to direct observation, and that our laws should only concern themselves with directly observable phenomena. Many people, however, refused to dispense with the model; and for many purposes it was a great help to the bulk of people with little or no mathe- matics. But when it came to statements as to “ultimate” truth, and to “philosophic” consideration of the nature of matter, it was only too arguable at present that the “picture” had entirely disappeared or become a vague “mush ” of “waves, ” with considerable doubt as to what was waving.London and South-Eastern Counties.-On 19th February, Mr. W. M. Colles gave a lecture on ‘‘Medico-Legal Chemical Work in Egypt.” Professor J. C. Drummond presided. Mr. Colles outlined the work, which was done for the Egyptian Government and consisted largely of investigations in criminal cases. The principal offence was poisoning, either of human beings or of animals, and the cases were so numerous that it would have been impossible to cope with them, but for the fact that such large quantities of poison were used. It was fre-quently possible actually to see arsenic sulphide in viscera by mere inspection, and phosphorus was evidenced by the fumes on opening the samples.On account of the climate, it was neces- sary to examine samples as soon as possible after receipt, and even then there was a risk of the bursting of sample bottles. Viscera were usually received in well-padlocked cases, and it was not unknown for such seemingly valuable articles to be stolen in transit to the laboratory. Unfortunately, the faces of the purloiners, when they opened the cases, had never been seen ! The most common poison used was arsenic sulphide in the form of a bright red powder-the native realgar. This was extensively used by Mohammedans as a depilatory, and in consequence was easily obtainable. Much ingenuity was used in devising ways of administering it.For the determination of arsenic, a large-scale Marsh apparatus had been developed, using as standard the stain given by 0.25 mg. arsenic, instead of the normal 0.01 mg. Another common poison was hashish, which was often given in sweetmeats. Large numbers of tests for blood were carried out, and the Department with which Mr. Colles was connected was one of the first to adopt the precipitin test for determining the nature of blood. Many interesting reminiscences of cases were recounted and a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Colles for his lecture. Manchester and District.-The twelfth Annual General Meeting took place on 20th March, at “The Manchester” Ltd., and was presided over by Mr.W. D. Rogers. Dr. T. Callan, and Messrs. S. E. Melling, G. Holden and S. A. Brazier were elected to the Committee. The Hon. Secretary, Dr. A. Coulthard, and the Hon. Auditors, Messrs. F. Page Evans and L. Thompson, were re-elected. An address entitled ‘‘ Science and Philosophy ” was given by Mr. A. D. Ritchie, M.A. The lecturer stated that the separation between science and philosophy during the last century was in part a historical accident due to the success of the philosophical thinking of the pioneers of modern science, particularly Galileo, Descartes and Newton. It seemed as though no further thinking on the subject of the foundations of science was needed till the recent revolution in physics upset some of these beliefs. But there was also a temperamental reason for this separation, because it was difficult for the same man to be interested at the same time in general problems and in special problems. Scientific investigation proceeded by the study of special problems by special technique.There was, however, only one system of science, because the techniques were only variations of one single method, that of measurement. Using the term in 121 a wide sense, to mean any observation or manipulation of objects that depended upon their geometrical properties and relations, measurement was the basis of all the successful branches of science. The method of science was analytical, or where analysis failed it might be statistical, but in any case, whatever was individual or unique escapes the scientific net.For this reason most of what was interesting and important in life escaped too. The scientific man was bound to have some outlook on the things outside his science and some notion of the relations of his science to them; he had to have a philosophy. If that philosophy had not been thought over and made articulate it was not likely to be: of the best quality. It was to be remembered of course that there were many different possible philosophies differing as the outlook and temperament of people differ. The immense practical importance of scientific discovery was another reason for urging scientific men to consider pliilosophical, that was to say general, questions seriously. Almost from the beginning, science had had important practical applications.The voyages of discovery of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, which led to the modern expansion of Western Europe were made possible by the mathematics and astronomy derived from the Greeks. Since then the political and economic effects of scientific discovery were becoming greater every year. The results were generally quite incalculable. Nobody could have prophesied that Faraday’s experiments on electro-magnetic induction would result in the modern electrical industry, or that a technical improvement in steel making by providing basic slag would avert a crisis in the agriculture of Europe. ,4ny day might see a new discovery or some new application of an old discovery which would upset the economic structure of the world.The investigator in the course of his work had to go wherever the investigation led him and ignore the consequences. That was all the more reason why in the intervals he should reflect on the possible consequences of all that he and his fellows were doing. A discussion followed, in which the following participated :-Dr. Ridge, Mr. Silvester, Dr. Callan, Dr. Lewis Dale, Mr. Farrar, Mr. Humphries, Mr. Turner and Mr. R. B. Harley. A vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer on the motion of Mr. Black, seconded by Mr. Sherratt. Newcastle-upon-Tyne and North-East Coast.-At a meeting of the Section, held on 19th February, in the Newcastle 122 Chemical Industry Club, Dr. A. A. Hall (Chairman of the Local Section) delivered an address on “Some Aspects of Agricultural Chemistry.” Dr.Hall said that those who were engaged in teaching were always concerned with the problem of finding suitable positions for past students. He thought that by pointing out the kind of positions open to agricultural chemists and the different work that they may be called upon to do, he might be able to give some information of value that could be passed on to students of chemistry. It was a curious fact, that while the majority of higher positions in agricultural chemistry were held by men who started life as chemists and became agriculturists later, yet the junior posts were filled by students who had made agriculture their main subject, and chemistry their subsidiary subject.This was all wrong : the mere fact that the higher posts were filled by chemists should be a sufficient reason for filling the junior positions from the same source. Why was this not done? Because we haven’t got the men! He was being continually asked to suggest men for posts for which he could not supply men with the necessary chemical experience. There had been a vacancy for an agricultural chemist at a comparatively high salary for a matter of years in one of our Colonies, but no suitable man had applied. What were the positions open to agricultural chemists? In the teaching profession, the good posts were few and far between, and even then the rewards were not great. Apart from teaching, there was quite a number, and the number was steadily increasing, of posts for chemists in which a knowledge of agriculture was necessary: some with commercial firms, such as manure merchants, oil and cake manufacturers, and manufac- turers of insecticides, sheep dips, etc.Then each county and most of the important county boroughs had an Official Agri- cultural Analyst. The country was also divided up into districts, in each of which there was an adviser in agricultural chemistry, whose duties were to advise farmers and to carry out investiga- tions required in connection with this advice. It was, however, abroad, that they must look for the good posts. Every year new posts were filled by the Colonial Office, and more private firms or an amalgamation of firms were finding that if they wanted successfully to meet the competition of to-day, they must employ agricultural chemists.123 Dr. Hall said that the training of the agricultural chemist was long. The best training involved his preparing for and obtaining, in the first place, an honours degree in chemistry, or the A.I.C. During this course he should take every opportunity of studying the relationship between chemistry and agriculture. If he took an honours degree, one of his subsidiary subjects should be agricultural chemistry. After having taken his degree in chemistry, he should spend at least two years doing work on some phase of agricultural chemistry, attending lectures in agriculture, and spending all his spare time on a farm so as to obtain an insight into the practical problems of the farmer.It should be remembered that the rise of agricultural chemistry was necessarily contemporaneous with the rise of scientific agriculture. As there was really no science of agriculture until the latter part of the eighteenth century, it followed that agri- cultural chemistry itself had a comparatively short history. Until 1603, agriculture was an art, an important one it was true, but the traditional methods employed were often erroneous and always wasteful. It might be said that scientific agriculture commenced when Tusser wrote his book on The Hundred Points of Husbandry, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, but this work received very little attention from the practical farmers of his day.It was only at a much later date, towards the middle of the eighteenth century, that increasing population and wealth caused farmers to look to science to give them better and more certain crops. A similar change had taken place in more recent years, and had been brought about by the world tragedy of the late war. In 1790,a Chair of Agriculture and Rural Economy was estab- lished in the University of Edinburgh, and twelve years later the Board of Agriculture invited Sir Humphry Davy to deliver a course of lectures on agricultural chemistry. Sir Humphry might be looked upon as the first, and perhaps the most famous, agricultural chemist. He lectured between 1802-1812,and the lectures were later brought up to date and published. Dr.Hall quoted from one of Davy’s lectures, “All varieties of substances found in plants are produced from the sap, and the sap of plants is derived from water, or from the fluids of the soil altered by, or combined with, principles derived from the atmosphere.” Davy went on to say, “The great use of the soil is to afford support to the plant, to enable it to fix its roots, and to derive nourishment by its tubes slowly and gra.dually from the 124 soluble and dissolved substances mixed with the earths.’’ Pre-viously it had been thought that the plant derived all its nutri- ment from the minute earthy particles, and that the only use of manures was to ameliorate the texture of the soil. Davy said, “It has generally been supposed that gypsum, alkalies and saline substances act as condiments or stimulants in the animal economy, and that they render the common food nutritious.It seemed much more probable that they supplied a part of the true food of plants and animals.” It was only in recent years that the full significance of this truth, regarding the important part played by small quantities of mineral matter, suspected by Davy, had been demonstrated by the work of Dr. Orr and his colleagues at the Rowatt Research Institute. Still further work had been done on this same subject by another celebrated chemist, Baron von Liebig. He pointed out the necessity for a small supply of mineral matter as part of the essential food of plants, and how these materials were expended by continual cropping.Coming to more modern times, it was found that as the subject grew, it had to be divided into sections until now we had two main sections-the soil chemists or pedologists, and the chemists whose chief aim was the study of animal nutrition. The gap between these two was ever widening, and, probably at some future date, one or the other would be as much a subject apart as, say, organic chemistry. The chemistry of the soil had shown tremendous growth during the last twenty years. Until comparatively recent times, soil was passed over as a substance made up of small particles of the parent rock, together with a certain amount of organic matter surrounded by a film of moisture. We now knew that the subject was a much more complicated one.To consider one property: the permeability of a system made up of small particles was dependent upon the viscosity of the fluid and the size of the particles; it was in fact inversely proportional to the viscosity. Experiments had been made with small glass particles, and this had been found to be true, but in the case of soil the value for the permeability of water was always very low. For some reason, water permeated soil at much less than the calculated rate. This could be demonstrated by taking two cylinders, one of sand and one of clay soil, and dipping the open ends of each tube in water; theoretically the water should rise more quickly in the clay tube than the sand, but the reverse was the case.125 Other anomalies were the remarkable flocculating effect of lime upon a clay soil, the shrinkage, and the power that soils had of holding up phosphates, etc. It was found, for example, that if a soil were heated gently, considerably more phosphate was extracted by dilute acid than from unheated soil. These, and many other observations, led to the modern theory that soil consisted of particles surrounded by a colloidal layer. In point of fact, the soil chemist visualised the soil particle as a salt of which the colloidal matter constituted the anion with the active cations of Ca, Mg, H, etc. surrounding it. This supposition of a colloidal layer around the soil particles helped to explain the various problems mentioned.A considerable amount of work had been done of late years upon the living bodies in the soil. We now knew that the most important processes of nitrification, etc., were brought about by living organisms, so that part of the soil chemist’s duty was to see that the soil was made favourable to the beneficial and un-favourable to the other types. This was, perhaps, mainly a question of acidity, by which he (Dr. Hall) meant not so much the total amount of acid present as the hydrogen-ion concentration. The question of acidity had opened up in recent years many fields for research. This led to the consideration of the many branches of soil physics, the preparation of the soil for seeding, the con- servation of water, and the changes that could be brought about in the soil by chemical means to make ploughing and cultivation easier.In close connection with the soil problems was the question of manures. The science of manures and manuring had been making steady progress ever since Lawes and Gilbert introduced superphosphate in 1842. Perhaps, the greatest advance since that time was the production of nitrogenous compounds from atmospheric nitrogen. This work had revolutionised the manure industry, and had given the farmer an unlimited supply of one of his most valuable plant foods. It had also done good to the science of agriculture in other ways. As the supply of nitrogenous compounds increased, it was found necessary to find new outlets for the compounds formed, which led to new work being done and more chemists being employed.It also caused experiments to be made with tropical plants, which again opened up a new vista of research and investigation for the agricultural chemists of the world. While we heard more of sulphate of ammonia than of any other synthetic nitrogenous manure, we must also remember that in recent years a considerable number of other compounds had been prepared and experimented with, such as urea, etc. Mention should be made of the other methods employed in the utilisation of the nitrogen of the air: of these, two are of importance, the oxidation of nitrogen to oxides of nitrogen in the electric arc, and the manufacture from these of nitrate of lime. The other method was the conversion of the nitrogen of the air into calcium cyanamide by means of calcium carbide in the electric furnace.The very serious competition. of these synthetic nitrogenous manures had brought about many changes and improvements in the manufacture of the older manure, nitrate of soda. Even the oldest manure of all, farmyard manure, had received its share of attention, and the best conditions for its preparation and conservation had been worked out so as to obviate waste of valuable plant food. In this connection, the bacteriologist had done most important work on the living organisms in the manure heap and their habits. When we came to consider the plant, the problems of scientific importance which had practical significance were innumerable. On the purely scientific side of the question, Baly and others had carried out most important researches on the mechanism by means of which the plant takes up its carbon, and possibly nitrogen, from the air; and others had carried out equally important work upon the way in which the plant takes up the other materials for its growth from the soil.At the same time, the practical agriculturist, aided by the chemist, had been busily investigating methods by which these researches could be brought to have a practical bearing upon the growth of crops. Meanwhile, the nutritional chemist had not been idle. Start-ing with Kellner in Germany, Armsby in America, and the late Professor T. B. Wood of Cambridge, the scientific feeding of animals had been brought to a very sound position indeed.This work originated with Kellner, who was one of the first to appre- ciate the fact that by a chemical analysis of the feeding material and of the excreta, we could get a considerable insight into the amounts of the various materials in the food that were digested and their functions after digestion. This most laborious piece of research work, full of difficulties and apparent contradictions, 127 was carried to a brilliant finish, and opened the door for modern work. This recent work had mostly been the adaptation of Kellner’s original idea to the consideration of the question of the disposition of energy as measured by heat. This entailed the devising and erection of an animal calorimeter large enough to take an ox, so that the heat effect of different foodstuffs could be actually observed.These researches had led to greater economy and effect in the rationing of cattle. Until quite recent years little was known about the feeding value of pastures. Certain pastures were known to be good for fattening cattle, and others were known to be poor; it was also observed that at certain periods of the year the pastures seemed to have more nutritive value than at others. The first real attempt to measure feeding value of pastures was made by Professor Somerville, at Cockle Park, where he attempted to compare the value of different pastures, or rather the same pasture manured in different ways by measuring the live weight increase of sheep fed on them.This experiment was very suc- cessful, and proved the benefit of the addition of basic slag to poor pastures, and at the same time showed that the reason for the improvement was mainly due to the encouragement of the clover. This led to a boom in basic slag which held for many years; it was, however, soon discovered that not only did the different basic slags differ in the amounts of phosphates (the valuable manurial ingredient), but that even when the phosphates were equal some still gave different results in the field. It was found later, that if these slags were extracted with a weak acid, from the bad slags little phosphate was obtained, and from the good ones, a considerable amount; and this led to a solubility test being applied to the slags.Some fifteen years ago, iron makers began to change their methods, and to make much more use of the open hearth furnace in place of the Bessemer. This change required that the slag should be more fluid, and to bring this about Auor spar was added; this gave a slag containing fluorine. This in itself would not be disadvantageous, but unfortunately the presence of the fluorine caused the phosphates to be rendered more insoluble, and so less useful as a manure. During later years basic slag had been replaced to a considerable extent by finely ground rock phosphates. “But, to return to our pastures! ” It would be impossible to give any account of the activities of agricultural chemists without mentioning the recent work on the composition of grazing pastures.By imitating the grazing of animals, by regular mowing at short intervals, it had been found that grass had a much higher feeding value than had been previously imagined. This simply meant that the leaves had a greater feeding value than the stalks. It was found that the feeding value of pasture grass could be compared with that of linseed cake. The latest development was the investigation of a means of conserving grass and fodder crop in transportable form, e.g. grass meal or cake. In conclusion, Dr. Hall expressed the hope that his brief sum- mary might prove to be of some assistance to the rising generation in seeking posts in this branch of science. A long and interesting discussion followed, and on the motion of Mr.Wikner, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Hall. New Zealand.-Arrangements were made for holding the Third Annual Conference of the Section at Christchurch on 31st January and 1st February. The Conference was opened with the general meeting in the Students’ Union Buildings, Canterbury College. The annual report showed that the membership of the Section had increased from 30 to 40 members. Professor T. H. Easterfield gave an address entitled “ Chemical Knowledge in Modern Business.” This was the third occasion on which he had had the honour of addressing them as chairman of the New Zealand Section. On the first occasion he had indulged in some reminiscences, and on the last he had dealt with the education of chemists, em- phasising the range of the ramifications of chemistry, extending as it did to every branch of human activity, which consequently made it extremely important that the chemist of the future should be trained upon broad lines.In the old days the training of a chemist was confined, in many instances, to a particular part, or section, of chemistry, but if they confined the training nowadays to these lines the chemist would very soon find himself up against a dead end. A very broad training was decidedly necessary, not only on the physical side, but also on the biological side. In addition, he thought, considerable attention was necessary, on the part of a chemist 129 who aimed to fulfil the whole scope of his profession, to such subjects as mathematics and statistics and, if they wished to rise to important positions in industry, then the question of finance and the scientific basis of economics was also a very important one for their consideration.When they considered that so many industries of the present day were entirely founded upon an accurate knowledge of chemistry, it should not surprise them that the chemist should be regarded as the most important person in industry. If this state of affairs ever came to be the case with New Zealand industry they would find that the study of chemistry would come to be looked upon as something really serious. Referring to the late Professor Ira Remsen, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the speaker said that when he had asked his old instructor in chemistry about the position of chemists in America he replied that when he began at Johns Hopkins he found it very diffcult to find positions for the men he had trained.At the present time, however, the difficulty was to supplywell-trained men as fast as the demand for them came in. The speaker believed that if our secondary industries in New Zealand were to be developed they would have to get thoroughly well-trained men, who could take a wide view and see the position, not only from the chemical standpoint, but from the business and financial standpoints as well. But they had to get the so-called business men of New Zealand to under- stand that if they neglected to make allowance for the paramount importance of chemistry in industries of all kinds, they were probably going to lose thousands of pounds sterling annually.He had had very considerable experience in acting as adviser to companies of one kind and another in various matters con- nected with enterprises in which they were interested, and one of the most amusing things he had come across was the extra- ordinary ignorance displayed by so many so-called business men of any scientific principles whatever. One of the results of this state of affairs was that they found apparently sensible men investing good money in schemes which, if not actually bogus, were certainly not based upon any scientific facts or knowledge, and these credulous persons included men who would not ordinarily be supposed to be capable of such actions.Only recently he had been asked for advice by certain men who had paid a considerable amount of money for quite a good-looking patent, besides making other heavy expenditure in connection with it. He had investigated the process, which was not producing what it was claimed to do. On his first visit to the plant the excuse was made that it was an “off day,” so he waited for about three months and then paid another visit. On this occasion he found that a further fT400 had been expended on “improving” the apparatus, but the net result seemed to be rather worse than before! He asked to be supplied with a bucket and a steam jet and, after a little experimenting, he managed to produce a better result with this simple apparatus than was produced by the apparatus for which about &I,OOO had been expended. After his investigation he had an interview with the mem-bers of the Board interested, and he was astonished at the childish- ness and simplicity of the questions put to him by these business men.But the real bombshell of the investigation was provided by his discovery that the alleged patent did not give its purchasers any sole right to manufacture the article in question at all. The process was certainly hinted at in the preamble, but was not covered by the specifications, and the purchasers had paid their good money for nothing, or, at any rate, they had only purchased the right to appeal to the Court for an injunction forbidding the manufacture of the article by others.This case was but one of very many that could be quoted, and the time must come, he thought, when business men would awake to the fact that it would pay them to consult the chemist with actual knowledge of the facts, not after they had embarked on an enterprise, but before they so embarked. No doubt many of his hearers could give instances similar to that he had re-count ed. In case after case the so-called business man got into trouble first and consulted the scientific man afterwards. But he should consult first and obtain the scientist’s advice, and so save himself much annoyance and probably the loss of a greater or less sum of money. He had even known bankers advise their clients to invest in certain oil propositions, with no knowledge of the subject at all and no evidence.In some cases these pro- positions had proved worthless and, in one case in particular, an expensive oil refinery had been erected, only to find at length that the oil was more or less useless, and certainly not suitable for refining. All this useless expenditure and loss could have been saved had the opinion of a competent scientist been obtained 131 at the start. The public should also be made to realise that it will have to rely upon the scientific man for the development of New Zealand’s secondary industries. Besides the necessity of the chemist of the future being trained upon the broadest possible lines, it seemed just as neces- sary for the public in general to be trained in the necessity of con- sulting the chemist.Referring to a little booklet on vocational guidance recently issued by the Education Department, the speaker remarked that this seemed as though it might possibly be of some help to parents concerned with the problem of what to do with their children. It was recognised by some parents that a course in chemistry would probably be of value and that a year or so at a technical school was thought to fill the bill. Unfortunately, at most of the technical schools in this country there was no chemistry course of any practical kind available. He maintained that the time had come when it was as essential for the average business man to have a working know- ledge of chemistry as it was for him to know arithmetic.In Germany and Switzerland the business men could all talk intelligently upon the subject of chemistry, but he feared that in New Zealand this was very far from being the case and, if they investigated the knowledge of a crowd upon a race-course in this country, they would find that most of them knew as much about chemistry as they did about the internal mechanism of the totalisator, or perhaps, less. They had got to educate the public to get them to see that a knowledge of chemistry was essential and, by chemistry, he would take the old definition, the knowledge of the properties of substances. It was their duty, as chemists, to act as mission- aries, and to see that the children were provided with proper chemistry courses at the technical schools, on which, when the time came, they could base their practice in manufacture and agriculture.In the little booklet he had referred to, the chemist was not very well recognised. Analysts and assayers were mentioned, but there was a great deal more in chemistry than analysis and assaying. It was of little use to give a farmer the analysis of his soils and manures unless, at the same time, in- formation was proffered on the proper method of application and the correct quantities to use. An analysis by itself might very well be a perfectly useless set of figures. The agricultural chemist must be prepared to give wise advice based upon accurate scientific knowledge.132 Professor Easterfield concluded his address by thanking all the members for the kindness that he had received from them during the three years he had presided over their interests and for their indulgence for any mistakes he may have made during that time. If, in the future, he could give them any help he would be only too pleased to do so. During the past year six new members had been admitted. It was his duty as chairman in congratulating the new members to draw their attention to the high ethical demands made upon the man who became an official chemist. He must maintain the high reputation which had attached to the profession for more than a hundred years past. It was a great honour to belong to their profession, and they must take care to carry out the duties involved in their position so that chemistry would be recognised as a more and more important thing from the point of view of the country and the Empire, and that the high traditions of which they were so proud would be maintained.The Officers and Committee for the ensuing session were elected as follows :-Chairman, Professor J. K. H. Inglis ; Honorary Secretary, aud Treasurer, W. R. Mummery ; Honorary Auditor, W. Donovan ; Committee, Professor T. H. Easterfield, Messrs. W. Donovan, T. Glendinning, A. M. Wright, and K. M. Griffin. (Mr. I?. S. T. Grigg was subsequently elected a member of the Committee in the place of Mr. Wright), The Section has under consideration a Bill for the registration of chemical practitioners. A Special Committee was appointed to collect evidence and select a member of the Committee to act as delegate-to the New Zealand Manufacturers Federation and to the Select Parlia-mentary Committee for the purpose of submitting evidence on secondary industries.A discussion was held on “The Profession of Chemistry as a Career in New Zealand,” with a view to preparing a statement on the educational re-quirements and natural aptitudes that are necessary for such a career, to be forwarded to the Minister and Director of Education, 133 in order that it might replace the present paragraph in the Vocational Guidance Pamphlet issued by the Department of Education. A vote of thanks was accorded Professor Easterfield for his services as Chairman, and for the valuable work which he had done on the formation of the Section, and in furthering itsobjects during the first three years of its existence.Thanks were accorded to the authorities of Canterbury College, Lincoln College, the Wheat Research Institute, and also to the management of the Christchurch Gas Company, Ltd. The members also expressed their appreciation of the services of the retiring members of the Committee and of the Conference Committee. A visit was paid, with other chemists resident in Chirstchurch, to the Canterbury Agricultural College, where the various depart- ments, including the new laboratories, were inspected, and the party was entertained to tea by the Director (Mr.R. E. Alex-ander) and Mrs. Alexander. The members assembled at the Royal Hotel, Christchurch, for an informal dinner, but this had to be abandoned in very unfortunate circumstances, for Mr. A. M. Wright, the chairman, collapsed and shortly after died from cerebral hzmorrhage. The members of the Conference were to have heard an address by Professor H. G. Denham, of Canterbury College, but this was cancelled. Professor Denham kindly promised to have copies of his paper entitled “The Historical Outline of the Formation of the Australian Chemical Institute” typed and distributed to members of the Conference. On the following morning, the members visited the Wheat Research Laboratory, where they were received by Dr.Hilgendorf, the Chief Chemist, and his Assistant, Mr. H. E. West. In the Bakery Section they were shown tests carried out with Canadian and New Zealand flour, and the blending of New Zealand flours to attain the same results as were achieved with Canadian flour. Next they visited the Christchurch Gas Works, where Messrs. W. 0. Gilling, Chief Chemist, and F. W. Belton, Chief Engineer, received them, and they inspected the processes for the recovery and refinement of by-products. In the afternoon, members attended the funeral of Mr. A. M. Wright. 134 Notes. Legal.-Fellows and Associates will have noted with satis- faction that the President of the Institute,-then Professor Smithells-was called upon to act as assessor in an important case heard before Mr.Justice Maugham, in the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, wherein Imperial Chemical Indus- tries, Ltd., petitioned for the revocation of three letters patent, which had been granted to the I. G. Farbenindustrie Aktienge- sellschaft. At the conclusion of a long judgment, embodying an important discussion of scientific and legal questions affecting chemical patents, Mr. Justice Maugham acknowledged the great assistance he had received from Professor Smithells in dealing with the chemical difficulties of the case. Lectures.-Dr. Percy E. Spielmann, as representative of the Institute, kindly gave a lecture before the Old Boys’ Club, Mile End Road, London, on the 17th March, on “The Chemist’s Work for the World,” illustrated by lantern slides.The Registrar gave an address on “Science as a Career’’ at the Regent Street Polytechnic School on the 28th February, and a similar address at University College School, London, on the 20th March. The Assistant Secretary opened a discussion on “The Profes- sion of Chemistry ” before the Leicester Literary and Philosophi- cal Society at Leicester on the 11th March. The Report of the Departmental Committee on the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts, to which reference is made under “ Proceedings of the Council,” recommends :-That a new Pharmacy and Poisons Act, for which a draft Bill is attached as Appendix 111, be passed into law; that the profession of pharmacy and the control of poisons, respectively, be kept distinct and be dealt with in separate parts of the Act; 135 that the Privy Council continue to be the Central Authority for pharmacy ; and that the Central Authority for poisons be the Home Secretary, assisted by an Advisory Committee, to be called “the Poisons Board,” which shall be composed of representatives of Government Departments, as well as of the professions of phar- macy, chemistry and medicine, including-five members appointed by the Pharmaceutical Society, the Government Chemist or a member of his staff appointed by him, one member appointed by the Royal College of Physicians of London, one appointed by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and one appointed by the General Medical Council, the Home Secretary being empowered to add not more than four to their number and to appoint their Chairman from among the members.The duties of the Poisons Board shall be to prepare and, when necessary, revise the Poisons List, and to assist the Secretary of State in making rules with respect to the sale of poisons. It is proposed that the Poisons List be divided into two parts: one to include poisons which may not be sold except by “authorised sellers,” and the other to include poisons which may also be sold by persons licensed by local authorities. The object of the recommendations is to render such sub- stances as disinfectants and poisonous preparations, used in agriculture and horticulture, more readily available under proper safeguards.An important provision is that the Secretary of State may, after consultation with, or on the recommendation of, the Poisons Board, make rules with respect to the manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations containing poisons, and especially for requiring persons in control of the manufacture of such preparations to be registered pharmacists or persons possessing the prescribed qualification in chemistry. One member of the Committee has not signed the main report, but submits a minority report in which he deprecates the avoidance by the Committee of the question of more exactly defining the business of the pharmacist, and also the recom- mendation that unqualified persons may be entrusted with the sale of substances such as lysol and hydrochloric acid.Another member of the committee signs the report with a reservation mainly devoted to the latter point. It is recommended that every person registered as a pharma- ceutical chemist or chemist and druggist should become a member 136 of the Pharmaceutical Society by virtue of being so registered, and that any person ceasing to be registered shall cease to be a member; also that a Statutory Committee be appointed, with power to remove from the Register, the name of any person who has been convicted of an offence against the Pharmacy Act, or of any criminal offence or has been guilty of any conduct which, in the opinion of the Statutory Committee, rendershim unfit to be on the Register. The Bill provides that it shall be the duty of the Pharmaceuti- cal Society to enforce the provisions of the new Act, and to appoint Inspectors, who shall be pharmacists and shall possess powers, subject to the approval of the Privy Council.British Engineering Standards Association.-On the 7th March the British Engineering Standards Association held a dinner to celebrate its incorporation under Royal Charter, which was attended by H.R.H. the Duke of York. Mr. Maurice F. G. Wilson, Chairman of the Association, presided, and the company included many representatives of technical institutions and organisations associated with engineer- ing and allied industries. His Royal Highness said that, while possessing no legislative authority, nor yet being subject to any government control, the Association had gained to a notable degree the confidence of in- dustry, so that manufacturers found themselves constrained to make use of the British Standard Specifications, and the pur- chasers, although free to order what they like, in the great majority of cases accepted the recommendations of the Associa- tion.British standards were known and valued all over the world, and had as their real object the establishment of a basis for the comparison of tenders rather than the standardisation of patterns. He was glad to think that, with the enlarged financial support granted by the Treasury, the Association would be in a position to translate its specifications into foreign languages, and so enable British manufacturers to offer their goods to prospective purchasers in their own language.Through co-operation with similar bodies in the Overseas Dominions, the Association was achieving a measure of imperial agreement in the preparation of specifications. In the further development of its work it would have the unstinted support of the public, as such agreements were bound to benefit both manufacturers and purchasers. He congratulated the Association on obtaining the Royal Charter, and expressed the hope that it would continue to prosper in carrying on a great national work. The Chairman, in the course of his reply, said that the more immediate result of the work of the Association was to bring about economy in manufacture, saving in preventable waste, and reduction to a reasonable proportion of the multiplicity of types still prevalent in some directions.The government grant was for L3,ooo a year for five years; it was to be increased to a maximum of L5000 a year, provided that the Association obtained certain increased support from industry. The Association had 500 committees at work, served by be- tween 2,000 and 3,000 professional men. It had its origin in a suggestion made by Mr. A. J. Skelton, an engineer and steel merchant, as long ago as 1895, supported by Sir John Wolfe Barry, who raised the question at the Institution of Civil Engineers. A tribute to the valuable work of the Association was paid by Lord Thompson, Secretary of State for Air, who spoke of the services rendered to various Departments of State.Benevolent Fund : Prints.-Photogravure portraits (6 in. by 84 in. on paper 13 in. by 18 in.) of the following chemists can be obtained on application to the Registrar at 4s. each,-allowing a small profit for the Benevolent Fund:- Arrhenius, S. Hofmann, A. W. von. Bacon, Francis. KekulB, A. Baeyer, A. von. Kelvin, Lord. Becquerel, A. H. Koch, R. Berthelot, M. Lavoisier, A. Berthollst, C. L. Liebig, J. von. Berzelius, J. J. Maxwell, J. C. Bessemer, Sir H. Mendeleef, D. Black, J. Mitscherlich, E. Brahe, T. Newton, Sir I. Buchner, E. Ostwald, W. Bunsen, R. Paracelsus. Crookes, Sir W. Pasteur, L. Curie,M. et Mme. Priestley, J. Davy, Sir H. Ramsay, Sir W. Faraday, M. Reichenbach, K. Fischer, E. Rose, H.Fresenius, K. Schonbein, C. F. Gay-Lussac, L. J. Watt, J. Helmholtz, H. L. F. von. Wohler, Fr. van 't Hoff, J. F. 138 The Aliens Order, 1920-Article 1 (3)(b).-From time to time, the Ministry of Labour receives applications from manu- facturers for permission to obtain the services of foreign chemists. In such cases, the Ministry makes enquiries regarding the possi- bility of securing British subjects for the vacant posts and the adequacy of the terms offered. Manufacturers, however, have usually in view a foreign chemist possessing exceptional experience, or having an intimate knowledge of particular processes and plant; so that the possibility of finding a British subject able to meet the requirements may be remote.The object of this note, therefore, is to suggest that the Appointments Register of the Institute is occasionally useful to Fellows and Associates with specialised experience who are seek- ing to improve their opportunities. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that in the cases indicated, members must be fully qualified for such vacancies and thus avoid the misfortune of finding themselves, after a while, without an appointment, through being unable to meet somewhat exacting requirements. Recent enquiries have had reference to the manufacture of fine chemicals, cement, lager beer, and fur dyeing. From the report on an investigation recently conducted by the Advistory Committee on Professional Workers of the Inter- national Labour Office, Geneva, it appears that the conditions of unemployment among professional chemists abroad is decidedly more unsatisfactory than in Great Britain.Portrait.-This Part includes a copy of a photograph of Professor Arthur Smithells, C.M.G., D.Sc., F.R.S., President, 1927-1930,which will shortly be added to the collection of Past Presidents in the Council Room. 139 Obituary. WILLIAMEDWARD died at Wilpshire, Blackburn, on 27th BICKERDXXE February, at the age of 87 years. Educated at Lancaster Grammar School, he was apprenticed to a local pharmacist, and studied chemistry privately, forming a laboratory in his home; so that, in the course of time, he gave lectures at the Old Mechanics’ Institute, which is now replaced by the Storey Institute, Lancaster.Early in life, he became engaged in the Crace-Calvert Laboratory, at Manchester, where he was associated with other pioneers in the manufacture of carbolic acid-Messra. Bowdler, Lowe and Graesser,-and, subsequently, he worked for a while with Messrs. Hirst and Brooke, at Leeds. Returning to Lancaster, he became a partner in Storey’s Chemical Works, where he was joined by Mr. Bowdler, with whom, in 1869, he founded a carbolic acid and chemical works which was successfully conducted for many years at. Oswaldtwistle. Mr. Arthur Clegg Bowdler, who had been Assistant to (Sir) Edward Frankland, and became an original Fellow of the Institute, died in 1918. In the early seventies, Mr. Bickerdike, during a visit to Germany, became impressed with the increasing application of science to industry in that country, and, as a result, took a prominent part in promoting the foundation of the Blackburn Technical College, which was originally started by voluntary subscriptions, but is now undor the Corporation.He was an early member of the Blackburn Education Committee formed in 1903, and for many years Vice- Chairman of the Higher Education Sub-Committee. He was also a former Chairman of the Blackburn Chamber of Commerce and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Lancaster. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1878. KENNEDY PREVITEJOSEPH ORTONdied at Bangor, on 16th March, in his 59th year. The son of the Rev. W. P. Orton, he was educated at Wyggeston School, Leicester? proceeded to St.John’s College, Cambridge, and graduated with honours in chemistry in Part I1of the Natural Science Tripos. In 1895, he was awarded a Hutchison Research Studentship and worked at Heidelberg, where he obtained a degree of Ph.D. summa cum laude. He continued research at University College, London, in 1896 and 1897, and was then appointed demonstrator in chemistry at St. Bartholo- mew’s Hospital, where he became Assistant Lecturer in 1903. In the same year, however, he was appointed Professor of Chemistry in University College of North Wales, Bangor, in succession to Professor-later Sir-James Dobbie, and continued as a Professor in the University of Wales until his death. He was author of a number of papers published in the Transactions of the Chemical Society and the Berichte.He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1921. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1903, and served as a Member of Council from 1908 until 1911. 140 ALLISTERMACLEANWRIGHTdied suddenly on the 31st January, while presiding at a dinner of the New Zealand Section of the Institute at the Royal Hotel, Christchurch, New Zealand. The son of the Rev. A. M. Wright, he was born in Palmerston North, educated at the Secondary School, Lincoln, New Zealand, and the Boys’ High School, Christchurch. He matriculated in 1898 and, in the following year, passed the Preliminary Medical Examination, before he proceeded to the Canterbury Agricultural College and the Canterbury College of New Zealand University, where he studied from 1900 to 1906.Part of this time (from 1903) he was Analyst to the Christchurch Meat Company, later known as the New Zealand Refrigerating Co., to which he was Chief Chemist from 1912 to 1916, when he received a commission as Bacteriologist attached to the Medical Corps of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, in which he subsequently obtained the rank of captain. From 1914, he also held office as Scientific Director of the Papuan Products Co., Ltd. He was the author of articles, con- tributed to the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry and the Trans-actions of the New Zealand Institute, mainly relating to meat and meat products. He was a member of a Special Committee of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to enquire into the Frozen Meat Industry of New Zealand, a member of the Board of Governors of the New Zealand Institute and a Past President of the Philosophic Institute of Canterbury.He was elected an Associate of the Institute in 1919, and a Fellow in 1924. 141 Books and their Contents. SINCEthe publication of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,Part I, 1930,the following books have been presented by the authors or publishers. Copies may be seen in the Library of the Institute. “Benzole and Allied Products, Standard Specifications for.” rgzg. National Benzole Association. Pp. xiii + 145. (London : National Benzole Association.) Methods of testing prepared by the Standardisation of Tar Produets Tests Committee.“Colloidal State, The Chemistry of the.” A Text-book for an Introductory Course. J. C. Ware. Pp. xiv+313. (London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd.) 18s. 6d. Units of a colloidal solution ; sedimentation ; interfacial phenomena ; turbidity, colloidal suspensions and colour ;motion in colloidal suapen- sions; preparation and precipitation in the colloidal state; emulsions ; gels ; catalysis of contact agents. “Colloid Symposium Annual ”-(former& Colloid Symposium Monograph). Edited by H. B. Weiser. (London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd.) 22s. 6d. A eollection of 23 papers on chemical and physical subjects relating to colloids, presented at the Seventh Symposium on Colloid Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, June, 1929.“Microscopy, Handbook of Chemical.” E. M. Chamot and C. W. Mason. Vol. I. Principles and Use of Microscopes and Accessories. Physical Methods for the Study of Chemical Problems. Pp. xiii+474. (London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd.) 22s. 6d. The optical ayatem of the microscope; microscopes for use in chemical laboratories; metallographic microscopes; illumination of transparentand opaque objects ;laboratory equipment; methods for the preparation of materials and for interpretation of appearances ; ultramicroacopy; photomicrography and microprojection; study of doubly refracting materials by polarising microscopes ; chemical crystallography ; deter-mination of refractive indices ; measurements ; particle-size determine- tions ;quantitative analyses of heterogeneous mixtures ;reference books- 142 “Organic Chemistry to Biology and Medicine, Some Applications of.” G.Barger. Pp. 186. (London: McGraw-Hill Pub-lishing Co., Ltd.) 12s. 6d. Chemistry of the hormones and of the vitamins; chemical constitution and physiological action ; chemotherapy ; blue adsorption compounds of iodine. “Organic Syntheses.” An annual publication of satisfactory methods for the preparation of organic chemicals. Edited by H. T. Clarke. Vol. X. Pp. vii+xxg. (London: Chapman & Hall, Ltd.) 8s. 6d. “Solvents.” T. H. Durrans. Vol. IV of a series of Monographs on A4pplied Chemistry. Pp. xv+ 144. (London: Chapmantk Hall, Ltd.) 10s. 6d. Part I : Solvent action, power and balance ; plasticising solvents ; viscosity ; vapour pressure ; inflammability ; toxicity.Part I1 deals with particular groups of organic compounds. The Library. SINCEthe issue of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,Part 11, 1929, the Council has had much pleasure in acknowledging the following gifts:-MESSRS.G. BELL& SONS,LTD.: At Home Among the Atoms. A First Book of Congenial Chemistry. James Kendall. London, 1929. BRIGGS,D. B., M.A., F.I.C.: Chemical Analysis. Qualitative and Quantitative. D. B. Briggs. London, 1928. Qualitative Analysis. D. B. Briggs. London, 1928. MESSRS. CHAPMAN& HALL,LTD.: Applied Inorganic Analysis. With special reference to the Analysis of Metals, Minerals and Rocks. Dr. W. F. Hillebrand and Dr. G. E. F. Lundell.London, 1929. The Chemistry of the Colloidal State. J. C. Ware. London, 1930. Colloid Symposium Annual. Edited by H. B. Weiser. London, 1930. The Conductivity of Solutions, and the Modern Dissociation Theory. C. W. Davies. London, 1930. Handbook of Chemical Microscopy. E. M. Chamot and C. W. Mason. Vol. I. London, 1930. Hydrogen Ions. H. T. S. Britton. London, 1929. 143 Organic Syntheses. Vol. IX. J. B. Conant, Editor-in-Chief. London, 1929. Organic Syntheses. Vol. X. H. T. Clarke, Editor. London, 1930. Select Methods of Metallurgical Analyses. W. A. Naish and J. E. Clennell. London, 1929. Solvents. T. H. Durrans. London, 1930. Volumetric Analysis. Vol. 11. Practical Volumetric Analysis.I. M. Kolthoff and N. H. Furman.London, 1929. MESSRS. J. & A, CHURCHILL: Elementary Analytical Chemistry. Qualitative and Quantitative. F. Clowes and J. B. Coleman. Revised by F. Arnall and F. N. Appleyard. London, 1930. CONSTABLE,F. H., M.A., D.Sc., Ph.D., F.I.C.: A Concise Summary of Elementary Organic Chemistry. F. H. Constable. London, 1929. MESSRS. CONSTABLE& Co., LTD.: Chemistry in the Home. J. B. Firth. London, 1929. Introduction to Statistical Mechanics for Students of Physics and Physical Chemistry. James Rice. London, 1930. MESSRS. n'ILLIAM HEINEMANN(MEDICAL BOOKS), LTD. : Blonde or Brunette ? The Art of Hair-Dyeing. H. S. Redgrove and G. A. Foan. London, 1929. THE LIBRARY PRESS,LTD.: An Outline of Metallurgical Practice. C. R. Hayward. London, 1930.MESSRS. LONGMANS,GREEN& Co.: Bacterial Metabolism. Marjory Stephenson. London, 1929. The Effects of Moisture on Chemical and Physical Changes. J. W. Smith. London, 1929. Experimental Chemistry. A. C. Williams. London, 1929. Gaseous Combustion at High Pressures. W. A. Bone, D. M. Newitt and D. T. A. Townend. London, 1929. An Introduction to the Chemistry of Plant Products. Vol. 11. Metabolic Processes. Paul Haas and T. G. Hill. 2nd Edition. London, 1929. An Introduction to Modern Organic Chemistry. L. A. Coles. London, 1929. Photo-Processes in Gaseous and Liquid Systems. R. 0. Griffith and A. McKeown. London, 1929. Sulphuric Acid and its Manufacture. H. A. Auden. London, 1930. THE MCGRAW-HILL Co., LTD. :PUBLISHING Some Applications of Organic Chemistry to Biology and Medicine.George Barger. London, 1930. JOINTMERSEY AND IRWELL COMMITTEE: Mersey and Irwell Joint Committee Proceedings. 1928-1 929. Preston, 1929. MESSRS. METHUEN & Co., LTD.: A Concise Summary of Elementary Organic Chemistry. F. H. Constable. London, 1929. 144 NATIONALBENZOLEASSOCIATION: Sixth Report of the Joint Benzole Research Committee of the National Benzole Association and the University of Leeds. London, 1929. Standard Specifications for Benzole and Allied Products, 1929. London. NEVILLE,PROFESSORH. A. D., M.A., F.I.C.: A Survey of the Soils of Buckinghamshire. M. S. Temple. Reading,1929. Sm ISAAC & SONS,LTD.:PITMAN Artificial Silk or Rayon.Its Manufacture and Uses. Thomas Woodhouse. 2nd Edition. London, 1929. Glue and Gelatine. P. I. Smith. London, 1929. MESSRS. GEORGE ROUTLEDGE & SONS, LTD.: The Parachor and Valency. S. Sugden. London, 1930. CONGRESSOF PHOTOGRAPHYSEVENTHINTERNATIONAL : Proceedings of the Seventh International Congress of Photography. Cambridge, 1929. MESSRS.E. & F. N. SPON, LTD.: A Pocket Book for Chemists. Thomas Bayley. Edited by Robert Ensoll. 9th Edition. London, 1929. STANDARDISATION TESTS COMMITTEE OF TARPRODUCTS : Standard Methods for Testing Tar and its Products. London, 1929. UNIVERSITYTUTORIALPRESS,LTD.: Physical Chemistry. J. B. Firth. London, 1929. BUREAUOF SCIENTIFIC :WELLCOME RESEARCH The Medical Museum. S. H. Daukes.London. Books Purchased. The British Pharmacopoeia. 1914. London, 1914. The Mineral Industry. Its Statistics, Technology and Trade during 1928. Edited by G. A. Roush. Vol. XXXVII. London, 1928. Noxious Gases and the Principles of Respiration influencing their Action. Y. Henderson and H. W. Haggard. New York, 1927. A Text Book of Inorganic Chemistry. Edited by J. Newton Friend. Vol. VI. Part 111. Vanadium, Niobium and Tantalum. S. Marks. London, 1929. 145 The Register. AT the meeting of Council held on zxst February, 1930,I new Fellow was elected, 5 Associates were elected to the Fellowship, 31 new Associates were elected, and 24 Students were admitted. The Institute has lost 4 Fellows by death. New Fellow. Archer, Henry Edwards, M.R.C.S.(Eng.), L.R.C.P. (Lond.), 34, Lee Terrace, London, S.E.3. Associates elected to the Fellowship. Bell, Frank, M.Sc., Ph.D. (Lond.), 140, Albert Palace Mansions, Battereea Park, London, S.W.ll. Boeree, Alfred Reginald, M.A., B.Sc. (Oxon.), Trinity Royd, 2, Blackwall, Halifax. Cooke, Frank, Wombwell Coke & By-product Co., Ltd., Wombwell, nr. Barnsley. McIntyre, Robert, A.R.C.Sc.I., Royal Naval Ordnance Dept., Holton Heath, Wareham, Dorset. Norman, Arthur Geoffrey, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Birm.), Rothnmsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts. New Associates. Booth, Norman, BSc. (Liv.), 4, Cassville Road, Mossley Hill, Liverpool. Bott, Harold Graham, M.Sc. (Birm.), 167, Stratford Road, Sparkbrook,Birmingham. Dunning, Eric William Bee, B.Sc.(Lond.), 286, High Road, Kilburn, London, N.W.6. Gourlay, John Scott, B.Sc. (Lond.), 172, New Street, Stevenston, Ayrshire. Gray, James John, AH-W.C., 21, Park Place, Kinghorn, Fife. Hawkins, Frank Swain, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Lond.), The University, Sheffield. Hedger, Reginald Ernest, B.Sc. (Lond.), 2, St. Anne’s Road, Exeter. Hetherington, John Arthur, B.Sc. (Dun.), 57, Durham Road, Blackhill, Co. Durham. Jeffery, Alfred Ivor, B.Sc. (Lond.), 5,Hyde Park Terrace, Plymouth. Lester, Henry Thomas, B.Sc. (Birm.), Evesham Street, Alcester, Warwick- shire. Lewis, Arnold Herbert, B.Sc. (Lond.), 59, Cookham Road, Maidenhead. Loach, John Vaughan, B.Sc. (Birm.), 17, Courtfield Gardens, London, S.W.5. MacDonald, Charles Alexander, B.Sc.(Lond.), 108, Hebdon Road, Tooting, London, S.W.17. Mahler, Edgar Arthur John, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., D.I.C., 70, BromleyStreet, London, E.l. Marshall. Frederick Cecil Barron. B.Sc. (Lond.), 91, Calabria Road, London, N.5. Mills, Ernest Victor, B.Sc. (Birm.), 92, Pype Hayes Road, Erdington, Birmingham.Patrick, William Leonard, B.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., D.I.C., Royal Collegeof Science, London, S.W.7. Price, Harold Idris, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Liv.), 189, Grove Street, Liverpool. Primrose, James, A.R.T.C., 20, Bo’ness Road, Grangemouth. 146 Shepherd, Matthew Moncrieff, B.Sc. (Edin.), 73, Dewar Street, Dunfermline, Fife. Spencer, Douglas Arthur, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Lond.), A.R.C.S., D.I.C., Royal College of Science, London, S.W.7. Statham, Francis Sydney, M.Sc.(Sheffield), 12, Fulney Road, Nether Green, Sheffield. Stewart, John Young, A.H-W.C., 142, Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh. Thompson, Albert, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Liv.), 94, Ferguson Road, West Derby, Liverpool.Thomson, Maurice Eivingstone, B.Sc. (Glas.), MacBrayne Hall, 11, Park Circus Place, Glasgow. Turner, Walter Albert, B.Sc. (Lond.), 104, Holgate Terrace, York. Usherwood, George William, B.Sc., Ph.D. (Sheffield), 29, Ferguson Avenue, Renfrew. Webb, John Ivor, M.Sc. (Birm.), 12, Third Avenue, Selly Park, Birming- ham. Wilson, Douglas Frederick Walter, B.Sc. (Lond.), 105, Florence Road, London, N.4. Wilson, John Shevlin, M.Sc. (Liv.), 132, Southgate Road, London, N.l. Wood, Miss Margaret, A.H-W.C., 8, Morningside Park, Edinburgh.Mew Students. Airs, Raymond Spencer, St. Mary’s Road, Oatlands Park, Woybridge. Bowyer, Thomas Linley, 14, Pendennis Road, Wallasey. Broscomb, Roy James Spear, 59, Linden Road, Bourneville, Birmingham. Butcher, Herbert Charles, 45, North View Road, London, N.8. Cheetham, Robert Clifford, 112, Railway Street, Summerseat, Bury. Clubb, Miss Freda Gerbrude, 2, Menlove Gardens North, Mossley Hill. Liverpool. Coulson, Harold Lancelot, 30, Marlborough Avenue, Hull. Doyle, Alfred Walter, Yorkshire House, High Lea, New Mills, nr. Stockport.Gale, George Edwin, 264, Whitehorse Lane, London, S.E.25. Hopkins, Geraint, Rhos-y-Coed, Glanamman, Carm. Houghton, Albert Aubrey, Lyme Regis, The Cliff, Roedean, Brighton. Howard, Thomas Harrison, 25, Talgarth Road, London, W.14.Howie, Robert Charles, 17, Falcon Avenue, Edinburgh. Jordan, Ronald Charles, 32, Doria Road, London, S.W.6. Kerr, Miss Alexandra Jean Robson, 3, Inverurie Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire. Kerr, Findlay Donald, 74, Restalrig Road, Leith. Low, John Alexander, 33, Craigerne Road, London, S.E.3. Marr, Alexander, 18, Lime Grove, Walkden, nr. Manchester. Muir, Geoffrey Dale, La Santarita, Lenzie, Glasgow. Peacop, James Thomas, A.M.C.T., 98, Kirkmanshulme Lane, Longsight, Manchester. Waller, Miss Edith Kate, 43, Wroughton Road, London, S.W.ll. Walters, Thomas Henry, 48, Carmarthen Road, Waun Wen, Swansea. Weigham, William Reginald, 658, Foleshill Road, Coventry. Young, George Oliver, 58, York Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent.DEATHS. Fellows. Arthur Angell. William Edward Bickerdike. Kennedy Joseph Previt6 Orton, M.A. (Cantab.), Ph.D. (Heid.), F.R.S. Allister Maclean Wright. 147 General Notices. Examinations.-Examinations for the Associateship and Fellowship will be held in September,-from the 15th to 20th, or from the 22nd to 27th. The list of entries for the September Examinations will close on Monday, the 14th July. Entries for the examination for the Fellowship in Branch G: Industrial Chemistry must be received before Monday, 7th July. Sir Edward Frankland Medal and Prize for Registered Students.---A medal and prize (LIO 10s.) for the best essay, not exceeding 3000 words, on Chemical Education, from the Student’s Point of View ” will be awarded in January, 1931, and 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 zz years of age at the time of forwarding the essay. Each essay must be sent to the Honorary Secretary of the Local Section of the district in which the competitor resides, on or before the 31st December, 1930,and must be accompanied by a signed declaration that it is the independent work of the com- petitor. 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 among the essays received not more than three 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 an award be made. The award will not be made more than once to any individual competitor. Enquiries on the subject of the Sir Edward Frankland Essays should be addressed to the Registrar. The Meldola Medal (the gift of the Society of Maccabaeans) is awarded annually to the chemist whose published chemical work shows the most promise and is brought to the notice of the administrators during the year ending 31st December prior to the award. 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, In awarding the Medal for 1930 the adjudicators will, unless exceptional circumstances arise, give special consideration to work in inorganic or physical chemistry. The next award will be made in January, 1931. The Council will be glad to have attention directed, before 31st December, 1930, 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 representing the Institute of Chemistry, the Society of Chemical Industry and the Institute of Metals, awards will be 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 will not be made on the result of any competition, but in recognition of continuous work of exceptional merit, being 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. Fellows and Associates who wish to direct attention to work of the character indicated are requested to communicate with the Registrar of the Institute.The Pedler Scholarship.-See p. 100. Notice to Associates.-The Council desires to encourage all Associates to qualify for the Fellowship as soon as possible. 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 149 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 on the same terms as Fellows and Associates, 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 employment 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 of six months, if necessary. The Institute also maintains a Register of Laboratory Assis- tants who have passed approved Preliminary Examinations and, in some cases, Intermediate Science Examinations.Fellows and Associates who have vacancies for Registered Students and 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 avail- able, by the courtesy of the Council of the Society, for the use of Fellows and Associates of the Institute, wishing to consult or borrow books, from 10a.m.to g p.m. on week-days (Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), except during August and the early part of September, when the hours are from xo 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 150 using the Library of the Society are required to conform to the rules of the Society regarding the use of its books. The Science Museum, South Kensington.-The Director and Secretary of the Science Museum, South Kensington, has notified the Council of the Institute that arrangements have been made for the issue of books and periodicals on loan to scientific workers introduced by approved institutions.Books which can be obtained easily from other institutions are not ordinarily lent by the Science Library. The Science Library, however, contains some 360 periodicals specially devoted to chemical science, and arrangements have been made (by means of a form of requisition obtainable from the Registrar of the Institute) for borrowing any of these, and of the remainder of the 8000 periodicals in the Library which may not be available in the Library of the Chemical Society or elsewhere. Covers for Journal.-Members who desire covers for binding the JOURNAL (IS. 2d. each) are requested to notify the Registrar of their requirements, indicating the years for which they are desirous of binding the JOURNAL.Arrangements have been made with Messrs. A. W. Bain & Co., Ltd., 17-19, Bishop’s Road, Cambridge Heath, London, E.z, to bind volumes of the JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGStheon following terms: buckram case, IS. zd.; binding, 2s. 9d.; postage and packing, gd.; in all, 4s. 8d. Lantern Slides for Lecturere.-A collection of slides is kept at the Institute for the use of members who wish to give lectures. The collection includes a large number of portraits and pictures of alchemists and chemists, which are especially useful to members lecturing on various phases of the history of chemistry. As the slides are constantly in demand, members are requested to notify their requirements at least 14days before the date on which the slides are to be used. (A List of Slides appeared in JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS,Part IV, 1929.) 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,