4i6 



THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



and benzol are the source of many of 

 these important dye stuffs that are 

 used in the silk, cotton and woolen in- 

 dustries. It would also tend to prevent 

 disturbance of the great industries en- 

 gaged in the manufacture of silks, cot- 

 tons and woolens in such extraordinary 

 times as we are now experiencing, for 

 we should be able to supply them with 

 the necessary dyes. 



SCIENTIFIC ITEMS 



We record with regret the death of 

 Dr. Charles Edwin Bessey, head of the 

 department of botany in the Univer- 

 sity of Nebraska, distinguished as a 

 leader in botanical research and edu- 

 cation; of Dr. T. Wesley Mills, emeri- 

 tus professor of physiology in McGill 

 University; of Professor James Geikie, 

 the distinguished Scottish geologist, and 

 of Dr. Arthur von Auers, the eminent 

 German astronomer. 



Col. George W. Goethals has been 

 made a major-general of the line in 

 recognition of his services in building 

 the Panama Canal. Brig.-Gen. Wil- 

 liam C. Gorgas, surgeon-general, has 

 been made major-general in the medical 

 department. Col. Harry F. Hodges 

 and Lieut.-Col. William L. Sibert, 

 United States Corps of Engineers, have 

 been promoted to be brigadier-generals. 

 The bill providing for their promotions 

 extended the thanks of congress to the 

 officers. 



The Rockefeller Institute for Med- 

 ical Research has appropriated $20,- 

 000 to be used under the institute's di- 

 rection to further medical research 

 work under war conditions, and is 

 equipping Dr. Carrel's new hospital in 

 France with apparatus for research 

 work on pathological, bacteriological 

 '• surgical and chemical conditions. 



