proceedings: the Washington academy of sciences 227 



Geological Society, T. W. Vaughan; Historical Society, J. D. Morgan; 

 Medical Society, E. Y. Davidson; Philosophical Society, L. J. Briggs; 

 Non-Resident Vice-Presidents, A. G. Mayer and E. C. Pickering; 

 Managers, Class of 1919, G. K. Burgess and C. L. Alsberg. 



After the election of officers the Academy continued its meeting 

 jointly with the Chemical Society to hear the address of Dr. Carl L. 

 Alsberg on The chemical analysis of animal nutrition, — an instruc- 

 tive survey of the beginning, development, present status, and immedi- 

 ate problems of this exceptionally difficult yet all-important branch of 

 chemistry. 



The 105th meeting of the Academy was held in the auditorium of the 

 New National Museum on Thursday evening, March 2, 1916, with 

 President L. O. Howard in the chair. Dr. Douglas W. Johnson, 

 Professor of Physiography in Columbia University, gave an illustrated 

 lecture on the Surface features of Europe as a factor in the war. 



The geologic history of Europe was briefly outlined and the result- 

 ing present physiographic features explained and illustrated in some 

 detail. It is these features, especially the steep walls on the eastern 

 margin of the "Paris basin," and the lakes, rivers, and swamps of 

 western Russia, that throughout the war have largely determined the 

 routes of advance and retreat, the lines of defense, and the points of 

 attack. 



The 106th meeting of the Academy was held in the auditorium of the 

 New National Museum on Tuesday evening, March 23, 1916, with 

 President L. O. Howard in the chair and a large audience present. 

 Dr. L. H. Baekeland, Member of the Naval Consulting Board, gave 

 an address on Chemistry in relation to war. Early experiments were 

 described that led to the chemical discovery and commercial develop- 

 ment of dynamite, gun cotton, "T. N. T.," and the various other 

 modern high-power explosives, and the processes of their manufacture 

 outlined. It was explained that in the manufacture of these substances 

 nitric acid is indispensable. The only large-scale sources of this acid, 

 as now manufactured, are "Chili saltpeter" and the nitrogen of the air. 

 Three methods of "fixing" the nitrogen of the air are now in use, two 

 of which were first developed commercially in the United States, though 

 subsequently abandoned owing to the high cost of the necessary power. 

 Both processes are now extensively used abroad, especially in Norway 

 and Germany. 



Whether nitrogen shall be "fixed" in America, and aniline dyes and 

 other chemicals manufactured on a large scale, is merely a question of 

 business and dividends, the speaker pointed out, and in no sense a 

 question of scientific ability and chemical knowledge, both of which of 

 high order exist in this country. 



W. J. Humphreys, Recording Secretary. 



