26 SCIENCE PROGRESS 



the principles of colloid chemistry are applicable to a far 

 wider range of phenomena, and therefore to a greater variety 

 of technical operations, than was hitherto suspected. The 

 serious attention which this subject is now beginning to attract 

 is reflected in the numerous papers and other publications 

 during the last few years. 



In this connection the British Association has taken an 

 active part in forming a Committee with the object of com- 

 piling information regarding the advances which have been 

 made in colloid chemistry with special reference to industrial 

 processes. The First Report of this Committee has recently 

 been issued. In spite of the difficulties which exist at the 

 present time in connection with an effort of this kind, a pro- 

 mising beginning has been made. The technical subjects 

 dealt with in this Report are : Tanning, Dyeing, Fermenta- 

 tion Industries, Rubber, Starch, Gum, Albumin, Gelatin, and 

 Gluten, Cements, Nitro-cellulose explosives, and Celluloid. 

 There is likewise an account of the viscosity of colloidal systems, 

 and the application of colloids to biochemical subjects. The 

 future Reports which it is proposed to issue will refer, like 

 the first, to the more important scientific investigations pub- 

 lished in recent years, as well as those possessing a more 

 immediate technical bearing. Each subject is dealt with by 

 an expert in the particular branch. In this way a valuable 

 compilation should be built up which should serve as a source 

 of information to all who are engaged in any branch of colloid 

 chemistry pure or applied. 



As an indication of the importance of this branch of chemis- 

 try the subjects mentioned above are instructive. This list 

 is, of course, far from complete. Other technical operations 

 and processes are represented in the treatment of hides, leather, 

 and fur, mercerisation and finishing of fabrics, the manu- 

 facture of soap, dairy practice including the manufacture of 

 butter substitutes, enzyme action, bread manufacture, treat- 

 ment of clays for ceramic and other work, the flotation process 

 in the treatment of ores, agricultural operations, soils, 

 fertilisers, sprays, treatment of sewage, water purification, 

 prevention of smoke and fumes, photographic materials and 

 technique, paints, pigments, and varnishes, cellulose, wood- 

 pulp and paper manufacture, manufacture of coloured glass, 

 enamel, ultramarine, etc. Colloid chemistry has even found 



