REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 8 1 



Plans have been prepared for the following apparatus, a part of 

 which is being built in the laboratory shop and part elsewhere. The 

 work of construction is already well advanced. 



(i) An apparatus for the fundamental investigation of tempera- 

 ture values above 1,200° C. 



(2) An electric furnace of the graphite resistance tj^pe for gen- 

 erating extremely high temperatures under moderate gas pressures. 



(3) A platinum resistance furnace, in which extreme pressures are 

 developed under moderately high temperatures. 



(4) An iridium resistance furnace (Nernst model), in which tem- 

 peratures up to 2,000° can be reached in a neutral atmosphere or 

 vacuum. 



(5) An electric plant and regulating facilities for supplying proper 

 current to these furnaces. 



(6) Suitable apparatus for developing the pressures which will 

 be required for the investigations. 



The following researches will be begun as soon as the apparatus 

 is ready : 



( r ) A fundamental investigation of temperature measurement 

 above 1,200° C. 



(2) An investigation of fusion and solution phenomena in certain 

 feldspars and pyroxenes. 



(3) The development of apparatus for the simultaneous applica- 

 tion of pressure and temperature to the rock-forming minerals in 

 the presence of water. 



The second investigation is already well under way. 



(Preparation of a bibliography of geophysics, requiring two years. Carlos de 

 Mello, Washington, D. C. Grant No. 170. |5,ooo.) 



The period of Mr. de Mello' s work covers nine months, beginning 

 January i, 1904. The work is being carried forward under twelve 

 subjects, as follows : 



1. General and synthetical works on dynamical and structural 

 geology, physical geology, physical geography, physics of the globe, 

 and geophysics. 



2. The earth astronomically and geodetically considered : (a) 

 Origin and movements of the earth, {b) Density, gravity (experi- 

 ments and results), (c) Movements of the earth's axis, {d) Ori- 

 gin of the tides. (<:) Meteorites. (/) Experimental investigations. 



3. History of principles and doctrines of geophysics (extracted 

 from astronomy, meteorology, physics, physics of the globe, phys- 

 ical geography, and geology). 



