REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE XXXIX 



A. A. Hichelson, University of Chicago, 111. Grant No. 47. For 

 aid in ruling diffraction gratings. $1 ,500. 



Abstract of Report. — Professor Michelson encountered many serious 

 difficulties in the ruling engines for diffraction gratings, most of 

 which he now believes are overcome. The work is now being pushed 

 vigorously, and he hopes before another year to make a favorable 

 report on the results obtained. 



Harold Pender, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. Grant 

 No. 18. For experiments on the magnetic effect of electrical con- 

 vection. $75°- 



Abstract of Report. — The object of Dr. Pender's grant was to per- 

 form in Paris, in conjunction with Mons. B. Cremieu, experiments 

 on the magnetic effect of electrical convection and to confer with 

 M. Poincare concerning the same. Dr. Pender met with great suc- 

 cess in clearing up a controverted question as to the presence of a 

 magnetic field about a bare metallic surface when charged and set 

 in motion, which field is in all probability due to what is usually 

 termed a convection current of electricity. 



R. W. Wood, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. Grant 

 No. 25. For research, chiefly on the theory of light. $1,000. 



Abstract of Report. — Professor Wood reports that one half of the 

 grant has been expended for the salary of an assistant, and that the 

 balance he plans to expend for apparatus. Through the aid given 

 he was able to accomplish much more experimental work than he 

 otherwise could have done. During the year he obtained results 

 which were published in seven papers, all of which pertain to re- 

 searches connected with the theory of light. 



A considerable amount of work was also done on an investigation 

 on the dispersion of sodium vapor ; this has not yet been published. 



Physiology. 



W. O. Atwater, Wesley an University, Middletown, Conn. Grant 

 No. 5. For expet intents in nutrition. $5,000. 



Abstract of Report. — The purpose of this grant was to promote re- 

 searches involving the direct determination of the amount of oxygen 

 consumed by man for sustaining the bodily functions. The grant 

 has been expended chiefly for the services of experts and assistants, 



