698 Proceedings. 



creasing number of organic compounds necessitated a revision of chemical 

 nomenclature, Dumas tried hard to stop the change. He sneered at con- 

 stitutional formulse, and the designation of compounds by their common- 

 sense names. And so with the new theory. Its authors were ridiculed by 

 some of the greatest chemists of the day. Because Wisliceuns favoured 

 it Kolbi attacked him in no measured terms, accusing him of quackery 

 and charlatanism akin to spiritualism ; and now Kolbi is gone, and Wis- 

 liceuns sits in the professorial chair formerly occupied by his bitter 

 opponent. 



Dr. Evans, in reply, said that unfortunately very few experiments 

 connected with stereo-chemistry had much attraction for any one but a 

 chemist, and nearly all demanded a much longer time than that placed 

 at the disposal of a lecturer. With regard to the remarks of the Chair- 

 man on the relations between optical activity and living organisms, he 

 might say that such a connection had been almost conclusively proved 

 not to exist. The special acid mentioned by Sir James Hector— namely, 

 tartaric acid— had been synthetically produced in all its modifications ; 

 and these had proved themselves the exact counterparts of those derived 

 in the usual manner from the juice of the grape. Many other optically- 

 active substances had also been synthesized with like results. Moreover, 

 all attempts to bring about optical activity by means of ferments and 

 other living organisms, in fluid whose molecules did not possess asym- 

 metric carbon systems, had resulted negatively. 



Seventh Meeting: 21st October, 1891. 



Sir James Hector iii'the chair. 



Pcqjers.—l. " Purther Coccid Notes : with Descriptions of 

 New Species, and Eemarks on Coccids from New Zealand, 

 Austraha, and elsewhere," by W. M. Maskell, F.E.M.S. 

 {Transactions, p. 1.) 



Mr. Maskell read extracts only from the paper, and drew attention 

 to a collection of insects on the table which had been described by him. 

 He pointed out the great interest there was in the study of these scale- 

 insects, especially from an economic point of view. He was sorry that so 

 little interest was taken, especially by those who were more immediately 

 affected by these pests. They were ready enough to ask for information, 

 but rarely acted on the advice given. It was disheartening to those who 

 devoted so much time to the economic side of the question, and almost 

 enough to make those engaged in it give up such work. He would still 

 do all he could to induce the Government to establish an Agricultural 

 Department. The proposal had generally been received well in the 

 Houses of Parliament, but he was afraid that until more pressure was 

 brought to bear the Government would not move in the matter. He 

 probably would ask the Council of this Society to still further assist him 

 m bringing about the object desired. 



Sir W. Buller said he had listened with pleasure to Mr. Maskell's in- 

 teresting and practical remarks. He thought, notwithstanding what Mr. 

 Maskell had said, that work of this nature would in time be appreciated, 

 and he thought that an Agricultural Department would be established, 

 thanks greatly to the exertions of Mr. Maskell. 



Mr. Travers said farmers and fruit-growers would thoroughly appre- 

 ciate the establishment of an Agricultural Department. Many of them 

 were benefiting by the advice given by those who worked on the scale and 



