210 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 41 



hot water, steam, cool air, and cool water. The effect of the size and shape 

 of the container on the heat penetration has been calculated, and the values 

 conductivity ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^1 ^^^^ ^ number 



of the diffiisivity, ^^^^^.^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^^^.^^, 



of canned foods. Formulas have been derived for calculating the temperature 

 at any time and at any point in the can under the following conditions: (1) 

 "When contents of the can are of uniform temperature throughout before immer- 

 sion in the sterilizing bath, which is maintained at uniform temperature after 

 tlie immersion; (2) when the batli temperature, after the can has been put in, 

 increases uniformly to the boiling point and remains constant thereafter; and 

 (3) when the cans are exhausted at one temperature before processing at 

 another. 



The results of the experimental work indicate that substances which con- 

 tain a great deal of free liquid heat almost as fast as water. The change 

 of viscosity with temperature is effective in increasing the heat flow in the 

 steam processing. The effect of the glass can in retarding the heat flow is 

 very marked when the diffusivity is large, but disappears at values less than 

 0.375. 



In addition to tables and curves showing the results of the experimental 

 work, a chart has been devised which may be used for determining approxi- 

 mately the temperature at the center of a can at any time after immersion 

 in the sterilizing bath maintained at constant temperature. 



The action of alcoholic potassium hydroxid on the resins, P. Nicolabdot 

 and C. CoFFiGNiEK (Bui. Soc. Chim. France, 4- ser., 25 {1919), No. 4, pp. 200- 

 206). — The action of alcoholic potassium hydroxid upon different resins has 

 been examined by heating 1 gm. of the resin for an hour under a reflux con- 

 denser with 25 cc. of N/2 alcoholic potassium hydroxid and adding gradually 

 50 cc. of distilled water. The insoluble residue was then filtered and weighed. 



Of 27 types of resins examined, one only dissolved completely in the N/2 

 potassium hydroxid. All the others proved to be more or less insoluble in 

 water. In some the amounts of insoluble matter increased and in others 

 decreased on adding water. It is thought that the alcoholic potassium hydroxid 

 forms resinous soaps, some of which are more soluble in the base than in 

 water and others more soluble in water than in tlie base. It is suggested that 

 this difference in solubility might serve as a new characteristic for the identi- 

 fication of certain resins. 



The alkali industry, J. R. Paktington (London: Bailliere, Tindall, <£- Cox, 

 1919, pp. XVI+SOJf, figs. 63). — This is one of a series of volumes on industrial 

 chemistry edited by S. Rideal. The book is divided into sections, each of which 

 deals with separate branches of the subject in the manner of a special article 

 or monograph. Following an introductory chapter on the alkali industry in 

 Gi-eat Britain, the sections include the salt industry, sulphuric acid, natural 

 soda and the; Loblanc process, the ammonia-soda process, electrolytic processes, 

 chlorin and derived products, nitric acid, anmionia and ammonium salts, the 

 oxidation of ammonui, utilization and economy of sulphuric acid, and potas- 

 sium salts, iodin, and magnesium. 



Special attention 1ms beerf given throughout to the resources and needs of 

 the British Empire and possible future independence of German supplies. 



METEOROLOGY. 



A soil temperature survey of the United States and Canada, F. Shkeve 

 {Carnegie Inst. Washington Year Book, 11 (1918), pp. 79, 80). — The survey 

 previously referred to (E. S. 11., 41, p. IG) is briefly described. The com- 



