MOTHS OF SOUTHERN RHODESIA. /I I 



which has no apparent bearing on economic problems is not as 

 well supported by the Government and the public as it deserves 

 and enjoys in older countries, it is important to strengthen our- 

 selves by combining in the effort of lifting the veil of mystery 

 which covers so many of Nature's truths. I feel sure that an 

 effort to organise a zoological survey would receive the moral 

 support of this Association, the Royal Society, and the South 

 African Biological Society, and if only the different museums and 

 the private workers would resolve to assist each other, it ought 

 not to be difficult to materialise a well-organised zoological survey 

 for South Africa. 



May the richness of the lepidopterous fauna of Southern 

 Rhodesia, as represented by my collection, stimulate us all to 

 more energetic work. 



Bacteriological Production of Acetone —At 



a meeting of the Canadian Section of the vSociety 

 of Chemical Industry, held at Montreal on May 17th, 1919, 

 Professor H. B. Speakman, Director of the Department 

 of Zymology of Toronto University, described the i)ro- 

 duction of acetone by a bacteriological process as carried 

 on at the British Acetones Plant in Toronto. The work repre- 

 sents another stage in the use off the organic catalysts in 

 industrial methods. About ten years ago numerous investigations 

 were in progress in Europe in connection with the synthesis of 

 rubber, and eventually it was demonstrated that rubber could be 

 synthesised by the polymerisation of isoprene. The problem was 

 then how to obtain liberal supplies of butyl alcohol and acetone, 

 starting from cheap and abundant materials. Advantage was 

 taken of the fact that certain organisms are able to decompose 

 carbohydrates with the production of acetone and alcohols, and 

 an organism was isolated which was capable of fermenting potato 

 starch. Relying on supplies of this material, the work of 

 building up the synthetic rubber industry proceeded. Subse- 

 quently a new and more abundant supply of raw material, namely- 

 maize, replaced potatoes, and an organism was isolated which 

 would ferment actively a fairly concentrated mash, and give good 

 constant yields of acetone and butyl alcohol. It was realised that 

 such a development might possibly be of assistance to the War 

 Departments, and in the latter part of 191 5 the investigation 

 assumed the character of a piece of Admiralty research work. 

 About Christmas, 191 5, an experimental plant was installed at 

 the Royal Naval Cordite Factory, Poole, and in May. 1Q16. 

 operations were commenced at the works of the British Acetones, 

 Toronto, Ltd. 



