PHYSICS.— PHYSIOLOGY. 317 



ditions insuring radiation corresponding to that of an ideal black 

 body, by observations with an optical pyrometer, the actual temper- 

 ature of the metal, electrically heated, as indicated by the thermo- 

 couple, is compared with the apparent temperature as given by the 

 same optical pyrometer, and the departure of the metal from the laws 

 for black bodies is noted both in the solid and the molten state. By 

 allowing the molten mass to undercool, the radiation from molten 

 and solid metals at the same temperatures has been determined 

 through a considerable range below the normal point of solidifica- 

 tion. Mr. Bidwell has also in hand preparations for an extended 

 and systematic investigation of the electrical properties of the 

 metallic oxides at high temperatures. This work will be a continua- 

 tion and extension of the measurements of the electrical resistance 

 between 400° C. and 1100° C. of certain of these oxides recently 

 made by Dr. A. A. Somerville (see Physical Review, vol. i, series ii, 

 p. 243, and previous papers). 



Professor R. C. Gibbs and Mr. K. S. Gibson are continuing their 

 spectrophotometric observations of the effect of temperature, between 

 400° C. and — 180° C., upon the absorption of colored glasses, of which 

 mention has been made in previous reports. 



Professor J. S. Shearer and Mr. C. C. Murdock have completed the 

 preliminary work in their investigation of the specific heats of gases 

 at low temperatures and are ready for the final measurements. 



PHYSIOLOGY. 



Reichert, E. T., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

 Grant No. 858, allotted December 13, 1912. Study of differentiation 

 and specificity of corresponding vital substances. (For previous re- 

 ports see Year Books Nos. 9-11.) $1,500 



This research is a continuation of those reported as publications 

 116 and 173 of the Carnegie Institution of Washington and is with 

 especial reference to the effects of hybridization upon corresponding 

 vital substances, especially starches. Since the submission of the re- 

 port of the investigations of stereoisomers embodied in publication 

 No. 173 (April 1912) the methods pursued in the differentiation of 

 starches from different sources have been considerably extended and 

 improved. Variables which may under certain conditions give rise 

 to fallacious results have been to such an extent eliminated that the 

 records now obtained are as closely in accord as those found in the 

 determinations of melting-points and in ordinary titration proced- 

 ures, and hence are practically accurate. The results thus far 

 recorded in the present research are in support of the findings in the 

 preceding researches to the effect that complex organic metabolites, 

 such as starch, are specifically modified in relation to genera, species, 

 varieties, etc., and hence constitute not only a specific means of 



