268 K. IKEDA 



from this source may be considerable.* The second series of Schiff's 

 experiments is reported to be free from this source of inaccuracy. 



Another consideration which tends to diminish the value of the 

 formulas is the temperature of comparison. The choice of the boiling 

 points seems to be rather arbitrary, the pressure of vapor chosen 

 depending entirely on the accident of our habitation. The theories of 

 Van der Waal may perhaps give some aid in determining the temper- 

 ature of comparison, but it is also probable that it will not furnish 

 very accurate guidance. The only way to do this properly is to 

 investigate the influence of temperature on capillary phenomena by a 

 thoroughly reliable method, to see whether it has any relation to the 

 changes of density of the liquid and pressure of the vapor and other 

 concomitant phenomena. 



All these considerations take away much of the apparent value of 

 Schiff's formula as well as of those proposed in this paper, and call 

 for a new and accurate investigation of the phenomena. The 

 physical properties of all substances must chiefly depend on the 

 chemical composition, and the science of chemistry must be regarded 

 as being grievously backward, so long as she cannot predict these 

 properties from the knowlege of the chemical constitution. 



In conclusion I have to return my best thanks to Professor 

 J. Sakurai, for the great interest which he has taken in my work and 

 for his valuable suggestions. 



'^^^r^a- 2 - 



* But this inaccuracy may be disguised by the smallness of the capillary constants in 

 organic liquids. 



