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Some of the more interesting recent developments were then considered in 
detail, and illustrated by numerous slides and experiments. The changes in 
manufacturing methods of sulphuric acid, soda, and phosphorus were dealt 
with, and the wide applications of electrolysis, a simple example of the latter 
(the deposition of lead by electrolysis) being projected in action on the screen. 
Modern explosives, aniline dyes, synthetic indigo, and synthetic drugs 
were also discussed and illustrated, and the lecture concluded with a reference 
tc the gradually changing attitude, in England, of commerce to pure chemistry, 
which should result in an improvement of our chances in the commercial 
struggle between nations. 
NATURE’S POWER HOUSES. 
Lecture delivered January 25th, 1917, by Mr. G. E. Swirt, A.M.1.E.E. 
The object of this lecture was to direct attention to the necessity of con- 
serving our coal supply and the utilisation of natural sources of power for the 
supply of energy for industrial uses, and thereby cheapening the eost of manu- 
factured products. 
The methods of obtaining power from waterfalls, tides, wind, volcanoes, 
and the sun were described, and, with the exception of tidal schemes, actual 
installations proye these sources to be available for the supply of power in 
varying quantities. 
Attention was directed to waterfalls as being the most fruitful source of 
natural power supply, and the fact that power houses of capacities up to 
150,000 horse-power are in operation deriving energy from waterfalls proves 
the commercial utility of this source of power. 
Besides industrial uses, natural power, through the medium of electrical 
generation, is employed in chemical manufacturing preeesses for the produe- 
tion of fertilising nitrates, carbide of caleium, aluminium, and the treatment 
of deposits of iron ore. 
Tt was pointed out that sources of water power are situated at distances 
from ordinary centres of population, making it a necessity that the power 
should be transmitted over long distances by overhead electrical transmission 
wires, or that industrial centres should be created near the source of power. 
This has been done both in Scotland and Norway, where townships of 6,000 
inhabitants have sprung up in places which once were quite desolate. 
LITERATURE SECTION. 
Of the two lectures allotted to the Literature Section, the first was given 
on November 23rd, 1916, by the Rev. F. G. Wright, F.R.G.S., F.S.A. (Scot.), 
ete., on ‘‘ The White Cross Knights of Malta.’’ The lecture was illustrated by 
numerous lantern slides, many of them unique, and was listened to with marked 
attention by a large audience. Mr. Wright, who is an enthusiastic supporter 
of the English branch of the Order, and has delivered over 150 lectures at home 
and abroad in support of it, traced the history of the famous brotherhood from 
its formation, seven centuries ago, to the present time, holding the intense 
interest of his hearers throughout. 
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