JÜ02 



Chemistry. — "Answer to Prof. E. Cohen to his ohserüatioiu under 

 the title of Allotrupi/ and Electromotive Equilibrium" . ') By 

 Prof. A. Smits. (Coininiinicated by Prof. J. D. vaiN uer Waals). 



(Communicated in the meeting of Feb. 27, 1914). 



Mr. Cohen's attack under the title of "AUotropy and electro- 

 motive Equilibriiun" induces nie to make tlie following- remarks. 



Mr. Cohen seems to think it anytliing but correct tiiat I have 

 ventured to enter a Held of work, vviiich had been proclaimed his 

 territory of research in more than one address, treatise, and magazine. 



This deed, however unpai'donable it may appear in Mr. Cohen's 

 eyes, may be very reasonably accounted for. If I had not seen a 

 chance to throw new^ light on the phenomenon of allotropy, I should 

 certainly not have occupied myself with it, as it would not have 

 prompted me so urgently to investigation then, but when a few 

 years ago I came to the conviction that the phenomenon oï enantio- 

 tropi/ and monotroj);/ and the allied phenomena might be united 

 under a "new point of \iew, by the assumption that every phase of 

 an allotropic substance is built uj» of different kijids of molecules, 

 I did not hesitate for a moment, but immediately set about to test 

 the drawn up theory with my pupils. This is the reason that of 

 late years I have studied the phenomenon of allotropy, and I do 

 not think that there is anything in the line of conduct followed by 

 me that can in the least rouse astonishment. 



Further Mr. Coniw considers it necessary to point out that the 

 forui of my pul)lications might give rise to misunderstanding, which 

 would appear from a passage occurring in my latest paper ^), run- 

 ning: "In connection with the foregoing it is desirable to draw 

 attention to this that accoi'ding to these considerations the contact 

 with the solution of a salt of the metal must have an accelerating 

 influence on the setting in of the internal e(|uilibrium of the metal." 



Mr. Cohen has taken offence at this sentence, because according 

 to him 1 should have forgotten to mention that already fifteen years 

 ago this fact was found by him and Van Eyk, and has since been 

 explained by him. 



This remark of Mr. Cohen is very significant, for I do not think 

 that he could haxe made it apparent in a clearer manner that the 

 contents of my communication "The application of the theory of 

 allotropy to electromotive equilibria" have remained perfectly dark 

 to him. 



1) These Pioc. XVI p. 708. 



