4 i4 THE NEW WORLD OF SCIENCE 



to organize cooperative researches in their respective fields. 

 Action has necessarily been delayed in some of the Sections, 

 but a preliminary list of projects already initiated by the Sec- 

 tion of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity will serve to in- 

 dicate the character of the cooperative work to be undertaken 

 in this branch of the Union. These involve the comparison 

 of the magnetic instruments in use in different countries, and 

 the determination of the best method of measuring the mag- 

 netic elements in absolute units ; the study of atmospheric elec- 

 tricity by a joint committee of the Section of Meteorology and 

 the Section of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity; coopera- 

 tion with the proposed International Union of Scientific Radio- 

 Telegraphy in the investigation of the electric phenomena of 

 the higher atmosphere; the systematic exchange of magnetic 

 curves ; the appointment from time to time of special commit- 

 tees to investigate and report on specific problems in the field 

 of the Section; and cooperation with the International As- 

 tronomical Union in investigating the relationships between 

 solar and terrestrial magnetic and electrical phenomena. 



The American branch of the International Union of Geodesy 

 and Geophysics was organized by the Division of Physical 

 Sciences of the National Research Council. Out of this has 

 grown the American Geophysical Union, which officially repre- 

 sents the United States in the International Union and retains 

 organic connection with the Division of Physical Sciences. 



The rapid development of chemistry in recent years, and the 

 limitless variety of its applications in the arts have led to a 

 great advance in the public appreciation of this branch of 

 science. The possibilities of international cooperation in 

 chemical research are at least as great as in astronomy and 

 geophysics, but prior to the war only a beginning had been made 

 in utilizing them. The organization of the International Union 

 of Pure and Applied Chemistry, in which the United States is 

 represented by the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Tech- 

 nology of the National Research Council, supplies the means 



