Ixxiv. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



represented, one of the most important points debated was that 

 of nomenclature. It was decided that French should be the 

 standard language, and that a vocabulary should contain 

 the official equivalent words in French, English, German, 

 and Spanish for electrical terms, difficulties having arisen 

 in practice, especially in Spanish. An International Com- 

 mission has been appointed to make experiments on the 

 propagation of electric waves, the station at Brussels being 

 used as a centre. The effects and causes of natural electric 

 waves are also to be investigated. Another case of the value 

 of wireless telegraphy as a means of life saving was provided 

 by the steamship Volturno, which was burnt at sea in October 

 last, when 10 steamers responded to the call for help and saved 

 all on board who were still alive. The effect of oil in calming 

 the raging sea was also strikingly demonstrated, one of the 

 steamers having a cargo of oil which, when thrown on the 

 water, enabled small boats to reach the burning ship, though 

 a violent gale was blowing. 



CHEMISTRY. 



Much discussion took place at the last British Association 

 Meeting on the subject of the nature of the Atom, it being 

 supposed to be in one case a minute nucleus surrounded by 

 electrons. The chemical analysis of matter was also greatly 

 to the fore, ideas on the subject having been so much 

 affected by the discoveries in connection with radium 

 and its changes and emanations. The President of the 

 Chemical section says "The common origin of all elementary 

 substances is now an accepted theory " though I think 

 that such words to the ordinary observer would be a little 

 disappointing when he found that the desires of the old 

 alchemists had not advanced much nearer fulfilment than 

 when they devoted their lives to the transmutation of other 

 substances into gold. He also in his Address throws out a 

 warning to those who, because certain vital products can be 

 produced by chemical processes, jump to the conclusion that 

 all chemical changes in living substances are brought about 



