514 



NATURE 



December 15, 1921] 



ductivity of the material considered as a continuous 

 solid. It has also been demonstrated that the chief 

 source of escape of heat from the surface of a wall 

 is by convection currents. The Meat Committee has 

 devoted particular attention to the conditions under 

 which "black spot," caused by the fungus Clado- 

 sporium herbarum, develops in cold stores. Its pre- 

 valence on meat coming from the southern hemisphere 

 during 1918-19 was correlated with the unusually 

 prolonged period of cold storage due to war conditions. 

 Apart from its unsightly appearance, no harmful effect 

 could be traced to the growth. The Fruit and Vege- 

 tables Committee has carried out a great deal of re- 

 search. Amongst other results we may mention the 

 observation that only those fruits which lack the 

 complete systems of ferments causing post-mortem 

 changes in flavour and colour (strawberries, rasp- 

 berries, black currants, red currants, and goose- 

 berries) can be kept in a satisfactory condition for 

 jam-making when frozen in contact with air. 



Under the Oils and Fats Committee Dr. and Mrs. 

 Robinson have continued their investigation of the 

 synthesis of isomeric oleic acids. A synthesis of oleic 

 acid is being attempted, and the ground has been 

 cleared by the preparation of quantities of the 

 starting materials. The preparation of suberic acid 

 from ricinoleic acid has been improved, and the 

 diethyl ester of this acid has been reduced with the 

 production of octomethylene glycol and a small vield 

 of hydroxyoctoic acid. Miss Gilchrist has continued 

 an investigation of the constitution of 'the synthetic 

 fats derived from mannitol and methylglucoside. In 

 connection with the Canned Foods Committee, the 

 work of Dr. Savage, recently published in the 

 Journal of Hygiene, on the effects of putrefying meat 

 upon the health of animals fed with it deserves men- 

 tion. Very little obvious effect upon health was pro- 

 duced. 



University and Educational Intelligence. 



Bristol.— There was a large attendance in the 

 council room at the University on Friday, December 2, 

 when Dr. Llovd Morgan was presented with his por- 

 trait, a -gift from friends, colleagues, and students 

 both past and present. The portrait was executed bv 

 Mr. Anning-Bell, A.R.A. 



Cambridge. — The event of scientific importance in 

 the term just completed was the opening of the Mol- 

 teno Institute for Parasitology by Viscount Buxton. 

 This is a research institute equipped and presented by 

 Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Molteno, where Prof. Nuttall 

 (unfortunately too unwell to attend the opening cere- 

 mony), his assistants, research students, and trained 

 investigators from all parts will attack the many 

 problems connected with the life-history of parasites 

 and their reactions on their hosts. In addition to 

 the regular facilities for experimental research, there 

 is a good museum included in the institute. 



Manchester.— Prof. H. B. Dixon has intimated to 

 the Council and Senate that it is his intention to retire 

 from the Sir Samuel Hall chair of chemistry at the 

 end of the present session. Prof. Dixon was appointed 

 in 1886 to the chair rendered vacant bv the resignation 

 of Sir Henry Roscoe, and he has maintained ably the 

 reputation of the chemistry department of the college 

 now known as Manchester University. His special 

 line of research has been the investigation of the rate 

 of explosion in gases. It was his knowledge and 

 experience of this branch of investigation which led 

 to his appointment in 189 1 to the Royal Commission 

 charged to report on the explosion of coal-dust in 



NO. 2720, VOL. 108] 



mines, and also to the post of Deputy Inspector of 

 High Explosives for the Manchester Area during the 

 recent war. The scientific importance of his re- 

 searches was recognised by the Royal Society in its 

 invitation to deliver the Bakerian lecture in 1893 and 

 by the award of a Royal medal in 1912. His whole- 

 hearted devotion to the Owens College, and later to 

 the University, led him to take a prominent part on 

 its academic boards, where the many-sidedness of hi^ 

 attainments were of invaluable assistance, particularh 

 at the time of the establishment of an independent 

 university in Manchester. Prof. Dixon intends to 

 continue his researches in the chemical department- 

 of the University, where the elaborate equipment: 

 necessary for his investigations has been built up. 



The Salters' Institute of Industrial Chemistry ha- 

 awarded forty-seven grants in aid to chemical assis- 

 tants occupied in factory or other laboratories in or 

 near London to facilitate their further studies. 



Applications are invited for the Gull studentship in 

 pathology and allied subjects at Guy's Hospital Medical 

 School. The studentship, value 250Z. yearly, tenable 

 for three years, is open to candidates under thirtv 

 years of age who have studied at the Medical School 

 of Guy's Hospital. The latest date for the receipt of 

 applications, which should be addressed to the Dean 

 of the School, is Tuesday next, December 20. 



The Grocers' Company, with the view of encourag- 

 ing original research in sanitary science, is offering 

 three scholarships, each of the value of 300L, plus an 

 allowance for expenses, tenable for one year, but 

 renewable for a second or third year under certain 

 conditions. The election will take place in May next, 

 and applications must be sent before April i to the 

 Clerk of the Grocers' Company, Grocers' Hall, 

 E.C.2, upon a form obtainable from the Clerk. 



The Institution of Naval Architects announces that 

 the following scholarships will be open for competition 

 in 1922 : — Naval Architecture : Elgar (130L per 

 annum), Cammell Laird (150^. per annum), and Arm- 

 strong (150Z. per annum). Marine Engineering : 

 Parsons (150Z. f>er annum) and John Brown (150Z. per 

 annum). The scholarships are open to British appren- 

 tices or students, and are tenable (subject to the 

 regulations governing each scholarship) for three 

 years at particular educational establishments. Full 

 particulars may be obtained from the Secretary, 

 Institution of Naval Architects, 5 Adelphi Terrace, 

 London, W.C.2. 



The tenth annual Conference of Educational Asso- 

 ciations will be held at University College, Gower 

 Street, W.C.i, on December 28-January 7. A pre- 

 liminary programme has been issued, and the fol- 

 lowing are among the papers which will be pre- 

 sented : — Education as a Mission, by Principal L. P. 

 Jacks, at the inaugural meeting (to be held at Bed- 

 ford College for Women, Regent's Park) presided 

 over by the president of the conference. Lord Gorell, 

 on December 28 ; Secondary Education through Hand- 

 work, by Mr. B. S. Gott, on December 31 ; Mental 

 Tests and Mentality, by Prof. T. H. Pear, on 

 January 2 ; The Effects of Competition on Plant Life, 

 by Dr. Winifred Brenchley, and The Soil and Plant 

 Growth, by Dr. E. J. Russell, on January 3; and 

 Needs of the Modern University, by Prof. H. Laski, 

 on January 4. The papers to be read to the Geo- 

 graphical Association have already been announced in 

 Nature of December 8, p. 483. On December 31 

 "Education as a Science" will be the subject of a 

 joint conference at University College; Dr. J. C. 

 Maxwell Garnett and Prof. J. Strong will take part 

 in the discussion. 



