34 



NATURE 



[September 9, 1915 



ments of the spectra. In his first paper he ex- 

 amined the spectra of a group of elements of 

 atomic weight between calcium and zinc. He 

 showed that a similar spectrum consisting of two 

 strong lines was emitted by each of these elements, 

 and proved that the frequency of the correspond- 

 ing lines in the spectra was proportional to the 

 square of a whole number which varied by unity 

 in passing from one element to the next. This 

 number, which was closely connected with the 

 atomic number of the element, was considered to 

 represent the nucleus charge. He next proceeded 

 to make a systematic study of a great majority 

 of the solid elements, and showed that a similar 

 result held for them all. Since the frequency of 

 a given line in the spectrum varied by definite 

 jumps in passing from one element to the next, 

 he was able to draw the deduction that there 

 could only exist three unknown elements from 

 aluminium to gold, and he was able to predict the 

 atomic number and spectra of these missing ele- 

 ments. This new and powerful method of attack 

 was of especial importance in connection with the 

 much debated question of the number of the rare 

 earth elements. 



The fundamental importance of these discoveries 

 was immediately recognised. Prof. Urbain came 

 from Paris to Oxford in order to utilise Moseley's 

 new method to decide the nature of the elements 

 present in the numerous preparations he had made 

 of the rare earths. The results of the investiga- 

 tion of the rare earths Have not been published, 

 but it is to be hoped that sufficient data will be 

 available later. 



Moseley's fame securely rests on this fine series 

 of investigations, and his remarkable record of four 

 brief years' investigation led those who knew him 

 best to prophesy for him a brilliant scientific 

 career. There can be no doubt that his proof 

 that the properties of an element are defined 

 by its atomic number is a discovery of great and 

 far-reaching importance, both on the theoretical 

 and the experimental side, and is likely to stand 

 out as one of the great landmarks in the growth 

 of our knowledge of the constitution of atoms. 



It is a national tragedy that our military organ- 

 isation at the start was so inelastic as to be 

 unable, with few exceptions, to utiHse the offers 

 of services of our scientific men except as com- 

 batants in the firing line. Our regret for the 

 untimely end of Moseley is all the more poignant 

 that we cannot but recognise that his services 

 would have been far more useful to his country 

 in one of the numerous fields of scientific inquiry 

 rendered necessary by the war than by exposure 

 to the chances of a Turkish bullet. 



E. Rutherford. 



THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION AT MAN- 

 CHESTER. 

 "X^^RITING on the eve of the British Associa- 

 * * tion week, it may be said that the pros- 

 pects of a good number of members and associates 

 are much brighter now than they were a few 

 weeks ago. The experiment of shortening the 

 NO. 2393, VOL. 96] 



meeting and of cutting out of the programme the 

 long-distance excursions was one that threatened 

 to reduce the numbers considerably, but we can 

 be assured now that a very large proportion of 

 those who attend the meeting of the British 

 Association are primarily attracted by the scientific 

 programme. 



The interest taken in the meeting by the citizens 

 of Manchester and the surrounding district has 

 very noticeably increased during the past week, 

 and a large number of students and teachers are 

 enrolling themselves as associates on the half-fee 

 terms that were offered by the Council for this 

 meeting. 



The discussions that will probably attract the 

 largest attendances from among the local members 

 are those on industrial harmony in Section F and 

 on inilitary education in Section L. Mr. Balls 's 

 lecture on the application of science to the cotton 

 industry in Section K will also attract a good 

 audience of local people. 



In addition to the afternoon sectional excursions 

 already announced, the agriculturists have 

 arranged visits to the Agricultural Institution of 

 the Cheshire County Council at Holmes Chapel 

 and to another large farm in the district. 



The arrangements made by the local executive 

 committee for the reception of the Association 

 have now been completed, and it will be found 

 that ample accommodation has been provided for 

 the comfort and convenience of the visitors. In 

 time of war there are some subjects that cannot 

 be discussed advisedly in open section, particu- 

 larly in the sections of the physical sciences ; but 

 it may be anticipated that some important work 

 will be done in the private discussions of smaller 

 groups of scientific men in the smoking and con- 

 versation rooms. The university and the high 

 school for girls will between them provide facilities 

 for such informal discussions on a larger scale, 

 probably, than in any previous meeting of the 

 Association. 



Inaugural Address by Prok. Arthur Schuster, 

 D.Sc, Sc.D., LL.D., Dr.-6s-Sc., F.R.S., President. 



The Common Aims of Science and Humanity. 



Under the influence of the diversity of pursuits 

 imposed upon us by the conditions of modern life, 

 different groups of the community — men of business, 

 men of science, philosophers, or artists — have acquired 

 detached and sometimes opposing interests. Each 

 group, impressed by the importance of its own domain 

 in the life of the nation, and focussing its vision on 

 small differences and temporary rivalries, was in 

 danger of losing the sense of mutual dependence. 

 But in the shadow of a great catastrophe it has been 

 brought home to us that the clash of interests is 

 superficial, and the slender thread of union which 

 remained has grown into a solid bond. What is the 

 fibre from which the bond is twined? Patriotism may 

 express its outward manifestation, but its staple is 

 the mental relationship which remains continuous and 

 dominant even in normal times, when each of us may 

 peacefully go to earn his living and enjoy the course 

 of his intellectual life. 



Outwardly the community is divided into hetero- 

 geneous elements with mental attitudes cast in 

 different moulds, and proceeding along separate roads 



