432 



NATURE 



[December 17, 1914 



(usually hydrogen) is allowed to evaporate into an 

 enclosed space filled with the same gas at the same 

 temperature and pressure. After the volume has been 

 restored to its original value the increase in pressure 

 is recorded on an open manometer. 



A new method for determining the specific heat of 

 liquids was described by Mr. E. G. Hartung. It con- 

 sists in measuring the lowering of temperature of a 

 known amount of the particular liquid on the introduc- 

 tion of a definite weight of dry ice contained in a 

 thin glass bulb, and the method claims attention on 

 account of its simplicity, rapidity, and accuracy, ex- 

 cept in the case of viscous liquids like glycerine. The 

 formation of nitric and nitrous acids in the rainfall 

 near Melbourne has been correlated with the w-eather 

 conditions by Mr. G. V. Anderson, and reveals the 

 fact that the nitrous acid attains a maximum in 

 winter, and a minimum in summer. It further varies 

 with the type of weather, the total oxidised nitrogen 

 attaining a maximum with monsoonal and a minimum 

 with Antarctic conditions. 



A joint discussion with the Physics Section on the 

 structure of atoms and molecules has been referred 

 to elsewhere in Nature. It will sufifice here to say 

 that there appears to be a gulf between the views 

 of the physicist and chemist, and little attempt made 

 to bridge it. The former concentrates attention on 

 the internal atomic structure, at present of onlv 

 secondary Importance to the chemist, while on the 

 chemically all-important matter why atoms combine 

 in definite ways to form molecules he has little or 

 nothing to say. 



The Melbourne programme was completed with 

 papers by Prof. G. T. Morgan on residual affinitv and 

 co-ordination, and by Dr. A. Holt on a comparison of 

 the phenomenon of the occlusion of hydrogen by char- 

 coal and by palladium. 



Sydney. 



A joint discussion with the Agricultural Section on 

 metabolism occupied one day, and was a most success- 

 ful feature of the sectional programme. It was 

 opened by Prof. H. E. Armstrong, and among the 

 various speakers may be mentioned Mr. A. D. Hall, 

 Mr. Darnell-Smith, " Profs. B. Moore, Waller, and 

 J B. Wood. The discussion covered a considerable 

 field, and for convenience may be divided into three 

 parts. The earlier part was devoted to what may be 

 called the formaldehyde problem and enzyme action. 

 It cannot be said that any very definite conclusion was 

 reached, but many interesting views were put for- 

 ward, so that though the photo-synthetic processes 

 associated with assimilation may still be said to de- 

 mand further attention, great advances have been 

 made along this line of research. Enzyme action is 

 a fruitful field for speculation. It may be true, as 

 suggested in the discussion, that for the metabolic 

 synthesis of protein and fat from carbohydrates a 

 linkage and co-ordination of an endothermic with an 

 exothermic reaction is necessary, and that for such 

 synthesis a colloidal regulating mechanism must be 

 furnished by an adsorption of enzymes Into the cell 

 protoplasm, but enormous difficulties are presented to 

 the experimental proof of such views, and when we 

 are told that an enzyme being a colloid has Its action 

 determined by Its previous history, and hence that 

 two portions of the colloid may act differently, con- 

 fusion and difficulty of proof becomes greater^ This 

 part of the discussion was full of Interest, for it 

 showed the keen attention that is being paid to those 

 all-Important subjects. 



Production of fat ahd skin temperatures was next 

 considered, and the conclusion was reached that 

 though many factors come into play, fat production 



NO. 2355, VOL. 94] 



is associated with low skin temperatures. .As the air 

 temperature rises the skin temperature may be higher 

 than that of the internal organs, and hence skin tem- 

 peratures must not be carelessly employed as an indi- 

 cation that an animal is a good or bad doer, for fat 

 production and Internal temperature must also be 

 related. 



The discussion was concluded by papers dealing 

 with cyanogenetic plants and distribution of nitrogen 

 in seeds by Dr. J. M. Petrie. It appears that in New- 

 South Wales more than a thousand species of plants 

 have been examined for hydrocyanic acids and cyano- 

 genetic glucosldes, sixty of them giving positive 

 results, and of these forty-four were native to the 

 State, and represented seventeen natural orders. Some 

 plants which are cyanophoric In Europe do not appear 

 to be so in Australia, whilst In others, the .A.ustralian 

 grown plant retains its glucoslde to maturity instead 

 of losing it when half-grown. A series of specialised 

 papers, six of which were contributed locally, were 

 read on another day, but It Is only possible here to 

 enumerate their authors and titles. Prof. G. T. 

 Morgan, " Non-aromatic DIazonlum Salts " ; Prof. 

 Robinson, " Researches on the Synthesis of i5oQuino- 

 llne Alkaloids"; Mrs. G. M. Robinson, "Condensation 

 of Cotarnlne and Hydrastinine with Aromatic Alde- 

 hydes " ; Dr. H. McComble, " Influence of Substi- 

 tuents on the Velocity of Saponification of Phenyl 

 Benzoate " ; Dr. A. Holt, "The Colouring Matters of 

 Certain Marine Organisms"; Prof. Fawsitt, "The 

 Corrosion of Iron and Steel by Artesian Waters in 

 New South Wales"; Dr. G. Harker, "The Use of 

 Waste Gases of Combustion for Fire Extinction and 

 Fumigating Purposes"; Mr. S. Radcllff. "The Ex- 

 traction of Radium from Australian Ores"; Mr. G.J. 

 Burrows, "The Inversion of Cane Sugar by .Acids in 

 Water-Alcohol Mixtures." 



An experimental lecture by Prof. H. B. Dixon on 

 gaseous explosions and a beautiful demonstration of 

 optical properties of crystals and liquid crystals by 

 Prof. Pope completed the programme. Both were 

 attended by large and appreciative audiences. In con- 

 clusion it may be said that the work of the section 

 was In every way successful, and was almost double 

 In amount that at an ordinary meeting in Great 

 Britain. The audiences, too, were good, and though 

 the .Australians are so distant from their brother 

 chemists In Europe they exhibit an Interest and enthu- 

 siasm not always seen in meetings of the section at 

 home. 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 



Glasgow. — The University Court has framed an 

 Ordinance establishing the degree of B.Sc. in applied 

 chemistry. The curriculum extends over four years, 

 and Includes nine full courses of study, of which five 

 at least must be taken In the University or in the 

 Roj-al Technical College affiliated thereto. After the 

 usual preliminary examination, courses in mathematics, 

 natural philosophy, and chemistry are prescribed, fol- 

 lowed by a first science examination. Thereafter the 

 student may pursue courses of study In advanced 

 chemistr}-, inorganic, physical, and organic; technical 

 chemistry and chemical engineering ; engineering 

 drawing ; practical physics ; and one of certain special 

 branches, such as fuels, dyeing, oils, sugar, bio- 

 chemistry, and technicological mycology' (fermenta- 

 tion). Or, on the metallurgical side, he may take 

 courses in advanced chemistry (Inorganic), geology, 

 and mineralogy ; engineering and drawing ; metall- 

 urgy, Including fuels ; electrical engineering ; and one 

 of certain special branches, such as precious metals. 



