March 28, 191 8] 



NATURE 



77 



of the material, in part on the emissivity of its surface, 

 and the superior emissivi^' of the asbestos sheet more 

 ihan made up for its inferior conductivity. In this 

 connection it is clear there is much to be done, and 

 for such work a central laboratory, with proper equip- 

 ment, is the most suitable place. Arrangements are in 

 progress by which it is hoped many of these questions 

 will be thoroughly investigated. 



Little need be said as to the fourth section of the 

 work suggested for a National Industrial Research 

 Laboratory. 



The importance of the collection and dissemination 

 of information on matters connecting industry and 

 science is clear. At a central laboratory much of the 

 information will be to hand ; the accumulated experi- 

 ence of the staff, their knowledge of the work done in 

 the sectional laboratories, their appreciation of the 

 bearing on industry of inquiries in the region of- pure 

 science, are all valuable assets, and a proper organisa- 

 tion only is needed — by means of a bulletin or in some 

 such way — to circulate their information where it is 

 most wanted. 



There is ample room for a central laboratory with- 

 out trenching in the least on the spheres of the local 

 sectional institutions. If the Department of Scientific 

 and Industrial Research is to carry out effectively the 

 work it contemplates, such a laboratory is essential, 

 and my hope is that the National Physical Laboratory 

 may develop into such a'n institution in close connec- 

 tion, through the Department, with local laboratories 

 throughout the country. 



One word in conclusion. The workman is worthy 

 M his hire. In the past the scale of pay has certainly 

 not been extravagant, and there is no call for extrava- 

 gance in the future, but the remuneration offered must 

 ■f sufficient and the conditions of work fair. Much 

 las been written lately as to the inadequate remunera- 

 on of scientific workers, whether teachers or the ex- 

 ' rt staff of laboratories and factories, and it is realised, 

 i trust, that the time has come to change this for men 

 nd for women alike. To-day there is a great demand 

 ' ir scientific workers, and while, as in other walks of 

 life, commercial life must offer greater prizes than 

 Government service, it is essential, if the necessary 

 work is to be done and the workers are to be retained, 

 that the emoluments of technical posts under Govern- 

 ment, and the conditions attached, should be as good as 

 those of the regular administrative staff of the Civil 

 Service. This must apply not merely to the heads of 

 the various institutions, but also to the rank and file 

 on whose work success depends. This point I need 

 not labour here, but in pressing it I feel confident .1 

 ~hall have the support of all who appreciate the import- 

 nce of science to the nation. 



{To he continued.) 



UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL 

 INTELLIGENCE. 



Glasgow. — During the present term two research 

 fellowships, in medicine and science respectively, have 

 l)een founded. The Faulds fellowship in medicine is 

 of the annual value of 200I., and is tenable for three 

 years. It will be awarded to a recent graduate who 

 has shown capacity for original investigation. He will 

 be required to devote himself to research in some 

 branch of medical science approved by the Senatus, 

 and will not engage in private practice. He may be 

 authorised or required to spend a year of his tenure 

 ^way from Glasgow. The Ferguson fellowship in 

 pplied chemistry is of about the same value. It will 

 1 awarded to a bachelor of science who has taken 

 chemistry as 9 subject 'for his honours degree. He 



NO. 2526, VOL. lOl] 



may carry on his fellowship work either in the Univer- 

 sity itself or in the affiliated Royal Technical College. 



Leeds. — The thirteenth annual report, which has just 

 been issued, for the year 1916-17, contains a record of 

 great activity in most of the departments of the Uni- 

 versity. Three aspects of the work have exceptional 

 significance. The first of these is in the sphere of 

 applietl science, particularly in connection with the tex- 

 tile, dyeing, leather, and fuel industries. As a result 

 of conferences organised and held in the University, 

 a committee has been formed by members of the woollen 

 and worsted industries in the West Riding for the pur- 

 pose of developing research. In the colour chemistry 

 department important research work has been carried 

 out on behalf of British Dyes, Ltd. ; a laboratory has 

 also been placed at the disposal of Messrs. L. B. HoUi- 

 day and Co., for research work, in charge of their head 

 chemist; conferences have been held with the Leather 

 Trades' Federation for developing instruction and re- 

 search in that industry, whilst in the fuel department 

 investigations are being made into the comparative 

 efficiency of different grades of gas under the direction 

 of a Joint Committee of the University and the Insti- 

 tution of Gas Engineers. As regards the second aspect 

 of the work, members of the staff of the agricultural 

 department have undertaken official responsibilities in 

 connection with the food supply of Yorkshire. As tt> 

 the third, the new departments of Russian and Italian 

 language and literature, which owe their inception to 

 the generosity of Sir James Roberts, Lord and Lady 

 Cowdray, and Mr. Walter Morrison, have been organ- 

 ised. The number of students shows a slight decrease 

 since the previous session, and although some of the 

 advanced classes and technical departments have been 

 depleted of men students owing to the war, the number 

 of first-year students is maintained. The casualty lists 

 include 462 names, of which 176 have been killed, died 

 on active service, or reporfe<I missing. Military distinc- 

 tions have been conferred upon ninety-nine members of 

 i the University. 



j London. — The Senate has resolved to institute de- 

 ; grees in commerce for both internal and external 

 students, and in this connection to accept with thanks 

 an offer from Sir Edward Stern of 2000L to found a 

 [ scholarship for the promotion of the study of that sub- 

 I ject. 



j The following doctorates have been conferred.: — 

 I D.Sc. in Biochemistry : Mr. J. C. prummond, an in- 

 ternal student, of the East London College, for a thesis 

 i entitled " A Comparative Study of Tumour and Normal 

 ; Tissue Growth." D.Sc. in Experimental Psychology : 

 Miss I. B. Saxby, an internal student of University 

 College, for a thesis entitled " Some Conditions affect- 

 ing the Growth and Permanence of Desires." 



Dr. H. Wildon Carr has been appointed by the 

 Senate professor of philosophy at King's College. 



Some years ago. Lord Haldane, the pro- 

 tagonist of the university movement, pictured the 

 United Kingdom as partitioned into provinces, 

 in each of which the various grades of primary 

 j and secondary schools, technical schools, and col- 

 i leges are to be held together and co-ordinated by a 

 ! university. His scheme has been derided by some as 

 I an "educational heptarchy," but, provided the several 

 [ kingdoms are united states, admitting the overlordship 

 : of the Minister of Education, their limited autonomy 

 ! will be the surest guarantee of efficiency in administra- 

 tion. The jealousies of technical institutes and muni- 

 { cipal colleges, one of another, and all of the university 

 I college, if there be one, would subside in patriotism 

 I to the university — i.e. to the province. The North, 

 the Midlands, and the West of England are already 

 I portioned out; the needs of the South have yet to be 



