674 
SOLIDIFICATION “OF METALS. 
ee first Report to the Beilby Prize Committee of 
the Institute of Metals on ‘‘ The Solidification of 
Metals from the Liquid State,” by Dr. C. H. Desch, 
is published in the current number of the Journal of 
the Institute. It consists of a very interesting and 
comprehensive review of the literature bearing on the 
subject, in conformity with the first part of the scheme 
of Dr. Beilby, which included both the preparation 
of a summary of the existing knowledge on the sub- 
ject of the solidification of metals and an experimental 
investigation of certain parts of the subject. The 
report deals first with the cellular structure of metals, 
and it is shown that more than one _ apparently 
cellular structure may be detected in metals under 
suitable conditions. The crystallisation of metals is 
next approached, and the formation of crystallites or 
crystal skeletons. Attention is very rightly directed 
to the few opportunities which occur for the gonio- 
metrical and physical study of isolated crystals of 
metals. For there can be no doubt that much valu- 
able information would be obtained from such an 
investigation, which would also be of particular value 
as throwing light on the phenomenon of hardness. 
In a solidifying metal crystallites start at numerous 
independent centres, and each grows as a crystal 
until interfered with by its neighbours, which inter- 
ference gives rise to the so-called ‘‘allotriomorphic ”’ 
formations of irregularly bounded crystals. 
The foam-structure theory of Quincke is next dealt 
with, and shown to be carried much too far in its 
application to metals; for the theory affords no ex- 
planation of the absolutely firmly established geo- 
metrical properties of crystals. Cellular structures in 
cooling liquids are next described, and then comes a 
most interesting section on liquid crystals, in which it 
is pleasant to see that Dr. Desch gives full credit to 
the marvellously detailed work of Lehmann, who has 
now established it beyond doubt that there are sub- 
stances, usually organic, which unite the properties 
of a crystal and a liquid, and that a definite arrange- 
ment of the molecules may persist in the liquid state. 
The influence of surface tension is then discussed, 
and the existence of a metastable limit in the case 
of undercooling, together with the phenomenon of 
change of volume on solidification. Finally, the 
possibility of a thrust being exerted by growing crys- 
tals is debated from the evidence available, and the 
fact pointed out that there is yet no clear evidence 
of any effect which cannot be attributed to change 
of volume during change of state. The net result of 
the report is to indicate the immense field open for 
investigation, and one which has bearings, not only 
on pure science, but on industrial problems of the 
greatest importance and magnitude. 
THR AUSTRALIAN MEETING OF THE 
BRITISH “ASSOCIATION. 
INAUGURAL ADDRESS BY PRoF.. WILLIAM BaTESON, 
M.A., .F.R.S., PRESIDENT. 
Part I1.—Sypney. 
At Melbourne I spoke of the new knowledge of the 
properties of living things which Mendelian analysis 
has brought us. I indicated how these discoveries are 
affecting our outlook on that old problem of natural 
history, the origin and nature of species, and the 
chief conclusion I drew was the negative one, that, 
though we must hold to our faith in the evolution of 
species, there is little evidence as to how it has come 
about, and no clear proof that the process is con- 
tinuing in any considerable degree at the present 
NO! 2330, WOn..03)| 
NATURE 
[AuGUST 27, 1914 
time. The thought uppermost in our minds is that 
knowledge of the nature of life is altogether too 
slender to warrant speculation on these fundamental 
subjects. Did we presume to offer such speculations 
they would have no more value than those which 
alchemists might have made as to the nature of the 
elements. But though in regard to these theoretical 
aspects we must confess to such deep ignorance, 
enough has been learnt of the general course of 
heredity within a single species to justify many prac- 
tical conclusions which cannot in the main be shaken. 
I propose now to develop some of these conclusions 
in regard to our own species, Man. 
-In my former Address I mentioned the condition 
of certain animals and plants which are what we call 
‘*polymorphic.’? Their populations consist of in- 
dividuals of many types, though they breed freely 
together with perfect fertility. In cases of this kind 
which have been sufficiently investigated it has been 
found that these distinctions—sometimes very great 
and affecting most diverse features of organisation— 
are due to the presence or absence of elements, or 
factors as we call them, which are treated in heredity 
as separate entities. These factors and their com- 
binations produce the characteristics which we per- 
ceive. No individual can acquire a particular charac- 
teristic unless the requisite factors entered into the 
composition of that individual at fertilisation, being 
received either from the father or from the mother 
or from both, and consequently no individual can pass 
on to his offspring positive characters which he does 
not himself possess. Rules of this kind have already 
been traced in operation in the human species; and 
though I admit that an assumption of some magni- 
tude is involved when we extend the application of 
the same system to human characteristics in general, 
yet the assumption is one which I believe we are 
fully justified in making. With little hesitation we 
can now declare that the potentialities and aptitudes, 
physical as well as mental, sex, colours, powers of 
work or invention, [iability to diseases, possible dura- 
tion of life, and the other features by which the 
members of a mixed population differ from each 
other, are determined from the moment of fertilisa- 
tion; and by all that we know of heredity in the 
forms of life with which we can experiment we are 
compelled to believe that these qualities are in the 
main distributed on a factorial system. By changes 
in the outward conditions of life the expression of 
some of these powers and features may be excited or 
restrained. For the development of some an external 
opportunity is needed, and if that be withheld the 
character is never seen, any more than if the body 
be starved can the full height be attained; but such 
influences are superficial and do not alter the genetic 
constitution. 
The factors which the individual receives from his 
parents and no others are those which he can trans- 
mit to his offspring; and if a factor was received from 
one parent only, not more than half the offspring, 
on an average, will inherit it. What is it that has 
so long prevented mankind from discovering such 
simple facts? Primarily the circumstance that as 
man must have two parents it is not possible quite 
easily to detect the contributions of each. The in- 
dividual body is a double structure, whereas the germ- 
cells are single. Two germ-cells unite to produce 
each individual body, and the ingredients they respec- 
tively contribute interact in ways that leave the 
ultimate product a medley in which it is difficult to 
identify the several ingredients. When, however, 
their effects are conspicuous the task is by no means 
impossible. In part also even physiologists have been 
blinded by the survival of ancient and obscurantist 
