vegetables such as cabbage, 
NoveMBER 6, 1913] 
Vor. x. of ‘Contributions from the Jefferson 
Physical. Laboratory of Harvard University"’ consists 
of reprints of eleven papers on physical subjects which 
appeared during 1912 in the Proceedings of the 
American Academy, The Philosophical Magazine, The 
Astrophysical Journal, and our own columns. The 
researches described have been aided by the Rumford 
fund of the American Academy, the Bache fund of 
the National Academy, and the Thomas Jefferson 
Coolidge fund of the University. More than half the 
volume is occupied by the researches of Dr. P. W. 
Bridgman on the thermodynamic properties of liquids 
at high pressures. To this work, which takes its 
place as one of the classics in this field, we have 
directed our readers’ attention, as it has been pub- 
lished. Other important papers are those by Profs. 
Pierce and Evans showing that carborundum crystals 
possess electrostatic capacity owing to the alternation 
of insulating and conducting strata within them, by 
Profs. Kennelly and Pierce, showing how the motion 
of the diaphragms of telephone receivers affect the 
impedances of the instruments, and by Prof. Peirce 
on the maximum magnetisation in iron, to which we 
referred in our issue for July 24. From this list 
of first-class work it will be seen that Harvard 1s not 
one of those universities which overlooks its duty of 
increasing knowledge in its anxiety to impart know- 
ledge and test it by examination. 
THE enzymic activity of the sap of a number of 
onions, ginger, and 
radishes has been investigated by T. Tadokoro, and 
the results published in a contribution to the Journal 
of the College of Agriculture, Tohoku University, 
vol. v., part 2. The capacity of the sap to induce 
certain enzymic changes appears to vary widely with 
the plant, peptolytic action being more pronounced in 
the case of onions and ginger than in the other six 
plants studied. Diastase was detected in every case 
with the exception of onions, and urease was present 
in ginger and yam-roots, although not to any great 
extent. Catalase and. oxydase action was obtained 
with each sap, but the power to hydrolyse amygdalin 
and salicin was confined to that of the yam and 
cabbages. 
At a meeting of the Institute of Chemistry on 
October 29, the first of two lectures was delivered by 
Mr. W. P. Dreaper on the research chemist in the 
works, with special reference to the textile industry. 
The total gross value in 1907 of the textile materials 
and fabrics manufactured in the United Kingdom 
amounted to 333,000,000l., and 1,253,000 persons were 
employed in their manipulation. On a basis of one 
chemist for every 2000 persons employed, no fewer 
than 600 chemists should be utilised in this industry 
alone, each of whom would deal with an annual 
gross output valued at more than 500,0001. One large 
aniline dye combine on the Continent already employs 
7oo chemists. The lecturer insisted that the indus- 
trial chemist who remains in his laboratory is lost. 
Knowledge of chemistry alone is an insufficient equip- 
ment; modern research requires a knowledge of 
NATURE 301 
textile chemist was considered in detail, and specially 
illustrated by reference to the developments in mer- 
cerising and schreinering. The chemist working 
under industrial conditions at once realises the success 
achieved by the ‘rule-of-thumb’ man in the past; 
by systematically studying his methods and seeking 
to discover points he has not fully realised the chemist 
may often be able to improve upon them. The nature 
of the methods and machinery used for producing 
artificial fibres, and more recently artificial fabrics 
were reviewed. In conclusion the lecturer dealt with 
the influence of theory and the chemist’s work on 
actual industrial operations. 
Messrs. A. GALLENKAMP_AND Co.’s new catalogue 
(section 1, part iii.), recently issued, deals mainly 
with the requirements of engineering chemistry. 
Fuel calorimeters of all descriptions are dealt with 
very fully, a special feature being a full description 
of the method of using each of the better known 
types of instrument. Gas calorimeters are also well 
represented, including two self-recording types. Five 
types of CO, recorders are illustrated, including all 
the instruments in common use, and this is supple- 
mented by apparatus for draught measurement and 
flue gas analysis. The section dealing with oil test- 
ing includes viscosimeters, both the flow and friction 
types, flash-point and distillation apparatus. Appa- 
ratus for iron and steel analysis includes an electric 
tube furnace, apparatus for the determination of 
carbon by the wet combustion process, and for the 
estimation of arsenic, phosphorus, and sulphur. The 
last quarter of the catalogue is devoted to pyrometers; 
this includes instruments of every type. The prin- 
ciples utilised in the various instruments and their 
mode of use are briefly but accurately summarised. 
WE learn from The Builder for October 31 that the 
Liverpool Corporation has held recently a competition 
for a sanatorium of phthisis patients. This is one of 
the first municipal sanatoriums to be tackled by the 
architectural profession, and it was extraordinary to 
note the great diversity of planning shown by the 
thirty-one sets of designs submitted. Tuberculosis 
sanatorium planning is as yet in its infancy, and this 
fact accounts for these differences in treatment. It 
is probable that we shall not arrive at anything like 
a standard type until several have been built and their 
actual working arrangements tested. The first pre- 
mium was awarded to Messrs. T. R. and V. Hooper, 
of Redhill. In their design, nearly all the blocks are 
isolated, with the exception of the actual wards; these 
are combined into one long wing. The children’s 
wards are separate, and comprise practically a small 
self-contained sanatorium; this block is particularly 
good, and forms a one-storey bungalow. There is a 
good deal to be said in favour of aiming at a cheerful 
collegiate-like character in such a building, rather 
than going on the lines of the regular and somewhat 
dreary infirmary type, and this is perhaps the best 
feature in favour of Messrs. Hooper’s design. 
THREE new volumes in Messrs. T. C. and E. C. 
Jack’s compact little series, ‘The People’s Books,” 
physics and the power to apply it. The work of the j have recently reached us; and they merit a word or 
NO. 2297, VOL. 92] 
