440 
NATURE 
[FEBRUARY I; I917 
sound. (3) Conseil Central des Observatoires. 15,000 
trancs to the Observatory of Paris for the improve- 
ment of astronomical instruments applied to the deter- 
mination of time. 1500 francs to the Observatory of 
Marseilles for ensuring the publication of the Journal 
des' Observateuts.. (4) Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire 
d’Alfort. ooo francs to this school for the purchase 
of an apparatus for kinematographic registration and 
projection; this will be of great service in the study 
and demonstration of various movements in the normal 
or pathological state. (5) Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire 
de Lyon. 850 francs: to Charles Porcher for the pur- 
chase of instruments to be used in his researches on milk. 
800 francs to Francois Maignon for the purchase of a 
balance and a small hydraulic press, to be used in his 
researches on nutrition. (6) Ecole Nationale Vétérin- 
aire de Toulouse. 5000 francs to this school for a 
radiological installation to be used in the diagnosis of 
diseases of animals. 
II. EstastisHMENTS NOMINATED TO THE COMMITTEE 
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE AcADEMy.—(1) Conservatoire 
des Arts et Métiers. 4000 francs to Louis Blaringhem 
for the creation of a typical collection for the deter- 
mination and classification of the woods used in the 
aeronautic industry. 5000 francs conditionally to 
James Dantzer for the creation of a laboratory for the 
testing of textiles, fibres, and tissues under the express 
condition that the Union des Syndicats Patronaux de 
l’Industrie Textile contributes the same amount. (2) 
Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines. 10,000 francs 
to this school for completing the laboratory installa- 
tion, especially as regards motive power. (3) Institut 
Catholique de Paris. 2000 francs to Henri Colin for 
the purchase of apparatus not usually found in botan- 
ical laboratories, to be used in his researches on the 
conditions of destruction of various bacilli. 2000 francs 
to Jules Hamonet for purchasing apparatus for deter- 
mining the physical constants, particularly refractive 
indices, of the new substances he has discovered in the 
glycol group. 
III. Various Direct ReoQursts FOR GRANTS.— 
10,000 francs to Jules Garcon for the preparation of 
a bibliography of bibliographers, a part to be used in 
making an inventory of the scientific periodicals con- 
tained in the libraries of Paris. 3000 francs to Guil- 
laume Bigourdan for the construction of an angle com- 
parator for measuring the variation which the angular 
distance of two stars may show in a short interval of 
time: 3000 francs to Henri Bourget for his researches 
on astronomical photometry. 2000 frances to A. Col- 
son for continuing his researches on solutions. 7000 
francs to Augustin Mesnager for improving the equip- 
ment of the laboratory for testing materials under his 
direction at the Ecole des Ponts et Chaussées. 2000 
franes to Jules Glover for continuing his researches 
on telephony. ooo francs to Louis Jobin to complete 
the publication of his studies relating to the material 
collected’ in the second Antarctic voyage of Jean Char- 
cot. “5000 francs to the Société de Documentation 
Paléontologique. 2000 francs to J. M. R. Surcouf for 
assisting the publication of his work on horse-flies. 
The total amount in grants is 115,200 francs. 
THE U.S. NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL. 
HE December, 1916, issue of the Proceedings of 
the U.S. National Academy of Sciences contains 
reports of meetings of the council on November 13 and 
14 last, and of the meetings of the Executive Com- 
mittee of the council held during October and Novem- 
ber. At these meetings several committees were ap- 
pointed to. deal with specific questions. Among these 
may be mentioned that to confer with representatives 
of the National Canners’ Association in the conduct 
NO. 2466, voL. 98] 
of investigations on toxic elements in canned foods; 
that to co-operate with the Govergment Committee, on_ 
Ocean Surveys and Ice Patrol; that on the utilisation: 
of industrial research facilities for the national des 
fence; that to consider the organisation of research. 
in anthropological and sociological sciences; and 
general committees (in addition to that on chemistry 
previously established) on mathematics, astronomy, 
physics, geology and paleontology, geography, botany, 
zoology and animal morphology, physiology, medicine, 
hygiene, agriculture, psychology, and anthropology. 
At the meetings of the council in November several 
members gave addresses, one of which, on scientific 
research for national defence as illustrated by the 
problems of aeronautics, was by Lieut.-Col. G. O. 
Squier, and of this we print an abstract from the 
Proceedings of the National Academy. ae 
Scientiric RESEARCH FOR NATIONAL DEFENCE AS ILLUS- 
TRATED BY THE PROBLEMS OF AERONAUTICS. 
The following are some present problems connected 
with the development of military aviation and aero- 
station, 
1. Aerodynamics.—(a) Continue the development of 
the mathematical theory to explain the aerodynamic 
phenomena recorded in the aerodynamical laboratories, 
and to forecast further results. 
(b) Obtain solutions for the speed and direction of 
flow of air about geometric and aerotechnic forms and 
develop experimental means to visualise or map the 
speed and direction of flow. ; 
(c) Map the currents of the upper atmosphere which 
may be of most use in aerial navigation, and evolve 
simple practical rules for the guidance of pilots. ‘ 
(d) Give fuller explanation of the phenomena of 
soaring, i.e. airplaning indefinitely without motive 
power. 
(e) Develop equations and laws of comparison by 
which the behaviour of large aircraft may be more 
accurately foretold from tests of models. Apply. fur- 
ther the principle of dynamical similarity. iJ 
(f) Investigate more direct and effective methods -of 
securing a lift or thrust in the air from the consump- 
tion of fuel. ed 
(g) Complete theory of the air-screw. ‘Rtgs 
2. Engine Problems Requiring Research.—(a) Fuel. 
Possibly the most far-reaching problem jis fuel. A’ 
fuel that will carry more power into an engine per 
unit volume will be a direct gain. + ee 
Attempts have been made to combine alcohol, gaso- 
lene, acetylene, picric acid, ether, and other hydro- 
carbons with the above object in view. Questionable 
results have followed. There has been an increase of 
EA but nothing so far commercially or practically 
useful. ay 
This question must be’ studied with the greatest of 
care and from a truly research point of view. ~ 
(b) Solid fuel. Solid’ fuels that can be converted 
into liquid in small quantities just prior to use are 
desirable for military aviation. In case of accident 
from shot or shock, leakage of liquid fuel is a danger. 
Solid fuel could be carried in quantity with less danger. 
(c) Engine’ cooling. The problem of radiation is 
important. If some substance could be found that 
would circulate through the cooling system, at higher 
temperatures than water, it is probable that greater 
engine efficiencies would result. Oils, salt waters, 
and other materials have been tried with indifferent 
success. 
_ (a) Liquid-fuel pipes. Tubing thait will resist vibra- 
tion (causing rupture) is desired. An oil and gasolene 
proof rubber tubing is reported as used in Europe. 
This development is highly important, not only for 
tubing, but for containers in which to carry liquid 
fuel. Some sort of fabric and rubber tank that would 
a 
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