










_ 
Fee UARY 3, 1923] a 


group differences are possibly larger; and there is 
me Bvidence to show 5 differences of ering 
temperamental type may be associa with raci 
differences (e.g. the occa * objective ” Aa 
with Nordic physical features and the so-called 
_“ subjective ’’ type with Mediterranean). 
Mr. Fallaize pointed to the persistence of certain 
‘mental qualities in different races noted by the older 
travellers and historians. 
___ Dr. Shrubsall said that he had observed that the 
children of Chinese fathers and English mothers in 
on schools, brought up in much the same environ- 
_ ment as English children, were intellectually as quick 
« 
‘THE Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific 
and Industrial Research has issued its seventh 
annual report, with that of its Advisory Council, 
covering the year 1921~1922. The first few pages deal 
with the income and expenditure of the Department 
of Scientific and Industrial Research, and with its 
efforts to observe the spirit of national economy. It 
is ing to record that the Geddes Committee 





























ational Expenditure has not found it necessary 
ient to recommend any reduction in the 
tes beyond that proposed by the Department 
. The total expenditure during the financial 
fear 1921-1922 was nearly 525,585/., made up of 
90,024/. at the National Physical Laboratory (nearly 
100,000/. being recovered in fees, etc.), 46,616/. at 
the Fuel Research Station, 57,423/. for the Geological 
Survey and Museum, 10,323/. at the Building Research 
Station, 17,750/. at the Low Temperature Research 
tion, 21,464/. on the work of the Co-ordinating 
Boards and Committees, 5988/. on minor research 
ogrammes, 86,355/. (from the million fund) in grants 
e Research Associations, 8287/. in grants to other 
odies, 43,793/. in research studentships, and 37,561/. 
on administration at headquarters. 
By far the major portion of the report, however, 
Is with the plans and achievements of the various 
esearch organisations associated with the depart- 
mt. Considerable interest will be awakened in 
twenty-four industrial research associations, 
y-two of which are already in active operation. 
w of these associations have now been in existence 
enough to have produced results of practical 
, examples of which are given. Thus, the 
tish Portland Cement Research Association has 
n able to effect considerable economies in fuel 
m many works through the results of its researches 
nm kilns and advice on scientific management. 
Phe British Scientific Instrument Research Association 
las introduced a new polishing powder and an 
we for the production of lenses and prisms, by 
neans of which grading and hand work are eliminated, 
nd much time issaved. The British Cotton Industry 
tesearch Association has produced an instrument for 
the orga! of yarns, continuous lengths being examined 
d of short pieces as hitherto, with the result 
hat important variations have been revealed in 
ertain yarns, which are introduced by the method 
spinning. Finally, the Linen Industry Research 
Association has develo a 
seed which gives muc 
ny existing variety, and has discovered methods 
reby flax and hemp may be distinguished at all 
es of manufacture. It is obvious that these are 
of the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and 
; Research for the Year 1921-22. (Cmd. 1735.) Pp. iv +123. 
on: H.M. Stationery Office, 1922.) 35. net. 
NO. 2779, VOL. 111] 
Hy 
igree strain of flax 
higher yields of fibre than 
NATURE 

165 

as the latter but showed no inclination to take part 
in games. Among English children differences in 
pigmentation appeared to be associated with differ- 
ences in direction of aptitude. 
In summing up the discussion, Mr. H. J. E. Peake, 
the president of. the Anthropological Section, said 
that while no very definite conclusion had been 
reached, it was clear that the aim of investigators 
must be to eliminate the personal element, while 
psychologists should endeavour to break up mental 
characters into such simple factors as might be sub- 
jected to reaction tests, as courage had been shown to 
be the reaction to danger. 
Scientific and Industrial Research.! 
not isolated pieces of work, but rather the first-fruits 
ofva considerable harvest which has been patiently 
husbanded by the research associations, anit it is no 
secret that a mere catalogue of the further results 
which have been published in the scientific press 
since the report was written would occupy considerable 
space, 
The value of co-operation ‘between the research 
associations is emphasised again. Several instances 
are mentioned of two or more associations attacking 
a common problem, the most interesting cases being 
those in which the participants are respectively 
consumers and producers of the materials investigated. 
Mutual efforts of this kind must result in improve- 
ments in useful commodities and possibly in a lowering 
of the cost of production. 
Considerable space in the report is also devoted 
to the work of the co-ordinating research boards, 
which more directly serve national interests. Attention 
is directed to the commendable willingness of the 
Service departments to enlist the co-operation of out- 
side bodies and to arrange for the open publication of 
the results of the work undertaken when these are 
of sufficient general interest. The co-ordinating 
research boards consider an enormous variety of 
problems in physics, chemistry, and engineering, 
including radio-telegraphy, the liquefaction and 
storage of gases, the deterioration of fabrics used by 
the fighting services, adhesives, and lubrication, and 
the report mentions several of the results obtained. 
Furthermore, public interest should be aroused in 
the work of the Fuel Research Board, which has 
issued most valuable information in a number of 
publications which have already been noted in these 
columns; e.g. in NATURE of November 25, 1922, p. 
718, when the report on experiments on low tempera- 
ture carbonisation was discussed. The work of the 
Food Investigation Board is also of common interest, 
and important advances are reported in the study 
of cold storage, and the bacteriology of canned meat 
and fish. 
A useful discussion of the terms “‘ pure’’ and 
“industrial ’’ research is given, the distinction being 
mainly ‘a question of the source from which the impulse 
to the conduct of research is derived. It has been 
all too common on the part of workers engaged in 
““pure’’ research for a very few problems to be 
pursued through all inviting ramifications, with the 
result that while certain small areas may be very 
thoroughly cultivated, the worker remains un- 
impressed by the vastness of the unexplored territory 
outside his own subject. The problems facing any 
one industry are much more varied than is frequently 
imagined, and the gaps in scientific knowledge which 
they reveal are often astonishing. For example, 
the Cotton Research Association finds it necessary 
