Marcu 24, 1923] 































to its members. Lectures are arranged at one or 
more centres to which only the members of the 
Association itseli are admitted. Two objects are 
served in this manner: first, early confidential 
communication of the results of the research is 
assured to those who have given it financial support ; 
and secondly, the investigator gets into close and 
immediate contact with that section of the industry 
chiefly interested in his work. This private lecture 
system has so far been applied to two subjects. Dr. 
W. Rosenhain has reported on the investigation on 
copper, and the influence upon its properties of small 
quantities of impurities, which is being carried out 
or the Association by Dr. D. Hanson and others at 
he National Physical Laboratory ; and Mr. E. A, 
Bolton has described work on the cause and preven- 
tion of red stains on brass, which he is carrying out 
at the University of Birmingham. 
THE Staff Association of the British Museum 
(Natural History) held, on March 8 in the Museum 
Board Room, a scientific reunion which was attended 
by about seventy members and visitors. Round the 
oom were arranged a large number of interesting 
objects. Among the geological exhibits may be 
Specially mentioned the portions of the fossilised 
skeleton of Baluchitherium, a gigantic perissodactyl 
gulate from Baluchistan, recently described by Mr. 
Foster-Cooper. This species is closely related to the 
hinoceros, and is the largest land mammal at present 
mnown. An exhibit of the fauna of submarine cables 
attracted much attention, particularly the portion 
of a cable, brought up from a depth of 750 fathoms, 
showing a shark’s tooth broken off in the wire sheath, 
A series of mounted specimens of animals acquired 
by the aid of the Rowland Ward bequest were shown. 
The flattened crystal of diamond and the well-formed 
by crystal, both formerly in the John Ruskin 
collection, were on view. It being the intention of 
the Trustees to adapt a bay in the Central Hall for 
he purpose of displaying the South African elephant 
n its natural surroundings, Capt. Guy Dollman had 
prepared a model on a one-eighth scale to demon- 
‘strate the effect ; artistically designed and executed 
and efficiently lighted, this model was exhibited, and 
Proved very popular. Messrs. C. Baker demonstrated 
heir most recent microscopes and accessories. 
An International Air Congress will be held in 
London on June 25-30 this year under the presidency 
of the Duke of York, when opportunities will be 
provided for the reading and discussion of Papers 
on every aspect of air matters. The Congress will 
controllability, structural methods, materials, and 
alighting gear. Group B is subdivided into sections 
on fuels and lubricants, motive - power plant, air- 
screws. Group C will discuss air transport and 
navigation problems, and in Group D airship design 
and construction will be discussed. Further parti- 
culars can be obtained from Lt.-Col. W. Lockwood 
Marsh, General Secretary, International Air Congress, 
NO. 2786, voL. 111] 
NATURE 
407 
London, 1923, c/o The Royal Aeronautical Society, 
7 Albemarle Street, London, W.1, England. 
UNDER the title of ‘“ The Claim of Antiquity,” 
the Councils of the Societies for the Promotion of 
Hellenic and Roman Studies and of the Classical 
Association have issued an interesting bibliography 
of books for those who know neither Latin nor Greek. 
It provides a list of the best books, originals or 
translations, dealing with the general subject of 
classical literature; the most important authors ; 
philosophy and _ religion; history; geography ; 
science ; art and archeology ; and social life, giving 
the prices of each publication. The volumes pub- 
lished in the excellent Loeb Library have done much 
to spread the knowledge of classical literature among 
those who are ignorant of or have forgotten their 
classical learning, and the present publication, 
compiled by experts, will do much to advance the 
objects which these classical societies have in view. 
It will furnish an acceptable addition to all school 
libraries. 
THE Secretary for Mines invites applications for a 
research post under the Safety in Mines Research 
Board. Candidates must possess high general 
scientific qualifications and experience in engineering, 
with, if possible, a knowledge of coal mining. The 
person appointed will be required to advise on 
questions of research on the safety problems of 
coal mining, to prepare programmes of research, and 
to organise and superintend research work. Applica- 
tions for the position must reach the Under-Secretary 
for Mines, Mines Department, Dean Stanley Street, 
S.W.1, by, at latest, April 30. 
TuE tricentenary of the birth of Blaise Pascal 
occurs on June 19, and preparations have been made 
for celebrations in France on July 8-9. The President 
of the French Republic will attend the meetings, 
the chief of which will be a commemoration gathering, 
to be addressed by the Minister for Public Instruction 
and other members of the French Academy. There 
will also be a meeting at the summit of the Puy de 
Déme, when a member of the Academy of Sciences 
will speak on the famous experiment carried out 
there, at Pascal’s suggestion, of observing the baro- 
metric height at the summit and comparing it with 
that at the base of the mountain, A difference of 
three inches in the height of the mercury column 
was observed, giving Pascal justification for his 
conclusion that the column of mercury in the 
barometer is supported by the pressure of the 
atmosphere. 
_ At the annual general meeting of the Geological 
Society held on February 16, the following officers 
and members of council were elected :—Pyesident « 
Prof. A. C. Seward. Véice-Presidents: Dr. Jen Wi 
Evans, Mr. R. D. Oldham, Dr. H. H. Thomas, and 
Prof. W. W. Watts. Secretaries - Mr. W. C. Smith 
and Mr. J. A. Douglas. Foreign Secretary: Sir 
Archibald Geikie. Tveasuvey: Mr. R. S. Herries. 
Other members of council: Dr. C. W. Andrews, 
Mr. F. N. Ashcroft, Prof. P. G. H. Boswell, Prof. 
W. S. Boulton, Dr. Gertrude L. Elles, Dr. J. S. Flett, 
