May 19, 1923] 
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NATURE 
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‘THE Italian Society for the Advancement of 
Science is not so ancient an institution as the 
British Association, but its objects are identical with 
those of its elder sister, and its methods are in many 
In its present shape it dates from 
1908, and its twelfth general session was held at 
Catania on April 5-11. This was the first occasion 
on which the Society has visited Sicily, and it was 
evidently a matter of friendly rivalry between visitors 
and hosts as to which could do most to make the 
meeting a success. Naturally the ancient ‘“ Uni- 
versita dei Studi’’ of Catania was in the forefront, 
with its picturesque and convenient Palazzo in the 
centre of the city, and its numerous laboratories and 
affiliated institutes in other quarters. Some sections, 
however, were lodged in the municipal buildings 
which overlook the University Piazza ; and the open- 
ing meeting was held in the spacious Bellini Theatre, 
only a few minutes’ walk from that square. The 
Italian Society does not share the apprehensions of 
some critics of our own Association in regard to 
multiplication of “ sections ’’: it enjoys no less than 
twenty-one of these, and includes in its scope, not 
only the physical, biological, and statistical sciences, 
but also medical, legal, philosophical, and historical 
studies. This accords with the organisation of higher 
studies in the faculties of Italian universities, and 
certainly has the effect of bringing a wider diversity 
of members together, without evident disadvan- 
tages. 
wo other points of contrast with the procedure of 
the British Association may be noticed at this point. 
The inaugural address was delivered, not by the 
president of the Society, Prof, Pietro Bonfante, but by 
an honoured guest, the Minister of the Interior, Signor 
Gentile, who was supported by representatives of the 
ministries of Public Works and Justice, the War Office, 
and by the Admiral of the local squadron representing 
the Italian Admiralty. Shorter addresses of welcome 
were given by the president, and by Dr. Alessandro 
Russo, Rector Magnificus of the University, but there 
was no specialist presidential address as with us, nor 
were such addresses given by the presidents of sections. 
The sections, being more numerous, were more specialist 
than with us, and the attendance at them smaller. 
There appeared to be no such apparatus of sectional 
committees as we have, and the sectional proceedings 
were delightfully informal, and correspondingly profit- 
able. Papers were short and gave the main points 
only, leaving details to be elicited in discussion. 
There was little display of specimens or diagrams, and 
one could have wished for more frequent illustration 
of objects and sites. 
The great variety of the sections was compensated 
also by the custom (which has been advocated from 
time to time in the British Association also) of group- 
ing sections in three large “‘ classes,’’ essentially of 
“the physical, biological, and humanist sciences, and 
devoting quite half of the programme on each 
working day to discourses of general interest, some 
The Italian Society for the Advancement of Science. 
delivered to a whole ‘‘class”’ of sections, which 
suspended their sectional meetings meanwhile, 
others to ‘‘ reunited classes,” i.e. practically to the 
Society as a whole. These more general lectures were 
admirably done, and in some instances led to animated 
discussion ; exceptionally even to adjourned debate 
and to resolutions addressed to the Society as a whole, 
or to the Government. As the general, semi-general, 
and sectional parts of the programme alternated 
between morning and afternoon on different days, 
there was ample opportunity for local members to fit 
in a fair sample of the Society’s work with their 
ordinary avocations. 
Excursions and social intercourse were not forgotten. 
The Regio Commissario gave an evening reception ; 
the Prefect of Catania gave another; there was a 
gala performance of Mascagni’s opera I/ piccolo Marat, 
conducted by the composer himself; there was a 
whole-day excursion round Etna, arranged through 
the Etnean Railway Company, and admirably organ- 
ised, both on the part of the Congressisti and on 
that of the townships on the route, which turned out 
in gala array with school children, banners, music, 
and lavish distribution of home-grown oranges. The 
Etneans will long remember this invasion of the 
sctentisti of the peninsula ; nor will the foreign guests 
forget the evident pride and confidence of the 
peasantry in the men who are doing so much to make 
that terra di lavoro the paradise which it deserves to 
become. Another day was devoted to the beautiful 
and historic Syracuse, which is easily reached from 
Catania by train. More specialist excursions to 
factories, agricultural stations, and other local estab- 
lishments were arranged for those who desired them. 
A serious exploration of Etna had to be postponed, 
owing to inclement weather, until after the meeting ; 
but even those who are not mountaineers could 
appreciate the amazing film-record of a mid-winter 
climb to the crater-rim, and the numerous papers on 
the habits and products of ‘‘ our mountain,” which, 
in spite of its occasional tantrums, is regarded with 
a queer mixture of reverence and affection by the 
Catanians, and becomes an object of daily inquiry 
and observance even to the foreign visitor. Its full 
glory, however, is not revealed at Catania: for that, 
you must go to Syracuse on such a day, cloudless and 
exquisite in form and colour, as fell to the good fortune 
of the Congress excursion. 
Italian hospitality is proverbial, and the authorities 
of the Province, of the city of Catania, and of the 
University welcomed the Congressisti with open arms. 
Visitors, and especially foreign visitors, will not easily 
forget the many acts of unsolicited attention and 
courtesy which occurred during their stay, or the 
evident friendliness with which the Italian Society for 
the Advancement of Science is regarded in the locality 
of this year’s meeting. Not the least durable token 
of this interest is the enrolment in Catania of about 
four hundred new members of the Society. 
Joun L. Myrss. 

Industrial Paints and the Health of the Worker. 
I? is unfortunate that a question as to the use or 
disuse of a paint which is, in essence, a matter 
of efficiency and industrial hygiene, should be com- 
1 Committee on Industrial Paints: Report of the Departmental Committee 
appointed to re-examine the Danger of Lead Paints to Workers in the Paint- 
ing Trades, and the Comparative Efficiency, Cost, and Effects on the Health 
of Workers, of Lead and Leadless Paints, and to advise whether any 
modifications of the conclusions and recommendations of the Departmental 
Committees appointed in 19rr have become necessary. Pp. 66, (London: 
H.M. Stationery Office, 1923.) 2s. 6d. net. 
NO. 2794, VOL. 111] 
plicated by international and labour politics and by 
trade interests. Such has, for many years, been the 
position of the white-lead question. ~ 
In Great Britain, at least, the weight of evidence 
is to the effect that for covering power and durability, 
especially in exposed positions, there is no white paint 
or paint base equal to white lead. The one serious 
drawback to the use of this and of other lead com- 
pounds which are dissolved by dilute acids is their 
