TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 455 
The following Papers and Reports were then read :— 
1. Molecular Rearrangements in the Camphor Series. 
By Professor Wiuu1am A. Noyss, Ph.D. 
A study of some of the molecular rearrangements in the camphor series 
has been undertaken, in the hope that some additional light may be thrown 
on the mechanism of chemical reactions. It was pointed out that in the 
formation of cymene and of acetoorthoxylene from camphor the carbon 
atoms separate in a position with reference to the carbonyl group similar 
to that in the decomposition of acetoacetic ester. The formation of laurolene 
from aminolauronic acid was also discussed in the light of the structure 
as recently established by the author and Mr. Dirsch. 
2. Combustion. By Professor W. A. Bons, D.Sc., F.R.S. 
8. The Atomic Weight of Iridium. The Analysis of Potassium 
Chloroiridate. By EK. H. Arcurparp. 
Potassium chloroiridate has been prepared from two sources: (1) from 
150 gms. of osmo-iridium ore obtained from Messrs. Baker & Co., of 
Newark, N.J.; (2) from metallic iridium obtained from Dr. Heraeus, of 
Hanau. 
The potassium chloroiridate was analysed by weighing the dry salt, 
reducing it in hydrogen and estimating the hydrochloric acid formed, the 
potassium chloride and the metallic iridium set free. The results show a 
value of 192.90 for the atomic weight of iridium. 
4, The Electrical Conductivity of Solutions of Iodine and of Platinum 
Tetraiodide in Ethyl Alcohol. By E. H. Arcurpaup and W. A. 
PatRIcK. 
When solutions of iodine in ethyl alcohol were examined as to their 
power of conducting the electric current, it was found that the conductivity 
increased rapidly with the time. This change appeared to be due to the 
progress of a reaction, the speed of which was greatly accelerated, at low 
temperatures, by the platinum black of the electrodes. At 25° the conduc- 
tivity reaches a maximum in about 25 hours. The reaction goes on 
extremely slowly if platinum black is not present. As a result of this 
reaction the colour of the solution becomes lighter. The initial conductivity 
of the iodine-alcohol solution was very small. No evidence could be found 
of the formation of an addition compound between the iodine and alcohol 
at as low a temperature as - 80°. 
Platinum tetraiodide forms good conducting solutions with alcohol. The 
molecular conductivity soon reaches a constant value. 
5. Anti-putrescent Effects of Copper Salts. By Dr. ALFRED SPRINGER. 
The peculiar behaviour of a Cincinnati certified milk in not becoming 
putrescent aroused the suspicion that it contained some antiseptic. The 
members of the Milk Commission insisted that they had not been lax in 
their supervision, that frequent and unannounced visits had been made to 
the dairy, and that all conditions surrounding the place, the cattle, the 
methods employed were in every sense exemplary; moreover, that the milk 
