34 REPORT — 1875. 



suggesting to the consideration of the Association whether it would not be 

 fairly within the scope of its action to undertake the hire of one of these 

 tables. ] t must be remembered that in this country the University of Cam- 

 bridge is the only body which is in direct relation with the Station. That 

 University occupies two tables, which it has placed, and naturally will continue 

 to place, at the disposal of its o^rn alumni. Hence any British naturalist not 

 belonging to the University of Cambridge, and not able to bear of himself the 

 expense of a taKe, cannot enjoy the opportunities offered by the Station. 

 An equivalent to a grant of .£75 per annum would remove the great dis- 

 advantage ; and we venture to suggest the funds of the Association could not 

 be more profitably sferii as far as biological research is concerned. 



Re2)orf of a Committee, consisting o/E. C. C. Stanford^ James Dewar^ 

 Alfred E. Fletcher, awcf Alfred H. Allen {Secretary) , appointed 

 to inquire into the Methods employed in the estimation of Potash and 

 Phosphoric Acid in Commercial Products and on the mode of stating 

 the results. Drawn up by Alfred H. Allen. 



The Committee was of opinion that the objects for which it was appointed 

 would be best attained by ascertaining as fully as possible the details of the 

 methods of examining phosphates and potash salts in general use, and 

 learning the opinions of the chemists employing them as to their special 

 advantages and limits of error, at the same time collecting information on 

 other closely related matters. 



With the view of carrying out these intentions to the fullest possible 

 extent, the Committee issued a circular letter setting forth its aims and 

 objects, and sent it to every member of the Chemical Society, to all gentlemen 

 known to be interested in the subject, and to such chemists as your Com- 

 mittee learnt would be likely to aflbrd assistance. 



The following is the letter referred to : — 



" No. 1 Surrey Street, 

 Sheffield. 



May 10, 1875. 



" Sir, — At the last Meeting of the British Association, a Committee, con- 

 sisting of Messrs. J. Dewar, A. Fletcher, E. C. Stanford, and myself as 

 Secretary, was appointed, 'for the purpose of examining and reporting upon 

 the Methods employed in the estimation of Potash and Phosphoric Acid in 

 commercial j^roducts, and on the mode of stating the results.' 



" The Committee proposes to ascertain, by inquiry, what methods are in 

 general use, and to learn the opinions of the Chemists employing them as to 

 their special advantages and limits of error, and also to collect information 

 on other closely related matters. 



'• The Committee hopes to be enabled to recommend one or two accurate and 

 practical processes for the estimation of Phosphoric Acid and Potash in 

 commercial products which would meet with very general adoption by 

 Chemists, and would be welcomed by both buyers and sellers as a perfectly 

 neutral standard of reference. Such a plan, we believe, would do much to 

 secure uniformity in such estimations and in the methods of stating the results. 



" If you have experience in this description of analysis, you will much aid 



