56 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES. 



constituent nations and colonies of the British Empire, and in this pooling 

 of natural resources organic chemistry must play an essential part. Many 

 of the natural products of the dominions and dependencies are in need of 

 systematic chemical study. 



Animal and vegetable fats have been mentioned by an investigator 

 in that field as constituting a neglected chapter of organic chemistry, 

 but the phrase is at least as applicable to many other groups of organic 

 substances, for example : the essential oils, the natural gums and resins, 

 and the numerous products ot fermentation processes. 



By catalytic reductions, involving high temperatures and pressures, 

 one obtains from the oxides of carbon many members of the homologous 

 series of alcohols, aldehydes, fatty acids and esters. Plant life accom- 

 plishes similar results under ordinary atmospheric conditions. A com- 

 parative study of these two dissimilar sets of processes is clearly 

 demanded. 



The importance of imparting to organic chemistry an increasingly 

 "biological bias has been illustrated in a convincing manner by my 

 immediate predecessor, Prof. Barger, so that anything more than a 

 passing reference to this desirable tendency is hardly required of me. 

 Perhaps, however, I should add that in stressing the need of more 

 systematic research in inorganic and mineral chemistry and in the organic 

 chemistry of vital products, I am convinced that the best results will 

 only be attained if the problems are attacked with the newest weapons 

 which the armoury of modern physics can provide. 



The primary object of such investigations is the collection of accurate 

 chemical information, but the workers in these two great fields should be 

 stimulated in everypossible way to keep a shrewd look-out for anypractical 

 applications of their scientific knowledge. When viewed from this stand- 

 point it will be realised that a State experiment in chemical research such 

 as I have described provides competent and enterprising investigators 

 with favourable opportunities for developing their inventive talent in 

 fundamental work of national value and importance. 



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