96 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. L. No. 1282 



of the ashes shows that the sample grown in lime- 

 stone contains 22.7 per cent, more P2OB; 44.0 per 

 cent, more CaO; 27.6 per cent, more MgO, and 18.8 

 per cent, less K.O than the one grown in garden 

 soil. The external appearance of these two samples' 

 was identical. 



Some experiments in adsorption phenomena : P. L. 

 Blumenthal, D. J. Healt and A. M. Peter. 

 (Presented by P. L. Blumenthal.) The adsorp- 

 tion of crystal violet by powdered phlogopite was 

 demonstrated and it was shown that the mineral 

 which had been acted upon by bacterial cultures 

 withdrew from dilute solution more of the dye than 

 did the untreated mineral, weight for weight. 



An improved astatic galvanometer: C. C. Kip- 

 linger. A new ooil for an astatic galvanometer 

 has been designed, the simplicity and effieienoy of 

 which is described. A current equivalent to 1° C. 

 temperature difference between the terminals of a 

 5 couple irou-germansilver thermopile shows a 

 swing of 8 inches on a scale 50 inches from the 

 instrument. 



A modified ehulUoscopic apparatus for accurate 

 molecular lueiglit determinations: C. C. Kiplinger. 

 A method is suggested whereby an ebullioseopic 

 apparatus may be made independent of variations 

 in atmospheric pressure. It has been shown that 

 molecular weights may be determined by this 

 method of comparison without any knowledge of 

 the constant for the given solvent, thus rendering 

 the experiment independent of previous experi- 

 mental errors involved in the determination of C. 



Notes on the viability of tobacco seed: G. C. 

 EoTJTT. Experience in Canada shows that home- 

 grown seed germinates better than seed from more 

 southern localities and a higher percentage of 

 viable seed are set during bright, warm weather 

 than when cool, cloudy weather prevails. A higher 

 percentage of germination is obtained from seeds 

 gathered when the pods are half brown than when 

 they are left until the pods are wholly brown. To- 

 bacco seed retains its viability for many years; a 

 sample eight years old having shown 95 per cent, 

 germination, and one twelve years old, 70 per 

 cent. 



The projection of water waves: N. P. Smith. 

 A simple method was described by which surface 

 waves in water could be produced and projected by 

 means of the lantern so as to illustrate important 

 characteristics of wave motion. 



The McCreary county aerolite: A. M. Miller. 

 Portions of the aerolite which recently fell in Mc- 



Creary county, Ky., were exhibited and an ac- 

 count of the occurrence was given. The body is 

 stony and nearly white, containing very little me- 

 tallic iron. Dr. Peter reported a qualitative chem- 

 ical analysis showing that the mineral is essentially 

 a magnesium silicate, probably enstatite. Metallic 

 particles amounting to less than 0.2 per cent, were 

 shown to be nickeliferous iron. Chromium, phos- 

 phorus and sulfur were detected. 



The discovery of a mica deposit in eastern Ken- 

 tucky: W. E. Jillson. The author announces the 

 discovery of a single stratigraphic unit deposit of 

 nearly pure flake mica in the Pottsville of Pike 

 county — the first in Kentucky. 



At the afternoon session Dr. E. B. Hart, of the 

 University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis., addressed 

 the academy on ' ' The widening viewpoint in ani- 

 mal nutrition." 



An illustrated discussion was given of the most 

 important results of investigations concerning nu- 

 trition which had been conducted in his laboratory 

 at the University of Wisconsin and elsewhere. A 

 brief account was given of the accumulative toxic 

 properties of wheat embryos and the corrective 

 properties of corn stover which, however, did not 

 equal the legume hays in this respect. The vita- 

 mine factor was briefly discussed as were the sub- 

 jects of roughage, protein efficiency, and the neces- 

 sity of inorganic salts. Pinally it was stated that 

 a balanced diet must contain sufficient fuel value, 

 efficient proteins, food accessories, roughages and 

 inorganic salts and be sensibly free from toxic 

 material. 



Officers were elected as follows: Dr. Paul P. 

 Boyd, president; Dr. Walter H. Coolidge, vice- 

 president; Dr. Alfred M. Peter, secretary; Mr. J. 

 S. McHargue, treasurer. 



Alfred M. Peter, 



Secretary 



SCIENCE 



A Weekly Journal devoted to the Advancement of 

 Science, publishing the official notices and pro- 

 ceedings of the American Association for 

 the Adveincement of Science 



Published every Friday by 



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LANCASTER, PA. GARRISON. N. Y. 



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