572 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. L. No. 1303 



posed over methyl alcohol for varying periods 

 of time before immersion in oil, one can 

 always reduce, even if not totally remove, the 

 inevitable distortion due to the injection of 

 considerable quantities of preservative, and be 

 assured that the material comes out of the 

 oil unchanged. Since carbolic acid when 

 warmed, easily and thoroughly mixes with oil, 

 it can be added if desired, but so far I have 

 not observed the least disadvantage from the 

 use of unmixed oil alone. 



Material immersed in oil need drain only a 

 few minutes before it can be wrapped or 

 covered and used for dissection. The wrap- 

 ping quickly takes up the slight amount of 

 adhering oil, and by being impregnated with 

 it, greatly slows the drying out of the material. 

 Except for the slight odor of the oil, bodies 

 so stored are practically odorless, and quite 

 in contrast to those kept in watery solutions, 

 leave practically no evidence of external con- 

 tact even when handled with bare hands. 

 After being thoroughly impregnated with oil 

 the epidermis resists drying very much better, 

 and the eyelids, nose, lips, digits, ears and 

 genitalia do not require such careful pro- 

 tection during dissection. But above all else 

 the untidiness and soiling, unavoidable espe- 

 cially when vaseline is used, are wholly 

 obviated. 



Since any wooden tank can be used as a con- 

 tainer, no exjjensive equipment is required. A 

 galvanized iron lining no doubt will last in- 

 definitely, and cement tanks have not been 

 found too pervious. Exposure to cold can 

 cause no difficulty, and, if introduced acciden- 

 tally, water can be drawn off easily. The cost 

 of the oil is low, especially when its practical 

 permanence is considered, and since it is not 

 easily ignited until it reaches a temperature 

 of 80° C, underwriters have raised no ob- 

 jections to its use. Lighted matches can be 

 thrown into open tanks without causing an 

 explosion of gases or igniting the oil. Indeed 

 some heating of the latter when contained in 

 an open vessel is necessary before explosion of 

 the liberated gases occurs. Consequently, 

 ordinary care is all that is required to avoid 

 accident when in its presence. 



The particular grade of oil which I have 

 used for several years is known as mineral 

 seal oil. It has a slight yellowish tinge, and 

 a specific gravity of 0.85 at room temperature. 

 It has only a slight odor, which is wholly in- 

 offensive, and, in fact, negligible. Since it 

 can be obtained in large quantities and does 

 not need renewal, it is extremely economical, 

 and since it is almost colorless, it can be used 

 to advantage also for preserving smaller 

 specimens and even for musetun preparations. 

 It indeed seems to be an unexcelled medium 

 for the storage of anatomical material. That 

 this estimate of it is justified seems to be 

 indicated also by the experience of friends 

 who are using it. It would seem to be par- 

 ticularly advantageous when it is necessary to 

 store material for long periods of time be- 

 cause of an intermittent or insufficient supply, 

 or when, for some reason, it is desired to re- 

 peat measurements or to make volumetric 

 determinations, at a later date. 



Arthur William Myer 

 Stanford University 



THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. 

 VI 



RUBBER DIVISION 



John B. Tuttle, Chairman 

 Arnold H. Smith, Secretary 

 Report of Executive Committee. 

 Eeport of Secretary. 



Report of Fruit Jar Ring Committee. L. J. 

 Plumb, chairman. 



Report of Committee on Physical Testing. H. 

 E. Simmons, chairman. 



A new method for the determination of sulfur 

 in rubber mixtures: G. D. Keatz, A. H. Flower 

 AND Cole Coolidge. Transfer the finely divided 

 samples (0.5 gm.) to an Erlenmeyer, and add 

 10 e.c. of ZnO -|- HNOs solution (200 gms. ZnO in 

 1 liter HNO3). Then add 15 c.c. fuming HNO3, 

 whirling the flask until the sample is decomposed. 

 When solution of the rubber is complete, add 5 c.c. 

 Br-H,0 and evaporate mixture to a foamy syrup. 

 Cool flask and add a few crystals of KCIO3. Evap- 

 orate the mixture to dryness and bake at the high- 

 est temperature of a Tirrell burner until all nitro- 

 gen compounds are eliminated. When baking is 



