892 
tory for pathological chemistry recently 
opened at the New York Post-Graduate Med- 
ical School and Hospital. 
Proressor WILLIAM E. Brooke, of the Col- 
lege of Engineering, University of Minne- 
sota, has been appointed to fill the vacancy 
caused by the retirement of Dr. H. T. Eddy, 
the head of the department of mathematics 
and mechanics. Dr. William F. Holman 
takes the place made vacant by the retirement 
of Dr. Arthur E. Haynes, from the depart- 
ment of mathematics. 
TuHroop Ponytecunic Instirute, of Pasa- 
dena, California, is materially enlarging its 
department of chemistry with a view to keep- 
ing in touch with the industrial development 
of southern California, especially in connec- 
tion with the oil industry. Dr. Richard 
Sidney Curtiss, Ph.B. (Yale, ’88), Ph.D. 
(Wiirzburg, 792), now professor of organic 
chemistry at the University of Illinois, has 
been appointed professor of organic chemistry 
and research associate. Charles Andrew 
Brautlecht, Ph.B. (Yale, 06), now doing grad- 
uate work at Yale, has been appointed instruc- 
tor in chemistry and physics. William Ruth- 
ven Flint, A.B. (Yale, 98), Ph.D. (Yale, ’09), 
continues in the department as professor of 
inorganic and analytical chemistry. 
Owrne to the rapidly growing interest in 
the science of chemistry and the recognition 
of its importance in the development of the 
state resources, the president and regents of 
the University of California have provided 
for the enlargement and reorganization of the 
department of chemistry. In addition to the 
present staff, the following appointments have 
been made: Professor Gilbert N. Lewis, of the 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, pro- 
fessor of chemistry and chairman of the de- 
partment; Professor William ©. Bray, of the 
same institution, and Professor Richard OC. 
Tolman, of the University of Cincinnati, as- 
sistant professors of chemistry. Several addi- 
tional instructorships and assistantships have 
also been created. Owing to the absence of 
Professor Morgan, the course in elementary 
chemistry will be in charge of Professor Harry 
W. Morse, who has received for this purpose 
SCIENCE 
[N.S. Vou. XXXV. No. 910 
leave of absence for one year from Harvard 
University. Professor Edmond O’Neill has 
been appointed director of the chemical lab- 
oratory. Owing to the crowded condition of 
the present laboratory, a new building on the 
site provided in the Hearst plans will soon be 
begun. In the mean time, a temporary build- 
ing is being constructed, and will contain a 
laboratory of physical chemistry, several 
offices and research laboratories and shops for 
mechanician and glass blower. Much attention 
will be given to the development of advanced 
study and research. A considerable number 
of men, several of whom come from other in- 
stitutions, will enter next term as candidates 
for the doctorate. Advanced seminars will be 
offered in organic, inorganic and physical 
chemistry. 
DISCUSSION AND CORRESPONDENCE 
THE HEATING IN THE CULEBRA CUT 
To THE Epitor oF Science: Mr. MacDon- 
ald’s interesting article on the heatings in 
Culebra Cut, in your issue of May 3, No. 905, 
is paralleled by the spontaneous combustion 
of bituminous coals, and even of the anthra- 
cite culm banks, owing to the oxidization of 
pyrite. It is a common occurrence, and is the 
cause of endless trouble in preserving museum 
specimens of pyrite in fine dissemination dur- 
ing damp weather. 
In the case at issue the iron content pro- 
ceeded from the ferro-magnesian silicates, as 
Mr. MacDonald has stated; but from ordinary 
surface oxidation, as is always the case in 
regions containing the black bisilicates, and 
as shown by the rustiness of springs and 
streams. The sulphur content is also gen- 
erally present in lagoons as more or less dilute 
sulphuric acid. The presence of carbonaceous 
material points to a lagoon formation at 
Culebra Cut. 
The function of iron is to be a carrier of 
oxygen from the air to the precipitated organic 
débris, changing from hydrated sesquioxide to 
protoxide: picked up by the above acid: again 
breaking up as hydrated sesquioxide, and con- 
tinuing its endless rounds unless it happens 
to be included and imprisoned under a mass 
