SCIENC. 
Frmay, Ocroper 4, 1918 
CONTENTS 
Economic Toxicology: Dr. GEO, P. GRAY ..... 
Organic Symbols: Dr. Inco W. D. HAckKE ... 
Frank N. Meyer: Dr. Erwin F. SMITH ..... 
Scientific Events :— 
Russian Wheat; The Suppression of Body- 
vermin; The Fur Seals of the Pribilof 
Islands; Research Grants from Trust Funds 
of the National Academy of Sciences ...... 336 
Scientific Notes and News .........-++ee000s 339 
University and Educational News ..........+ 343 
Discussion and Correspondence :— 
The Foundation of Mechanics: Pauu J. Fox. 
Nonsilverable Containers for Silvering Mir- 
rors: Dr. WILLIAM W. COBLENTZ .........+ 343 
Quotations :— 
Scientific Work tn India .....0.2.esceeeee 345 
Scientific Books :— 
Coulter’s Plant Genetics: Proressor D. F. 
JONES. 346 
The Power Situation in the United States .... 347 
Special Articles :— 
The Coefficients of Expansion of Living Tree 
Trunks: THE LATE C. C. TROWBRIDGE AND 
Mase, Wert. The Depth of Dolomitization: 
Dr. Francis M. VAN Tuyh .............. 
MSS. intended for publication and books, etc., intended for 
review should be sent to The Editor of Science, Garrison-on- 
Hudson, N. Y. 
ECONOMIC TOXICOLOGY 
CauirorNiA annually spends more than a 
million dollars in the control of insects and 
fungi infesting citrus trees, and possibly a 
million more for a like purpose on deciduous 
trees. To these startling figures may be added 
no small amount expended in the control of 
the pests of garden and field crops, stored 
grain and seeds, and a large sum in the pres- 
ervation of timber against the attack of wood- 
destroying fungi. The vineyards need pro- 
tection from the ravages of mildew. Nor does 
this conclude the list. There must be added 
a considerable sum for the control of the para- 
sites of man and beast. Tons of poisoned 
barley and quantities of expensive chemicals 
are used to rid the fields of vertebrate pests. 
The customary way of holding in check this 
formidable array of pests is by the use of 
chemicals of various sorts. Of recent years, 
chemicals have also come to be used to some 
extent for the control of weeds, and no little 
interest is being taken at the present time in 
possible developments in this connection under 
California conditions. It is said that Cali- 
fornia is the largest consumer of insecticides 
and fungicides of any state in the union. 
The state at least makes use of the greatest 
variety of these and other economic poisons on 
account of the great diversity of its agricul- 
ture. 
These facts, from an economic standpoint 
alone, justify not only an intensive study 
of the proper use of the materials, but also a 
comprehensive study of the materials them- 
selves. This station early recognized the need 
of the special knowledge of the chemist in the 
solution of the vexing problems that often 
confront the investigator who has to deal with 
the control of pests. Through the publication 
of Morse in 1887, the utility of hydrocyanic 
acid as a fumigant for the control of scale 
insects on citrus trees was first made public. 
