OCTOBER 27, 1899.] 
plate, from the fact that if pierced by a 
shot, the cellulose immediately swells and 
fills the hole, preventing the passage of 
water ; chicken feed and cattle feed of vari- 
ous qualities, one variety containing a large 
quantity of molasses, and solving the prob- 
lem of feeding molasses to stock; paper 
pulp and samples of paper of excellent 
quality made from it ; nitroglycerin absorb- 
ents of different grades, giving different 
qualities of dynamite; superior qualities of 
nitrocellulose, some for the manufacture of 
smokeless powder, while from others excel- 
lent collodion isformed. Putting this paper 
with one by C. G. Hopkins on ‘ Improve- 
ment in the Chemical Composition of the 
Corn Kernel,’ one recognizes that not only 
is corn raising the great American industry, 
but we to-day far from realize what will be 
the future importance of this crop. In a 
paper by M. Gomberg on ‘ Diazo-caffein,’ 
the intense coloring power of the substance 
was noted. In another by the same author 
on the ‘ Preparation of Tri-phenylchlorme- 
thane and Tri-phenylcarbinol,’ the synthesis 
by the use of aluminum chlorid was consid- 
ered. For the preparation of the aluminum 
chlorid the author prefers to pass chlorin 
over hot aluminum, and this is far simpler 
than the method in which hydrochloric acid 
is used. 
Professor W. A. Noyes contributed a 
paper on camphoric acid which added 
materially to our knowledge of this sub- 
stance, and Professor W. McPherson gave 
the abstract of an interesting paper on the 
constitution of oxy-azo-compounds. 
Professor H. A. Weber described the 
method of testing soilsfor application of com- 
mercial fertilizers, in use at the Ohio State 
University. It consists essentially in taking 
several samples of the soil, treating them re- 
spectively with potash, phosphoric acid and 
nitrogen, singly and in combination, sowing 
each with several seeds and basing opinions 
on the growth of the plants produced. 
SCIENCE. 
603 
The estimation of carbon monoxid was 
considered by L. P. Kinnicutt and G. R. 
Sanford. In view of the fact that 0.05% 
of carbon monoxid in the air is dangerous, 
its detection and estimation is important. 
The absorption of carbon monoxid by 
hemaglobin is largely used, but the authors 
have found better the oxidation of carbon 
monoxid to the dioxid by hot iodice acid 
and subsequent titration by sodium thio- 
sulfate. 
A paper by Professor T. W. Richards on 
the atomic weight of calcium gave as the 
most correct figure at present 40.14. 
Although not strictly pertaining to 
chemistry, mention should be made of the 
Commers tendered Section C by the Hum- 
boldt Verein, of which Professor H. A. 
Weber is president. The Verein, the Sec- 
tion and quite a number of other invited 
guests spent the evening enjoying the 
sumptuous hospitality of their hosts, ex- 
pressed in thoroughly German style. 
A list of the papers upon the program of 
the Section is appended. 
The Nature of the Change from Violet to 
Green in Solution of Chromium Salts. W. 
R. Whitney. 
Micro-structure of Antimony-tin Alloys. 
J. J. Kessler, Jr. 
The Relation of Physical Chemistry to 
Technical Chemistry. W. D. Bancroft. 
Methods of Analysis of Sulfite Solutions 
as used in Paper Making. R. de Roode. 
The Electrolytic Deposition of Metals from 
Non-aqueous Solutions. L. Kahlenberg. 
Some Experimental Illustrations of the 
Electrolytic Dissociation Theory (An ex- 
perimental lecture.) A. A. Noyes. 
Improvement in the Chemical Composi- 
tion of the Corn Kernel. C. G. Hopkins. 
Some New Products of the Maize Stalks. 
H. W. Wiley and W. H. Krug. 
Soil Humus. H. F. Ladd. 
The Relation of Fertilizers to Soil Moist- 
ure. J. T. Willard. 
