704 
this laboratory are the study of the influence 
of current density and concentration upon 
the course of chemical reactions, the appli- 
cation of gas analysis to the study of the 
latter (in the formation of hypochlorites and 
chlorates ), ion transference (in the electrol- 
ysis of dilute sulphuric acid or sodium 
hydrate) with a diaphragm, formation of 
persulphurie acid (influence of concentra- 
tion, of current density, of temperature), 
metal precipitations with soluble and insol- 
uble anodes, the introduction of aid-reac- 
tions, experiments with molten electrolytes, 
experiments with multipolar electrodes, the 
determination and separation of metals, 
SCIENCE, 
[N. S. Von. XIII. No. 331. 
The two laboratories afford all that is 
essential to acquaint the student with the 
fundamentals of electrochemistry, and give 
him also ample facilities for research in 
this domain of chemical science. 
Epnear F. Suir. 
LEGISLATIVE RECOGNITION OF SCIENTIFIC 
WORK. 
Iv is not often that Scrmnce has the 
opportunity of chronicling an event such as 
happened at Madison, Wis., on March 
27th, when the Legislature of the State in 
open session presented to Dr. S. M. Babcock, 
of the University of Wisconsin, a beautiful 
the electrolysis of a series of organic com- 
pounds (reduction and synthesis), ete. 
The writer is indebted and under many 
obligations for this installation to Provost 
Harrison who provided the necessary funds. 
In conclusion it may be said that in a 
second room close by there is also provision 
for work at high temperatures. A Moissan 
and two Borscher’s furnaces are used for 
this purpose. They are in direct connec- 
tion with a 50-horse-power dynamo and are 
furnished with satisfactory resistance and 
measuring instruments. They are applied 
in the reduction of oxides, in the electrolysis 
of fixed salts, the production of alloys, ete. 
bronze medal ‘ recognizing the great value 
to the people of this State and the whole 
world’ of his inventions and discoveries, 
‘and his unselfish dedication of these 
inventions to the public service.’ 
Governments such as ours are not prone 
to recognize deeds of scientific men, but the 
service rendered in this connection was of 
such value that the State has honored 
itself by paying honor to the man who 
refused to take out a patent on his inven- 
tion, but gave it freely and willingly to the 
people. 
Dr. Babcock’s discoveries in the field 
of agricultural science have been many, 
