206 



SCIENCE. 



[N. S. Vol. XXIV. No. 607. 



SA asserts itself and the proportions are 



smaller. 



On Amorphous Sulphur; V. Further Study 



of the Two Forms of Liquid Sulphur as 



Dynamic Isomers: Alexander Smith 



and C. M. Carson. 



This investigation- deals with (1) meas- 

 urements of the rate of transformation 

 SA= Sju, in presence of different catalyzers ; 

 (2) study of the influence of iodine, a 

 second component; (3) investigation of 

 freezing-point phenomena of SA and deter- 

 mination of the ^natural' freezing-point 

 (114.5°); (4) thermal effects when liquid 

 sulphur is heated rapidly; (5) measure- 

 ments of concentrations of S/t when equi- 

 librium has been reached at temperatures 

 between 155° and 165°; (6) measurements 

 of concentrations of S/x, when liquid sul- 

 phur is being heated rapidly ; ( 7 ) relations 

 of viscosity to preceding results; (8) dis- 

 cussion of causes of the thermal effects and 

 of the whole problem in the light of these 

 results. G. R. White, 



Press Secretary. 

 (To he concluded.) 



TABLE I, 

 DOCTOKATES CONPERBED. 



DOCTORATES CONFERRED BY AMERICAN 

 UNIVERSITIES. 



The degree of doctor of philosophy or 

 doctor of science has this year been con- 

 ferred, as shown in the accompanying 

 table, on 325 students by institutions com- 

 petent to award these degrees. The num- 

 ber in 1906 is exactly the same as in 1905, 

 but these two years represent an advance 

 over any preceding year, bringing the num- 

 ber of doctorates conferred during the last 

 nine years to 2,387. These figures do not 

 include those who have received the degree 

 or its equivalent from foreign universities. 

 No statistics are at hand in regard to these 

 students, but the number is probably in the 

 neighborhood of fifty annually. We have 

 not the information that would enable us 

 to say what percentage of those who take 



the doctor's degree continues to engage in 

 research work and productive scholarship, 

 but probably not more than one third. 

 Neither are there any data showing what 

 percentage of those who are engaged in the 

 advancement of science and learning holds 

 the doctor's degree, but it may be estimated 

 at about half. In so far as these estimates 

 are correct, there would be about 250 men 

 a year added to those who will hereafter 

 devote themselves with some success to re- 

 search work, and of these about half will 

 work in the exact and natural sciences. 



It must be confessed that this number is 

 disappointingly small when the population 

 and wealth of the country are considered. 

 Dr. W. T. Harris, in the last report of the 



