September 15, 1905.] 



SCIENCE. 



345 



novelty is not one of design, but one of appli- 

 cation. This, together with the fact that the 

 decided advantages possessed by the tables are 

 so obvious, makes one doubt if the utilization 

 of such tables for an electrical laboi'atory is 

 new. 



The accompanying diagram will show the 

 actual dimensions of the tables. They are 

 built of hardwood and raade heavy in order 

 to withstand any usage. Upon the tables can 

 be fastened any permanent equipment such 

 as reversing keys, switches, etc. Inasmuch as 

 these tables seem to satisfy the needs of a 



galvanometer, this is usually not necessary. 

 It therefore often happens that economy of 

 space is a very important factor in the consid- 

 eration of laboratory plans. With such small 

 tables (top 18 in. by 24 in.) the observer oc- 

 cupies just that floor space which he needs. 

 Not only can he make up a table of the proper 

 area by combining two or more of the small 

 tables, but he also can group them to suit the 

 conditions. It is an application of the ' unit 

 system.' 



4. A laboratory would find the tables useful 

 not only in work in electricity, but as general 



EO m. 



laboratory for electrical measurements so per- 

 fectly, I venture to call attention to some of 

 their most marked advantages. 



1. If the apparatus of the student, such as 

 resistance boxes, condensers, etc., be arranged 

 before him on a table of the ordinary height, 

 it will be very inconvenient for him to make 

 any adjustments, or to make any examination 

 of his connections without rising from his 

 seat; both because of the distance he has to 

 reach, and because he can not see sufficiently 

 well. If tables only twenty inches in height 

 are used, everything is in clear view and also 

 within easy reach. It matters not whether 

 the student is using a galvanometer and tele- 

 scope and scale, or whether he is reading am- 

 meters and voltmeters, the advantage is the 

 same. 



2. The greater convenience of the student 

 means a greater accuracy in his work. 



3. Some experiments require comparative 

 isolation from magnetic disturbances, but, on 

 account of the perfection of the D'Arsonval 



utility tables. They can be easily lifted and 

 carried about. They are convenient in the 

 research laboratory, in the lecture room, and 

 no doubt in many places about a laboratory. 



G. W. Stewart. 

 Univeesity of Noeth Dakota, 

 February, 1905. 



QUOTATIONS. 



THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY. 



A MAJORITY decision by the full bench of the 

 Supreme Court, to the effect that the Massa- 

 chusetts Institute of Technology can not sell 

 its present property under the grant of 1861 

 and can not build over more than one third 

 of the area bounded by Berkeley, Newbury, 

 Clarendon and Boylston streets, seems to be 

 the final word in a matter that has attracted 

 much more than local attention for several 

 years. This result will produce somewhat 

 mingled public emotions. The rapid develop- 

 ment of this institution in considerably less 

 than half a century was unforeseen by most of 



