IV PEOCEEDINGS. 



to reduction. Many reactions are classed as oxidizing with- 

 out reference to oxygen, and the term "adduction" has been 

 proposed as the opposite to reduction: adduction means the 

 adding of positive charges, and reduction the withdrawal of 

 the same. 



Many different electronic hypotheses have been put for- 

 ward, some not involving transfer of electrons; but the final 

 solution will come from the physicists who gave us the 

 electron. Sir J. J. Thomson, who at one time stated that 

 atoms of one and the same kind may be positive and negative 

 and combine to form a diatomic molecule, in his recent work 

 on Positive Rays, considers that for a union of atoms it is 

 not necessary that one be positive and the other negative, 

 but that a displacement of positive and negative electricity 

 in each atom takes place. 



It has recently been shown that if electrons are transferred 

 in oxidation and reduction they are not the same as the beta 

 particles evolved in radioactive changes. 



Within this last two years there has been discovered a 

 valuable method of exploring into the region of molecules 

 and atoms. I refer to the discovery of reflection of X-rays 

 from crystal surfaces. Interesting results are being given 

 and, though one cannot anticipate the final outcome, we may 

 soon have established the structure of the atom and the 

 solution of the valency problem. Recent theories give us an 

 atom consisting of a central positive nucleus surrounded by 

 negative electrons. The central nucleus may not all consist 

 of positive charges, but the net positive charge gives an 

 atomic number corresponding to the place occupied by the 

 element in the periodic table. In fact we are promised a 

 periodic table containing all possible elements. 



General Remarks. 

 As a scientific society we cannot but regret that the present 

 war means great curtailment of research, especially on the 



