158 Prof. H. 0. Jones on the 



work. On page 215 L. Kahlenberg states that, " In 1901 I 

 published a list of results of cryoscopic and ebulloscopic 

 determinations made with typical aqueous solutions of elec- 

 trolytes and non-electrolytes, and also a list of molecular 

 weight determinations of the same electrolytes at 0° and at 

 95°. It is unnecessary to discuss again the details of these 

 results which are rather voluminous. Suffice it to state that 

 a comparison of the freezing-point values with the molecular 

 conductivity at 0°, and also of the boiling-point values with 

 the molecular conductivity at 95°, revealed the fact that 

 there is no such connexion between freezing-points and 

 boiling-points of solutions on the one hand, and their con- 

 ductivity on the other, as is claimed by the theory of Arrhenius. 

 In numerous cases not even a qualitative agreement exists. 

 The facts presented in the paper cited have since been cor- 

 roborated by Smits in his careful vapour- tension measure- 

 ments, and by H. C. Jones and co-workers, in their molecular 

 weight determinations on solutions." 



Referring to the paper cited by L. Kahlenberg"*, and turn- 

 ing to page 342, we find the following : — Under the heading 

 " Behaviour of non-aqueous electrolytic solutions " the 

 following supposed u facts are presented." "Again, many 

 solutions have been found in which the solute according to 

 molecular weight determinations is undissociated, and which 

 nevertheless possess excellent power of conducting electri- 

 city." . . . . " According to Dutoit and Friderich, Cdl 2 , 

 LiCl, Nal, HgCl 2 , and NH 4 CnS have normal molecular 

 weights in acetone, and yet these solutions are conductors of 

 electricity." If it could be shown that any substance in any 

 solvent has a normal molecular weight, over any wide range 

 of concentration, and at the same time gives large electrical 

 conductivity, it would be a fact well worthy of careful con- 

 sideration by all physical chemists. The essential point is 

 that the molecular weight determinations should be made over 

 a considerable range of dilution, since at any one dilution the 

 polymerization of a part of the molecules and the dissociation 

 of others, might just counterbalance one another, and the 

 result would then appear to be a normal molecular weight. 

 As the dilution is increased the number of the polymerized 

 molecules would be diminished and the molecular weight 

 would gradually become smaller and smaller. Recognizing 

 the importance of this fact as cited by L. Kahlenberg, I took 

 up this problem and published the results of my work in 

 January of 1902 f- The results obtained were as follows : — 



* Journ. Phys. Chem. v. p. 339 (1901). 

 t Amer. Chem. Journ. xxvii. p. 16 (1902). 



