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Catalysis is one of the greatest secret wonders of modern 
science. The visitors lingered long discussing this particular, 
application of it, which cost German investigators many years 
of patient labour, scores of disappointments, and enormous sums 
of money to perfect. Messrs. Cuming, Smith and Co., Ltd., hold 
the sole patent rights for Australasia. 
Only slightly less interesting were the buildings devoted to 
the manufacture of sulphuric acid by the old chamber process. 
Here the pyrites ore from Murrin Murrin is roasted in huge 
cylindrical retorts, the sulphur fumes are purified from dust, and 
then passed through a series of huge leaden chambers, where they 
are brought in contact with currents of air and steam in the 
presence of nitric acid fumes, which act as a catalytic agent, and 
cause the sulphur dioxide to take up more oxygen, and with the 
steam foirn low strength sulphuric acid, suitable for making 
superphosphate. Over 200 tons of sheet lead have been used 
in the construction of the chambers. 
In other buildings the process of manufacture of nitric acid 
from nitrate of soda and sulphuric acid, and of hydrochloric acid 
from common salt and sulphuric acid were watched with interest 
after which Mr. Perry explained the method by which pliosphatic 
rock is transformed to superphosphate, and was accorded a hearty 
vote of thanks. 
BOY A. — October 29, 1910. Lfader, Mr. H. M. Giles. 
Saturday afternoon, October 29, was the date appointed 
for visiting this locality, and we are glad to report that upwards 
of twenty members assembled at Perth Railway Station to proceed 
to the scene of operations by the 1.30 train. Contrary to a rule, 
some might expect, perhaps, many of the members were observed 
to be much heavier laden on the outward than the homeward 
journey, especially was this the case with our President, as on 
reaching the hill it called for a more even distribution of labou r 
towards the spot chosen for our search for spoils. On reaching 
the quarries a halt was called and the loads deposited in the 
smith’s shop, while members explored their surroundings in search 
of treasures in their respective branches ; but I am sorry to say 
that verv scanty success attended any but the botanists’ section. 
The district has not recovered from the disastrous fires of a year 
or two previous to be of any use to the entomologists, and it 
will be several more ere it will be productive of much to interest 
them. This used to be a very fair collecting ground some few 
years back, but it is doubtful indeed whether man}' insects which 
were common here may not have been almost exterminated.. 
