notices. 
The Scientific and Technical Departments of the 
Imperial Institute. 
His Excellency the Governor has received a despatch from the 
Right Hon'ble the Secretary of State for the Colonies calling 
attention to the advantages offered by the Imperial Institute to 
Merchants, Planters and others, who may wish to have samples 
submitted to scientific experts for opinion as to their commercial 
value, etc. The following extracts from a Memorandum published 
by the Authorities of the Imperial Institute will give an idea of the 
work undertaken and carried on there. 
« The Scientific and Technical Department of the Institute has 
« been established to acquire information by special enquiries and 
“by experimental research, technical trials and commercial valua- 
tion regarding new or little known natural or manufactured pro- 
ducts of the various Colonies and Dependencies of the British 
“Empire and of Foreign Countries, and also regarding known 
“products procurable from new sources, and local products of 
“ manufacture which it is desired to export. This work is carried 
“ out with a view to the creation of new openings in trade, or the 
“promotion of industrial developments . ” 
2 . in an extensive and well equipped series of Research Labora- 
tories, a numerous staff of skilled chemists under the direction of 
Professor Wyndham R. Dunstan, m. a., f. r. S., carry out the 
investigation of the chemical constitution and properties of new 
dye-stuffs, tanning materials, seeds and food-stuffs, oils, gums and 
resins, fibres, timbers, medicinal plants and products,, with a view 
to their commercial utilization. Whenever necessary these ma- 
terials are submitted to special scientific experts, by whom they are 
made the subject of particular investigation or practical tests. Re- 
ports are also obtained from technical or trade experts in regard 
to the probable commercial or industrial value of any such products, 
while full information is collected from official or other trustworthy 
sources regardingthe probable extent and cost of available supplies. 
Reports on the results of enquiries or experimental investigations 
are supplied as a rule, without charge, but should special expenses 
be incurred in connection with any such reports, or with the com- 
mercial value of particular materials or manufactured products, 
which the Council do not consider themselves warranted in meet- 
ing, a statement of such outlays will be furnished, for repayment, 
when the Reports are supplied. Should an investigation or report 
of exceptional character be asked for by a Government Depart- 
ment, an estimate of the attendant expenses will be submitted, 
with a view to ascertain whether authority for such expenditure 
will be given. 
