SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 
to employ the theoretical proportions because of the danger of possible 
explosions. It has been found that this danger can be completely 
avoided if an excess of methyl alcohol be employed, and this means 
that methods for recovering the excess have to be used. The gases, 
after passing over the catalyst, are led to a fractional condensing 
apparatus. Formaldehyde is more readily condensed than methyl 
alcohol, so that by maintaining the first condenser at a suitable tempera-. 
ture nearly pure formaldehyde is obtained. By means of a second 
condenser the methyl alcohol can be recovered. 
The process is a continuous one: a mixture of air and methyl alcohol 
entering at one end of the plant while formaldehyde-is obtained and 
excess of methyl alcohol is recovered at the other end. 
Present conditions indicate that no attempt is being made to replace 
the timber which every year is being consumed. The paper pulp 
industry consumes so much timber that the scarcity is felt even now. — 
It is suggested that flax—not the type used for linen manufacture— 
should be used in paper mills. Obviously, then, at some future date, 
wood distillation will have to be discontinued. The demands for acetic 
acid, acetone, and formaldehyde will then have to be satisfied by 
synthetic processes. 
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690 
