Uruguay, China, Dutch East Indies, Persia, Syria, Australia, British West Indies, Canada, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Belgium, CzechoSlovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hunary, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Peru, Costa Rica and Panama have already intimated their intention of visiting the Fair.

During the next few weeks, invitations will also be issued to over 150,000 home buyers.

COLOUR USERS' ASSOCIATION. From the above comes the vade-mecum for 1926-7. It is vest-pocket size, and neatly produced It contains in a small space a vast amount of figures relating to the important dye industry. There are also many pages of statistics of interest to everybody. There is a ready reckoner, metric tables, etc. The size is handy for the vest pocket and it will be found serviceable for ready reference on many occasions during the year or two for which it has been issued.

NEW LEAD MINE IN ONTARIO. What is said to be a very promising lead property near Arnprior, a short distance from Ottawa, is to be developed by the Ottawa Valley Syndicate, which is using its own money for the purpose. Mr. Ernest Green, who is in charge of the development, states that daily production will soon reach 800 tons. At present the Kingdom mine, at Galetta, is the only lead-producing mine in Ontario. Diamond drilling is said to have been going on for some time in the vicinity of Arnprior, and evidence brought up from the properties tested indicates that at least six splendid mines are in view. In addition to lead in paying quantities, discovery of more than hopeful nature of feldspar, mica, graphite and molybdenum and of gold and silver has been made.

NEW F.B.I. PRESIDENT-ELECT.— PROMINENT IN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY.

Sir Max Muspratt, Bart., J.P., the President-Elect of the F.B.I., in succession to Col. The Hon. Vernon Willey, is one of the leading figures in the chemical industry, and Chairman of the United Alkali Co., Ltd., which is, in the strictest sense of the word, a family concern. Actually, three years ago there was celebrated the centenary of the alkali ondustry, which was founded by James Muspratt, the grandfather of Sir Max, who thus represents the third generation of his family to hold the Chairmanship of this vast chemical undertaikng, while at the present moment, Sir Max's son has just taken his honours degree in Chemistry at Oxford University.

Sir Max was born in Liverpool in 1872. and is therefore fifty-three years of age. He was educated at Clifton College and at Zurich, entering in 1895 the works of the company of which he is now Chairman. In 1901 he became a director on the technical side of the business, and succeeded his father in the chairmanship in 1914. But Sir Max is not only well known as a business man in the chemical world; he is also himself a chemist of great ability, and is the first Englishman to hold the Diploma in Industrial Chemistry awarded by the Swiss Government.

Few industrialists can have a wider field of activities than the new F.B.I. PresidentElect. In addition to the Chairmanship of his own business, he is the Vice-President of the Association of British Chemical Manufacturers; Deputy Chairman of the Sulphuric Acid Association; Chairman of the recently-appointed Lord Mayor of LiverPool's Committee on Trade and Industry of the Port of Liverpool; and Chairman of the Liverpood Economic League. He has taken a very active part in Liberal politics on Mersey-side, and was M.P. for the Exchange Division of Liverpood in 1910.

GASES IN METALS: II. THE DETERMINATION OF OXYGEN AND HYDROGEN IN METALS BY FUSION IN VACUUM.

By LOUIS JORDAN AND JAMES R. ECKMAN. (U.S.A. Bureau of Standards.)

ABSTRACT.

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Nearly all metals contain small amounts of oxygen, hydrogen, and nitrogen, frequently spoken of as gases in metals," whether or not they exist as oxides, hydrides, and nitrides or in some other form. Many differences in quality of metals not readily attributed to differences in composition, as determined by the usual chemical analyses, or to different physical treatments are supposed to be due to the presence of " gases in the metals.

Satisfactory and generally applicable methods for determining oxygen in metals have not been available. Experimental studies were made of methods of fusion employed in previous vacuum fusion methods. Direct fusion of low-carbon iron alloys in refractory-oxide crucibles, or fusion with antimony tin in similar crucibles, does not determine all of the oxygen present in the metal. In the first case there is the additional difficulty of reduction of the refractory oxides by the carbon in the steel. In the fusion of high-carbon iron alloys this reaction between refractory oxides and carbon of the metal is very pronounced in direct fusion of the metal and is sufficient, even in fusion with antimony tin, to give values for oxygen in excess of the true oxygen content of the metal. Fusion of the metal sample in a graphite crucible permits satisfactory determination of oxygen in both low-carbon and high-carbon alloys.

A new vacuum fusion procedure for the determination of oxygen and hydrogen in metals was developed. A sample of metal of from 20 to 60 g., which may be a single solid piece thus avoiding difficulty from surface oxidation of chips, is fused in a gasfree graphite crucible in vacuum. The water vapour, vapour, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen evolved during the heating and fusion of the sample are absorbed in suitable solid absorbents and determined by the increase in weight of the absorbent tubes. Total oxygen and hydrogen in the sample can then be calculated. The method does not distinguish between oxygen present in the metal as CO, CO.,

or of

oxides of non-metallic inclusions metallic constituents. Under the conditions of this analysis the recovery of oxygen from the oxides of iron, manganese, silicon, aluminium, titanium, and zirconium is complete. The presence of sulphur in the iron or steel sample does not interfere with the determination of oxygen by this method. The method is applicable to the accurate determination of oxygen in pure iron, steels, cast irons, and pig irons, and also in many non-ferrous metals and alloys. SUMMARY.

1. A train of solid absorbents was developed suitable for the direct determination of water vapour and carbon dioxide and for the indirect determination of carbon monoxide and hydrogen when these gases were passing through the train at low pressures. By means of this train one or all of these gases present in the mixture of gases evolved from a metal sample fused in vacuum may be accurately determined.

2. The high-frequency induction furnace was used for the fusion of the metal samples. This type of furnace permits the fusion of the samples in a small silica tube and holding the metal molten at temperatures of 1,500° C., or more while the walls of the tube remain comparatively cool. Thus, no difficulty is encountered from the failure of the tube to hold a vacuum.

3. Three methods of fusion previously employed in the determination of gases in metals fused in vacuum were applied to pure iron, a low-carbon steel, and a highcarbon steel. These methods were (a) direct fusion of the metal in a refractory oxide crucible, (b) fusion in a refractory oxide crucible with the addition of antimony and tin, and (c) fusion in a gas-free graphite crucible. Neither (a) nor (b) is satisfactory for determining oxygen in ferrous alloys. Method (c) gives the most dependable values for total oxygen. The values obtained for hydrogen offer no choice between the three methods for the determination of this element.

4. Fusion of ferrous alloys in graphite determines, besides any oxygen present as such, the oxygen that may be present in the metal as CO, CO, and oxides of iron, silicon, manganese, aluminium, zirconium, and titanium. The sulphur in the iron or steel sample does not interfere with the determination of oxygen.

5. The fusion in graphite method is also applicable to the determination of oxygen

and hydrogen in many non-ferrous metals and alloys.

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance of several of their associates in the division of metallurgy of the Bureau of Standards. They are especially indebted to J. R. Cain for aid in the initiation and earlier portions of this work, to W. P. Barrows for many test analyses of the method as finally developed, and to R. J. Kranaues for faithful and painstaking aid in the preparation of samples, crucibles, and insulators, and in the care of absorption tubes.

UNITED STATES BUREAU OF
STANDARDS ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual report of the Director of the Bureau of Standards for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1925, is a record of a full year's work of great interest and importance to both the public at large and to science (which means virtually the same thing).

FUNCTIONS AND ORGANISATION.

The general function of the Bureau is the development, construction, custody, and maintenance of reference and working standards used in industry and commerce. Standards are divided into five classes, and the work necessarily cavers a very wide field. As a matter of convenience the organisation of the bureau is based not on classes of standards, but upon the nature of the work. Thus, experts in electricity are grouped in one division, while those dealing with optics form another major division.

There are 11 scientific and technical divisions besides the office, operation, and construction divisions. Each of these major divisions is made up of several sections, which deal with a definite class of problems.

The following are a few of the year's achievements of the Weights and Measures Division (of which H. W. and F. S. Holbrook are co-chiefs), and we hope, in subsequent issues, to touch upon the work of the other ten divisions.

Dental Research. An investigation of precious metal dental alloys is in progress to improve the quality and permanence of dental restorations by a wiser choice of materials and by the selection of the most apropriate mechanical manipulation and heat treatment. Two papers rescribing the

results so far obtained appeared in the Journal of the American Dental Association for May, 1925.

New Apparatus for Testing Hæmacytometer Chambers.-A new instrument based upon the principle of the interference of light waves was designed and constructed for use in testing hæmacytometers (blood corpuscle counting chambers). The instrument has been given a thorough test, and the results show that it is from five to ten times more accurate than the micrometer apparatus formerly employed. Furthermore, the time required to complete the same amount of work with the new instrument is from one-fourth to one-fifth that previously required.

Graduation and Test of Invar Tapes. During the past year a large number of invar tapes, such as are used by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, were standardised at the Bureau, and about 25 were also graduated. The graduations were placed on the tapes with such precision that the actual error in the total length of the tapes was in many cases less than 1 part in 1,000,000. In the standardisation of these tapes the length values obtained were accurate to 1 part in from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000. The repeated standardisation of several tapes of different ages showed that tapes made from 10 to 15 years ago are practically constant in length, while in the case of invar manufactured within the past few years, lack of dimensional stability is a source of some uncertainty.

Scales Used for Weighing Grain.-Included among the scales mentioned above were 82 track scales used for weighing grain. Of these 35, or 42.7 per cent., passed the special grain-scale tolerance, namely, 0.10 per cent. of the applied load. Corrective adjustments were made on 20 of the 47 scales that failed to comply with this tolerance.

Improvement in Graduated Glassware.Of the 10,000 pieces of graduated glassware submitted for test during the year, 87 per cent. passed the test and received the precision stamp of the Bureau.

ELECTRICITY.

(E. C. Crittenden, Chief.)

Measurement of High Voltages and Large Currents.--The extension of accurate measurements to keep pace with development in power transmission has taxed the resources of the bureau. By refining the

methods previously used, the calibration of voltage transformers is being carried up to 100,000 volts. An absolute electrometer which will measure up to 350,000 volts is now ready for assembly. Accurate tests of resistance standards used for measurement of current have been extended to 10,000 amperes on direct current, and tubular oilcooled standards for tests of current transformers at 5,000 amperes have been designed.

some

Electrical Insulating Materials. Special attention has been given to the possible development of ruber compounds suitable for submarine-cable insulation, and have been found which are better than gutta-percha in electrical properties. To simulate deep-sea conditions, apparatus has been installed for making electrical measurements on wires under pressures up to 10,000 pounds per square inch.

Battery Investigations. - Dry cells, storage batteries, and caustic soda primary batteries used for railway signalling have all received much attention during the year. The performance of all the important types of railway batteries has been determined, both at ordinary temperatures and at the freezing point, as a basis for specifications in preparation jointly by the American Railway Association, the battery manufacturers and the bureau.

Lamps and Lighting. During the year over 1,500,000 electric lamps purchased by the Government were inspected by the Bureau; 3,194 samples were put through a life test to determine whether the lamps supplied were acceptable and to obtain data necessary for revision of the standard specifications.

Radio Communication. Methods of making more accurate measurements of frequency and means for getting these measurements into actual use have been the most important tasks in this field. Accuracy was materially improved by using a simple harmonic amplifier to step up from audio to radio frequencies and by stepping down from very high frequencies for which the wave lengths were measured directly on a parallel wire system. Standard frequency signals covering the range from 125 to 6,000 kilocycles were transmitted from the bureau and from Leland Stanford University at advertised times, measurements on many stations were made at the bureau, frequency indicators were calibrated for high-grade stations, and lists of standard frequency stations were published periodically.

Electrolysis and Soil Corrosion of Metals. A technologic paper has been prepared summarising the Bureau's conclusions on methods of testing to determine when damage is occurring by electrolysis. This represents the results of many years' work in field surveys, and several months have been spent in discussions with representatives of the different utility interests involved in order to make this paper accord with their experience in so far as is possible. A progress report covering the first sets of corosion samples (iron pipe) dug up from different soils has been issued through the American Foundrymen's Association. The samples have been carefully studied by many manufacturers and users of pipe.

Magnetic Testing of Wire Rope. Since magnetic measurements seem to promise the only practicable method of testing steel rope in service, efforts have been continued to avoid the difficulties which have hitherto prevented the actual use of this apparently simple method.

HEAT AND POWER.

(H. C. Dickinson, chief.)

Phenomena of Combustion.-A systematic study of explosive gaseous reactions has led to the discovery of a relation between composition of the explosive mixtures and velocity of flame propagation, which is new and important both theoretically and practically.

Steam Table Research.-This work is being carried out with the co-operation of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for the purpose of providing more accurate tables of the properties of water and steam, particularly in the range of high pressures which are of increasing technical importance.

Standardising of Seger Cones.-Seger cones are used throughout the ceramic industries to gauge the firing of kilns and to indicate the maturing of clay ware. There is an insistent appeal from ceramists for adequate standardisation of Seger cones. The standardisation in progress involves not only temperature measurements, but accurate control of rate of temperature rise and of the gaseous atmosphere surrounding the cones. The work is well advanced, and results will be available to the ceramic industry in the next few months.

Aviation Engine Tests.-In anticipation

of an increasing demand for tests of aviation engines, the possibilities of an aptor and at the exhaust port were reduced

proximate type of altitude test which would require less extensive equipment than is available at the Bureau of Standards have been investigated. An engine, which had just received a very complete performance test in the altitude chamber,was employed. Pressures at the entrance to the carburetas in an altitute chamber test, but the air surrounding the engine was allowed to remain at sea level pressure. Satisfactory results were obtained.

Non-flammable Liquids for Cryostats. The use in many laboratories of volatile flammable liquids in low-temperature comparison baths has led to serious accidents and loss of life. A systematic study of the possibility of replacing such dangerous liquids has led to the development of nonflammable mixtures which can be used at temperatures down to -150° C., and being liquid at ordinary temperatures and pressures, may be kept in bottles.

Heat Transfer Through Building Materials.-There has been a striking increase in the demand for information regarding problems of heat transfer. A satisfactory laboratory method of measurement of heat transfer through moderate sized panels has been developed. Tests covering a considerable range of temperature have been completed on eight typical wall constructions widely used in small buildings. Further tests are in progress, and additional panels are being built. Results already obtained will soon be published.

co

Co-operative Fuel Research.-In operation with the American Petroleum Institute, National Automobile Chamber of Commerce, and the Society of Automotive Engineers, a study of the factors affecting crank-case oil dilution and engine starting has been made. The study of dilution is practically completed. It has shown that dilution depends primarily upon the average temperature of the cylinder walls, the volatility of the fuel, and the average fuel-air ratio. Thus, a basis is furnished for improvement of engine design and operation.

In the investigation of starting, the influence of many factors has been examined. These include fuel-air ratio, jet size, jet location, spark advance, fuel volatility, amount of throttling, amount of choking, temperature of jacket water, and temperaStrength of Materials at High Temperature of entering air.

Strength of Materials at High Temperatures. Work was resumed on compression

tests of rolled structural steel and castiron shapes at temperatures from 100° to 900° C. A rise in the compressive strength comparable with what has been found in tension tests in the region 200° to 300° C. obtained only for heavy or symmetrical shapes. Sensitiveness and accuracy of load temperature and deformation

measure

ments were attained sufficient to give conclusive information on strength and deformation within the temperature and loading ranges of interest in connection with the fire resistance of steel and cast-iron building members.

Platinum Resistance Thermometry at Low Temperatures.-By the development of a modification of the Callendar formula, used in platinum resistance thermometry above 0° C., the maintenance of a standard scale of temperature in the range 0° to -190° C., has been made as simple and certain as has been the case for temperatures above 0° C. The modified equation requires only a single calibration point at low temperature, in addition to the customary calibration at 0° and above. Test of the equation was made by applying it to the available data, and indications are that it reproduces the latter within their own limits of accuracy.

(To be Continued.)

PROCEEDINGS AND NOTICES OF SOCIETIES.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

Papers read in title only. January 14. Experimental Studies on the Differentiation of Embryonic Tissues Growing in vivo and in vitro. I. The Development of the Undifferentiated Limb-bud (a) when Subcutaneously Grafted into the Post-Embryonic Chick, and (b) when Cultivated in vitro. By T. S. P. STRANGEWAYS AND HONOR B. FELL. Communicated by Sir William Hardy, Sec., R.S.

Muscular Exercise, Lactic Acid, and the Part Supply and Utilisation of Oxygen. XIV. The Relation in Man Between the Oxygen Intake during Exercise and the Lactic Acid Content of the Muscles. By C. N. LONG. Communicated by Prof. A. V. Hill, F.R.S.

(1) Experiments have been performed on men to test the validity of the relation