PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. ROYAL SOCIETY. Ordinary Meeting, February 17, 1921. Prof. C. S. SHERRINGTON, President, in the Chair, THE following papers were read : "A Comparison of Magnetic Declination Changes at British Observatories." By Dr. C. CHREE, F.R.S. Field observations of magnetic declination usually aims at supplying not so much the instantaneous value as the mean value appropriate to the place. Unless the observations extend over several days, reference is necessary to the records of a magnetic observatory, and high accuracy is unlikely unless the changes at the field station and the observatory on the day of observation have been closely similar. The main object of the paper is to investigate the parallelism of declination changes in different parts of the United Kingdom. A comparison is made of mean monthly, daily, and hourly values as different stations, and of the relative amplitudes of the oscillatory movements which frequently occur on comparatively quiet days. Use is made of magnetic curves from Eskdalemuir, Stonyhurst, Falmouth, and Kew Observatories. "The Transmission of Electric Waves around the Earth's Surface." By Prof. H. M. MACDONALD, F.R.S. "The Stability of Fluid Motion." By Prof. T. H. HAVELOCK, F.R.S. The object of the paper is to illustrate the use of the criterion, introduced by Reynolds and modified by Orr, as a measure of the degree of stability of various fluid motions under different boundary conditions. After a discussion of the method, some cases are examined from this point of view they include the flow of a stream with a free surface, and flow between fixed planes under different fields of force and boundary conditions of no slip or no tangential stress or constant normal pressure due to the disturbance from the steady state. "Transformation of Integrals." ByProf. W. il. YOUNG, F.R.S. "The Constitution of the Alloys of Alumininum, Copper, and Zinc, containing High Percentages of Zinc." By J. L. HAUGHTON, D.Sc., and KATHLEEN E. BINGHAM, M.Sc. of The paper deals with the constitution aluminium-copper-zinc alloys containing not more than 15 per cent of aluminium and 10 per cent of copper. The investigation has been carried out by the study of the heat absorptions and evolutions which take place in heating and cooling alloys between temperatures at which they are liquid and ordinary temperatures; by the measurement of electrical resistance at various tempera tures, and by microscopic study of specimens which have been annealed for prolonged periods and quenched, or which bave been very slowly cooled and quenched. From the results obtained a model has been constructed to represent the constitution at temperatures above 250° C., and perspective drawings of this model are given in the paper, as well as a series of isothermal sections and sections parallel to the aluminium-zinc face and to the copper-zinc face. A number of typical photomicrographs are shown. The diagram advanced by Rosenhain and Archbutt has been used as one face of the ternary prism, the other binary system face being somewhat modified from Tafel's diagram. The ternary system contains an eutectic having a compo sition of Cu 4 per cent, Al 7 per cent, Zn 89 per cent, the temperature at which it forms-378° C.being only 2° C. lower than that at which the binary aluminium-zinc eutectic is formed. A binary eutectoidal complex is formed between Al, Zn, and the copper-zinc solid solution. Such a formation is very unusual, if indeed its occurrence elsewhere is known. The line along which this complex is the primary separation from the liquid forms one of the valleys running down to the ternary eutectic; the other two are the depressed aluminium-zinc eutectic and the line separating primary from primary ŋ, FARADAY SOCIETY AND MANCHESTER LITERARY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. A JOINT meeting of the Faraday Society and the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society was held at Manchester on Friday, February 11, 1921. Sir Henry A. Miers, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S., President of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society, introduced into the chair Prof. Alfred W. Porter, D.Sc., F.R.S., President of the Faraday Society. Dr. Allan Ferguson, M.A., opened the discussion with the reading of two papers on "Capillarity." PART I. "Some General Considerations, and a Discussion of the Methods of Measuring Interfacial Tensions." The importance of accurate measurements of surface tensions, in view of the rapidly accelerating development of colloid physics, is becoming increasingly manifest, and a systematic determination of capillary constants is urgently needed. In this paper are discussed the "genetic" relations of various methods for the measurement of surface tensions. A critical comparison of these shows that among the most promising methods for systematic use are those depending on (1) the measurement of large bubbles or drops; (2) the measurement of the maximum pressure required to release a bubble of air from the end of a capillary tube immersed in the liquid; (3) the measurement of the maximum pull on an anchor ring which is immersed in the liquid and slowly withdrawn therefrom. Some confusion exists as to the conditions under which the equations for the ascent of a liquid in a capillary tube are valid. By a comparatively simple analysis it is shown that, where a is the specific cohesion and h the height to which the liquid rises in a tube of radius 7, the equation Methods are proposed for the measurement of the surface tensions of such liquids as molten metals, and the important problem of the accurate measurement of interfacial tension is discussed. PART II. "Modification of the Capillary Tube Method for the Measurement of Surface Tensions." By ALLAN FERGUSON, M.A., D.Sc., and P. E. DOWSON, M.A. The capillary rise method for the measurement of surface tensions retains its hold on the affections of experimenters by reason of a somewhat delusive simplicity. In this paper a modification of the method is proposed in which the meniscus is forced down to the end of the capillary immersed vertically in the liquid and the pressure required to effect this is measured on a separate manometer. This simple change sweeps away most of the difficulties attendant on the practice of the ordinary method. Small corrections apart, the difference of level of the surfaces of the liquid in the gauge is equal to the height to which the same liquid would rise in the capillary tube employed. By using a specially light liquid in the gauge, this difference may therefore be magnified. But any manometer of sufficient delicacy may be used, and the use of a catometer avoided. Thus the differential manometer or a simple sloping tube manometer will give accurate results by ordinary naked eye estimations. March 11 place in the house about five minutes before the dinner hour. The gas engine that in those early days was used to produce the electric light sprung a leak, filled the engine room with gas, and fired it off, wrecking everything in the basement, and smashing all the crockery in the kitchen; but nevertheless the dinner was held with its usual fund of interest and amusement. It is not generally known that Prof. Odling as well as Prof. Newlands, was one of the pioneers in attempts to devise a scheme of classification of the elements; he published a paper on the "Natural Groupings of the Elements" in 1857. Prof. Odling succeeded Faraday as Fullerian Professor of Chemistry at the Royal Institution. He was President of the Chemical Society in 1873-74, and also of the Institute of Chemistry. CORRESPONDENCE. The Editor does not accept responsibility for any opinions expressed in this "Correspondence" column. They must in every case be considered as those of the writers. THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY. To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR,-In April, 1920, a new set of by-laws proposed by the Council of the Chemical Society were ratified at an Extraordinary General Meeting. It will raise, according to circumstances, either a wan smile or a broad grin on the faces of those who recollect that at the meeting the attendance was 39. The membership of the Society is over 3,500, so that the new by-laws have in fact been Temperature control becomes relatively simple and the temperature of the meniscus may be estimated by means of a thermo-junction placed close to the end of the tube. Calibration of the capillary is unnecessary as measurements are always made with the meniscus in one definite position-imposed upon the Society by 1 per cent of the at the end of the tube. The following values for the surface tensions of three liquids were obtained by this method : Benzene: T15 2966 dyne-cm.-'. Toluene T15 29 23 dyne-cm. Methyl propionate: Ti55-26′09 dyne-cm.-'. Prof. A. W. Porter, Dr. F. C. Thompson, Mr. Fry, Dr. A. M. Williamson, Dr. R. S. Willows, Prof. W. W. Haldane Gee, Mr. C. E. Stromeyer, and Prof. Arthur Lapworth took part in the discussion. A number of manometers were exhibited, including a chattock tilting manometer, and a Threlfall micro-manometer, lent for the occasion by the Cambridge and Paul Scientific Instrument Company. OBITUARY. PROFESSOR W. ODLING. THE death of Professor W. Odling on February 17, at the advanced age of 92, removes the last of a small party that used for years to meet monthly at Kensington Park Gardens for the "Water" dinner. Crookes, Odling, and Tidy are three names that for many years were associated with the examination of the London Waters. The "Dinners" were of that cosy character that Crookes used to delight in, and Dr. Tidy, who was a splendid talker, kept the party in a state of uproar the whole evening. On one Occasion the writer very distinctly remembers an explosion of gas that took Fellows, the general body having had no say whatever in the matter. It is very high time that this anomaly was rectified. An improvement has, indeed, now been made in the manner of the election of Council, and in future, the general body of the Fellows will have some say there. But the existing Council took care to neutralise this advantage by inventing a by-law which secures that any proposal to change the by-laws of the Society must still run the gauntlet of a meeting in London at which it is never possible for more than a very small minority of the Fellows-and those almost exclusively resident in London-to be present. If such a proposal is lost there it is lost for good. But should it by some miracle win through (a two-thirds majority being necessary), then a poll of the members may be called for-and reaction has another chance. There is no provision for a poll in the other case; what is sauce for the chemical goose is not sauce for the chemical gander. The proper course for the existing Council to have taken was to arrange for the admission of women and for a satisfactory method of electing a Council really representative of the Society, and to leave to that Council the production of new by-laws. provincial Fellows of the Society will be properly It is to be hoped that the impressed by the fact that whilst they have been graciously accorded an opportunity of recording their votes for members of Council on the ballot papers just issued, they have no say on the advisability of altering one of the by-laws, although their opinion might just as easily be obtained on the one subject as on the other.-I am, &c., University of Glasgow. T. S. PATTERSON. MANUFACTURE OF FINE CHEMICALS. To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR,-We, the undersigned, makers of fine chemicals, extended our research and manufacturing plant at the urgent appeal of the State during the tremendous years that followed 1914, in order to secure those essential products of science without which victory could not be attained. The full record of war-time achievements in the sphere of fine chemicals would read like a romance the full history disclosed. This key industry is now endangered, and unemployment is rife in it, owing to the flood of imports from abroad which, among other circumstances, the present conditions of the Exchanges makes devastatingly possible. We desire to submit to public knowledge the following facts : were 1. The application of chemical science to industry is a necessary factor for the preservation of our world position in commerce. It is also true to say not only that the chemist and the laboratory are in the first line of national defence, but are pivotal in the development of our industrial and commercial resources and wealth. 2. At very considerable cost, essential plant was erected during the war years, and all of it can now be put to peaceful purposes for the continuance in this country of a fine chemical industry not inferior to Germany's. But, under the present unfair economic circumstances, this plant must become idle and useless, unless the State takes measures for its safeguarding. 3. The fine chemical industry, mobilised and expanded in the hour of the nation's needs, provided during the war-to give a few examples--(a) essential medicinal preparations for naval, military, and civilian hospitals; (b) the higher forms of explosives and gases; (c) photographic chemicals for aerial use; (d) research chemicals, without which the development of many new industrial processes would have been impossible. 4. British science is no whit inferior to that of competing nations, nor are British chemical manufactures inferior in quality. We feel it our bounden public duty to make known to the country the national importance of an industry which is indeed a key to the unlocking of many doors of economic wealth in the future. We are, &c., STAFFORD ALLEN & SONS, LTD. A. BOAKE, ROBERTS, & CO., LTD. THE BRITISH CELLULOSE & CHEMICAL MANUFAC THE BRITISH CYANIDES Co., LTD. W. J. BUSH & CO., LTD. J. M. COLLETT & CO., LTD. EVANS, SONS, LESCHER, & Webb, Ltd. [Continued on p. 120 SULPHATE of COPPER. Powder or Crystals. .. MAPLE" BRAND. Guaranteed 98-99% Purity. NICKEL SALTS (FOR NICKEL PLATING, Etc.) The MOND NICKEL Co., Ltd. 39, VICTORIA STREET, LONDON, S.W.1. SOCIETY OF LEATHER TRADES CHEMISTS.-A meeting of the British Section will be held at Leathersellers' Technical College, 176, Tower Bridge Road, London, S. E 1, on Friday, March 18, 1921, at 10.30 a.m. In addition to the official business reports will be given as follows:-"Sole Leather Analysis," by Dr. J. Gordon Parker; "Dressing Leather Analysis," by Mr. P. R. Barker; "Chrome Leather Analysis," by Mr. D. Woodroffe; "Tannin Analysis," by Mr. G. E. Knowles; "Sulphonated Oils," by Mr. C. F. Barber; "Limeyard Control," by Mr. F. C Thompson. The following Officers of the British Section have been elected for 1921: President-Mr. J. R. Blockey; Vice-President--Mr W. R. Atkin; Hon. Treasurer-Mr. C. D. Wilkinson, "Kingshurst," Great Sankey, nr. Warrington; Hon. Secretary-Mr. S. Hirst, 43, Woodbridge Road, Knowle, Bristol; Members of Committee--Prof. D. McCandlish, Mr. J. T. Wood. Royal Society, 4.30. "Colour of the Light from the Night Sky" by Lord Rayliegh, F.R.S. "Dissipation of Energy in permanent Ocean Currents, with some Relations between Salinites, Temperatures, and Currents " by R. O. Street. "The Vacuum Arc Spectra of Sodium and Potassium" by S. Datta, Heats of Combustion and Formation of Nitro-compounds by W. E. Garner and C. L. Abernethy. "Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Alcohols" by E. K. Rideal. Royal Institution, 3. "The Meteorology of the Antarctic" by Dr. G. C. Simpson. Chemical Society, 4. Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, 5.30. (Annual Meeting). Institution of Electrical Engineers 6. "The Long-distance Telephone System of the United Kingdom" by Sir William Noble. Society of Chemical Industry. (At Bristol). NOTICES. March 11, 1921 EDITORIAL.-All Literary communications and Books, Chemical Apparatus, &c., for review or notice to be addressed to the EDITOR. SUBSCRIPTIONS, £1 12s. per annum, payable in advance, should be addressed to the MANAGER. BACK NUMBERS and VOLUMES can be purchased on application to he MANAGER. THE CHEMICAL NEWS, 97. SHOE LANE, LONDON, E.C 4 ADVERTISEMENTS. All communications for this Department should be addressed toT. G. SCOTT & SON, 63, LUDGATE HILL, LONDON, E C.4. THE Owners of British Patents Nos. 138099, 138328, 135329, 138330 and 138331, all relating to the manufacture of Glycerol from Sugar are desirous of entering into negotiations with one or more firms in Great Britain for the purpose of exploiting the above inventions, either by sale of the Patent Rights or by granting licences to manufacture under Royalty. Enquiries should be addressed to Messrs. ABEL & IMRAY, Chartered Patent Agents, 30, Southampton Buildings, W.C.2. TECHNOLOGICAL CHEMIST desires position. Graduated with honour at the Polytechnic (University), Riga, with great experience in pure and manufacturing chemistry. Good analyst and skilful in research. especially aniline lakes for printing inks; could also be useful in any other chemical line. Good organiser. Box 826, T. G. SCOTT & SON 63, Ludgate Hill, London, E.C.4. PHARMACIST (Lady) American, Graduate and Registered, seeks work. Prescriptionist. Apply Box 822, T. G. Scott & Son, 63, Ludgate Hill, E.C.4. WANTED for a month or possibly longer' CHEMIST with experience of technical processes. Apply PATENTS, TRADE MARKS. Handbook and advice free- B. T. KING, British and U. S. Regd. Patent Attorney, 146a, Queen Victoria St., London. 35 years reference CHEMICAL APPARATUS AND REAGENTS. Pure Chemicals for Research Work. JOHN J. CRIFFIN & SONS, LTD.. KINGSWAY, LONDON, W.C. If in good condition, Sixpence per copy will be paid for any of the undermentioned numbers of the CHEMICAL NEWS which may be forwarded to this office: 3048, May 24th, 1918. 3051, July 5th, 1918. 3053, August 2nd, 1918. 3054, August 16th, 1918. 3056, September 13th, 1918. 3059, October 25th, 1918 3062, December 6th, 1918. 3063, December 20th, 1918. 3064, January 3rd, 1919. 3066, January 17th, 1919. 3068, January 31st, 1919. 3069, February 7th, 1919. 3070, February 14th, 1919. 3075, March 21st, 1919 CHEMICAL NEWS OFFICE, 97, SHOE LANE, LONDON, E.C.4. THE CHEMICAL NEWS. VOL. CXXII., No. 3179. SPIRAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE ELEMENTS. By L. BEAUMONT TANSLEY. THE drawing shows a simple method of tabulating the elements on the same basis as the periodic classification, but in a way which has less of the of the atomic weights. An increase of one unit for every ten or twenty units of atomic weight will suffice. Taking the atomic weight of 240 as centre, the elements are then plotted as they decrease in weight, in (say) a counter-clockwise direction, each being placed on a radial line at its correct value, as given in the International List. Commencing with uranium, a practically perfect spiral will then pass through all the elements until hydrogen is reached, this element being placed at the end of the halogens, since to place it at the end of the alkali metal group, where for many reasons it is often shown, would distort the last convolution of a spiral which is certainly |