January 7, 1921

that feeding bullocks will readily eat a moderate amount of bracken meal, and that it appears to agree quite well with them.

It cannot be claimed that the feeding trials made with bracken rhizomes are anything more inan preliminary. If the food value of this substance is to be tested thoroughly, much larger and more exhaustive trials will be necessary, and far larger quantities of the rhizomes would require to be obtained for the purpose. So far as they go, however, the trials indicate, as the analysis also does, that bracken rhizomes are not rich enough in the more valuable food constituents, such as albuminoids, to be of much use for anything but maintenance purposes, and that even for such purposes their usefulness is limited by the fact that they are not very palatable to certain classes of stock. Fortunately the circumstances which gave rise to these experiments have now passed away, and there is no longer the same danger of acute food scarcity in this country. In clearing from the bracken pest land which is good enough for cultivation, it may be possible to utilise the crop of rhizomes for feeding purposes, and these experiments indicate the value of this substance as a food and its limitations. They may also be of some interest in showing that the best time to cut bracken in order to weaken the rhizome is just when the frond is fully expanded.-Transactions of the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, 1919.

CHEMICAL NOMENCLATURE AND

PRONUNCIATION.

By J. NORMAN TAYLOR, Washington Preparatory School, Y.M.C.A., Washington, D. C.

THE attention of educators is frequently called to the responsibility of secondary schools in the matter of preparing students for institutions of higher learning. Slow progress in college is attributed to lack of proper training in the student's preparatory life and not infrequently, failure in later life is ascribed to faults of secondary schools. A well-known research director, in writing of the lack of observation among chemists, states that "until a conscious effort is made in our primary education to meet this requirement, our advance in science will not be as speedy as it should" (Robert E. Rose, "The Education of the Research Chemist": Jour. Ind. and Eng. Chem., 1920, xii., 948). A prominent educator implies this same lack of adequate preparation when he says, "And even if a freshman is somewhat dulled by his previous training, that seems scarcely a good reason for going on with the dulling process" (C. G. MacArthur: "The Scientific Teaching of Science" Science, new ser., 1920, lii., 350). Not only as regards preparation in science is deficiency laid at the door of the secondary school, but the poor English employed by so many college graduates is likewise charged to the same source. "A university graduate's inaptitude in the art of writing may be due, however, not to faults in his university course; more likely it is due in part to inefficient methods employed in the schools in which he obtained his

earlier training in English" (George McLane Wood: "Suggestions to Authors": U.S. Geological Survey, 1916, p. 52).

Granting the fact that the lower schools are responsible for deficiencies which handicap the individual later on, it will be agreed that in secondary schools, method is of great importance. If we are to utilise the scientific method in teaching science, then it follows that in Englishspeaking countries good English, both with regard to spelling and pronunciation, should be used to convey our thoughts regarding science.

Although, perhaps,not a vital matter, it nevertheless appears to the writer that in teaching chemistry, the nomenclature used in secondary schools, so far as chemical words and terms are concerned, should agree with that employed in the higher institutions of learning. Dean Wilbur in speaking of good use in language, with particular reference to national use, says, "There is a law of national use that restricts us to those words that are in good use throughout the land. . . . A word that is not in good current use throughout the land is inefficient. Misunderstanding and perplexity and vagueness follow in the track of such a word" (William Allen Wilbur, "English Rhetoric" Judd and Detweiler, Inc., Washington, 1917, p. 260). In instances where chemical facts have been conveyed to the preparatory school student through the medium of corrupt English, confusion is bound to follow when his teacher in college uses pure English. And a change from pure English to corrupt forms is equally confusing. Certainly, there should not be any confusion in this regard and greater uniformity should obtain both as to terminology and pronunciation.

If it is correct to spell the word phosphorous with "ph," why should not the same principle in orthography be followed when writing the word sulphur? Good English would require that the names of the members of the halogen group be spelled with the final "e," as "fluorine," "chlorine," "bromine," and "iodine," and that they be pronounced as they are spelled and not as though the termination were "in." Likewise good English demands that the names of the chemical compounds known as the halides be spelled with the final "e" and that they be pronounced as they are spelled (consult "Inorganic Nomenclature" in the introduction to a “German-English Dictionary for Chemists," by Austin M. Patterson, published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1917). The names of analogous compounds should terminate in "ide," as for example: carbide, oxide, sulphide, phosphide, nitride, selenide. The names of these compounds should not be pronounced as though they terminated in "id." Acids, bases, and salts should be written and pronounced with a proper regard for good English (examples of good chemical nomenclature are to be found in "A Dictionary of Chemical Terms," by James F. Couch, published by D. Van Nostrand Co., New York, 1920). In naming salts, the negative terminations should be "ate" and "ite" and the names should be pronounced as they are spelled and not as though they terminated in "at" and "it".

We must conclude with Dr. Crane that "good English in chemical literature, particularly in naming compounds, needs cultivation" (E. J. Crane, "Chemical Nomenclature" Jour. Ind. and Eng. Chem., 1919, xi., 72). Its choice is based

:

on a proper regard for derivation and good usage, and this latter desideratum requires the use of pure Englsh by English-speaking people, both in writing and pronunciation. Elimination of unEnglish terminology in chemical literature may be brought about by following Dean Wilbur's injunction: "Cultivate your own heritage. Cast away your mannerisms and discard your provincialisms, but cherish as a trust your own style and express it in our common language for the common good." Let those who teach chemistry in our schools and colleges observe good usage and adhere strictly to real English rather than to individual preferences.-School of Science and Mathematics, U.S.A., December, 1920.

NEW METHOD FOR MANUFACTURE OF NITROGENOUS FERTILISERS.

AN interesting paper on this subject was read by Mr. Thorsell, engineer, at a meeting of the Association of Engineers of Gothenburg, relating to a new method for preparation of nitrogenous compounds.

The method has many points of resemblance with the Haber process, but is more economic and more reliable in practice. It has also the advantage of giving useful by-products such as formiates oxalates, &c. Gaseous cyanogen is prepared by electrolysis of cyanides and the gas thus produced is run through concentrated hydrochloric acid, where it is transformed into oxamine, which represents a remarkable nitrogenous fertiliser containing 30 per cent nitrogen. Owing to the high cost of coal, heating is effected by electricity, and the expenditure of energy could thus be reduced to such an extent that only 12 kilowatts are needed to manufacture one kilogrm, of combined nitrogen.

Manufacture has already been commenced at the works of the Kvaeveindustrie Co., but as yet one cannot estimate the yield, for hitherto only a small portion of the plant is in work owing to the want of power. However, before long the fertiliser may be in the markets. The products comprise a series of by-products. To what extent will this new fertiliser compete with the hydroelectric nitrate of Norway? This, of course, will depend upon its value and price.-L'Engrais, November 19, 1920.

These experiments, made in the Iodet Angibaud Works of La Rochelle, might be continued for some time longer so as to be absolutely sure of the identity of this method with the old ones.

In any case, says M. Hutin (Revue de Chemie Industrielle, November, 1920), we have to thank Messrs. Iodet Angibaud for allowing us to make the following tests :

Pure pyrites cinders 40 kilogrms. require 180 of SO,NaH, supposed to be pure (408 per cent SO.H, free) and give 100 of (SO),H2 (mixed with variable quantities of SO,Na).

This ferric sulphate can be manufactured at a cost of less than 5 francs per quintal (4s. per 220 lbs.). The exact quantity of pyrites and bisulphate to be added is calculated according to the cinders with an exact percentage of Fe,O, and the real acidity of the bisulphate in SO,H2.

Modus Operandi.

The bisulphate is only slightly heated and then the dry cinders added in small quantities while stirring briskly. The reaction is very violent. The bisulphate pans are only filled 2/5. Heating is continued to remove water. The material run off should be very dry. To coagulate blood 1-part of this magma of blood. Coagulation is good cold, but the experimenter is of opinion that it would be better to heat. These experiments might be continued.

CORRESPONDENCE.

IS H COMPOSED OF A WHOLE-NUMBER PART (4) PLUS AN AUXILIARY PART (B) AND A ROTATING ELECTRON (C)?

To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR, Referring to the above paper which appeared in your Journal of Dec. 31, 1920, through an oversight I omitted to mention that Langmuir gives helium the place shown in Table II. as well as the one over beryllium.

Referring to Table I., Co, Rh, and Ir should be deleted.

Referring to the descriptive matter under Table II., on p. 316, the letters "A" and "B" (in small caps.) should be in large caps. (A,B): the same as those following the words "Atomic Number."

There are two additional matters of interest I will note here.

If a is the fundamental material having the property of cohesion uniquely developed, it might condense round a nuclear part b, the latter possibly representing the positive electron, so that all atoms would contain at least one b nucleus, presumably situated at the centre of the atom. There are, however, apparently insuperable diffiOne of the difficulties would be the evaluation of culties that stand in the way of such an idea. the positive entity in different elements. Obviously, oxygen could not have more than one and yet oxygen is supposed to have 8 negative such entity if the a-value of unity is retained; electrons. There would thus be a very large, excess of negative charge on (and in) the atom;, equal to 7 negative electrons. Helium, for example, presents a similar difficulty.

The positions of a and b in the table shown might be reversed. Moreover, to make the table more complete, the negative electron should be placed therein; but it is obvious that it may be stretching matters too much to attempt to assign such an electrical entity to a place in the table. It is of interest to note that A. G. Dempster reports in Science of December 10, 1920, that he has analysed magnesium by means of the positiveray method, with the result that the atomic weights of the whole-number isotypes found are: 24, 25, and 26. Mg=24 is present in larger quantities than the others.-I am, &c.,

F. H. LORING.

COLOUR OF WATER.

To the Editor of the Chemical News.

SIR, Sir W. D. Bancroft, in a recent paper (CHEMICAL NEWS, 1919, cxviii., pp. 197, 208, 222, 233, 248, 254) has discussed the question of the colour of water, with regard to the theories that its colour under various conditions is due to absorption of light, reflection by suspended particles, influence of dissolved matter, &c., but he has overlooked the aspect of the question raised by Ducleaux and (Mme.) E. W. Wollemann (Journ. de Physique, 1912, (v.), ii., 263). These investigators found that a long column of water appears blue by transmitted light at comparatively low temperatures, but it becomes green with rise of temperature, which they explain on the assumption that polymerised water molecules are blue, and the simple ones green, the former being broken up with increasing temperature. Confirmation is afforded to this explanation by the fact that solutions of colourless salts, which must contain less polymerised water molecules than pure water, are greener than pure water at the same temperature.

Of course, the vapour density of steam is much less than that required for the formula H1O2, and greater than for the formula H,O, its density at about 100° C. corresponding with about 91 per cent of H2O molecules, whilst more recent work has rendered it necessary to assume the existence of trihydrol (H,O,) in addition to dihydrol (H,O,) and hydrol (H2O) in liquid water, in addition to which H. E. Armstrong assumed that two intramolecular forms of each "hydrol" also exist.

If these assumptions be true, then the six different forms of ice discovered by G. Tammann (Zeit. physical Chem., 1910 and 1912) correspond to the six different molecules assumed to exist in liquid water.-I am, &c.,

Barrow-in-Furness, December 24, 1920).

DIAMONDS.

E. TOMKINSON.

To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR, In the course of his paper on "Diamonds" (CHEMICAL NEWS, cxx., 303), Mr. J. R. Sutton mentions the breast-plate of the high priest at Jerusalem and raises the question as to whether one of the stones was a diamond, inclining to the

belief that possibly it was. If, as Mr. Sutton suggests, the art of engraving on the diamond may have been known to the ancients, it is highly probable that some examples would have been preserved, but nothing of the kind has ever been found. While diamonds have occurred having natural markings simulating written characters, it is highly improbable that any of these would be sufficiently like the symbol of one of the tribes to pass muster, and in any case there is no evidence that the Jews had any knowledge of the diamond as a precious stone.

Moreover, not one breast-plate, but quite a number had to be constructed to replace those carried off by the Egyptian and Babylonian plunderers who devastated the Holy City at various dates from 971 B.C. The question was very fully discussed by Mr. L. Fletcher, Special Guide No. 5, British Museum (Nat. Hist.) 1911, who shows clearly that the name diamond given in the Bible is a mis-translation and that quite a different stone was involved.-I am, &c.,

Sydney, N. S. Wales.

THOMAS STEEL.

THE BRITISH COMMITTEE FOR AIDING MEN OF LETTERS AND SCIENCE IN

RUSSIA.

To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR, We have recently been able to get some direct communication from men of science and men of letters in North Russia. Their condition is one of great privation and limitation. They share in the consequences of the almost compelte economic exhaustion of Russia; like most people in that country they are ill-clad, underfed, and short of such physical necessities as make life tolerable.

Nevertheless, a certain amount of scientific research and some literary work still goes on. The

Bolsheviks were at first regardless and even in some cases hostile to these intellectual workers, but the Bolshevik government has apparently come to realise something of the importance of scientific and literary work to the community, and the remnant-for deaths among them have been very numerous-the remnant of these people, the flower of the mental life of Russia, has now gathered together into two special rationing organisations which ensure at least the bare necessities of life for them.

These organisations have their headquarters in two buildings known as the House of Science and the House of Literature and Art. Under the former we note such great names as those of Pavlov the physiologist and Nobel Prizeman, Karpinsky the geologist, Borodin the botanist, Belopolsky the astronomer, Tagantzev the criminologist, Oldenburg the orientalist and permanent secretary of the Petrograd Academy of Science, Koni, Radlov, Bechterev, Latishev, Morozov, and many others familiar to the whole scientific world. Several of these scientific men have been interviewed and affairs discussed with them, particularly as to whether anything could be done to help them. There were many matters in which it would be possible to assist them but upon one

in particular they laid stress. Their thought and work is greatly impeded by the fact that they have seen practically no European books or publications since the Revolution. This is an inconvenience amounting to real intellectual distress. In the hope that this condition may be relieved by an appeal to British scientific workers, Prof. Oldenburg formed a small committee and made a comprehensive list of books and publications needed by the intellectual community in Russia if it is to keep alive and abreast of the rest of the world.

It is, of course, necessary to be assured that any aid of this kind provided for literary and scientific men in Russia would reach its destination. The Bolshevik Government in Moscow, the Russian trade delegations in Reval and London, and our own authorities have therefore been consulted, and it would appear that there will be no obstacles to the transmission of this needed material to the House of Science and the House of Literature and Art. It can be got through by special facilities even under present conditions.

Many of the publications named in the Oldenburg list will have to be bought, the costs of transmission will be considerable, and accordingly the undersigned have formed themselves into a small committee for the collection and administration of a fund for the supply of scientific and literary publications, and possibly if the amount subscribed permits of it, of other necessities to these Russian savants and men of letters.

We hope to work in close association with the Royal Society and other leading learned societies in this matter. The British Science Guild has kindly granted the Committee permission to use its address.

We appeal for subscriptions and ask that cheques should be made out to the Treasurer, C. Hagberg Wright, LL.D., and sent to the British Committee for aiding Men of Letters and Science in Russia, British Science Guild Offices, 6, John Street, Adelphi, London, W.C.2.-We are &c., MONTAGU OF BEAULIEU BERNARD PARES

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Year Book of Pharmacy for 1920. Pp. ix+622. London: J & A. Churchill, 7, Great Marlborough Street.

THIS Year Book of Pharmacy contains Abstracts of papers relating to pharmacy, materia medica, and chemistry contributed to British and foreign journals from July 1, 1919, to June 30, 1920, also it contains the Transactions of the British Pharmaceutical Conference at its 57th Annual Meeting held in Liverpool, July 19, to 23, 1920.

The Yeasts. By ALEXANDRE GUILLIERMOND, D.Sc., translated by F. W. TANNER, M.S., Ph.D. Pages xix. +424. 1920. London: Chapman & Hall, 11, Henrietta Street, W.C.2. Price 33/

net.

ALTHOUGH it is stated that Mr. Tanner is the translator of Mr. Guilliermond's book on Yeasts,

this is not strictly correct. This book is based on Guilliermond's "Les Levures" which was published in 1912, appearing as a volume in the section on Cryptogramic Botany of Encyclopedie Scientifique. This series is edited under the direction of Dr. Toulouse. The mere translation of a book published in 1912 on a subject which is being developed as rapidly as the yeasts would be entirely inadequate, the translator has, with the assistance of M. Guilliermond, added much new material, which has been published since 1912.

The book is divided into 13 chapters. The first Seven deal with the properties of yeasts, while the remaining chapters are given up to their classification.

A System of Physical Chemistry. Vol. II., "Thermodynamics." By WILLIAM C. McC. LEWIS, M.A. (R.U.I.), D.Sc. (Liver.). Third Edition. Pp. viii. +454. 1920. London: Longmans, Green, & Co., 39, Paternoster Row, E.C.4. Price 15/- net.

THIS book belongs to the series "Text Books of Physical Chemistry" edited by Sir Wm. Ramsay, K.C.B., D.Sc., F.R.S., and F. G. Donnan, C.B.E., M.A., Ph.D., F.R.S.

of

The author has made a few additions to the previous edition, principally in Chapter VII., the E.M.F. method of determining the transport number of an ion as employed by MacInnes and Parker, an account of the investigation Richards and Daniells on thallium amalgam cells, and Tolman's work on centrifugal cells; in Chapter VIII., an extended section dealing with ionic activity and ionisation. The problem of the activity of undissociated molecules is also considered. In Chapter XI., a resumé of the experimental evidence for Donnan's theory of membrane equilibria is given, and a fairly full account of the concept of the micelle in electrolytic colloids. The other two volumes comprising this book are entitled: Vol. I., "Kinetic Theory"; and Vol. III., "Quantum Theory."

An Introduction to the Structure and Reproduction of Plants. By FRITCH and SALISBURY. London G. Bell & Sons. Price 15/- net.

As stated by the authors, this work, of some 400 pages, is written as a sequel to their "Introduction to the Study of Plants." The subject-matter is divided into two sections, the first dealing with anatomy, and the second with life-histories and reproduction. Both these sections are copiously illustrated by photographs and diagrams, very largely original; these are extremely well reproduced and form a valuable part of the book.

In the anatomy section are chapters on cellstructure, cell-division, and differentiation, with separate chapters on the non-living contents and by-products of cells. These are followed by sections devoted to the different tissues in turn, special emphasis being laid on the relations of structure to function in special tissues such as cork, secondary wood, and the like.

In the second section, dealing with life-histories and reproduction, a departure has been made from the usual system of "types." The common groups are all dealt with in turn, but as large a variety

January 7, 1921

of forms as possible is illustrated in each. In accordance with this principle, many interesting references of economic and commercial importance are introduced. The short concluding chapter deals simply with evolution and heredity; its interest is increased by clear diagrams of simple laws of variation and maps illustrating distribution.

Finally, there is a comprehensive appendix and an excellent index. The microscopic diagrams would be improved by statements of the exact magnifications.

NOTES.

CANDELILLA WAX IN MEXICO.-The candelilla is a plant about 25 inches high which grows extensively in Mexico, wild, especially in the locality of Monterey, where there are several works to extract the oil. At the end of August, 1919, only one of these works was running, owing to the poor prices of wax, the daily production being 662lb. The wax is extracted by putting the plants into water, which is then heated to boiling. Sulphuric acid is added, the separated wax being collected and poured into receptacles to solidify. It is then treated with steam in another vessel, and sulphuric acid. The refined wax is then run into moulds.-Matières Grasses, Nov. 15.

MR. JOHN AMES, General Secretary of the Industrial League and Council, has been appointed a member of the Commercial Panel of the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour. Mr. Ames' long and varied experience in connection with Labour matters renders him eminently suitable to assist in connection with the work which will devolve on this Panel. During the last two years, while officiating in the capacity of a Trustee and Member of the Executive Committee administering the King's Fund, of which Lord Parmoor was the Chairman, Mr. Ames found his experience very useful.

NEW COMMERCIAL MOTOR TAXATION.-The Solicitor to the Commercial Motor Users Association has compiled for the benefit of members a 24-page booklet, indicating the new rates of duty payable upon commercial motor vehicles as from January 1, together with a summary of the principal regulations governing the licensing and registration of such vehicles, which will also come into force on January 1. A limited number of copies of the booklet are available, and any user of commercial motor vehicles may receive a copy post free upon application to F. G. Bristow, F.C.I.S., F.S.S., A.M. Inst. T., General Secretary, Commercial Motor Users Association, 50, Pall Mall, London, S.W.1.

EXPORT OF SEED POTATOES.-The Board of Trade (Licensing Section) announces that as from the 16th instant seed potatoes may be exported to all destinations other than Soviet Russia without Privy Council Licence. Exporters are, however, warned that it will still be necessary to obtain certificates of freedom from disease from the respective Boards of Agriculture before export can take place to certain destinations.

CONTRACTS CLOSED.-The Turbine Furnace Co. Ltd., of 5, Budge Row, London, E. C.4 has received orders from (1) Messrs. A. Boakes Roberts & Co.,

Ltd., of Carpenters Road, Stratford, E. (chemical manufacturers) for one set of furnaces for a 30ft. by 8ft. Lancashire Boiler, with 3in. flues; (2) Messrs. The Gas Light & Coke Coke Co., Ltd., Westminster, have placed an order for one set of Turbine (Patent) Furnaces, for their tar and ammonia-producing works at Beckton. The furnaces are required to fit a Lancashire boiler of Sft. Gin, diameter.

ESTIMATION OF PHOSPHATES AND ARSENIATES.— The sulphomolybdic solution hitherto employed to characterise, sometimes tin salts and sometimes hydrogen peroxide, gives an extremely sensitive reagent which M. Denigès employs in research of phosphates and arseniates. Its application will be particularly interesting in analysis of soils and identification of traces of Ph or As, both in biochemistry and legal chemistry.-Comptes Rendus, October 26th, 1920.

New Patents

THIS List is specially compiled for the Chemical News by Messrs. Rayner & Co., Registered Patent Agents, of 5, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.2., from whom all information relating to Patents, Trade Marks and Designs can be obtained gratuitously.

Mixing or comminuting and dissolving alkali silicates.—Mr' J. F. Phillips, of Old Burlington Street, London, and another gentleman have obtained a Patent No. 151508, for an improved method of mixing or comminuting and dissolving alkali-silicate in the presence of water under the action of steam or gas in a rotary mixer. The steam or gas is arranged to be directed in the form of jets throughout the whole internal space of the mixer and to impinge with force upon the particles of the material treated. Preferably, a pipe is arranged substantially along the axis of the barrel or cylinder and provided along its length with a number of orifices so as to cause radical jets of steam, etc., to play upon the material as it tumbles with the rotation of the barrel.

There may be a number of pipes substantially parallel to the axis or the steam may be admitted to a steam-chest at one end or both ends of the cylinder provided with a series of perforations which will cause a number of jets to be projected into the cylinder parallel to the axis. As shown on the accompanied drawing the cylinder A, is mounted on trunnions F and rotated by toothed gearing, and a steam-pipe E passing through the trunnions is fitted at the end with a safety valve J. The pipe E has radical orifices L and may be surrounded by a second or shutter pipe G having orifices normally registering with those in the pipe E.

By means of a handle H, the pipe G can be rotated to close the orifices L of the pipe E, or the pipe G may be arranged to be moved axially. The pressure of the steam or gas in the cylinder may be employed to discharge the finished material.

Messrs. Rayner & Co., will obtain printed copies of the published specifications and forward on post free for the official price of 1/- each.