Ampere

hours.

9.6 (a)

9.6 (a)

9.6 (a)

10.5 (a)

Precipitated by oxalic acid (b)

8.4 (a)

pink, fading gradually.

rapidly. The oxides were light yellowish brown, and about the same colour. (b) Very dark brown oxide.

Atomic Weight of Original=98.94

The eighth fraction, Table V., Fig. 5, showed a sudden rise in atomic weight, which was probably due to the concentration of neodymium in the later fractions of that run. With a view to ascertaining whether the method of fractional electrolysis might profitably be utilised in separating neodymium (and its group elements) from the erbium group, even when the amount of material is comparatively small, the oxides constituting the eighth fraction were converted to a neutral nitrate solution that contained about 45 grms. of rare earth oxides in 600 cc. of solution, and this was fractionally electrolysed in the same manner as before. Six fractions were obtained. The results given in Table VII. and Fig. 7 again demonstrate the ease and rapidity of the separation of neodymium from yttrium and erbium.

The separation of the rare earths by the fractional precipitation of their hydroxides upon electrolysis of solutions of their salts at voltages considerably higher than the decomposition values of the salts is probably due to the action of the hydroxyl ions, concentrated near the cathode, upon earths of different basicities. The hydroxide of the weakest base will first tend to form, and if the deposition

Summary.

1. The decomposition voltages of several neutral, normal solutions of salts of the rare earths were deter mined. The values were found to lie close together and to be in the neighbourhood of two volts.

2. Fractional electrolysis of a solution of the chlorides

of yttrium earths yielded rapid concentration of the coloured earths in the earlier fractions, and of yttrium in the later fractions. A small amount of neodymium that was present appeared in the last fractions.

3. Fractional electrolysis, with a diaphragm, of a solution of the nitrates of these earths showed concentration of the earths similar to that obtained in the electrolysis of the chlorides. The rate of precipitation of the hydroxides of the rare earths from the nitrate solution was, however, four times as rapid as from the chloride solutions. No ammonium salts were present in the electrolyte at the close of the run.

4. Fractional electrolysis of a solution high in erbium, holmium, thulium, and yttrium gave, in a series of six fractions, no appreciable separation of the first three

5. In the fractional electrolysis of solutions of certain salts of the rare earths, the hydroxides of the earths are precipitated, under the conditions here described, in the order of the basicities of the earths. Rapid concentration of certain groups of earths is attained in short series of fractions.

The method is being further studied in this laboratory.

FEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRIES.

A LUNCHEON was given at Princes Restaurant on Wednesday, the 2nd inst., by Sir Algernon Firth, a member of the Federation of British Industries, to His Excellency Liang Chi-chao and the members of his Mission.

Amongst those present were Mr. R. T. Nugent, Mr. Fitzjohn Oldham, Mr. C. Tennyson, Mr. Guy Locock, Mr. P. Lockhart, Sir W. B. Peat, Sir Robert Hadfield, Mr. S. Springer, and Mr. Henry Hobden, of the Federation of British Industries, and Prof. Carsun C. Chang (Professor of International Law at the Peking University), Mr. V. K. Ting (Head of the Department of Geological Survey in China), Mr. Singloh Hsu (Secretary to the Ministry of Finance), Mr. Weishin Yang (Member of the Board of Education), Dr. H. K. Fung, M.S. of Agr., Ph.D. (Expert, Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce and Technical Delegate of the Chinese Government to the Peace Conference), and Mr. S. G. Cheng (Publicist).

Sir ALGERNON FIRTH, in proposing the health of Mr. Liang Chi-chao, stated that Mr. Liang, who has occupied the high posts of Minister of Finance and Minister of Justice in former Administrations in China, is the acknowledged leader and exponent of those elements which tend towards the systematic and peaceful development of his country.

On the occasion of his visit to Europe he is the trusted emissary of the President of the Chinese Republic, and I understand that an important feature of his mission is to gauge the feeling which animates Western people in regard to his country. May I express at once my confident belief that Mr. Liang will carry back the conviction that genuine friendship and the desire to help are the characteristics of the British people so far as China is concerned?

I understand also that it is Mr. Liang Chi-chao's desire to expound, so far as is possible in the brief time at his disposal, the economic position in which China finds her self to-day, and perhaps to suggest in general terms the manner in which the nations of the West, and particularly Great Britain, may with advantage to themselves assist in building up a prosperous and stable condition of affairs in

China.

When we in the West speak of China few of us realise that here is a country containing four hundred millions of industrious people, occupying an area comparable in size with the whole of Europe. This vast territory with its teeming population offers almost illimitable possibilities for economic development. The Chinese claim the Empire existed 8-10,000 years. Prof. Pritchard, of Oxford, allowed that they existed 2500 years B.C. as an Empire; 130 B.C. they are recorded as having ravaged coasts of Caspian Sea. Great Wall erected 300 B.C. In more modern times, 1793, Earl of McCartney went to China and reported it had 4202 walled cities, 330 million people, army I million, cavalry 800,000; and the time cannot be far distant when of all the countries in the world China will offer the greatest field for the beneficent enterprise of the industrial countries of the West. I say deliberately beneficent enterprise, because it must be obvious that the real solution of all the trials and tribulations which afflict China lies in her economic emanicipation.

But in order that this economic development shall proceed smoothly and bring about the desired results, it is essential that the policy of the open door and equal opportunity for

carried into effect. I am glad to be able to assure His Excellency that the Federation of British Industries has definitely and emphatically associated itself with this policy and that its efforts will continue to be directed towards that end.

Granted that we are to see this policy of equal opportunity upheld, there remains, in my opinion, one great consideration which will prove a determining factor in bringing about a peaceful and prosperous era in China, and that is the factor of co-operation. The old order in which China held herself aloof while foreign enterprise sought to force a footing beyond her coast-lines has passed away, and the tendency to-day is towards a great and greater measure of co-operation. I can conceive of no more useful form of co-operation than that represented by the combined efforts of the Chinese, with their great good sense, their unrivalled commercial sagacity, and their probity, and of the British, upon whose merits I need not dwell. England never had an idea of exclusive trading but a high reputation for honest goods and fair and straight dealings. Indeed I am glad to notice that AngloChinese co-operation is beginning to find shape in many directions, one of the latest evidences being, I believe, a proposal to form in Shanghai an Anglo-Chinese Club at which the business men of both nations will meet in friendly intercourse. All this is to the good. But we must look forward to an even greater measure of cooperation than that of which we have such promising indications to-day.

I understand that the Overseas Trade organisation of the Federation are giving careful attention to this very matter, and I hope that one of the results of their study will be the establishment of close and amicable relations between the Federation and important sources of intelligence in China.

In replying to the toast, His Excellency LIANG CHI-CHAO enlarged upon the great possibilities that await British industrial enterprise in China in actual co-operation with the Chinese themselves. The enormous resources of China in raw material offered an illimitable field for development, but Mr. Liang considered that with the vast changes in trade and transport conditions throughout the World that has been brought about by the War, the obvious solutions lay in working up these raw materials as far as possible in China itself. The desirability of such an economic policy has been quickly recognised by the Japanese, who at a time when Great Britain had her hands tied in Europe neglected no opportuity to establish industrial enterprise through the Republic. Mr. Liang mentioned that the Chinese have awakened to a realisation that foreign assistance was necessary to her social and economic well-being. They would be inclined particularly to welcome British co-operation during the period of their country's regeneration, for the name of Great Britain stood for efficiency and integrity, and in no circumstances implied a sinister political programme. This could not be said of all countries. His Excellency therefore hoped that British enterprise would bestir itself and take a hand in the industrial development of China. It was, however, of the greatest importance to act without delay as others were in the field in search of monopolies. Mr. P. LOCKHART proposed a vote of thanks to Sir Algernon Firth for acting as host, and the proceedings then terminated.

CHEMICAL EMPLOYERS AND ROAD TRANSPORT.-The Chemical Employers Federation has just entered into an affiliation agreement with the Motor Transport Employers Federation in respect of those of its members who employ commercial motor vehicles. The Motor Transport Employers Federation is one of the three Employers' organisations represented on the Joint Industrial Council for the Road Transport Industry, of which Council Captain F. G. Bristow, 83, Pall Mall, London, S. W. 1, is the Secretary for the Employers.

NEWS

1919 AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF DRUG AND CHEMICAL WORKERS. (COVENTRY BRANCH).

THIS Society held a special meeting on Wednesday, July 2, at the White Lion Hotel, Coventry, when the special feature was an address by an Organiser of the Society. Mr. A. Barrett (London) was expected to be the speaker, but he was unable to make the visit, and Mr. A. J. Gillian deputised for him.

Mr. G. H. LUSTY presided over a good attendance, which included a number of ladies.

Mr. GILLIAN put forward a strong claim for the support of the Society by all drug and chemical workers, as the Society was the only one in the country that was organised for their special benefit. The interests of the Society were also the interests of the members, as their leaders were among the best men in the trade, who could deal with all matters brought to their notice with sympathy and understanding. The Society, in conjunction with four other Organisations, was represented at a conference with the Drug and Fine Chemical Masters' Association last March, when a schedule of rates of wages for the trade was agreed upon and recognised by the Masters' Association. This schedule was now operative in 43 of their business houses, and negotiations were in hand with a good many others. The schedule for men ranged from 50s. to 55s. per week, for women from 32s. 6d. to 40s. per week, for male juvenile workers from 16s. 6d. to 475. per week, and for female juveniles from 158. 6d. to 30s.per week. The aduits were graded by their class of employment, and the juveniles by ages; and a working week of forty-eight hours with overtime rates was also stipulated. All firms who were members of the Masters' Association were bound to

recognise these rates, and the speaker urged the necessity of his audience to organise in order to protect these rates if they were getting them; and if they were not, then organise to get them. He appealed for a reasonable and square deal on both sides, and he reminded them that the workers could not get round the employers by ignoring their interests or forgetting their existence. On the other hand, cordial relationship should go beyond compliments, otherwise its existence was more visionary than real. His own experience was that firms were always willing to meet the representatives from the Society, and matters that would otherwise be overlooked were righted, especially where the staff of the firm were strongly organised. Mr. Gillian asked that foremen should consider the advisability of joining the Society. They would find it valuable in keeping in touch with their staffs in many matters that would help to promote joint interest, mutual understanding, and free consultation with the heads of the firms and their employees.

At the close of the meeting there was a brisk application for membership forms.

OBITUARY

LORD RAYLEIGH.

THE death of Lord Rayleigh, O.M., D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.S., which took place on June 30, has removed one more of the prominent men of science from our midst. Lord Rayleigh was seventy-seven years of age, and for the past forty years has been in the forefront of the workers in experimental physics. His name will always be associated with the discoveries of the inert gases of the atmosphere; it was through his announcement of the discrepancies between the density of nitrogen removed from the atmosphere and that obtained from chemical compounds that drew the attention of Prof. Ramsay to the subject and resulted in their combined and successful investigations.

Lord Rayleigh received the Order of Merit at its institution in 1902; he was an Officer of the French Legion of Honour; and in 1905 he was appointed a member of the Privy Council.

fessor of Physics in the Imperial College of Science and He leaves two sons; the elder, Robert John, is ProTechnology and is distinguished for his researches on radio-activity, and the younger is a naval officer.

PROFESSOR ADRIAN BROWN.

THE death took place on Wednesday, July 2, at his resi dence at Northfield, near Birmingham, of Prof. Adrian J. Brown, M.Sc., F.R.S., who since 1899 had been Professor of Biology and Chemistry of Fermentation at the University of Birmingham, and Director of the School of Brewing. Born in 1852, and the son of the late Mr. Edwin Brown, F.G.S., of Burton-on-Trent, he was for some time an assistant at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and was later a chemist to Messrs. T. Salt and Co., Burton-on-Trent, and was the author of several works on chemistry. At one time he was examiner in Biological Chemistry at the Institute of Chemistry. It was only on the previous Sunday that Prof. Brown's wife died. Husband and wife were interred together at Northfield Cemetery on July 4.

NOTES.

THE Educational Committee of the Russo-British (1917) Bratstvo (Fraternity) propose to inaugurate a course of Commercial Emergency Lectures, to be delivered by British and Russian experts during the months of July, August, and September, on the various branches of Russian Export and Import Trade and the technicalities of Russian business operations. These lectures will be delivered in English, and are designed to afford those intending to start as commercial travellers and agents the means of acquiring an indispensable elementary knowledge of the conditions and particulars of business operations in Russia. The requirements of the Russian market in every branch will probably prove before long to be enormous, and will open great possibilities for all industrial countries thoughout the world. It would be of great service if informa tion could be obtained from various authoritative quarters as to the most suitable and convenient manner in which such lectures could be arranged so as to meet the wishes of applicants and the needs of the moment. It is proposed to arrange for the following courses :- Russian Economics; Commercial Geography; Legal and Social Conditions; Agrarian Problems-Needs of Agriculture; Textile Industry; Mining, Metallurgy; Chemical Industry; Co-operation; Russian History; Russian Commercial Language; Ethnography. Informal instruction in industry and trade, as mentioned in the scheme above, and such other subjects as may appear of practical importance, will be delivered if found necessary. Further particulars may be obtained from the Secretary, Baron A. F. Meyendorff, 26, Chester Square, S.W. 1.

THE official opening of the British Scientific Products Exhibition took place on Thursday, July 3, at the Central Hall, Westminster. Lord Sydenham, G.C.S.I., F.R.S., President of the Guild, took the chair, and after a few introductory remarks an opening address was delivered by the Most Hon. the Marquess of Crewe. His Lordship, after explaining the objects of the Exhibition, dwelt upon the part that British scientific application had played in the war, the unpreparedness with which we entered into the conflict, the rapidity with which the knowledge and invention of the scientific technologist was applied to the need of the moment, and to the success that followed.

His