The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-22 00:00:00

CHEMICAL SCIENCE.

In this section Professor Frankland read an address;
dealing with the progress of chemistry during the past
year. The first research to which he called attention was
that prosecuted by the Master of the Mint on the occlu-
sion of gases by metals. The extraordinary property
posssessed by some of the metals, but especially by palladium,
of absorbing large volumes of certain gases, was, said the
professor, one of the most interesting of modern observa-
tions, and could scarcely fail to throw light upon that obscure
class of phenomena occupying the border land between the
recognised domains of chemical and cohesive attraction.
The paper went on to shew that, in mineral chemistry,
various important discoveries had been made. The
synthetical and constitutional departments of organic
chemistry have received important additions from
the discoverer of the first aniline colour. In pursuing his
interesting researches on the salicylic series, Perkin has
succeeded in artificially producing coumarin, besides a
number of homologues of this substance. To the same
chemist we are also indebted for a theoretical paper of
great importance, on the probable difference in the
value of the four bonds of carbon—a subject which,
in its bearings upon isomerism, has long claimed, though
it has never received, the earnest attention of chemists.
The experiments of Dr. Arthur Gamgee on the action of
nitrites upon blood afford a striking illustration of the
successful application of the most delicate processes of
chemical analysis to physiological research. After a long
period of indecision and confusion, as regards the atomic
weights of a majority of the elements, it is gratifying to
find that at the present moment an almost complete
unanimity prevails amongst chemical teachers. Out of
upwards of 900 papers, worked in all parts of the United
Kingdom, at. a recent examination connected with the
Science and Art Department, the old atomic weights were
employed in less than twenty cases. It is much to be
regretted that this unanimity does not extend to notation
and nomenclature ; as regards the latter, a much greater
uniformity prevails in France and Germany than in this
country, and it is greatly to be desired that efforts should
be made to bring about a better understanding on this
subject. To the student a uniformly recognised nomen-
clature is perhaps of more importance than a generally
accepted notation. For the present the realisation of the
latter appears to be impossible ; but by a little mutual
concession on the part of teachers, and especially of authors,
there would be good hope of soon accomplishing the
former.

MATHEMATICAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE.
In this section a very important paper on "The neces-
sity for State intervention to secure the progress of
Physical Science" was read by Lieutenant-Colonel A.
STRANGE, F.R.S., Inspector of Scientific Instruments,
India Department. The paper pointed out that
physical science, like literature and the fine arts,
required to be taught, to be extended, and to
be exhibited ; that the necessity for teaching science
was now generally admitted, but that the provisions for
doing so in England were inadequate and unsystematic.
There were many learned societies, it was true, but they
were too narrowly constituted to push an investigation
with the necessary promptitude. It was urged that the
scientific researches of the present day needed buildings
expressly constructed for the purpose, extensive and costly
appliances, and the continuous employment of
the highest skill. These requirements could not
be met by private enterprise or munificence.
It followed of necessity that the resources of the State
alone could adequately supply the existing want. It was
proposed, therefore, that there should be established a
system of national institutions for the sole purpose of
advancing science by practical research, quite apart from
teaching it ; that such institutions should be presided
over by a governing body, constituted vvith, reference
solely to . the scientific eminence of its members ;
that this body should direct the labours of the
executive ; the institutions should be rendered accessible
to the scientific public, and to persons whose
objects, manufacturing or otherwise, require for their pro,
motion physical data. Such institutions would form a
--consultative body, to which the State might resort fin
information now sought to be obtained by the very costly
and not always very satisfactory expedient of speciaj
The paper concluded with a proposal that
commissions.
.the British Assoention should be appointed
for the purpose of considering, first, whether State inter.
vention was now necessary ; and secondly, if so, wlial
measures should be taken to promote such intervention.