New-York tribune., 1908-08-31
ADVANCES IN BRITISH SCIENCE.

If no one topic Of overwhelming interest domi-
mates the meeting of the British Association Tor
the Advancement Of Science. which opens next
wednesday in Dublin, there is promise that
wide variety Of important topics will be dis
cussel. So thorough are the preparations TOT
the sessions of this body that many features OF
the r, ogramme to be followed were made pup
lie several weeks ago. There is already ample
evidence that the session or 19oS Will pe eA-
ceedingly fruitful.
So closely has Sir William Ramsay been as
sociated of late with the doctrine of the trans
mutation of metals that much curiosity VIII De
felt concerning any new revelation he may
make. The sentiment will be stimulated, no
doubt by the rumor that the distinguished
chemist has recently changed silver into gohl-
The Tribunes London correspondent puts an
extinguisher on this brilliant sensation, ana
SAWS that thus far Sir William has not done
any constructive work with radfum, the only
influence which has been demonstrated as being
destructive. Arguing strictly from preceoent'
therefore it is safe to say that he never viii.
Sir William is to attend the Dublin meeting,
however. and present a paper on the traits OF
such inactive gases as argon. Still. the new
element the discovery of which won the Curies
wide renown will not be altogether ignored.
Professor Jolly, a well known lrlsh physicist
nlans TO indicate the possible effects OF radfum
in geology.
An animated debate over the new theories
about the constitution of an atom IS nkeiy u
be precipitated by Professor b. t. Armstrons'
who does not accept 1t. An American geologis''
Professor w. H. Davis of Harvard University,
is expected to tell the lessons he derives 1roin
the Colorado Canyon, and to point out the pos
sible effect on history of the subdivisions Of the
Appalachian upIift Mr. Milne, perhaps the best
living authority on earthquakes. will discuss
the duration and direction of the phenomena
which have been his life study. Professor W.
Rateson. widely known for his researches lnto
the principles Of stock breeding IS TO give ther
latest results CogniZance OF recent de'elop
ments in aeroDautic science will be taken py
Professor f. w. Manchester, whose paper on
the laws Of flight ought to prove instructive 10
the disciples Of Maxim, Langley, Renard anu
Santos -Dumont. and also to the purchasers oi
airships As a further illustration OF the variety
and attractiveness of the proceedings 1t may
ho added that an attempt will be made to show
the relationship between rock carvings IN NOR
WAY and some British monuments, and tnat
Professor H. H. Turner is to talk ABOUT the
nromised return of HalleyS comet
In accordance with long established usage,
the coming session will begin in the mldoie OF
one week and extend to the middle OF the next
Saturday will be given UP TO e1curslohs' oh
Sunday special services will be held IN tne
churches and the monotony of scientific dis
cussion will be further varied by receptions ana
garden parties. Still another manifestation oi
local hospitality has been furnished bs uhe
prompt raising of $4,000 for the incidental e1
nenses Of the meeting. Years ago the Amer
lean Association for the Advancement OF Sci
ence met in summer and timed its gatherings
SO as TO spend Sunday in the place to wnlch IL
was invited Recently it has held its chief ses
sions in the winter and has kept WITHIN the
limits of single week. The change seems 10
have been dictated by the convenience OF the
members but It has involved sacrifice or some
Of the attractions of these annual assemblies
Perhaps 1t would not have been made had the
various communities which the organization
visited had a liveler appreciation OF the I'M
,ortanco and fascinations of science. The hearty
manner in which British cities welcome the as
socation which is about to assemble In Duphh
is something of reproach to America.