to increase the great usefulness of these institutions, even though conducted in the main upon their present lines: but we have thought it desirable to defer making such recommendations at the present time for reasons which we will now proceed to state.

11. It will be remembered that the terms of reference to the committee were as follows:- To inquire into the present working of the Royal College of Science including the School of Mines: to consider in what manner the staff, together with the buildings and appliances now in occupation or in course of construction, may be utilised to the fullest extent for the promotion of higher scientific studies in connection with the work of existing or projected Institutions for instruction of the same character in the Metropolis or elsewhere: and to report on any changes which may be desirable in order to carry out such recommendations as they may make."

We recognise the admirable work accomplished by the Royal College of Science not only in training teachers, but in its general method of science teaching and in the promotion of research. Notwithstanding the marked increase in the number of institutions where teachers of science can be trained, the demand has also so increased that the need for teachers of science who have been well trained in scientific method is no less now than when the college was established as a normal school of science. At the same time it is agreed that there is an urgent national necessity for increased facilities for advanced instruction and research in science, especially in its application to industry. In view of this fact, and in view of certain munificent offers of aid towards the provision of such facilities in London, we have felt that it was necessary, in order to discharge the reference to us, to survey the resources available for, and the potentialities of, the principal existing and projected institutions of the character contemplated in our terms of reference. We have now proceeded far enough in this survey to satisfy ourselves that the moment is prima facie opportune for a comprehensive scheme. The accomplishment, however, of such a scheme as we have in mind can only be brought about by the realisation of the offers of aid which are referred to above, and by the cooperation of certain influential bodies possessing an interest in such institutions as are dealt with in our proposals.

It has, therefore, become necessary for us to approach these bodies and the persons who have made these munificent offers. But before we proceed any further in this direction, we feel that our position would be strengthened if we could be assured that our proposals will meet with the approval of the Government, and we have accordingly decided, in view of the stage at which we have arrived, to present this preliminary report, in which we outline the scheme we think desirable, and specify the conditions which in our opinion would make it possible.

III. The conditions which, if fulfilled, would, in our opinion, ensure the success of the scheme are:-(1) The gift of a large capital sum (say not less than 100,000l.) for buildings and initial equipment.

(2) The gift of a considerable additional site (say not less than 4 acres) at South Kensington.

(3) The willingness of the Board of Education to allow their college at South Kensington to be brought into a scheme of common government and administration.

(4) The similar willingness of the City and Guilds of London Institute in respect of their college at South Kensington.

(5) The continuance of the Government contribution including the necessary provision for the maintenance of the new laboratories and other buildings of the Royal College of Science, now approaching completion.

(6) The continuance of the support given by the Corporation and Livery Companies of the City of London to the Central Technical College.

(7) The provision (in the proposed College of Applied Science at South Kensington) of instruction in certain departments of engineering either by new foundation or by transfer and enlargement of part of the work of some existing college or colleges (e.g. University College or King's College).

(8) The cooperation of the University of London.

(9: The assurance of a sufficient maintenance fund.1 IV. Given the fulfilment of the above conditions, we should be prepared to recommend such a scheme as is indicated in outline in the following paragraphs :—

(1) In considering the problem laid before us by the Government, we are impressed by the fact that the most urgent need in scientific education is the establishment of a centre in which the specialisation of the various branches of study and the equipment for the most advanced training and research should be such as ultimately to make it the chief technical school of the Empire.

So large a scheme cannot be carried out in a day, but we believe that the present is a favourable opportunity for making a beginning, and in the suggestions which follow we have kept the above end steadily in view. The existence of the Royal College of Science with the Roval School of Mines and of the Central Technical College in close proximity points to South Kensington as the best position for such a centre as we contemplate; and we have made careful inquiry as to the extent of the accommodation which is at present concentrated in that neighbourhood. It is as follows:-(a) Accommodation for about 200 students in the permanent part of the existing buildings of the Royal College of Science and the Royal School of Mines. (b) Accommodation for from 300 to 350 students including accommodation for work for about 100 advanced students in the physics and chemistry laboratories in the Royal College of Science, now approaching completion. (c) Accommodation for about 300 students in the existing buildings of the Central Technical College,

With the exception of the new laboratories of the Royal College of Science, these buildings are fully occupied by students, but the accommodation for mining and metallurgy is quite inadequate, and is to a great extent merely temporary. Further, the accommodation for engineering, whether in the Royal School of Mines or in the Central Technical College, is insufficient to meet the wants of many qualified students who are annually refused admission for want of space, and in no branch of applied science is sufficient provision made for advanced or specialised work.

There is no doubt that if arrangements could be made between the Government on the one hand and the City and Guilds of London Institute on the other, the resources of the above mentioned institutions could be used with far greater effect and economy,

(2) The buildings and equipment, even if such arrangement were made, though in many respects excellent and extensive, are quite inadequate for existing requirements, and still more for the purpose in view. The provision to be made for the future should include not only a fully developed School of Mining and Metallurgy and departments for the principal branches of engineering, but also for other special subjects.

We do not attempt in this Preliminary Report to draw up a detailed scheme, but the following principal subjects should be within the purview of the institution :

As preparatory subjects-mathematics, physics, chemistry and geology. Under the general heading of civil engineering-works of construction, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mining engineering, marine engineering and naval architecture. Some branches of chemical technology, and certainly metallurgy.

As illustrations of the kind of higher or more specialised application of these subjects, some of which we suggest should be dealt with, we need only mention the applications of engineering to railway, dock, and hydraulic work; the development of electricity in the direction of electric traction, lighting and telegraphy, and electrochemistry. It would be impossible to provide for the whole of the above subjects at once. Some of the more specialised subjects, such as the advanced metallurgy of 1 For such a maintenance fund we look to the following sources in addi tion to those mentioned above under headings 5 and 6.

(a) Any grant from the vote for university colleges to which the institu tion may be able to establish its claim.

(b) An annual grant from the I ondon County Council. (The Bessemer Memorial Fund (so far as not applied to capita expenditure).

(d) Fees of students.

(e) Endowment of special forms of instruction given by persons or bodies interested.

(f) Any portion of funds given for capital purposes which may remain available for income after the necessary capital expenditure.

iron and steel, and certain branches of manufacturing chemistry, would probably be better dealt with in institutions which are, or may be, established in the provinces. Even, however, if the scheme be restricted by the exclusion of such subjects, its realisation would require at least the whole of the site still available at South Kensington, and great advantage would be obtained by grouping the first extensions immediately round the nucleus provided by the Royal College of Science and Central Technical College.

We believe, however, that if the various London institutions concerned were willing to cooperate fully in the matter, and proper arrangements were made for coordination of the considerable resources already existing, the necessary special departments might be established early. It is quite compatible with an effective realisation of the scheme that separate departments might be conducted in detached colleges.

In view of the terms of reference, we have given special consideration to the provision required for higher education in mining and metallurgy, and we are satisfied that the maintenance of a fully equipped Central School of Mines is desirable. While facilities for advanced instruction in coal mining and in the mining and metallurgy of iron are now available in some of the larger centres of those industries, it is important that there should be a central school affording a full course of instruction in the mining and metallurgy of metals produced in India and the Colonies, but not found, or not found in large quantity, within the United Kingdom. As London is the financial centre of many great engineering, mining, and metallurgical industries in the Colonies, it is in the opinion of several witnesses the best site for a more highly developed School of Mines which shall provide for the needs of the Empire. It has been proved to us that the number of Englishmen who rise to important posts in connection with the mining industries of India, Australia, and South Africa is less than is desirable.

We have, for the present, deferred consideration of the biological department of the Royal College of Science.

(3) We consider that the advantages of the higher technical courses, which we contemplate at South Kensington, should only be available for students who can pass a satisfactory test for admission thereto. The preliminary science and such rudiments of engineering as may be prescribed for candidates before entering on these higher courses might be obtained either in the laboratories of the Royal College of Science and Central Technical College, or elsewhere in London or the provinces. Admission to these higher courses should be restricted to duly qualified students who, it is hoped, would be attracted from all parts of the Empire.

(4) We think it is important that the interests both of pure and applied science should be adequately represented on the body which administers the new institution. It is of the first importance that there should be no divorce between teaching and research in technology on the one hand and in pure science on the other, and we therefore regard it as an advantage that ample provision has already been made by the Government for the teaching of certain sciences on a site which we hope may be connected even more closely than at present with the highest and most specialised branches of technology. With regard to both subjects, we believe that it may be necessary hereafter to limit the instruction to the higher branches of both pure and applied science.

(5) We do not contemplate that either the educational or financial administration of the Central College should be vested entirely in His Majesty's Government. Indeed, in the present case there is a special consideration which makes such an arrangement practically impossible. Our scheme, if carried into effect, will entail the hearty union and cooperation of several independent bodies in a common enterprise, and it would be an advantage to be able to accord to each cooperating institution an adequate share in the general control.

These considerations point to the creation of a council representing all the large interests concerned, including, of course, His Majesty's Government, who must always remain by far the chief supporters of the institution. We do not now enter into the details of an arrangement of the constitution of the council, as such details will largely

depend on the success of negotiations which must await the decision of His Majesty's Government on the outlines of our proposals as now submitted.

Should the above proposals be accepted, it will follow that the State contribution to the institution will take the form of an annual grant in aid, the governing body retaining the power to carry over any balance remaining unexpended at the end of a year.

V. We feel that we should not be justified in inquiring whether the Board of Education would be willing to give their support to the foregoing scheme, depending as it does on the fulfilment of all or most of the conditions previously mentioned, unless we had taken steps to ascertain what prospect there is of their being fulfilled. We have good reason to believe that private munificence is prepared to provide a capital sum in excess of the minimum which we consider necessary to a successful issue, and that the Commissioners of the 1851 Exhibition are prepared, with their accustomed liberality where the advancement of higher education is concerned, to make available for a scheme, such as we have sketched, the additional site which will be required. We also confidently look for the cooperation of the University of London. Further, although public bodies or local authorities which contribute largely to the funds of the proposed institution may fairly ask for the reservation of some accommodation there for scholarship holders sent to it by themselves, yet it would appear that a considerably increased income would be available for the support of such an institution from the fees of fee-paying students. With this nucleus of additional resources thus provisionally secured, we feel justified in approaching the Board of Education. We accordingly desire to ask whether the Board are in a position to inform us (1) that, if it is found possible to establish a scheme such as we have sketched in outline, they will be willing to allow the Royal College of Science (including the Royal School of Mines) to be brought into it under a common government and administration; and (2) that the existing Government contribution to the sup port of these institutions will be continued under the new conditions on the scale already made necessary by the provision of the new laboratories of the Royal College of Science.

With such an assurance, and with such new resources as we have mentioned above, we feel that we could approach, with good prospect of success, other bodies whose cooperation we believe to be desirable, if not necessary, for the complete success of our proposals.

In conclusion, we desire to observe that absence of detail where it might have been looked for in certain portions of our proposals is not to be taken as meaning that we have not considered in some detail the ends which we wish to see attained. Our proposals at the present stage indicate only in outline what we have in view how near an approach can be made to its attainment must depend on the resources which prove to be available, and cannot, therefore, from the nature of the case, be estimated with precision at the present time. Without, however, attempting now to exhaust the subject, we have submitted proposals framed in such a way as to suggest the establishment of an institution which will be pre-eminent in its combination of advanced teaching in certain branches of applied science, with instruction in pure science also developed to a very high standard.

We have the honour to be, My Lord Marquess, Your Lordship's obedient servants, R. B. Haldane, chairman, W. de W. Abney, E. H. Carbutt, W. S. Church, A. H. Leech, Philip Magnus, Walter McDermott, Francis Mowatt, F. G. Ogilvie, Reay, Arthur W. Rücker, Sidney Webb, J. Wernher, W. H. White, J. C. G. Sykes, secretary, F. E. Douglas, assistant secretary.

Letter from the Board of Education to the Secretary of the Departmental Committee on the Royal College of Science, &c.

BOARD OF EDUCATION, WHITEHALL, S.W., April 3, 1905. Sir,

I am directed by the Board of Education to state that careful consideration has been given to the very valuable Preliminary Report of your Committee, dated February 20,

and I am to say that, while the point raised in subsection (2) of paragraph V. on page 5 of that Report cannot yet be definitely decided, the answer to subsection (1) in that paragraph is in the affirmative.

men

I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, ROBERT L. MORANT, Secretary of the Board of Education.

Extract from the Speech of the Marquess of Londonderry, President of the Board of Education, at the Annual Dinner of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, May 10, 1905.

"I need not say that we have the hearty goodwill of the Treasury in endeavouring to carry out the recommendations of this strong Committee presided over by my friend, and I am able to tell you that, so far as the question of money-and, after all, money is the important question-is concerned, I have good grounds for believing that the Treasury, or rather the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has been very carefully considering the financial aspect of the new condition of things that will be brought about in regard to the Royal College of Science, if the changes I have hinted at actually take effect, and that he will see his way to make a reasonable increase in the sums at present devoted towards the expense of the Royal College of Science, so that the College, in its immensely enhanced possibilities of usefulness, owing to its large new buildings, may bring to the common aid, so to speak, not only its fabric and its excellent equipment, but also a satisfactory annual income, as a substantial contribution to what must be a heavy annual expenditure involved in the great work to be carried through."

NATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PHYSICAL
IMPROVEMENT.

A MEETING, over which the Lord Mayor presided, was

held at the Mansion House on June 28 for the purpose of establishing an association which for the time is described as a National League for Physical Education and Improvement, but the precise official title of which has not yet been decided. Among those present were the Bishop of Ripon, Sir Lauder and Lady Brunton, the Lord Chief Justice, Sir William Broadbent, Sir James Crichton Browne, Sir Norman and Lady Lockyer, Sir Henry Cunningham, Sir Henry Craik, Sir Benjamin Baker, Prof. Howard Marsh, and Sir Victor Horsley.

The chief objects of the association are to stimulate public interest in the physical condition of the people throughout the kingdom, to establish close association and centralisation of all societies and individuals trying to combat such influences as tend to produce national physical deterioration, to aid existing organisations, and to start organisations for physical health and well-being wherever none exists. As the purposes of the league are closely

connected with medicine, it has been thought advisable to have it strongly backed by medical men before other classes of the community are asked to join, because most of them are less able to judge of its merits or demerits than medical men, and will consequently be led to decide their action in regard to it chiefly by the example of the leaders of the medical profession.

The council has published a draft scheme of the proposed association, according to which it would consist of territorial branches working in connection with a central body. It is suggested that each branch should see that instruction is furnished to the people on the laws of health generally, to mothers on the care of their own health and on the nurture and care of children, to girls on the methods

outlined also for securing the cooperation of all persons in authority in different centres of population so that each section of the community may receive ultimately physical

education of a suitable kind.

The following resolutions were adopted at the meeting :(1) That the causes which tend to impair the health of the nation, as disclosed by the report of the departmental committee, ought to be combated by united action. It is, therefore, recommended that all the agencies at present engaged in isolated work for that purpose should have the opportunity of combining, and thus cover the whole

country.

(2) That this meeting assembled at the Mansion House, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor of London, therefore heartily approves of the federation designed for this purpose, and of the proposed effort to start organisations in those parts of the country where none exist.

In proposing the first resolution, the Bishop of Ripon said the result of the inter-departmental committee's report had been to point out that there are certain conditions at work which are not creditable to the civilised com

munity. The report states that still-births ought to be registered, and that infantile mortality is very great; and that whereas during the last fifty years an improvement has taken place in the health of the people and in their dwellings, and the average length of life has been increased, it yet remains true that the percentage of infantile mortality has not decreased. The number of deaths in a year per thousand among children was 154 in the decade from 1851 to 1860, and the figure was the same in the decade 1891 to 1900. This shows that the benefits of the improved conditions go to the adult and not to the child. Conditions exist which must be remedied if the health of the population is to be sturdy, robust, and vigorous. The awakened interest in the question is largely due to the agencies which have been toiling to better the conditions and health of the people. If these agencies or societies and individuals have been able to achieve such admirable results by isolated effort, then by federation they could do a great deal more. The federation needs the cooperation of three great classes of public workers-the practical, the scientific, and the Parliamentary. A council would thus be formed of well digested and well considered thought as to the best means of helping forward every agency and initiating every kind of new enterprise which might contribute to the health, well-being, and physical stature, as well as to the moral greatness of the people of this country. In seconding the resolution the Lord Chief Justice urged that innocent amusement and healthy education be provided throughout the country, through the municipal authorities, for a reasonable proportion of the lads and girls, so that their tastes may have an opportunity of being developed in a wholesome and healthy way.

THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF
SOUTH WALES.

THE PCniversity of Wales, visited Cardiff on June 28 for the purposes of laying the foundation-stone of the new University College buildings in Cathays Park and of conferring a number of honorary degrees of the University of Wales.

of Wales, in his capacity of Chancellor

The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone took place in the afternoon in the presence of a large and distinguished assembly. The president of the college, Sir Alfred Thomas, read an address of welcome to the Prince of Wales in which he outlined briefly the events which have led up to the possibility of the provision of buildings worthy of the educational work being accomplished by the University College of South Wales. The address stated that the Government in 1882 invited proposals from public

bodies for the location of the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire. In their memorial the corporation of Cardiff promised that, in the event of Cardiff being selected, they would make adequate provision for the college.

The address continued :- "How they recognised their obligations is manifest by the noble site upon which we now stand. Your Royal Highness, by your presence here to-day, places the seal of your approval on the manner in which the corporation has redeemed the pledge which I, then as mayor, made in their name. We have had the good fortune to secure the services of an architect whose plans and designs have won the enthusiastic approval of educational experts. By the contributions of the people of South Wales and the splendid munificence of the Worshipful Drapers' Company, we are now in a position to build and maintain the arts, the administrative, and the research departments of the college. Our treasurer, to whom and to whose family we are so deeply indebted, trusts that this ceremony will prove such a stimulus to the patriotism of our people that the work now begun by Your Royal Highness will not cease until the whole scheme is completed."

During the course of his reply, the Prince of Wales remarked: As Chancellor of the University of Wales I am delighted to take part in this important ceremony and to lay the foundation-stone of the first block of what is hoped will some day grow into a building beautiful and dignified in design, complete and practical in its equipments. I congratulate you and all here present to-day in the proud fact that it is the liberality of the people of South Wales and Monmouthshire that makes it now possible to carry out a portion of the great scheme for the establishment in Cardiff of buildings worthy of their University College and worthy of the conception of its founders. I further note with great satisfaction that one of the largest of the London city companies has shown a practical sympathy in this great undertaking, and that the library buildings, one of the most important features in any college, will be the gift of the Worshipful Company of Drapers."

After referring to the fact that the site of the new buildings was formerly a monastic centre of learning, renowned at home and abroad, His Royal Highness continued:" The new teaching and training differs in character from that which in the past rendered her colleges famous, for the Welsh people have determined that their university education shall be compatible with the modern wants of a new world. Its promoters and its authorities have recognised that this university should not exist merely for the purpose of the literary or the academic life, but should place itself in touch with and try to serve every form of intellectual activity, and to-day Cardiff is a constituent of the university, for under the charter the town council appoints two members of the university court, and by a standing ordinance of the town council the mayor is ex officio one of the members. So our university is by its constitution interwoven more closely perhaps than any other with the national life of the country; and this is no mere sentiment on the part of the people of Cardiff, for they have not only given this site for the college, but also presented to the university itself another site in this park and 6000l. for the erection of its registry.”

The University College at Cardiff was founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1884, and is the largest of the three colleges constituting the University of Wales. It began with 150 students. In 1893 the number had increased to 347, and in 1903 to 647. Since its foundation the college has been housed in temporary quarters which used to be the premises of the Cardiff Infirmary. In 1895 the Government promised a grant of 20,000l. on condition that an equal amount was raised from private sources, and this was done. Then the Drapers' Company offered 10,000l., which has subsequently been increased to 15,000l. The town gave the site, and altogether 132,00ol. has been contributed. The total cost of the new buildings is estimated at 290,800l., so that about 159,000l. is still required.

The conferring of degrees took place later in the day, and among the recipients of honours was Sir John Williams, upon whom the honorary D.Sc. was conferred.

THE LIÉGE MINING AND METALLURGICAL CONGRESS.

A Mechanics, and Applied Geology held at Liége on June 25 T the International Congress of Mining, Metallurgy, to July 1, of which a brief report was published in NATURE last week, numerous papers of great scientific interest were read.

In the geological section an important paper on the continuation of the Saarbrücken Coal-measures into the territory of Lorraine and of France was submitted by Mr. B. Schulz-Briesen (Düsseldorf). In recent years numerous coal discoveries have been made in the Saarbrücken field by the Prussian Government in an area that had been untouched up to the end of the last century, the beds of quicksand above the coal having proved an obstacle. In French Lorraine coal was discovered last year at a depth of 650 metres. A map accompanying the author's paper indicated the coal-bearing area that has been proved, and showed the vast economic importance of the discovery. The genesis of metalliferous deposits and of eruptive rocks formed the subject of a paper by Mr. Paul F. Chalon (Paris). He summed up the matter in the following rules :-primary metalliferous deposits are not met with in stratified rocks that are not, traversed by eruptive or igneous rocks; rocks with a fragmental structure contain more metalliferous deposits than compact rocks; in extended areas traversed by eruptive rocks the deposits are never regularly or irregularly distributed, but are concentrated at one or more centres; metamorphic rocks indicating the vicinity of eruptive rocks are favourable for prospecting, particularly in mountainous districtsThe geological structure of the mining district of Iglesias, in Sardinia, was described by Mr. G. Merlo. The district is one of considerable economic importance, there being 117 mines in operation, and the value of the mineral output is more than 21 million francs annually. The principal deposits are veins of galena and blende, and contact deposits of galena and calamine. The Paleozoic beds of the district are, in descending order, as follows:(1) Monteponi sandstone; (2) Gonnesa schist of Silurian age; (3) Cambrian sandstone; (4) metalliferous limestone ; (5) Malacalzetta slates. There are thus three horizons of the Cambrian system. The mineral deposits of the banks of the Meuse and of the east of the province of Liége were described by Mr. G. Lespineux. He showed that these calamine masses, like those of the Moresnet district, are not the results of erosion of mineral veins, but were formed in their present condition. The deposit of cinnabar at Monte Amiatia, in Tuscany, was described by Mr. V. Spirek. The deposits occur exclusively in serpentine, and were divided by the author into four classes.

In the metallurgical section the papers read were mostly of a practical character. Mr. Hadfield gave a summary of his researches on the effect of the temperature of liquid air on the properties of steel. Mr. F. Jottrand described a method of cutting metals by a jet of oxygen. The oxyhydrogen blowpipe is directed against the portion to be cut, and heats it to whiteness. The hydrogen is then turned off, and a rapid current of pure oxygen cuts the metal. In practice two blowpipes are used simultaneously, one for heating and one for cutting. The double blowpipe moves at a velocity of 20 centimetres per minute in cutting a steel plate 15 mm. in thickness. The metal is cut almost as cleanly as with a saw. The width of the slit is not more than 2 mm. for plates 15 mm. thick, and is only 3 mm. for plates 100 mm. thick. In order to cut a plate 15 mm. thick there is required per metre cut 540 litres of hydrogen and 540 litres of oxygen, the operation lasting five minutes. Tubes and curved sections can also be cut. Mr. H. Hennebutte described the use of coal poor in agglutinating materials for the manufacture of coke. Mr. E. Bian gave an account of the methods of cleaning blastfurnace gases. Mr. P. Delville read a paper on the influence of titanium on iron and steel. The manufacture of blast-furnace slag cement was dealt with by Prof. H. Wedding and by Mr. C. de Schwarz. Mr. P. Acker described the new modifications of the open-hearth steel process. Mr. R. M. Daelen discussed the methods of obviating piping" in steel ingots. Electric steel-making | processes were dealt with by Mr. G. Gin and by Mr. R.

Pitaval. Mr. L. Guillet, Carnegie scholar of the Iron and Steel Institute, submitted an elaborate monograph on special steels. Of the nickel steels described, the most remarkable are Guillaume's invar, with 36 per cent. of nickel, with an elastic limit of 70 to 75 kg. per square mm., a breaking stress of 45 to 55 kg. per square mm., and an elongation of 35 to 25 per cent.; and platinite, with 46 per cent. of nickel, with an elastic limit of 60 to 70, a breaking stress of 30 to 40, and an elongation of 45 to 35 per cent. The latter is used instead of platinum in incandescent lamps. The paper summarises in an admirable manner the existing knowledge of nickel, manganese, chromium, tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, silicon, and aluminium steels. Other papers read in this section dealt with the application of electricity in rolling mills, by Mr. L. Creplet; the double hardening of large steel forgings, by Mr. A. Pierrard; the metallographical examination of iron and steel, by Mr. H. Le Chatelier; and an apparatus for charging mercury furnaces so as to obviate the liberation of deleterious gases, by Mr. V. Spirek.

In the mining section, papers on shaft sinking were read by Messrs. Bodart, Portier, Tomson and Duvivier, and on winding engines by Mr. Henry. The use of superheated steam was dealt with by Mr. Weiss, and the use of steam accumulators by Messrs. Rateau and Chaleil. Modern pumping engines were described by Mr. Schulte, the De Laval high-lift centrifugal pump by Mr. Sosnowski, and the Sulzer high-lift centrifugal pump by Mr. Ziegler. The water-flush system of packing colliery workings was described by Mr. Jüngst and by Mr. Lafitte. Fire-damp detection was dealt with by Messrs. Chesneau, Watteyne, Stassart, and Daniel. Electric haulage was discussed by Messrs. Lapostolet, Halleux, and Henry; and the driving of the great adit-level from Gardanne to the sea was described by Mr. Domage. Altogether the programme was one of great interest, and the discussions on the papers were well sustained. The president of the Congress was Mr. Alfred Habets, and the presidents of the sections were for metallurgy, Mr. A. Greiner, member of council of the Iron and Steel Institute; for mining, Mr. E. Harzé; for mechanics, Mr. Hubert; and Fr geology, Mr. Max Lohest. Among the honorary presidents of the sections who presided in turn were :-for metallurgy, Mr. R. A. Hadfield, president, and Mr. H. Bauerman, honorary member of the Iron and Steel Institate; and for mining, Mr. H. C. Peake, chairman of the Institution of Mining Engineers.

UNIVERSITY AND EDUCATIONAL
INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD. The following is the text of the speech delivered by Prof. Love in presenting Prof. G. H. Darwin for the degree of D.Sc. honoris causa at the Encænia on June 28:

Salutamus Georgium Howard Darwin, magni patris magnum filium, non solum inter astronomos insignissimum, sed, ut decebat tali patre ortum, quasi clavis repertorem qua altissima naturæ arcana reseraret. Ille quidem,

re secutus est

Carolum dico, de vita animantium doctor insignissimus, Estenderat quo modo sensim immutata figura simplicioribus et rudioribus perfectiora animalia succederent: hic nuster docuit quo modo ipsa mundi compages lentas mutationes subiret. Duces quidem in hac Newtonum, Laplacium, Kelvinum, sed suis viribus fretus et magis. Quid enim? Omnia quæ de reciproco maris .otu litteris tradita sunt ipse denuo pertractavit, siderum ælo decurrentium meatus summa diligentia et scientia plissima investigavit: idem tenuissimo quoque et sub*issimo mathematicæ genere instructus, ingenio audaci et vegeto pollens, luculentissime ostendit quo momine et nutu varie maris agitationes tam multiplices gignantur : quod cum faceret id assecutus est ut terræ, luna, solis, lanetarum primordia et vices satis clare adumbraret. In Vito agnoscimus hominem, dictu mirum, mundorum naxentium annales conscribentem.

CAMBRIDGE.-The Raymond Horton-Smith prize for 1905 has been awarded to Dr. W. L. H. Duckworth, of Jesus

College, for a thesis for the degree of M.D. entitled “ On the Nature of Certain Anomalous Cases of Cerebral Development.'

SUBJECT to the Enfield Council agreeing to contribute one-third of the total cost of the buildings and necessary alterations, it has been decided by the Middlesex County Council to acquire the Ediswan Institute, Ponders End, the object being to convert it into a technical institute for the eastern portion of Enfield, that suitable technical instruction may be given to those engaged in the Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, the works of the Edison and Swan Co., &c.

A NEW movement for the encouragement of tropical research has been inaugurated in connection with the University of Liverpool. The school of research, of which Lord Mountmorres is to be the first director, will seek in every way to inquire into the natural resources of the tropical possessions of the Empire. Sir Alfred Jones, of the Elder-Dempster line of steamers, has promised to contribute 1000l. a year for four years towards the expenses of the movement.

ACCORDING to Science, the following appointments have recently been made in America :-Dr. A. W. Harris, president of North-western University; Dr. C. H. Smyth, professor of geology at Princeton University; Dr. N. Senn, professor of surgery, and Dr. F. Billings, professor of medicine, at the University of Chicago; Dr. H. K. Wolfe, professor of philosophy and education at the University of Montana; Mr. I. E. Wallin, professor of natural history in Upsala College, New Orange, N.J.

THE department of general pathology and bacteriology of King's College, London, announces a course in clinical and practical bacteriology suited to the requirements of medical practitioners and senior students. The course, which will begin on July 26 and end on August 5, will consist of lectures, demonstrations, and practical work. In connection with the same department there will be from July 27 to August 4 a vacation course in clinical pathology consisting of demonstrations and practical work. Further particulars may be obtained from Prof. Hewlett or the secretary of the college.

DURING the coming session courses of general and experimental psychology will be held at King's College, London. During the first and second terms Prof. Caldecott will deliver a series of lectures on general psychology. Prof. W. D. Halliburton, F.R.S., will lecture during the first term on the general structure and histology of the nervous system and of the organs of sense. During the second and third terms lectures on experimental psychology, accompanied by demonstrations and laboratory work, will be given by Dr. C. S. Myers in the new psychological laboratory. A departmental library has been opened at the college containing the principal English and foreign books and journals devoted to psychology.

THE Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland has issued its regulations and syllabuses to guide the teaching of science in Irish day secondary schools for the session 1905-6. The complete conditions regarding regulations for grants, qualifications of teachers, syllabuses of subjects, and a list of official forms are now issued in a single volume. The regulations are materially the same as those which were in force during last session. Some few syllabuses have been modified in the light of the experience gained in the last two years. It is announced that the summer courses for teachers will be continued as heretofore, but it is hoped they will, after 1908, develop into post-graduate courses on special subjects for those already qualified."

THE British University Students' Congress met on June 28 at University College. All the universities of the United Kingdom were represented except Oxford and Cambridge, these having no organisation which can send delegates to represent their undergraduates generally. The report of the subcommittee appointed last year to consider the question of residential halls at home and abroad was presented. Fourteen British universities and colleges,