Page images
PDF
EPUB

Sir David Gill, Mr. Theodore Reunert, and others have taken a prominent part in the initial work. The South African Association for the Advancement of Science is cordially cooperating in the local organisation, and will join with the British Association in attending the meeting.

The aim of the council has been to secure the attendance of a representative body of British men of science, including specialists in various lines of investigation, and that, along with the generous support of the people and authorities in South Africa, should go far to ensure the success of the meeting and to stimulate local scientific interest and research.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON COAL
SUPPLIES.

TH HE Royal Commission appointed on December 28, 1901, to inquire into the extent and available resources of the coalfields of the United Kingdom has issued its final report, which, in 38 pages, con. tains an able summary of the vast amount of valuable information submitted by the numerous witnesses examined. The Commission originally appointed consisted of Lord Allerton, Sir W. T. Lewis, Sir Lindsay Wood, Sir C. Le Neve Foster, and Messrs. T. Bell, W. Brace, A. C. Briggs, H. B. Dixon, J. S. Dixon, E. Hull, C. Lapworth, J. P. Maclay, A. Sopwith, J. J. H. Teall, and R. Young. Mr. A. Strahan was subsequently added to the Commission; Sir C. Le Neve Foster and Mr. Ralph Young died before the inquiry was completed.

On the whole the report is of a reassuring character. Adopting 4000 feet as the limit of practicable depth in working, and one foot as the minimum workable thickness, the commissioners estimate the available quantity of coal in the proved coalfields of the United Kingdom to be 100,914,668,167 tons, as compared with the 90,207,285,398 tons estimated by the Coal Commission of 1871, notwithstanding the fact that 5,694,928,507 tons have been raised in the meantime. The excess is accounted for by the more accurate knowledge of the coal-seams. It is also estimated that there are 39,483 million tons of coal in the concealed and unproved coalfields.

It is thought that in future thin seams will be worked more extensively than at present, and that the use of coal-cutting machines will facilitate this. The amount of unavoidable loss incident to coalmining is a serious factor in estimating the available resources. Much coal is lost by leaving unnecessary barriers between properties, and a certain amount must necessarily remain in order to support the surface. The amount thus left might perhaps be reduced by the introduction of the methods employed on the Continent and in America of packing excavations with water-borne sand or other materials. The recovery of coal formerly abandoned might be facilitated by the establishment of central pumping stations.

The possible economies to which attention is directed comprise the adoption of coal-cutting machines, of which 483 were in use in 1902 and 643 in 1903, and the use of electricity for the transmission of power. The importance of cleaning, sizing, and sorting coa! is also strongly urged, and the extended adoption of coking advocated. In this connection the advantages of by-product coke ovens are pointed out, and it is shown that washing and compression render it possible to coke many coals previously considered worthless. It is probable that briquettes will in future be more largely used for steam and domestic purposes, and there appears to be a promising field

[ocr errors]

It is calculated by Mr. Beilby that in this total there is a possible saving of 40 to 60 million tons. More particularly in connection with the raising of steam there are immense economies capable of realisa. tion. Economy in the production of power may be effected by the combustion of gas obtained as a byproduct. Information submitted by Mr. Bennett Brough points to increasing opportunities of utilis. ing blast-furnace waste gases as a source of power Waste gases from coke ovens might similarly be utilised. Gas engines are referred to as the most economical of heat motors, but increased efficiency both thermally and mechanically is still possible. The importance of the development of producer-gas plants is strongly urged as rendering possible the utilisation of inferior coal. Interesting information is given regarding various other ways in which economies in consumption may be effected. Regret is expressed that the recommendations of the Mining Royalties Commission of 1893 and of the Departmental Committee of the Home Office in 1895 regard ing mineral statistics had not been carried out. The commissioners recommend that accurate information on the coal industry should be published by one authority, and they think that it would be of great advantage if particulars of deep borings could be preserved in a Government office."

The report must necessarily attract great attention from mining engineers and economists; and it should also be carefully studied by students in mining classes. It is essentially a cautious document; and the general public will doubtless be disappointed that Lord Allerton and his colleagues have made no sensational prophecies as to the probable duration of our coal supplies, and have given no indication as to the way in which their estimate of the available tonnage of coal compares with that of other countries. Their report certainly shows that, while the coal resources are ample, the cost of coal is not likely to decrease, as the improved methods and appliances will probably be neutralised by the increased cost of working deeper and thinner seams. Where we should be glad of clearer light from the Royal Commission is on the question of the probable condition of compet ing coal-producing countries when the cost of production in Great Britain is considerably raised. It is futile to offer a detailed criticism of the final report until the sections containing the reports of the district commissioners, the report of the geological committee, and the minutes of evidence and appendices are published. The probable duration of the coalfields and the colonial and foreign coal resources appear to have been dealt with in special reports written respectively by Mr. R. Price-Williams and Mr. Bennett Brough, and to, these the commissioners direct attention.

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]
[blocks in formation]

"The new illustrated catalogue of physical apparatus just issued by Messrs. F. E. Becker and Co. (Messrs. W. and J. George, Ltd.) is likely to prove indispensable in the physical laboratories of all our schools and colleges. It runs to 628 large pages, and is strongly bound in cloth. Full particulars are provided, not only respecting the apparatus required in elementary and advanced physical teaching, but also concerning that necessary to the physicist in his research work. All branches of physics are included, and the instruments throughout are explained by excellent illustrations and concise descriptions, and, what is of prime importance, the figure and its appropriate text are close together."

"KNOWLEDGE" says: "Messrs. F. E. Becker and Co. (W. and J. George, Ltd., Successors) have sent us a copy of their new list of apparatus in the various departments of Physics, including Sound, Light, Heat, Magnetism, Electricity, Mechanics, &c. This exhaustive catalogue consists of over 600 pages and some 4000 illustrations. One of its noteworthy features is that the requirements of science teaching in this country and its colonies are always kept in view, and the articles listed cover the latest developments in their subjects. The method adopted in the list itself, together with the completeness of the index, is such as to make reference to it simple and expeditious."

[ocr errors]

"SCHOOL WORLD' says: The science-master in every grade of school should possess a copy of the new catalogue of Messrs. George, for he will find here particulars as to the available apparatus in sound, light, heat, magnetism, electricity, mechanics, and other branches of physics, with information as to price and other necessary details. There is a profusion of well-drawn illustrations, which, together with the clearly expressed descrip. tions, will serve to explain to any buyer exactly what he is purchasing. This excellent catalogue will form a valuable addition to the reference library of any physical laboratory."

"CHEMICAL NEWS" says: "Messrs. F. E. Becker and Co. (W. and J. George, Ltd., successors) have just issued a new Illustrated and Descriptive Catalogue of Physical Apparatus, &c., manufactured by them. This is the largest and best English catalogue of its kind printed, and comprises some 630 pages, and over 4000 illustrations; herein will be found all the newest up to date apparatus with all the latest improvements as manufactured at their works, while all obsolete apparatus has been omitted. The whole catalogue is arranged in a very clear manner under a number of principal headings, such as Magnetism, Heat, Sound, Light, Mechanics, Electricity, Pneumatics, Meteorology, X-ray Apparatus, &c., and a good index is provided; in fact, everything possible has been done to make this as perfect a guide as possible to users of apparatus in the subjects touched upon."

[graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed]

RADIUM BROM. PUR. of the highest activity, in 5 Mgrm. Tubes, £6 per Tube, Net. W. G. PYE & CO., GRANTA" WORKS, CAMBRIDGE.

56

[ocr errors]
[graphic]
[merged small][graphic][merged small]

CHARING CROSS ROAD, LONDON, W.C.

NOW READY.

SCIENTIFIC AND

EDUCATIONAL BOOKS

NEW & SECOND HAND.
LARGEST STOCK in LONDON of SECOND-
HAND School, Classical, Mechanical, ELEMEN.

With Illustrations, 2s. 6d. net, by post 2s. 9d.

X-RAYS:

TARY and ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC BOOKS THEIR EMPLOYMENT in CANCER and

at about HALF PUBLISHED PRICE.

Mathematical, Theological, and Foreign Books.

KEYS AND TRANSLATIONS.

J. POOLE & CO. (ESTABLISHED 1854),

104 CHARING CROSS ROAD,

LONDON, W.C.

(Formerly of 39 HOLYWELL STREET, STRAND). Enquiries by letter receive immediate attention.

LEWIS'S CIRCULATING

MEDICAL AND

SCIENTIFIC LIBRARY.

In addition to Medicine and the allied Sciences, the Library includes the subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Electricity, Botany, Geology, Zoology, Astronomy, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology, Engineering, Geography and Travel, &c.

NEW WORKS and NEW EDITIONS on these subjects are added to the Library immediately on publication.

[blocks in formation]

BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

SUBSCRIPTION, TOWN OR COUNTRY, FROM ONE CUINEA. The DISEASES of CHILDREN'S TEETH.

Detailed Prospectus, List of Recent Additions, &c., post free.
London: H. K. LEWIS, 136 GOWER STREET, W.C.
Telegrams: "PUBLICAIRT, LONDON." Telephone: 10,721 CENTRAL.

ENGLISH and FOREIGN

Well Illustrated. Price 7s. 6d.

SEGG & CO., 289 and 291 Regent Street, London, W.

TO BOOKBUYERS AND LIBRARIANS OF
FREE LIBRARIES.

SCIENTIFIC BOOKS Works and New Remainders, offered at prices greatly

AND PERIODICALS SUPPLIED WITH DESPATCH
AT LOWEST DISCOUNT PRICES.
Foreign money accepted.

LONDON: A. SIEGLE, 2 LANGHAM PLACE, W.

Mention NATURE.

BROOKS' PATENT

The February Catalogue of valuable Second Hand reduced, is now ready, and will be sent post free upon application to

W. H. SMITH & SON, Library Department, 186 Strand, London, W.C.

FLEXIBLE CURVES TO SCIENTIFIC MEN ABROAD

for drawing of all kinds,
PARABOLA CURVES
(Rd.) for GRAPH WORK.
See NATURE,

Nov. 3, 1904, page 15.
Descriptive Circulars
Post Free.
WM. J. BROOKS,
33 Fitzroy Street,
London, W.

SCIENTIFIC WORTHIES.

A List of this Series of Steel and Photogravure Portraits of Men of Science will be sent post free to any reader of "Nature" on application to the Publishers.

ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON, W.C.

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][graphic]

First-class Dip Circle. Silvered scales and vernier. Level and
levelling screws. Lever for centreing and lifting needle off the
agate knife edges without opening the case. Antiparallax mirror.
Well-made needle with case for preserving and magnetising.
Price £5 5 0

THE WEST LONDON SCIENTIFIC
APPARATUS CO.,

DEODAR ROAD, PUTNEY, LONDON, S. W.

[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]

Write for Illustrated Micro-
scopical Catalogue, 3 Stamps,
to cover postage. Also Lists
of Microtomes, Centrifuges,
Photographic Shutters,

and Lenses of all de

scriptions, to

A. E. STALEY & CO.

19 THAVIES INN, HOLBORN CIRCUS, LONDON, E.C.

TELESCOPE AND SCALE,

[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

FULLY ADJUSTABLE.

Paper Scale 40 centimetres long, divided in millimetres and figured. Scale can be used horizontally or vertically as shown; and is moveable lengthwise in its clips. Stand has levelling foot for setting seale truly horizontal or vertical. Telescope has 25 mm. achromatic object glass giving sharp definition. with very convenient focussing motion.

Price with Iron Stand, £3 17 6.

Prompt delivery.

Price with Brass Stand,

£4 2 6.

THE CAMBRIDGE, SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT COMPANY, LTD.

RICHARD CLAY AND SO S, LTD, BREAD ST. HILL, E.C., AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.

« PreviousContinue »