is increased by about 50 per cent. The yield of acetic acid is not decreased by the sodium carbonate.

The removal of free acid from nitrated cellulose, with special reference to the use of saline leaches: S. E. SHEPPARD.

Motor fuel from vegetation: T. A. BOYD. The use of motor vehicles in the United States has increased very much more rapidly than the production of crude oil and considerably faster than the production of gasoline, although the volatility of gasoline has beeen decreasing from year to year. This, coupled with the fact that reserves of crude oil are being rapidly depleted, makes it essential that other sources of motor fuel be developed. Alcohol makes a desirable motor fuel, and it appears to be the most promising ally to petroleum oils for the purpose. The preparation of sufficient alcohol for motor fuel from foodstuffs does not appear to be feasible, and it seems advisable to make a further and more intensive investigation of cellulose as a source of this material.

Possibilities of the moist tropics as a source of cellulose and carbohydrates: H. N. WHITFORD. The subject resolves itself into three headings, (a) an inventory of present resources of the tropics, (b) growth in moist tropical forests, (c) bamboo and other plants as sources for cellulose and industrial alcohol. (a) From an economic standpoint tropical forests are not so complex as usually believed. A rough estimate of the great forested regions of South America and Asiatic tropics shows more than twice as much standing timber as in the United States. (b) Actual knowledge of growth of certain forest crops shows that practically the annual increment per unit area as fully stocked stands is usually more than twice that in the United States. (c) Heavy yields of bamboo indicate that it may be the most promising plant for the production of cellulose and possibly alcohol. Nipa palm possesses possibilities for alcohol.

The possibilities of a future fuel supply from our forests: R. C. HAWLEY.

The role of the chemist in relation to our future fuel supply: HAROLD HIBBERT. Up to the present attention has been concentrated primarily on the production of alcohol from cellulose products. In view of the fact that in the fermentation of sugar not more than 80 per cent. of the theoretical quantity of alcohol is obtained while 50 per cent. by

weight of the original material is lost in the form of carbon dioxide, it seems desirable to subject cellulose to intensive investigation with a view to ascertaining how far it is possible to convert it into other materials such as furfuraldehyde, etc., in which a better yield could possibly be obtained of a material suitable for use as a liquid fuel.

The effect of chemical reagents on the microstructure of wood: ALLEN ABRAMS. A method has been devised for treating very thin sections of wood with chemical reagents under different conditions of temperature and pressure. This method has been used in treating sections with a considerable variety of reagents, such as cellulose solvents, acids, alkalies, oxidants and chemicals used in paper-making. The effects on the microstructure of wood have been studied both by microscopic observation and by cell measurements. Some of these effects may be summarized as follows: (1) Cellulose solvents act strongly and proportionately on both the middle lamella and the cell wall. (2) Strong oxidants act on the cell wall but have little effect on the middle lamella. (3) The ordinary paper-making reagents act strongly on the middle lamella, with but relatively little visible effect on the cell wall. Whereas caustic soda solu. tions cause swelling of the cell wall, solutions of sodium bisulphite and sodium sulfide cause little or no swelling.

Measuring soil toxicity, acidity and basicity (cooperative work with the U. S. Dept. of Cereal Investigation): R. H. CARR. There is a close connection between an acid soil, the amount of easily soluble iron and aluminum present, and the soil's capacity to grow a good crop. A quantitative method has been developed to measure the presence of easily available iron and aluminum by extracting the dry soil with an alcoholic solution of potassium thiocyanate. A red color will develop if the soil is acid, due to the formation of ferric thiocyanate. This solution is titrated with a standard alcoholic base until the color just disappears. If no color develops the soil is neutral or basic and it may be titrated with a standard alcoholic acid, and the limestone equivalent determined. A special tube has been devised for this work.

Influence of mixed acid on the character of nitrocellulose: W. J. WAITE. The vapor tension of nitric acid in the nitrating bath controls the degree of nitration of the nitrocellulose. The dehydrating value of sulphuric acid is a factor which

influences the vapor tension of the nitric acid. The hydrolyzing action of sulphuric acid in the nitrating bath sets up secondary reactions, which are responsible for variations in yield, formation of insoluble bodies, gelatinous products, and unstable esters. The solubility of nitrocellulose is determined by the dehydrating value of sulphuric acid in the nitrating bath. The nitrocelluloses used in the commercial world are divided into seven types based on their specific uses. Degree of nitration curves based on factory experience, showing the degree of nitration as a function of the actual nitric acid and the nitrating bath, indicates that, for the same degree of nitration, as the actual nitric increases a corresponding increase in the nitrating total is required in order to maintain the same molecular ratio between the water and sulphuric acid in the bath.

Some commercial possibilities of corn cob cellulose: F. B. LAFORGE. Brief outline of our process for the preparation of adhesive, furfural and cellulose from corn cobs; proposed uses of the three products. Preparation of corn cob cellulose in powder form and uses as substitute for wood flour for nitration and acetylation; preparation in the form of pulp and uses in paper manufacture. Corn stalks and husks as a source of adhesive furfural and fiber.

A color test for "remade milk': OSCAR L. EVENSON. A yellow color produced by the action of sodium hydroxide on the washed curd of milk made from milk powder, serves as a test for the presence of milk powder in natural milk. The eurd precipitated from 25 c.c. of milk with acetic acid is washed and placed in a vial with 10 c.c. of 5 per cent. sodium hydroxide. Natural pasteurized milk treated in the same manner is used as a control. The color is probably due to the presence in the curd of a residue of aldehydic nature resulting from the action of heat and desiccation.

Nitro-cellulose and its solutions as applied to the manufacture of artificial leather: W. K. TUCKER. (1) Properties of the nitro-cellulose: (a) Degree of nitration and why lower and higher nitrations are objectionable; (b) viscosity; (c) degree of purification and the effects of the purification on viscosity; (d) stability; (e) ash. (2) Solution: (a) solvents and non-solvents generally used and why; (b) viscosity of solutions generally used. Granular and short solutions; (c) effect of various solvents and non-solvents on the viscosity of solutions; (d) proportion of nitro-cellulose in

solutions generally used and short discussion of the use of solution with a larger percentage.

An experimental study of the significance of "lignin" color reactions: ERNEST C. CROKER. An investigation of the so-called color reactions showed that the following phenols gave strong red, violet or blue colors with wood of any kind when applied in strongly acid solution: phloroglucinol, orcinol, resorcinol, and pyrogallol. Likewise, all primary aromatic amines gave yellow to orange colors when applied in acid solutions of any strength. The secondary amine, diphenylamine, also gave an orange color even when highly purified and freed from traces of primary amines. Pyrrole gave a deep red color in hydrochloric acid solution. Various materials were substituted for wood, and tested with above types of reagents for color formation. It was found that only (but not all) aromatic aldehydes gave color reactions similar to those given by wood. Spectroscopic investigation and comparison of colors obtained showed that the principal color source of wood is not vanillin or furfural, as several writers have claimed, but a different aldehyde-possibly coniferyl aldehyde. It was found that certain natural phenols and ethers such as eugenol and safrol, which are reported as giving colors with the phenols and aldehydes, do so only because of aldehydic impurities. The Mäule test was found to give a distinct red color only in the case of deciduous woods. The test was found to be caused by a component of the wood, which after chlorination turns red when made alkaline. Apparently no color test is an indicator of lignin, but of traces of materials (aldehydic for most of the tests) which usually→ perhaps always accompany lignin.

A proposal for a standard cellulose to be available for research: B. JOHNSEN.

A discussion of some beater furnish reactions from the standpoint of colloidal chemistry: JESSIE E. MINOR. This discussion is based upon a series of experiments performed for the purpose of obtaining some more exact information as to the changes in the physical properties of a paper which are brought about by each addition made to the furnish. The increased strength attained by beating is due to the mucilaginous product of hydrolysis and the decrease in strength by excessive beating is due to the loss of fiber structure. Alum coats the fiber with a gelatinous layer of aluminum hydroxide and changes the electrical charge on the fiber. It thus aids in size retention as does calcium sulphate, though the latter is less effective. In

soluble fillers which give almost no ions are still less effective. Their chief effect is to weaken the paper as do calcium chloride and sodium carbonate. Explanations for these various phenomena are given based on the modern concepts of colloid chemistry.

The solubility of cellulose acetate in chlorinated hydrocarbons: GUSTAVUS J. ESSELEN, JR. The present paper offers an explanation of the fact that cellulose acetate is soluble in certain chlorinated hydrocarbons but not in others, as for example, in chloroform but not in carbon tetrachloride. The internal pressures of the chlorinated derivatives of methane and ethane have been calculated and it is shown that the corresponding solvent action on cellulose acetate is in general what is to be expected from the relative values of the internal pressures. The fact that the addition of a little alcohol increases the solvent action of certain of the solvents in question is also shown to be in accord with what is to be expected from the accompanying change in the polar environment.

The action of dry hydrobromic acid on cellulose and related derivatives: HAROLD HIBBERT and HAROLD S. HILL. The authors have reinvestigated the action of dry hydrobromic acid in chloroform solution on cellulose, viscose, dextrose, a methyl glucoside, sucrose and certain other derivatives. Higher yields of brom-methyl furfuraldehyde were obtained in the case of cellulose and viscose, while with dextrose as much as 12-15 per cent. of the crystalline product was obtained. Good yields were also obtained in the case of a methyl glucoside and other derivatives. The evidence would seem to prove that the formation of brom-methyl furfuraldehyde is no longer to be associated with the presence of a free carbonyl (keto) group in the cellulose molecule,

The oxidation of cellulose: W. S. HOLZBERGER. European practise in cellulose acetate and dopes during the war: PHILIP DRINKER. (1) Cellulose acetate developments from commercial and scientific aspects. (2) Cellulose acetate solvents, non-solvents, plastics, high-boilers, etc., as developed for airplane dopes. (3) Various dope formulæ as shown by their historical development as the war progressed, the "standard forms" ultimately decided upon, etc. (4) The effect of sunlight and other agents on fabrics and means of preventing said effects with account of researches on these subjects. (5) Recovery of solvents in doping and recovery of cellulose acetate from discarded airplane fabrics.

The influence of temperature on hemi-cellulose production: W. E. TOTTINGHAM. Red clover and buckwheat plants grown at temperatures of about 15° to 18° in one case and 20° to 23° in another, in the latter case with the evaporating power of the air kept nearly the same for the two temperature ranges, have shown an increase of acid hydrolyzable material at the lower temperatures. This difference amounted to about 5 per cent. of the total dry tissue of the plant. No evidence has been obtained as yet of definite variations of the fundamental cellulose with temperature differences attending growth. It appears that the hemicellulose which would be included in the acid hydrolyzable material may form an important carbohydrate reserve in the plant economy. It is suggested that the depression of respiration in proportion to photo-synthesis at the lower temperatures may favor the accumulations of hemi-cellulose observed.

The chemical changes involved during infection and decay of wood and wood pulp: MARK W. BRAY and JOSEPH A. STAIDL. The results and significance of the determination of various constants are given on a number of samples of sound and decayed spruce woods, pulps and waterleaf papers made from them by the groundwood, sulphite and soda processes. It was found that the water soluble materials, the alkali soluble substances, the copper numbers, and the beta cellulose, increase, while the alpha and gamma cellulose constants decrease with the progress of decay, in all the woods, pulps, and papers studied. The lignin content shows an apparent percentage increase in decayed wood. If the calculations are based on the original weights of the sound wood, however, there is a slight decrease in this constant. The data given show the relation of the lignin or non-cellulose encrusting material of sound and decayed woods and pulps. Certain organisms of decay have a selective action on the constitutents of wood and wood pulp, attacking the cellulose in preference to the non-cellulose encrusting substances. Gamma cellulose is so unstable that a very small percentage was obtained in decayed woods and pulps. The losses sustained by the paper industry as a result of the use of decayed woods and pulps are pointed out.

The chemical constitution of soda and sulfite pulps from coniferous woods and their bleaching qualities: SIDNEY D. WELLS.

CHARLES L. Parsons, Secretary

SOME PRESENT ASPECTS OF CHEMISTRY IN THE UNITED STATES1

IT has often been observed that those living in the midst of great events sometimes fail to understand the far-reaching effects of the occurrences going on around them. During revolutionary times attention is so riveted upon the single occurrences which follow each other with bewildering rapidity that the participants often fail to view the succession of events as a whole and thus miss their full significance. Revolution is scarcely too strong a word to apply to the changes relating to chemistry which are taking place in this country. The very great impetus which the science of chemistry has experienced during recent years brings with it a series of problems vitally related to the science as a whole, to our educational institutions and to industry.

It seems appropriate that on this occasion we might with profit, to borrow a business expression, take stock of the present situation. I shall therefore endeavor to give a brief and partial analysis of the outstanding features of the existing conditions, which are more or less confused, and lay down a few broad principles which appear to offer a sound basis of future development.

The events of the past five years have exerted a profound influence not only upon chemistry but upon various other sciences represented by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. To meet the critical situation presented in 1914 and the more critical condition in 1917, the country called to its service the entire scientific resources at its command and nearly every branch of science contributed something, either directly or indirectly, to aid in the solution of the pressing problems presented. The geologist was called

1 Address of the vice-president and chairman of Section C, of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Chicago, December, 1920.

upon to reexplore the natural resources of the country and to find, if possible, within our own borders raw materials which we had formerly imported, and many important and unexpected discoveries were made. The physicist was presented with a host of problems, problems in light, in sound, in electricity, in wireless transmission, etc., and in the attempt to solve these problems contributed materially to the advancement of our cause and to the general welfare. The engineer, working in conjunction with the physicist and chemist, gave body and substance to the discoveries of the latter, and gave besides an example of the power of concentrated and intelligent effort to solve engineering difficulties of all kinds, which won the admiration of the world. The various branches of medical science, represented by the physician, the surgeon, the physiologist, the pharmacologist and others, all rendered a service of inestimable value, the memory of which will long be enshrined in the thought of the world. I refer not only to the direct service in mitigating immediate human suffering, but also, and more important even than that, to the advances in medical science which were made. And so we might call the roll of the sciences and each could respond with a record of achievement, of things actually accomplished for the welfare of our country and the world.

It is perhaps true that no branch of science was given the opportunity of rendering more conspicuous or more vital service than that of chemistry. It is scarcely too much to say that for a period of two years the whole orderly course of scientific research in chemistry was suspended. In 1917 the country was confronted with a very large number of practical chemical problems, some of them of an extremely complex and difficult nature, the prompt solution of which was imperatively demanded. These problems may be grouped under two general heads. Since foreign sources were to a large extent cut off as early as 1914, we were faced with the task of supplying the ordinary everyday needs of the community for the vast number of substances in the manufacture of which chemistry played an essential

part, and these problems were far from being satisfactorily solved in 1917. The second group included the multitudinous problems which had to do directly with the prosecution of war. In order to meet the situation thus presented the critical nature of which could hardly be exaggerated, practically the entire research and manufacturing facilities of the country were drafted. The extent to which the research personnel of the country was drawn into some branch of industrial or war work was truly amazing. Never before had this country witnessed such intensive chemical effort. For the industrial chemist it did not as a rule call for any very radical change in the nature of his work. To him it meant, in the main, redoubled effort in the line he was accustomed to, or in related lines. But for the large number of university men who were able to give a portion or all their time, the change was more radical. In many cases they abandoned, for the time being, the researches upon which they were engaged and addressed themselves to the solution of certain definite problems, not chosen by themselves, but presented by the exigencies of war. These men came from various colleges and universities in all sections of the country and for nearly two years gave themselves over to an entirely new experience, viz., an intensive study of definite problems which were essentially industrial in nature, in that they were in most cases directed toward ultimate large scale operation. After working out a particular problem in the laboratory it then became necessary, with the cooperation of the engineer, to put the process being developed through the various stages leading finally to large scale production.

The very great chemical activity which characterized this period and particularly the conspicuous success which was attained by the chemist in the solution of many of the difficult problems presented to him have had important results in several directions.

1. The chemist finds himself in a more favorable position than he formerly held in the eyes of the general public. It was not so very long ago that to the average man in the street,