the one form only. It may be, however, that the reactions which Rosenthaler employed gave rise to both forms and that the dextro form was destroyed as fast as it was synthesized, through the action of the emulsin. 8. The most important contribution to the subject of asymmetric syntheses in recent years is that made by Bredig and Fiske in 1912. Bredig and Fajans had previously shown that the dextro and levo camphor-carboxylic acids decompose with different speeds in the presence of active bases. When the reaction is carried out in nicotine solution, for example, the speed of decomposition of the d-acid is about 13 per cent. greater than that of the l-acid-results that are similar to those of Dakin, who studied the hydrolysis of mandelic esters in the presence of lipase. With this information concerning the selective action of the alkaloids in mind, Bredig and Fiske attempted to utilize this property of alkaloids in effecting asymmetric syntheses. For this purpose they selected the same reaction that Rosenthaler had used, namely, the addition of hydrocyanic acid to benzaldehyde, but substituted an alkaloid for the emulsin. The results were decisive. In the presence of quinine an excess of dextro mandelic acid was formed, while quinidine gave an excess of the corresponding levo compound. The alkaloid acted as a catalytic agent since the results were obtained by the use of relatively small amounts of the bases. While all the methods for effecting partial asymmetric syntheses so far discussed differ somewhat in detail, yet they are all fundamentally the same. In each case the object has been to bring about an asymmetric synthesis through the agency of the forces exerted by a previously existing asymmetric group. Now it is perfectly rational to suppose that in place of the forces exerted by an asymmetric group, one might utilize the forces acting in a strong magnetic field or those exerted in either plane or circularly polarized light. Accordingly, many attempts have been made to employ these agencies. Pasteur himself used the magnetic field as the active agent, as did also Boyd (1896). Meyer, in 1903, believing that the forces exerted in a magnetic field are not of the same character as those exerted by an asymmetric group, attempted to improve the experiment through the combined influence of a magnetic field and polarized light. Henle and Haakh (1908) concluded that a reaction that proceeds in the absence of light is not likely to be influenced by the action of polarized light. Accordingly they attempted to effect an asymmetric synthesis by the decomposition of certain acids of the type of malonic acid, through the action of light in the presence of uranium compounds-a reaction which will take place under the conditions of the experiment, only in the presence of light. In all of these investigations, however, no positive results were obtained. The results of all the attempts to effect either a partial or complete asymmetric synthesis may be summed up as follows: in so far as we are able to detect with instruments at present constructed, an asymmetric compound synthesized from its constituent elements or from optically inactive compounds is always obtained in the inactive form. The optically active forms can be prepared synthetically only through the assistance of previously existing optically active compounds. In making this general statement I am disregarding the work of Stoklosa and his co-workers (1913), who claim to have prepared optically active sugars through the action of ultra-violet light upon a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the presence of potassium hydrogen carbonate. Stoklosa's results are of the greatest im portance if true, but serious doubts have been cast upon their accuracy so that they have not been at all generally accepted. WILLIAM MCPHERSON OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY (To be concluded) THE COMMITTEE OF ONE HUNDRED THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE Committee held its fourth meeting at the Hotel Belmont, New York City, convening shortly after two o'clock on the afternoon of December 26, 1916. Mr. Pickering was in the chair and others recorded as present were: Raymond F. Bacon, Franz Boas, N. L. Britton, Alfred H. Brooks, Ernest W. Brown, Walter B. Cannon, J. J. Carty, J. McK. Cattell, C. R. Cross, Chas. B. Davenport, W. M. Davis, Henry H. Donaldson, H. L. Fairchild, Irving Hardesty, G. Ross Harrison, L. O. Howard, Ales Hrdlicka, W. J. Humphreys, Edward Kasner, A. E. Kennelly, Irving Langmuir, Berthold Laufer, Frederic S. Lee, Jacques Loeb, D. T. MacDougal, J. C. Merriam, G. A. Miller, T. H. Morgan, H. V. Neal, Edw. L. Nichols, A. A. Noyes, Richard M. Pearce, M. I. Pupin, Jos. W. Richards, F. K. Richtmyer, Peyton Rous, H. N. Russell, Frank Schlesinger, Geo. Otis Smith, J. Stieglitz, Chas. R. Stockard, E. L. Thorndike, A. M. Tozzer, Charles R. Van Hise, John B. Watson, A. G. Webster, David White, W. R. Whitney, Edmund B. Wilson, W. M. Wheeler, R. M. Yerkes. After introductory remarks by the chairman, the secretary reported that, since the organization of the committee at Atlanta four years ago, it had lost by death: Charles E. Bessey, professor of botany, University of Nebraska; Theodore Gill, professor of zoology, George Washington University; Karl E. Guthe, professor of physics, University of Michigan; Joseph A. Holmes, chief of the Bureau of Mines, Washington, D. C.; Charles S. Minot, professor of comparative anatomy, Harvard Medical School, and F. W. Putnam, professor emeritus of anthropology, Harvard University. There had been added to the committee: Raymond F. Bacon, director of the Mellon Institute for Industrial Research, the University of Pittsburgh; W. B. Cannon, professor of physiology, Harvard Medical School, and John C. Merriam, professor of paleontology, the University of California. Since the meeting last year at Columbus the following subcommittees in different sciences had been appointed: Mathematics: G. A. Miller, Chairman, Edward Physics: Arthur G. Webster, Chairman, C. E. Mendenhall, Ernest Merritt, R. A. Millikan, M. I. Pupin. Chemistry: Julius Stieglitz, Chairman, I. Langmuir, G. N. Lewis, W. A. Noyes, T. W. Richards. Engineering: A. E. Kennelly, Chairman, J. W. Richards, A. Sauveur, A. N. Talbot, C. C. Thomas. Geology and Geography: Wm. M. Davis, Chairman, Alfred H. Brooks, L. C. Glenn, C. K. Leith, Bailey Willis. Botany: George T. Moore, Chairman, D. H. Campbell, R. A. Harper, L. R. Jones, B. E. Livingston. Zoology: Edwin G. Conklin, Chairman, F. R. Lillie, T. H. Morgan, G. H. Parker, Jacob Reighard. Anatomy: Ross G. Harrison, Chairman, F. P. Mall, C. R. Stockard, C. M. Jackson, Irving Hardesty. Pathology: Richard M. Pearce, Chairman, Theodore C. Janeway, Eugene L. Opie, Peyton Rous, H. Gideon Wells. Physiology: W. B. Cannon, Chairman, Joseph Erlanger, Theodore Hough, Frederic S. Lee, Walter J. Meek. Psychology: J. McKeen Cattell, Chairman, C. E. Seashore, E. L. Thorndike, John B. Watson, Robert M. Yerkes. Anthropology: Franz Boas, Chairman, A. Hrdlicka, Alfred L. Kroeber, Berthold Laufer, Alfred M. Tozzer. Reports were presented by the chairmen of nearly all the subcommittees. The report of the subcommittee on industrial research, presented by Mr. Bacon, was a special order, and by invitation was discussed by Mr. J. J. Carty, chairman of a committee of similar scope of the National Research Council and by Mr. F. K. Richtmyer, secretary of a corresponding committee of the American Physical Society. This report, which was further discussed by several members, was printed in the issue of SCIENCE for January 5. Other reports were presented, as follows: Research on the Pacific Coast: Mr. Merrian. Research Funds: Mr. Cross. The Training of Students for Research: Mr. Brown. Mathematics: Mr. Miller. Astronomy: Mr. Pickering. Physics: Mr. Webster. Chemistry: Mr. Stieglitz. Geology and Geography: Mr. Davis. Pathology: Mr. Pearce. Those The reports of the chairmen of the subcommittees were in most cases preliminary. They were discussed by various members. containing definite results or recommendations will be printed. It was reported to the committee that, at the request of the National Research Council, the Committee on Policy of the American Association for the Advancement of Science had authorized the appointment by the president of the association of a committee on cooperation to include himself. The other members appointed by the president were: Mr. Nichols, chairman of the Committee on Policy, and Mr. Howard, permanent secretary of the association. Mr. Nichols and Mr. Howard had met in New York with Mr. Noyes and Mr. Conklin, representing the National Research Council, and took the following action: The Committee on Cooperation recommends (1) that the Committee of One Hundred on Scientific Research of the American Association for the Advancement of Science cooperate with the National Research Council in those research movements in which both organizations are interested and especially in order to avoid duplication of effort that might arise from individual action of the two groups of committees which have already been appointed in the different sciences; (2) that the Committee of One Hundred, of the Association, cooperate with the National Academy of Sciences and the national scientific societies in the forma tion of single committees in the various branches of science, with the understanding that the present members of the association committees will become members of these committees of the National Research Council. On motion of Mr. Noyes, this action was approved, except the final clause "with the understanding that the present members of the association committees will become members of these committees of the National Research Council." Mr. Noyes moved that: In order to effect the cooperation provided by the preceding vote, the Committee of One Hundred on Research designate through its chairman members of the association to serve as members of the research committees of the National Research Council devoted to the various branches of science, with the understanding that those committees will consist of members designated in equal or approximately equal numbers by the association, the National Academy of Sciences, and the national scientific society representing the branch of research involved. After discussion this motion was carried. On motion of Mr. Boas, a subcommittee was authorized on cooperation between municipalities and incorporated institutions engaged in research. The committee adjourned shortly after five o'clock to meet at two o'clock on the afternoon of the first day of the next annual meeting of the association, which will be on December 28, at Pittsburgh, Pa. J. MCKEEN CATTELL, SCIENTIFIC EVENTS Secretary CONGRESS ON MEDICAL EDUCATION, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MEDICAL LICENSURE THE next Congress on Medical Education, Public Health and Medical Licensure, participated in by the Councils on Medical Education and on Health and Public Instruction of the American Medical Association, the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States and the Association of American Medical Colleges, will be held at the Congress Hotel, Chicago, on February 5 and 6, 1917. According to the Journal of the American Medical Association the program of Monday morning, February 5, will be on medical education. The program follows: Opening of the Conference, Dr. Arthur Dean Bevan, chairman of the council on medical education, Chicago. "Progress of the Year in Medical Education,'' Dr. N. P. Colwell, secretary of the Council on Medical Education, Chicago. "The Problem of Higher Degrees in Medicine," Dr. Horace D. Arnold, dean, Harvard Graduate School of Medicine, Boston. Symposium: "Economy of Time in Preliminary and Medical Education."' Dr. John L. Heffron, president of the Association of American Medical Colleges, Syracuse, N. Y. Hon. P. P. Claxton, United States Commissioner of Education, Washington, D. C. President Harry Pratt Judson, University of Chicago. Discussion by President George E. Vincent, of the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and Professor C. H. Judd, University of Chicago. On Monday afternoon the general topic will be medical licensure. The program follows: "Practical Examinations by State Licensing Boards," by Dr. Walter P. Bowers, Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine, Boston. "Minnesota Practical Examinations-As They Are and As We Should Like to Have Them," Dr. Annah Hurd, member of the Minnesota State Board of Medical Examiners, Minneapolis. Discussion opened by Dr. W. J. Means, chairman, Executive Council, Association of American Medical Colleges, Columbus, Ohio. Report of Examination Held by the National Board of Medical Examiners, Dr. Isadore Dyer, a member of the National Board and Dean of the Tulane University of Louisiana School of Medieine, New Orleans. Discussion opened by Dr. John M. Baldy, president, Pennsylvania Bureau of Medical Education and Licensure, Philadelphia. "The Problem of the Medical Cults," Dr. David A. Strickler, president of the Federation of State Medical Boards and secretary of the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners, Denver. Discussion opened by Mr. Harry E. Kelly, formerly attorney for the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners, Chicago. On Tuesday morning public health topics will be discussed. The program follows: Opening of the Conference, Dr. Frank Billings, chairman of the Council on Health and Public Instruction, Chicago. "Public Health Training in Medical Colleges,' Dr. George E. Vincent, president, University of Minnesota, and president-elect, Rockefeller Foundation. “What Training Should the Public Health Officer Receive in Medical Colleges," Dr. Hermann E. Biggs, state commissioner of health, New York. Discussion opened by Dr. Victor C. Vaughan and Dr. S. J. Crumbine. On Tuesday afternoon there will be a popular discussion of topics relating to medical licensure. The program follows: "State Regulation of the Practise of Medicine an Educational Problem," Professor Edmund J. James, president, Illinois State University. "The State Regulation of the Practise of Medicine as an Executive Problem," Honorable James M. Cox, governor of Ohio. Discussion opened by Dr. C. St. Clair Drake, Dr. W. B. Hinsdale and Dr. William P. Best. ADDRESSES AND LECTURES AT the thirteenth annual meeting of the Association of American Geographers held in New York, a symposium on "The Geography of the War," was conducted by Professor Douglas Wilson Johnson, of Columbia University, the program being as follows: INTRODUCTION "The Geographic Factor in Military Problems,'' by Douglas W. Johnson. THE WAR ON LAND "The Plains of Northern France," by Sumner W. Cushing. "Rivers and Marshes of the Eastern Front," by Lawrence Martin. "The Danube Valley and the Balkan Complex," by Ellsworth Huntington. "The Carpathian Mountains and Transylvanian Alps," by Emmanuel De Martonne. THE WAR ON WATER "Geographic Aspects of the War on Water," by J. Paul Goode. THE WAR IN THE AIR 'Geographic Aspects of the War in the Air," by R. DeC. Ward. ECONOMIC EFFECT OF THE WAR "Economic Geography of the War," by J. Russell Smith. DR. S. W. WILLISTON, of the University of Chicago, gave a lecture on "The Earliest Known Air-breathing Vertebrates" under the auspices of the Science Club of the University of Wisconsin on December 16, 1916. Among future lecturers are the following: Dr. E. C. Rosenow, of the Mayo Foundation, on "The Etiology of Epidemic Poliomyelitis," on January 12, 1917. Professor Robert DeC. Ward, of Harvard University, on "The Weather and the War," on January 19, 1917. Dr. Frederic S. Lee, of Columbia University, on a subject yet to be announced, on February 12, 1917. Professor G. A. Miller, of the University of Illinois, on "The Function of Mathematics in Scientific Research." Professor C. 8. Slichter, of the University of Wisconsin, on "Science at the University of Alexandria.'' A COURSE of six lectures on psychopathology is being given by Dr. E. E. Southard, professor of neuropathology in the Harvard Medical School, before the department of psychology, Columbia University. The lectures given at four o'clock, in Schermerhorn Hall, are: Tuesday, January 2, "Neuropathology and Psychopathology." Wednesday, January 3, "The Brains of the Feeble-Minded.'' Wednesday, January 31, "Frontal Lobe Functions.'' Thursday, February 1, "The Analysis of Delusions.'' Thursday, February 8, "The Unconscious."' THE following program of lectures is offered for this season by the Ottawa Field Naturalists Club: December 16, "A Journey through Space," by Dr. J. S. Plaskett, Dominion Observatory, Ottawa. January 9, "Are Our Forests Vanishing-What Are We Doing to Perpetuate Them"? by Mr. R. N. Campbell, director of forestry, Ottawa. January 23, "Our Winter Birds," by Dr. N. Y. Williams, Geological Survey, Ottawa. February 6, "The Animals of Arctic Canada," by Dr. R. M. Anderson, lately in charge of southern scientific party of Canadian Arctic Expedition. February 20, "Fishes and the Fishing Industry," by Mr. Andrew Halkett, naturalist, Naval Department, Ottawa. March 6, "The Conservation of Wild Life in Canada," by Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, Dominion Entomologist, Ottawa. March 20. Annual meeting. Presidential address: "Recent Archeological Work in Canada,” by Mr. Harlan I. Smith, Geological Survey, Ottawa. A SCHOOL OF FISHERIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON A SCHOOL of fisheries will be established at the University of Washington within the next two years, if the appropriation bill for the university is passed as it now stands. The need for scientific study of fishing problems is already felt to so great an extent that Professors Kincaid and E. Victor Smith, of the biology department, are devoting much time to the scientific phases of the industry. Professor Kincaid is investigating and fostering the oyster industry on the Pacific coast and Professor Smith is studying salmon and salmon hatcheries, particularly. The passage of the required appropriation by the legislature will make possible the addition of an expert authority on fishing and fisheries, the addition of laboratory equipment, the enlargement of the scope of the university and the addition of increased laboratory space to handle problems that arise through study. The university, in connection with the Seattle Port Commission, has invited the Albatross, the official ship maintained by the United States Bureau of Fisheries for the scientific investigation of the fishing industry, to winter in the fresh waters of Lake Union, which wash one edge of the campus. Plans are being considered that may make the Albatross available for students and instructors. The ship works with a crew of seventy men and three experts and centers its activity in the North Pacific Ocean. At present it is investigating tuna fishing off the coast of southern California. If the Albatross is made available for students and professors, particularly those interested directly in the fishing industry, it will serve as a practical laboratory wherein can be solved the problems that are confronting the industry along the Pacific seaboard. |