:

:REPOET
OF THE,

SIXTY-EIGHTH MEETING
OF THE

BRITISH ASSOCIATION
FOR THE

ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE

HELD AT

BRISTOL IN SEPTEMBER 1898.

LONDON
JOHN MUKRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET,
1899.

Office of the Association .- Burlington House, London, W.

 PEBJTKD BT
SPOTTISWOODE AXD CO., NRW-STREET SQUARE
LONDON
842 REroRT— 1898.
anal3'ses of the soils according to a slight modification of Osborne's method of
subsidence has also been commenced. This enables one to determine the percentage
of soil consisting of particles within certain limits of size, and thus to obtain a
rough approximation to the total surface area of the soil particles. No doubt the
attraction of the soil for moisture is dependent verj- largely upon the surface area
of the particles though certain preliminary experiments, which the author was
;

— —
enabled through the kindness of Sir Henry Gilbert to carry out at Rothamsted
some time ago ou the soil of the Broadbalk field, lead him to believe that the
relation is not so simple as might at first sight be expected.
The selection of suitable fields and the collection of samples are carried out by
the agricultural staff of Reading College, and the author's colleagues take the
ojjportunity of making notes at the time of the various physical features of the
land, &c. With a view to obtaining a thoroughly general knowledge of the soils
of Dorsetshire, it is proposed to sample and analyse one hundred of them, in the
manner indicated, during the course of the next five years. It is important to
mention that this investigation is being carried out under the auspices of the
Dorsetshire County Council, who have made a grant towards the necessary
expenses.

5. Report on the Carbohydrates of Cereal Straws. — See Reports, p. 293.

6, Interim Report on the Promotion of Agriculture. — See Reports, p. 312.

TUESBAT, SEPTEMBER i:i.

The following Papers and Reports were read :—

1. Recent Advances in the Leather Trade. By J. Gordon Parker, Ph.D.

A
new and important tanning material, containing upwards of 30 per cent, of
tannin, is canaigre. To light leathers, tannage with it gives suppleness and
mildness. Quebracho is increasingly used. The most important change of
method, however, in the manufacture of leather is the now almost universal
—
employment of extracts, principally those of oakwood and chestnut a method
which is the indirect outcome of chemical science. Up to a comparatively
recent date there was no known chemical means by which one extract could
be detected from the other. The tanner's chemist can, however, now determine
between them, and also detect their adulterants, quebracho, myrabolams, cutch,
divi-divi, algarobilla, &c.
The extended use of extracts has brought about improved methods of estimat-
ing the tanning values of materials used in tanning. The considerable
dinerences in the results of analyses of one and the same sample by diflerent
chemists culminated in the holding in Loudon of a conference, and the formation
at that conference of the International Assiwiation of Leather Trades' Chemists ;
an Association from which much may be expected, particularly in the direction of
the adoption of standard methods for the analysis of tanning materials.
In regard to the fermentation that takes place in tan liquors, chemistry had
already afforded considerable enlightenment. One no longer talks of the waste of
tannic acid and the formation of gallic acid but the presence of acetic, lactic, and
;

propionic acids is detected, their percentage easily estimated, and in every well-
regulated tanyard their value and uses are thoroughly appreciated. The formation
of mould is checked, and the action of certain antiseptics thoroughly understood.
The bateing and puering of skins by means of dog and hen excrement is a
standing disgrace to the leather trade. Many substances in substitution for excre-
ment have been tried, but not with much success. The opinion is generally held
that bacteriological action is necessary in the bateing and puering process, and Mr.
 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 813

J. T. Woodaud others have succeeded in isolating over twenty different kinds of

bacteria the puer and bate referred to, and in culturing the bacteria.
ii-oin
Within the last few weeks tubes coutainiug cultures of the bacteria which are
suitable for bateing and puering purposes have, I believe, been put upon the
market in Germany. This is a form of applying the excrement bate that makes it
far less objectionable than heretofore.
Mr. Wood has also applied bacteriological investigation to the bran drench,
and he has shown that for some leathers acetic and lactic acids may be substituted
for the fermenting bran.
The rush alter quick tanning processes is somewhat reactionary. No great
success has been achieved by the various drum processes, and no leather has been
made by any of them that will serve other than second-class work. Leather pro-
duced by the so-called electric process is'being worked successfully in Sweden, and
the leather which is tanned in ifrom eight to twelve weeks is to all appearance
satisfactory; it has not been commercially tried in England. There is most pro-
bably what may be regarded as a rational limit of time for the conversion of hide
into leather, and it is doubtful whether the time that up to now has been regarded
as proper in such conversion will ever be very greatly reduced, as there is in
tanning more than simple cbemical combination of tannin with hide substance.
In the extraction of tanning materials in the tanyard, English tanners are far
behind those of America and the Continent. Alarge amount of available
tannin is often wasted by cold extraction. Most of the large tanyards on the Con-
tinent extract with warm water in closed vats, some even extracting under pressure.
Analyses of over 300 samples of waste spent tan from over forty tanyards in Great
Britain have shown an average of over 9 per cent, of available tannic acid.
Supposing with valonia, costing 1:*/. per ton, and containing 36 per cent, of tannin,
5 per cent, to be thus wasted, a loss is incurred of 1/. 13s. Ad. per ton and valonia
;

is only one of the materials used in this country.

Investigation in the case of oak bark shows Gl per cent, of tannin extracted
with cold water, and 95 per cent, with water at 60° C. Valonia extracted cold
gives over 70 per cent, of tannin at 00° C. gives off the whole of it.
; Even with
hemlock, containing only about 16 per cent, of tannin, the Americans find warm
extraction pay, and the Germans years ago adopted the method. The fear of
darker colour in leather arising from the use of warm extracts is much
exaggerated.
Chrome leather tannage has emanated from the chemist's laboratory, and
leather is chromo-tanned by a two-bath process and by a one-bath process. The
leather tanned by either method, for it is leather, has many advantages over
vegetable-tanned leather. It is more elastic, more waterproof, and lighter and
softer for foot-wear, except as to soles, for which its water-resisting quality makes
it too slippery. Millions of dozens of skins are chromed weekly in America.
Owing to the labours of the late Professor von Scbroeder, it is possible now to
determine at any period during the tanning process what amount of tannin a hide
has absorbed, and to Professor Proctor, of Leeds, we owe our present system of
analysis. As to the future, a great advance in our knowledge may be expected
from the several tanning schools and research laboratories that have come into
existence, but there is still a marked need of more research and of specially trained
chemists with a thorough knowledge of tanning.

2. Diamidated Aromatic Amidines, a Neio Class of Colouring Matters,

By E. NoELTiNG, Professor of Chemistry, College of Chemistry, Mul-
house.

The benzenyl-di-phenyl-amidine,

C = N-C„H,
844 EEPORT— 1898.
and its methylated derivative,

are white substances, having no colourint^ power at all.

If we introduce in the latter one amido-group, or better, a di-methylated
amido-group, N(CH3)2, we obtain a slightly yellowish substance
^C,H,N(CH3),
C = N-C,H,

dyeing wool, silk, and cotton previously mordanted with tannin in light
jellowish shades.
If another amido-group or di-methylated amido-group is introduced, we obtain
a real, strong colouring matter, dyeing the above-named fibres in bright yellow.
These substances
yC,H,N(CH3), yC,H,N(CH3),
C = N-C,H,NH„ ^ , C = N-CeH,N(CH3)„

may be easily prepared by acting on dimethyl-amido-benzo-metbyl-anilide

C,H,N(CH3),
I

CO
I

with para-phenylene-diamine or dimethyl- para-phenylene-diamine in tbe presence

of oxychloride of phosphorus.
Benzenyl-diphenyl-methyl-amidine

<_>-C = N-<_>
'CH3

may therefore be considered as a chromogen, similar to azo- benzene

<— >-N N-<— =

Both, by the introduction of amido-groups, become real dye-stuffs, but whilst

azo-benzene itself is coloured, the amidine is colourless in itself, like anthra-
quinone and other similar chromogens.

3. The Oxidation 0/ Glycerol in presence 0/ Ferrous Iron. ^1/ Henry

J. HoRSTJiAN Fenton, M.A., and Henry Jackson, B.A., B.Hc. Land.

peculiar iutiueuce which ferrous iron exercises upon the oxidation of

The
tartaric acid,and some other hydroxy-acids, which has been pointed out by one
of the authors in several previous couiiuunications, is now being investigated as
regards various classes of hydroxy-compounds. Mr. C. F. Cross, with the consent
of the authors, has subsequently applied this reaction to his studies on certain
 TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 845

carbohydrates, and Dr. Morrell is also making important investigations on the same
subject. The authors are at present engaged in studying the polyhydric alcohols,
and the present communication deals with the results obtained when glycerol is
oxidized by hydrogen dioxide iu presence of iron. Practically no result is ob-
tained in the absence of ferrous iron, but, in its presence, an energetic reaction
sets in, with the production of a liquid which powerfully reduces Fehling's solu-
tion in the cold, and which, with phenyl hydrazine, gives an abundant yield of
glycerosazone, CjjHji.N^O. The oxidation-product contains therefore either dihy-
droxy-acetone, glyceraldehyde, or a mixture of both of these substances [' gly-
cerose '], and is now being examined with a view of isolation.

4. Action of Hydrogen Peroxide on Carbohydrates in the Presence of Iron

Salts. By K
S. Morrell, M.A.^ Ph.D., and J. M. Crofts, B.A., B.Sc.

Cross, Bevau, and Smith have shown that hydrogen peroxide acts as a mild
'

oxidising agent on glucose in the presence of ferrous sulphate, giving acids, formic,
acetic, and probably tartronic, and a substance which reduces Fehling's solution in
the cold, and yields with phenyl-hydiaziue in the cold a mixture of osazones.
The action of hydrogen peroxide in the presence of ferrous sulphate on organic
acids has furnished important results in the case of tartaric acid, and the method
employed by Cross, Bevan, and Smith is on the lines suggested by Fenton.^
We have been able to identify the substance, which reduces Fehling's solution
in the cold and reacts so readily with phenyl-hydrazine, as glucoson.
VVe have prepared from the solution methyl-phenyl-glucosazon, and verified the
property that this oxyglucose has of reacting easily with organic bases, e.g. (o)
tolyldiamine. The glucoson resists the action of ferments, as was found to be the
case by Fischer.^
The action of the hydrogen peroxide in the presence of iron salts is to oxidise
the (CHOH) group next to the CHO
group in glucose, forming CH0.C0(CH0H)3
CH.jOH. With levulose and galactose a similar oxidation probably takes place.
The investigation of these substances is in progress. In these two cases we expect
to obtain (a) from levulose CH.,OH.CO.CO(CHOH).,CH,OH {b) from galactose ;

CH0.C0(CH0H)3CH,0II (galactoson).

An Experiment illustratinq tlie Effect on the Acetylene Flame of vary-

ing Proportions of Carbon Dioxide in the Gas. By Professor J.
Emerson Reynolds.

On a 10- Candle Lamp to be used as a Standard of Light.

By A. G. Vernon Harcourt, F.E.S.
In previous years the author has made several communications to Sections A
and B on standard lights. As weight is expressed in grains and length in feet, but
a definite piece of brass or platinum is used to represent the grain, and a rule of
definite length to represent the foot so light is expressed in candles, but some
;

more constant light than a candle-flame is needed to represent the candle. A

small air-gas flame, first described to this Section in 1878, has been thus used in
inquiries into the standard of light on several occasions since that date. The
illuminative value of coal gas has commonly been estimated by comparing the
distances at which the light of two candles and that of a standard Argand, con-
suming 5 cubic feet of gas per hour and giving a light of about 16 candles,
illuminated equally the surface on which they fell. In clear air and with careful
measurement of the smaller distance a comparison between a light of 16 candles

'
C. S. J. 1898, 7.^, 463. - C. S. J. 1894, 65, 899 ; C. S. J. 1896, 09, 546.
' Her. vol. xxii. p. 89.
846 REPORT— 1898.
and the ligbt of two or even of one candle can be accurately made. But a material
error is less likely to occur where the atmosphere may be foggy, and in a number
of routine observations, if the two lights compared are more nearly equal For
this reason in technical photometry it is better to make the standard of comparison
a light of 10 or IG candles. An actual cluster of so many candles would give a
much more constant lijrht than two candles, but its use on a photometer presents
obvious and insuperable difhculties. Hence tbe need of a large but compact
standard flame.
After many trials of Argand lamps with wicks and chimneys, the author
concluded that the glass chimney was a source of variation, and that if possible
an Argand lamp without a chimney must be produced. The result of many triah
to produce a lamp of the right kind, and many adjustments, first large, then small,
to obtain from sucli a lamp a constant light, and a light of exactly 10 candles, has
been the lamp which is now before the Section.
The burner is supplied with a mixture of air and gaseous pentane from a
reservoir carried on a bracket at the top of the lamp. As this mixture falls down the
siphon connecting the two, fresh air enters the reservoir, which is provided with
cross partitions causing the air to travel backwards and forwards over the surface of
the pentane, and to mix with a proportion of pentane vapour, always large, though
varying in amount with the external temperature. The variation in the proportion
of pentane thus occurring does not aflect the output of light under the other
conditions about to be described. A casing round the burner with a conical top
steadies the flame, the npper part of which is drawn together into a long brass
chimney which cuts oft' the light of this part of the flame. Round the chimney is
an outer tube, open below and connected above with a longer tube, which
descends and is connected below with the central chamber of the burner. The
longer tube is kept cool by having attached to it the bracket carrying the reservoir
in which the pentane evaporates, and also a triangle of blackened copper which
supports the bracket. Thus an air-current is produced, ascending in the heated
and descending in the cooler tube, which issues through the middle of the Argand
burner.
A steady flame of a height between 60 and 70 mm. is thus formed, gi\dng a
total light of rather more than 10 candles. By setting the tube which receives
the top of the flame at a height of 47 mm., the light shed horizontally is reduced
to exactly 10 candles. The total height of the flame can be observed through a
small talc window in the side of the chimney, and regulated by means of a tap on
the outlet of the reservoir. A variation of a centimetre in the height of the flame,
or of a millimetre either way in setting the height of the chimney above the
burner, makes no measurable difference in the light emitted.
As the lamp is tall and its centre of gravity rather high, and as an upset would
cause a spilling of pentane which might be dangerous, a firm support is required.
A tripod, which for levelling and stability is best, has the disadvantage that, unless
the branches ai'e very long, it oft'ers a weak resistance to an upsetting force in three
directions. The stand of this lamp has been strengthened in these three directions
by being provided with three additional branches, whose screws are turned up so
as not to touch the table till the lamp resting on the other three branches has been
set upright. The screws of the three supplementary branches, which are made to
tui'n very easily, are then turned down in succession till a slight resistance shows
that each ia just touching the table.
A number of comparisons have been made of four of these lamps one with
another, and between the lamps and the 1 -candle standard. The results show
that all the lamps give the same amount of light, and that this light is exactly ten
times that of the 1 -candle standard.

7. On a Convenient Form of Drying Tube.

By A. G. Vernon Harcourt, FM.S.
A common method of drying gases is to pass them through a wash-bottle
containing sulphuric acid, and then through a U-tube filled with fragments of