VOL.6, No. 2
PHYSICAL CREM~STRY SYMPOSIUM
285
molecules and related topics with great profit. During the year 192&29, we are going to take up the study of band spectra in much the same way and I believe that we will succeed in giving a great many of the experimental facts to our graduate students of chemistry. Such study groups can be organized by men who are not specialists in the subject with much profit to both students and faculty. John Dalton and the Atomic Theory. The following quotation from Memoirs qf John Dalton and Histmy o f A t m i c Theory Ux3 to H& Time, by Robert Anaus . Smith (pp. 244-5), has been called to our attention by one of our readers with the comment that it "seems pertinent in view of the widespread belief that the newer findinas relative to atomic structure are threatening our fundamental theories of chemical action. "We have, in fact, found no name representing the case as well as atom, and, giving due limits to the meaning of the word, it represents the state of belief in the mind of every chemist, whilst no fact whatever bears directly against it. "At the same time I do not mean to advocate the atom with the physical constitution given to it by Dalton, as well as by Newton and the ancients, not being able to see it possible; but this is not a place for my own views: I have referred t o what may be called the practical atom, or the smallest amount that unites. "Is then chemistry scientifically disposed of by this theory? As well might we say that Newton exhausted the heavens of its knowledge. Year after year will furnish us with marvelous truths, nor can we believe that centuries or millenaries will exhaust God's wisdom in the earth. The atomic theory may be further analyzed, and under its simple laws may be found another which will not only include all we now have, but a host of others still unsuspected; the time may even come when a new chemistry will be revealed to us, a world under our present elements, when every element will be convulsed and shaken into fragments by powen which nature will put into our hands; but even that does not destroy the laws of the present. Even when that scientific conwlsion comes, we can scarcely doubt that, the elements w i break up, well proportioned and according to regular laws, if they break into fragments a t all. But this stratum of our knowledge cannot be annihilated by any under stratum; what we have found is true, whatever higher truths may overpower us with their splendour. When these truths came let us receive them openly and willingly, giving them encouragement instead of envious repulsion. howing, in fad, that they must come, and rather let us make an occasional mistake in harbouring a mere mortal, than lose the opportunity of an angel for a guest. There are incredulous fools who have made the world's throbbing heart a blank to them, lest they should perchance a t times be cheated. There have been madmen who have refused t o eat, lest they should be poisoned."
Potassium Shortage Hard on Cane Plants. Young sugar-cane plants take it hard when they do not get any potassium in their usual mineral ration, according t o Dr. Constance E. Hartt of St. Lawrence University, who spoke recently before the American Society of Plant Physiologists. Plants started from cuttings in October and transolanted in November began to show sYmPtoms of Dotassinm starvation in March. . These were decreased growth, dieback, and deficient development of the green coloring matter in the leaves. In some cases the action of vital processes was Drofoundlvaffebed. as shown by changes in the enzyme activities.-Sn'wce Senrice
