For m a n y years spirits of turpentine w a s the one preeminent solvent a n d reducer for paints a n d varnishes. Solvents s u c h as gasoline, benzine, kerosine, etc., were prepared f r o m petroleum by distillation a n d benzol, toluol, a n d o t h e r solvents were distilled f r o m coal tar a n d drip oils obtained from t h e illuminating gas industry b u t t h e r e was a prejudice against t h e use of a n y of these. With t h e rapid growth of the ready mixedpaint i n d u s t r y i n t h e United S t a t e s it became evident that spirits of turpentine would soon be exhausted and distillers of petroleum soon succeeded i n supplying the industry with petroleum solvents which for many purposes satisfactorily displace' spirits of turpentine.
THE TEACHING OF ELEMENTARY CHEMISTRY Chemistry teachers who plan to attend the Institute of Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, Zvanston, Ill., July 23 to August 18. 1928, will he particularly interested in the announcement of an Institute lecture series on "Content and Method in the Elementary Chemistry Course." As in all other lectures a t the Institute, the privilege of attending these lectures is open to all members. Differing, however, from other lecture series a t the Institute, these lectures may, if desired, be taken for credit (3 e m ester hours) in Northwestern University; as such, the course is Chemistry SCx. This privilege is extended to qualified teachers of,chemistry who are attending the Institute of Chemistry. There will be frequent discussions and quizzes for those who elect this course for credit; the regular summer school fee is ?equired. Especially noteworthy is the fact that six leading university professors of general chemistry, representing six different institutions, are to co6perate in offering this series of lectures. These include: Professor Harry N. Holmes of Oherlin College Professor B. S. Hopkins of the University of Illinois Professor Victor K. LaMer of Columbia University Professor W. T. Read of Texas Technological College Dean Gerald L. Wendt of the School of Chemistryand Physics in the Pennsylvania State College Professor Frank C. Whitmore of Northwestern University. In part, the scope of the lectures will include thorough treatment of such important phases of elementary teaching as the following: the method of presentation of electronic conceptions; the selection of material from physical chemistry for inclusion in the elementary course, and the preferred methods for its presentation; topics concerning industrial chemistry that should be included in the elementary course, with particular reference to modern practice; matter and energy; a critical survey of teachingmethods; etc. I t is planned to give two lectures daily--one a t 7.50 A.M. and one a t 9.00 A.M.for the entire duration of the Institute. Those who are interested in this course should notify Dr. Charles D. Hurd, Executive Secretary of .the Institute of Chemistry, Evanstan, 111. Room resenrations in special university dormitories will be made in the order of their request.
