What is the nature of these intermolecular bonds, so easily broken in the one case, so difficult in the other?

By the simple relation of their combining weights, all the elements are arranged in groups composed of those that have similar properties. The twentieth century is awaiting a genius of the type of a Dalton, a Levosier, or a Mendeleeff, to find the fundamental law or laws by which all these facts may be explained. Possibly some light is beginning to appear through the new field of radio-activity, and the electron theory of the structure of matter, which proposes to account for the relation of matter and all forms of energy through whirls and strains in the ether.

Some of the new gaseous elements, as actinium, are said to have a limited life and to change into other substances. Each radio-active product is a transition substance, possessing, while it lasts, definite chemical and physical properties. The electrons that fly off from radium and bombard the air particles around it, and raise the surrounding temperature, are said not to be matter, yet it is found that the mass fluctuates in the presence of the electrical changes. It is further claimed that all the elements possess specific radio-activity in a more or less marked degree. These observations have been made in the last ten years, and would indicate that we may soon fully understand the minute structure of matter and its relation to the ether.

Chemistry as a science is the product of the nineteenth century and has been very fruitful in its service, yet it has many problems of great economic value to solve in such constructive work as the preparation, on a commercial scale, of many compounds, both organic and inorganic.

Physics, with all its brilliant discoveries of the past, presents us machinery of motive power which does not utilize, on the average, more than twenty per cent. of the available energy used. Will the physicist ever be able to turn the latent energy of coal directly into electrical or some other form of kinetic energy without passing through heat, and thus greatly increase the efficiency of our motive machinery? Biologists have shown us how it is possible, by a change in nutrition, to produce aberrant types of life and have demonstrated the transmission of those acquired characters. The investigations of our experimental stations have shown beyond question, how it is possible to add largely to the yield, as well as

to the quality, of our manifold farm products. This is accomplished, not by an increase, but by a lessening in the labor involved. Discoveries of incalculable value have been made through the study of the complete life-history of many of our various disease-producing fungi, in both plant and animal life. The means of combatting these injurious parasites has been worked out, in many instances, as well as the prevention and cure of the diseases, in all forms of life, caused from their ravages. However, there are many problems of life yet to be solved, among which may be mentioned the origin of life upon the earth and its many subsequent changes. What are the potentialities of the different primal cells that cause them to develop into widely different organisms? The relation of the chemical and physical changes which take place in the brain and nerves to conscious thought is still incompletely solved.

We trust that the biologists of this century may learn to explain all these difficulties, and that they will give us a basal law governing the vital molecules of the cell and the exact relations in every detail of these molecules to the non-vital ones. We expect the future to reveal the history and present evolutions of man himself; to explain the causes of the different races, their physical characteristics, their mental and moral traits, as are observed in their customs, languages and religion. We hope they will find all the factors that have elevated, also those that have depressed, and show how the one may be augmented and the other retarded: likewise show how the yearning in man for the eternal verities may be increased. The solution of these problems will solve those of

our social and governmental evolutions.

Experimental research is adding an increasing accumulation of facts each year in every branch of science. The scope of each is widening and dividing into new fields of investigation. In this way nature is revealing her secrets more rapidly than ever before in the world's history. She is showing her variability and her unity. Therefore, the work is opening new lines of employment and new phases of thought. In this way science is interesting those who supply the sinews of investigation. Yet those who are toiling with all their power that they may find some facts that will aid in the solution of some of the unknown problems of nature are as truly philanthropists as they who contribute of their wealth

for the betterment of humanity. Natural laws are inductions from facts and are necessarily successive approximations. They explain the main causes and relations, but many details of all are still to be worked out. The scientists of the nineteenth century have given us these first approximations. No one doubts, in the future investigation of the details and applications, under all conceivable conditions of our present knowledge of nature, but that new truths will be found which will give wider, broader and deeper generalizations.

The trend of the ages, on the whole, has been upward. Our present scientific age is the evolution of the mind which seeks freedom to think, to act for itself, and to be open to the conviction of any truth. Yet it demands facts on which to base its conclusions. The various scientific appliances give the masses time to acquire intellectual and spiritual growth.

A full knowledge and control of nature is man's destiny and one of his greatest needs. To enable our future leaders to comprehend and to perceive perfectly what the knowledge and control of nature is, and how the steps may be increased by which this is gained, is a duty that belongs to each of us. Let our motto be the service of our work to humanity. Let us work shoulder to shoulder with all our powers for greater gifts and larger appropriations, that we may not be hampered for want of means in the investigations of any and all truth, so that we may bequeath to the next century the solution of many of the present unsolved problems, that we may aid in lifting the burdens from the wearied and removing every vestige of prejudice and superstition from the minds of men. This accomplished, and our work will not have been in vain.

II.

CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL PAPERS.

1. "GASTRIC FERMENTS."

By C. F. MENNINGER, M. D., Topeka.

2. "ON THE REACTIONS OF FORMANIDINES."

By F. B. DAINS, Ph. D., and E. W. BROWN, B. S., Washburn College.

3. "NATURAL GAS OBTAINED FROM TREES."

By F. W. BUSHONG and D. F. MCFARLAND, University of Kansas, Lawrence. 4. "THE RELATION OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO THE QUALITY OF MEDICINE." By L. E. SAYRE, University of Kansas, Lawrence.

5. "PERCENTAGE OF EXTRACTIVES IN CERTAIN DRUGS AND SPICES." By L. E. SAYRE, University of Kansas, Lawrence.

6. "FIRELESS COOKING."

By J. T. LOVE WELL, Ph. D., Topeka.

7. "ON THE PRESENCE OF NEON AND ARGON IN NATURAL GAS." By H. P. CADY and D. F. MCFARLAND, Lawrence.

8. "SANITARY WATER ANALYSIS."

By E. H. S. BAILEY, University of Kansas, Lawrence.