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Building. We are pleased, however, to find that the change of place has diminished very little its usefulness to the students, while there is a distinct gain in larger accommodations and in a better ventilated space set apart for tables. In the portion of Room 39 which has been taken for the library the old cases with new additions will hold ten thousand volumes; and, when the time comes for further expansion, one-half more room can be added to the library by removing a temporary partition in Room 39, so that it may be considered that the Chemical Library has found its definitive home. Permanence of arrangement was also held in view in making the necessary additions to the organic chemical laboratory; and it is probable that the fourth floor of the Walker Building is now used to the best advantage; and that, if a new chemical laboratory is constructed, the present conveniences of plumbing, gas, and ventilation will continue to serve, with little change, for the analytical and organic chemical laboratories. At the time the Walker Building was constructed, it was an innovation to place laboratories in the highest story; but experience has shown that the best light and ventilation are thus obtained at the least cost, and that laboratories so placed do not interfere with other uses of a building.

The course of chemical instruction continues to aim at a completely systematized series of studies, while great freedom of development of each branch has found place in the system, stimulated or initiated by the professors or instructors in charge. Reports on these subjects in detail are given as follows:

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY. The number of students in the analytical laboratory at the present time is one hundred and eleven, distributed among the courses as follows: graduate students, two; fourth year, Mining Engineering, seven; Chemistry, one; General Studies, one; third year, Mining Engineering, fifteen; Chemistry, twenty-eight; Biology, two; Sanitary Engineering, two; second year, Civil Engineering, one; Chemistry, thirty; Biology, six; Physics, two; Chemical Engineering, fourteen. The appointment of Mr. Good

hue, as Assistant in Analytical Chemistry enables Mr. Rolfe to devote his entire time to sugar analysis, and to sanitary chemistry during the second term, and at the same time provides for the entire services of an Assistant in the analytical laboratory, a much desired gain. The laboratory course of molecular weight determinations is now conducted in a small laboratory partitioned off from the chemical library in Room 39. A larger room is much to be desired, to accommodate more apparatus, thereby enabling more students to work simultaneously. The equipment of the laboratories and offices with electric lights has added much to their efficiency during the dark afternoons of the fall and early winter.

The instruction in analytical chemistry is continued along the same general lines which have been successfully followed for the last few years, with such minor changes as are necessary to keep abreast of the recent progress in this branch of the science. Much stress is laid upon the class-room instruction. One-half of this is devoted to a study of the current literature in German and French. The student is made familiar in this way with the vocabulary which he must command for the investigation of the records of earlier work written in these languages; and at the same time learns the most recent achievements in analytical chemistry. The results seem to show that such reading can best be done under the direction of an instructor to whom the scientific bearing of the subjectmatter is familiar. Before the close of the course, the student is enabled to prepare properly a report upon the literature relating to a specific subject distributed through the various journals, in English, French, and German. The instruction in quantitative analysis of the second year will be facilitated by the use of a manual on the subject, prepared by Professor Talbot, with direct reference to the needs of our students.

ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. For the first time a considerable number of students (six in all), taking the courses in Physics, Biology, or Chemical Engineering, have selected organic laboratory work as an option, or are taking it as an extra

subject. The professional value to chemical engineers of some practical experience with the principles and methods of organic chemistry is very great; and it is unfortunate that lack of time and accommodations have thus far prevented its introduction as a required subject into the Chemical Engineering course. No radical change has been made in the scheme of instruction. The special course of laboratory experiments on the detection and separation of the various classes of organic compounds, inaugurated last year and mentioned in the previous Annual Report, has been considerably extended and improved, by the publication of a text-book to accompany it. So far as is known, a course of this kind is not as yet presented by any other institution. The success which has attended its introduction here is, therefore, worthy of special notice.

SANITARY CHEMISTRY. It is more and more clearly recognized that a knowledge of the applications of chemistry is fundamental for the solution of problems relating to private and municipal sanitation. The work, therefore, in sanitary chemistry gains in interest and in educational value year by year, and is demanding more time in the curriculum and more space in the laboratories than the present circumstances allow.

The careful and studied selection of the subjects to be considered, and the manner of treating them, enables the students to gain much more than the simple practice necessary to fit them to carry out analyses of water, air, butter, milk, cereals, etc. They acquire a comprehension of the wider and deeper significance of the work undertaken. Original investigation, limited in amount, to be sure, but illustrative and inspiring, is always encouraged; and this, together with a knowledge of many of the practical problems which are constantly brought to the laboratory from all parts of the country, helps to open out to the students the field of scientific and consulting chemistry. The chemists of the sanitary laboratory are engaged, as far as time will permit, on investigations, and standard methods are being continually

developed. On account of limited space very little new apparatus has been placed in commission. A Victoria centrifugal machine has, however, been added to the equipment. The completion of the laboratories at the State House will leave for the exclusive use of our students the best equipped laboratory for water analysis in the country. Exceptional advantages can then be offered to advanced students.

INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY. With the co-operation of the Steam Users' Association, the subject of the corrosion of boilers by soft waters is to be investigated the present winter.

The course in sugar analysis under Mr. Rolfe, which was provided with a separate room last year, has gone on in a satisfactory manner, and two interesting researches in this field are mentioned among the publications of the year.

The instruction in Gas and Oil Analysis has been given by Dr. Gill, upon much the same lines as last year; but, in consequence of the increased size of the classes, a special assistant Mr. W. L. Root of last year's class has been appointed. Our experience since the opening of the year has fully justified this step. In Oil Analysis the collection of specimens has been enriched by the gifts of samples of oil from various manufacturers, who have shown a cordial spirit of co-operation with the department. In Gas Analysis, the notes upon the laboratory and of the lectures have been published under the title "Gas and Fuel Analyses for Engineers," which is believed to be the first work of its kind in the English language. The department is much in need of a larger room. Nor is this need restricted to this department alone; the students of Chemical Engineering have for the past two years had no room as many other courses have, and as they formerly had — which is particularly their own, in which they can study while at the Institute. Furthermore, as this year's class is larger, the want is felt more pressingly than usual of some special laboratory where their theses can be conducted.

Among the features especially characterizing this depart

ment is the employment of lecturers from the outside to present subjects with which professional practice has made them familiar. The following are the lecturers in Industrial Chemistry, who are not connected with the Institute: F. G. Stantial, S.B., on Sulphuric Acid; H. Carmichael, Ph.D., on Electrolysis of Brine; Chas. D. Jenkins, S.B., on Illuminating Gas, and on Pottery and Tiles; James W. Loveland, S.B., on Soap; Louis J. Schiller, Ph.D., on Sugar and Sugar Refining; Arthur D. Little, on Wood Pulp and Paper. Dr. Thorp has continued his regular course of lectures in Industrial Chemistry. Several excursions to works and factories in the neighborhood of Boston have been made during the year. The thanks of the Institute are due to the managers of these works for their courtesy and hospitality to our students. The number of lectures has been increased this year by twenty, which permits a more complete discussion of many subjects than was possible last year. The number of students in the class is thirty-seven. In Textile Coloring, Mr. Smith has made a change whereby two hours per week are devoted to lectures instead of one hour as formerly. This extra hour has been taken from the time given to laboratory work. Inasmuch as the greater number of dyeing operations require between three and four hours, and none more than four, this was done without curtailing the laboratory work, by utilizing an hour that had often been superfluous.

In conclusion it must be noted that the increase in the number of chemical students has made the old accommodations for lectures and recitations insufficient; there is the greatest difficulty in arranging appropriate hours, and experimental lectures are given an inadequate time for moving apparatus, so that, in this direction almost more than in any other, the need for a new building is felt.

The following publications have been made during the year by members of the Chemical Department: