At a meeting of the executive committee of the division, held in New York June 4, it was voted to take steps to secure the publication of information obtained through the development of our explosives industries and research connected therewith during the World War, and a committee representing the division of Federal relations and the division of chemistry and chemical technology was appointed. for that purpose, consisting of Messrs. C. L. Alsberg, Charles E. Munroe, and Clarence J. West.

The following gentlemen have been appointed as delegates to the annual meeting of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, to be held at Brussels June 27, 1921: Messrs. F. G. Cottrell, E. S. Chapin, Frederick G. Keyes, Collin McCall, Hugh S. Taylor, and James B. Conant.

(With regard to progress in the matter of publication of critical tables of physical and chemical constants, see report of the division of research extension.)

DIVISION OF GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY.

[EDWARD B. MATHEWS, Chairman.]

(For present personnel, see Appendix A.)

The outstanding features in the past six months in the division are: (1) The actual start of work on Mr. Wood's project for seismological study; (2) the completion of definite plans for cooperation between the American Geographical Society and the division in the publication of a series of maps of Africa; (3) the investigations of the committees of geography and sedimentation, presented at the annual meeting in April; (4) the completion and publication by the division of its investigations of the "status of geology and geography in the United States"; and (5) the beginning of a new office project, the collection of unpublished bibliographies on geology and geography. A brief summary of each of these to date follows:

1. PROJECT FOR SEISMOLOGICAL STUDY.

Early in 1919 Mr. H. O. Wood presented a very carefully considered scheme for seismological investigation. Prof. A. C. Lawson, of the University of California, also presented a somewhat similar project at a later date. After investigation by a committee of experts it was decided to push actively that portion of the project which dealt especially with southern California. Funds were not immediately forthcoming, but the Carnegie Institution of Washington early this year appointed Mr. Wood research associate and assigned him to this problem. Although the funds available are not as large as the plan originally called for, the division is exceedingly grateful to the institution for having made possible a start on the work. The region

is a key region in the study of earthquakes. The investigation is certain to show "how frequently shocks occur, and how strong they are and the places of origin of special hazard"; it ought to show "where earth strain is growing and how, and perhaps how fast and why." In time prediction of earthquake shocks may become possible. The work is expected, in any event, to "make significant contribution to the dynamics of geology and the physics of the earth."

2. COOPERATION BETWEEN THE DIVISION AND THE AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

The American Geographical Society is one of the few strong instruments in this country for advancing geographical science. The division has been anxious to find ways in which it might be of assistance to this subject and finds in the publication of some of the results of the House "Inquiry" a very promising field of cooperation. An appropriation of $750 by the division and $1,000 by the society is at present being utilized in this work, the specific project at present under way being the preparation of general maps of Africa showing the distribution of soil types, vegetation zones, and land classification. These will represent " a great advance in accuracy and detail over former maps." It is hoped that the sale of these maps will provide a revolving fund for the publication of other maps embodying new knowledge.

The society has recently invited the cooperation of the division in a project calling for an examination and critical report on the condition of geographic science in the countries in Europe.

3. WORK OF GEOGRAPHY AND SEDIMENTATION COMMITTEES.

The committee on geography is interesting itself particularly at the present time in bringing about the production of a map of the United States more suitable than any extant for plotting the statistics of the Census Bureau in their relation to the physiographic divisions of the country. The smallest unit now employed by the bureau is the county, which is too gross to bring out these relations. If a township map were available it would be of great value, and the division is heartily seconding the efforts of the committee in its endeavor to procure such a map, especially for the northeastern United States where the difficulties of so doing are less. Already individual workers are awaiting the success of the project.

The committee on sedimentation has been making studies fundamental to opening the way for broad researches in sedimentation. In its recent report were presented outlines of studies in sedimenttion being carried on in the universities of the United States, prolems in sedimentation suggested by State geologists in response to a

questionnaire, a review of studies on sediments being carried on by Federal institutions, a bibliography of chemical and physical researches on sediments, an outline for the field description of sedimentary rocks, including suggestions for standardizing color description, and a full outline for a treatise on sedimentation.

4. STUDY OF STATUS OF GEOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES.

This study, which has been carried on in the office more or less intensively since July, 1920, was completed early in the year. The completed paper appears in the Bulletin of the Geological Society of America and as No. 17 of Reprint and Circular Series of the National Research Council.

5. UNPUBLISHED BIBLIOGRAPHIES.

The division has recently inaugurated a new project, that of obtaining lists of unpublished bibliographies. A list of such bibliographies, made available by publication as soon as possible, should be of much value in preventing duplication of time by research students in the same field. Responses to a circular letter requesting information have been generous and all replies have been decidedly sympathetic to the idea. Several manuscript bibliographies of much value have already been discovered and the project gives promise of meeting a real need.

Various other activities of the division have been carried on as usual. Coordination of effort and cooperation between individuals. and organizations have been fostered, and research students have been put in touch with others of similar interests. Probably at no time since its organization has the division been more successful in these types of activity. The chairman of the division has continued cooperation with the United States Board of Surveys and Maps, thereby keeping in close touch with both Government and public map requirements and problems.

Altogether the past six months are felt to have marked a considerable advance in the usefulness of the division.

DIVISION OF MEDICAL SCIENCES.

[G. W. McCoy, Chairman.]

(For present personnel see Appendix A.)

Owing to the splendid cooperation of the members of the executive committee of the division of medical sciences, it has been possible to carry on the work of the division for the half year with but a single meeting of the division. This meeting was held on April 11 in Washington. The work of the year was reviewed and the outlook for the future carefully canvassed.

It was the consensus of opinion of the members that while the larger projects of the division had not found financial support, the formulation of the projects was worth the time and effort given to it since there resulted the presentation of detailed plans for importart work, which plans had secured the approval of the division.

A single large new project that contemplated the investigation of conditions affecting the health of people growing out of the prevailing undernutrition in central Europe was formulated by a committee of experts which met at Boston. This project called for an outlay of about $65,000 a year and had in view the carrying out of studies of metabolism, studies of epidemology, and infectious diseases and those of a psychological nature. Thus far no source of funds has been found.

A relatively small project for the aiding of studies in empyema has been given financial aid in the way of providing for financing studies on pathological material and for the analysis of X-ray findings now at the disposal of research workers through the courtesy of the Surgeon General of the Army. The division has participated in several activities jointly with the division of anthropology and psychology, as follows:

1. Conference on problems of the welfare of women and children which might profitably be studied in certain institutions in Washington.

2. Conference on the functions of the semicircular canals with special reference to tests for aviators.

3. Conference between selected groups of psychologists and psychiatrists with a view to promoting a better understanding of problems that fall on the border line between these groups of practitioners and if possible defining the field of each.

Provision has been made for a conference jointly with the division of biology and agriculture on contagious abortion of farm animals, a step of great economic importance, but related to the division of medical sciences only by reason of the affiliation of the American Veterinary Association with the division.

The chairman represented the division at the meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Science in Chicago in January and at the meeting of the American Medical Association in Boston in January.

DIVISION OF BIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE.

[C. E. MCCLUNG, Chairman.]

(For present personnel, see Appendix A.)

The activities of the division of biology and agriculture for the first six months of the calendar year 1921-22 have largely been a

continuation of efforts begun earlier. An analytical review of these has been made and will here be briefly considered.

1. In a study of the conditions under which biological and agricultural research is conducted in this country, there has spontaneously arisen in several instances the suggestion that the one thing most needed are research institutes free from the obligations of elementary instruction and from the requirements of immediately practical results. This matter was considered further by the division and provision made for a careful study of the problem.

2. Along with this consideration of a specific agency for promoting research there has come also in the case of several subjects a broad survey of present conditions and the formulation of programs for future development. Some of these are already resulting in definite accomplishment and will be referred to under other headings. 3. Such considerations led naturally to surveys of existing institutions. So far these have concerned only marine biological laboratories and inland aquatic laboratories. Recently, at a conference held at Fairport, Iowa, under the authority of the Department of Commerce, one session was given to a consideration of the development and correlation of inland laboratories. This matter will be pursued further, with the hope that a system of stronger institutions, concerned in each case with special subjects, may be developed. 4. Discussions of research conditions led naturally to the suggestion of other agencies for the promotion of research. Among these were mentioned a bureau of methods, files of current problems, standardization of biological reagents, establishment of a research fellowship system, and assistance to publications. A committee has been at work for more than a year on the problem of preparing and publishing lists of problems, and this has received favorable consideration by the division. Efforts to promote the standardization of biological reagents have not accomplished any definite results but will be continued. The committee on fellowships made a definite report recommending the policy of research fellowships both for the promotion of research and for the development of investigators. It is hoped that the money will be forthcoming for the inauguration of such a system. Continued efforts to secure support for publications have not yet been successful. However, it is hoped that within the next year progress will be made toward the establishment of a listing and bibliographical system under the auspices of the council.

5. The relation of the council to the industries is a subject which has been constantly up for study. As has been indicated in earlier reports, the division has been instrumental in helping in the establishment of a Crop Protection Institute, in providing the American Institute of Baking with scientific advice, in assisting the Mulford Expedition to South America, and in carrying out a study on the con