jULY 8, 191 5] NATURE

The nitro-glycerine high explosives used in toluene (obtained from coal-tar naphtha), and was mining are unsuitable for shell filling, owing to first proposed for use in shells by Haiissermann, the sensitiveness of nitro-glycerine to shock, in 1891. The result of the first nitration of toluene which would cause premature detonation in the is a mixture of mono-nitro-toluenes, which are then bore of the gun. The ammonium nitrate group treated with a mixture of strong nitric acid and of high explosives, also used in mining, which sulphuric acid, and raised to the third or trinitro contain nitro-hydrocarbons, and in some instances degree of nitration in one stage. Trinitrotoluene, aluminium, have been advantageously adapted for when pure, forms brownish-yellow crystals with a shells. Although the hygroscopic nature of melting point of 81° C. It is very stable, not a mmonium nitrate is detrimental, this may be igniting below 300°, but when it explodes it does successfully overcome. so with great violence. Its density when melted Abel, in 1865, first proposed the use in mines of varies between 1·57 and 1·6o. Neither picric acid compressed wet gun-cotton fired by means of a dry nor trinitrotoluene can be detonated with cer• gun-cotton primer; this was later used for filling tainty by fulminate of mercury, and a small quan• torpedoes, but it has the disadvantage of low tity of an intermediate priming charge is charge density. Gun-cotton cannot be compressed employed. In the case of trinitrotoluene, the use to a greater density than 1"25. In other words, of tetranitromethylaniline has been found suitable. a torpedo head which would hold 125 lb. of com• Tetranitraniline is a very powerful explosive, pressed gun-cotton could hold from 160 to 180 lb. and has a higher density than either trinitroto• of the denser trinitrotoluene or picric acid, with luene or picric acid. a corresponding increase of destructive power. The nitro-hydrocarbon high explosives used for Sprengel, in 1875, first showed that picric acid the shell bursting are, in the molten state, poured could be detonated, and in 1881, Turpin, in into the cavity of the shell, in which they solidify, France, demonstrated the practical possibility of sufficient room being left for the priming charge using it for filling shells. The i&ea was rapidly and the detonating fuse. All the above nitro• taken up by other countries. compounds can only be obtained in a state of The methods of manufacturing nitro-hydro• purity by re-crystallisation from various solvents. carbons suitable for shell filling are very similar Fulminate of mercury has been mentioned to those in use for producing nitro-glycerine. A several · times as a detonator, or initiator of ex• mixture of sulphuric acid and nitric acid is used, plosion. Lead azide has been used, in conjunc• and large· quantities, very frequently as much as tion with fulminate of mercury and tetranitro• a ton or even more, are made in one operation. methylaniline, as a detonator for high explosives. To obtain the highest yields of pure products very It will be noticed _that the majority of the high great attention must be paid to the composition refer.red. to ·are .fr?m · of . the acids, to the efficiency of agitation, and product.s, ·· aod :. tL ts: :Mr. to the temperature, which is regulated by internal Lloyq ·George's sta:temlnt, u If there were. a ·short• heating or cooling coils. age.iil· the coal supply ·for any reason, the coil• Picric acid, discovered in 1771 by Woulfe, of seqtieilces ·would pe calamitous," is one London, when used for filling shells has a which must be takenvery ·seriously. different name in each country. It is called G:E:6RGE W. MAcDoNALD. Melinite . in France, Lyddite in England, Pertite in Italy, Shimose powder in Japan, Granatfiillung SCIENCEIN THE SERVICE OF TEE STA.TE. 88 in Germany, and Ecrasite in Austria. It is war is .ang!fair ·of app.lie9 not always employed in the pure state, there being M riuhtary,· engmeenf1g, · cl}ell}t

British chemists have uow a clearing- house for a factory near Vilvorde in Belgium. It is tpeir ideas and discoveries, whilst the Government rumoured that Prof. Haber and the Badische knows that it has the expert chemical advice of the Works have greatly improved the process, and country at its immediate disposal. that in conjunction with the synthetic ammonia .It is not going too .far to say that practically process it now provides a large part of the nitric WJthout exception the services of the scientific acid required by Germany for the manufacture of laboratories of the universities, university colleges, her explosives. Ohne Phosphor kein Gedanke and technical colleges have been offered to the said the materialist once upon a time. So might Government. Very many-perhaps all-of these he now say, "No nitric acid, no war." Interesting have done, and are doing, important notices have appeared from time to time in the publ1c work relating to the war and the industries Chemiker Zeitung relating to the activity of of the country. In this connection the Royal organised German science during the past twelve Society War Committee has done good work in months. A new industry of zinc extraction has organising special chemical work of an urgent been developed, and it is reported that means have character in the above-mentioned laboratories and been found to replace the Frenf:h bauxite required in ?bta_ining from competent young to for the production of aluminium. ass1st m the carrymg on of the special chemical The shortage of copper has been discounted by manufactures required at the present time. the use of special alloys. It is also stated that The Institute of Chemistry has done excellent processes have been developed for the·manufacture work in various directions. P;J.rticularly deserving of gasoline and lamp oil. Alcohol is being largely of mention is the sp,endid . p1.1blic work done by used in internal combustion engiil'Cs. th: G!ass Research The important We may feel sure that not only the universities sc1ent1fic results obtame,d by Committee have and technical high schools, but also the splendid been made public (see NATURE, April rs, P· rgz) special laboratories of the Kaiser Wilhelm and are therefore at the disposal of every Forschungsgesellschaft are working at high pres• facturer. sure in the service of .their State. There is not a scientific society,_ scientific labora• It is necessary-urgently necessary-that we tory, or sci entific maJ1 in the country. that is not should do as much, if not more. Let Britain call, anxious and willing to Mueh gQod work has British science is ready. It is straining at the been already done. · But there is undoubtedly a leash. All that is wanted .. on the part of our feeling that with better·: organisation and know• leaders are imagination and sympathy. A little ledge a vastly ·amount· co1.1ld be done, more of these, and the good that has been done Speaking in · the o_f, Lords on Friday last, can be magnified a thousandfold. Viscount Bryr:e urged that- F. G. DONNAN. Every possible effort ·should: be made to utilise the services of scientific_·men:· .Tli.ey all knew to how great an extent ,the German, Goyernment ·had turned the MAMMALS OF E4ST:ERN EQUATORIAL services of scientific ·men . and .establishments for' in• AFRICA.I vestigation ancj .to account for military pur• We po?sessed ·in .. this country a body of scien• R. ROOSEVELT'S second book dealing tific men not, mdeed; so numerous, but fully equal in M with his East African experiences will competence and fully·. e'Ctual, he need hardly say, in probably be more valued by naturalists than his earnestness and zeal to serve their countrv. He first, though some portions of it may leave the understood that there had been during the past naturalist cold where they excite to frenzy the l:I!Onths a certain amount ·of regret among- scientific men that they had not heard from the Government man of primitive instincts, who still thinks how they could help. Any efforts which the Govern• Cet animal ·est tres mechant, ment made to give them a chance of coming in, and Quand on l'attaque i1 se defend. enabling them to turn their scientific knowledge, To the mammaiogist Homo sapiens, even in his whether in chemistry or engineering, to the common purpose we all had at heart would, he was certain, Caucasic variety and English or Anglo-American be welcomed by them. The universities, in which race, is not more interesting than Felis leo or there were so many scientific men, would gladlv drop Loxodon africanus ; and he is just as shocked all their work in order to assist. · and pained at the death agonies of the latter as It is to be hoped that these wise words will be of the sportsman who fails to kill dead at the taken well to heart. first shot and is afterwards eaten up or trampled Science is standing GPrmany in good stead at under foot. In fact, I for . one, when I read in present. It is known that the Badische Works, a newspaper some ten years ago that a German employing the proce!>s initiated by the scientific hunter who had frequently evaded my inquiries in researches of Prof. Haber, had arranged for an East Africa as to big-game regulations and had enormous outpJJt of synthetic ammonia during the at last-thank goodness !-been killed by a present year. About twelve years ago Prof. rhinoceros after having needlessly slain about Ostwald, foreseeing (as he has himself publicly seventy-three . rhinoceroses for no purpose what• stated) a nitric acid famine in Germany during a ever but sheer love· of killing, could not .resist period of war, investigated the conditions for the an expression of delight. economical oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid. 1 . " Life-Historit:s of African Game Animals." By Theodore .Roosevelt and E. Hell.er. Vol. L, pp. xxviii+420. Vol. ii., pp. x+421-798. (Lnndon · This process has been worked for several vcars at John Murray, 1915.) Price 42s. net. · Twd vols. NO. 2384, VOL. 95] . © 1915 Nature Publishing Group