Search Documents

By Edwin Ludlow

I DEEPLY appreciate the honor which has been conferred upon me by my election to the presidency of this Institute, as I feel that it is the highest honor a mining engineer can receive, and I also feel that I am especially fortunate in being called to take the presidency in the year following Mr. Hoover, as I may be enabled in that way to carry on the work which he has initiated. The constructive work that Mr. Hoover has inaugurated has been of inestimable benefit in bringing not only this Institute but the entire engineering profession into a place in the public esteem to a degree which it had never before occupied.. This work Mr. Hoover will now carry on in the broader field of the Federated American Engineering Societies, of which he is president. Through that organization the engineers of this country, in all branches of the profession, will be welded into one compact body reaching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, making the united engineering profession a power for maintaining American . . ideals and standards throughout the land.,

Jan 1, 1921

By Sir Albert E. Kitson

The manganese ore deposits of the Gold Coast, British West Africa, occur in very ancient rocks, of both sedimentary and metamorphic types. In certain respects they have a strong resemblance to those of India and Brazil, as contrasted with those of Tertiary age in Georgia, but in this paper no careful comparison with them can be made. Viewed from the present condition of the manganiferous rocks, the oldest deposits are in the sediments. Later than these are the progressively metamorphosed representatives of these sediments. Youngest are the products of decay and degradation with the concentration of manganese oxide in the rocks of both groups. The oldest occurrences are in argillaceous and siliceous phyllites and slates, which show only a moderate degree of metamorphism. They belong to a series which also includes mudstones, sandstones, grits, conglomerates and subordinate limestones, with tuffs and lava-flows, largely of basic types. This has been named the Birrim System. Its age is unknown, for no definite fossils have been discovered in it. Since these non-fossiliferous strata at many plaees are of a character which in many parts of the world are suitable for the preservation of fossils, and which contain them, it is assumed that the Gold Coast deposits are pre-Cambrian. These rocks of the Birrim System have normally a northeast-southwest strike, and are folded, but not to any very great degree except in certain belts. From the Eastern Province of the Gold Coast they may be traversed diagonally across their strike for upwards of 600 miles, to the extreme northwestern corner of the Northern Territories. Thence they probably extend much farther into French territory.

Jan 1, 1927

New York Meets first Wednesday after first Tuesday of each month. J. E. JOHNSON, JR., Chairman EDGAR RICHARD, Vice-Chairman D M LIDDELL Secretary, 7 Wall St.. New York. N. Y. C. A. BORN, Treasurer JOHN V. N. DORR LEWIS W. FRANCIS Boston Meets first Monday of each winter month. R. L. AGASSIZ, Chairman JAMES G. CARLETON. Vice-Chairman E. E. BUGBEE Secretary-Treasurer, Mass. Inst. of Technology, Cambridge, Mass. W. E. C. EUSTIS G. A. PACKARD Columbia Holds four sessions during year. Annual meeting in September or October. W. H. LINNEY, Chairman OSCAR LACHMUND, Vice-Chairman LYNDON K. ARMSTRONG, Secretary-Treasurer, P. O. Drawer 2154, Spokane, Wash. STANLY A. EASTON S. SHEDD

Jan 12, 1917

By C. R. Wohrman

A melt of pure electrolytic iron with about 0.4 per cent. sulfur and 7 per cent. manganese was prepared in connection with a study of inclusions in iron. The alloy darkened rapidly when etched with a 10 per cent, alcoholic solution of nitric acid, and microscopic examination revealed the presence of a semimartensitic, semi-Widmanstättian structure (Figs. 1 and 2) closely resembling the structures found by Benedicks in his artificially prepared "meteoric iron."' The structures found by Benedicks were readily explained by the presence in his alloy of the two well-known iron-nickel solid solutions, taenite and kamacite, and of their eutectoid (?) aggregate, plessite. By analogy, one would infer the existence of similar phases in the iron-manganese alloy just described, such an inference being strengthened by the similarity displayed in many ways by nickel and manganese in their effects on iron. Iron-manganese Alloys are Regarded as Homogeneous Heterogeneity of iron-manganese alloys has not been recognized heretofore, judging from the data of standard metallographic books and those of original papers. In fact, iron and manganese are quite generally regarded as completely miscible in the solid state. Dr. Rosenhain,2 for example, writes: Alloys of group (a), of which those of gold-silver, iron-manganese, and copper-nickel are examples, when allowed to crystallize sufficiently slowly to attain their condition of final equilibrium, present a microstructure exactly similar to that of a pure metal—the homogeneous character of the molten solution is in that case so completely maintained that the microscope cannot detect the presence of any second constituent. Guillet and Portevin3 refer to the iron-manganese system as an example of the "case of metals completely miscible in the solid state."

By Frank Robertson Van Horn

In June, 1911, the writer spent a few days in studying the economic geology of the vicinity of Park City. During this rather hurried visit a number of specimens of ore were collected, which have since been examind. The results of these investigations show that bournonite (PbCu-SbSa) is present in the ores in greater or less quantity. This fact has never before been reported, as far as can be learned. The failure to recognize this mineral is due to its similarity to tetrahedrite, with which it has probably been confused during a long period of years. Jamesonite (Pb2sb2s6) has been reported from the region in a rather doubtful manner, but the writer has seen it in notable amounts from several mines, and can offer the first analysis of this mineral from the district. Calamine (HzZn2SiO5) was found at one mine and has never been ecognized and reported from the district. Geogbaphy and Geology Park City, Utah, is located at an elevation of about 7,000 ft. above sea level on the eastern slope of the Wasatch mountains. It is situated approximately 25 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. ' The geology and ore deposits have been described in detail by Bout well and Woolsey.' The mines visited are situated south-southeast from the town. The Silver King Coalition mine is located in Woodside gulch about 1 mile southeast of Park City, at an altitude of about 8,100 ft. The other mines visited were the Daly West and Quincy, which are in Empire canyon about 2 miles sontheast of the town, at elevations of 8,300 to 8,500 ft. respectively. The Daly Judge tunnel goes into the mountain from Empire canyon about 1 mile south of the city, at an altitude of 7,700ft.

Jan 1, 1915

The officers and staff of the Petroleum Division are the servants of the members, and to the extent that the wishes of the members are made known and are practicable they will be carried out. The tentative plans outlined here are in general accord with previous custom, but modified by suggestions received recently from various members. The advice of all members is solicited, and it is hoped that the general expression on matters of policy can soon be facilitated by circulation of a questionnaire. Plans for two mid-year meetings of the Petroleum Division and for participation in the annual meeting at New York were inaugurated at the last annual meeting and are being carried forward as rapidly as possible in the belief that an early start will increase the possibility of finding the best available program material and permit the careful preparation, review, editing, and advance discussion of papers. While a number of papers have already been solicited, both members and nonmembers are hereby invited to submit additional papers, with the assurance that such papers will be given just as favorable consideration as the papers that have been requested. Mid-year meetings will be held at about the same time both in the Mid-Continent and California. The time will be selected if possible to coincide with the visits of President Lovejoy, who expects to be in California the last of September and in Texas early in October. Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin have been suggested for the Mid-Continent meeting. The Pacific Coast meeting will be held at Los Angeles. It is to be noted particularly that a Pacific Coast meeting was waived last year in favor of the annual meeting of the American Petroleum Institute, which was held at Los Angeles for the first time in nine years. It is hoped, and it was the understanding at the time among a number of individuals interested in both organizations, that in view of this action of the Petroleum Division the industry will give more than the usual support to the A.I.M.E. meeting this year. Ultimate Recovery is being considered as the keynote topic for the mid-year meetings. In view of trying financial conditions combined with an exceptionally high current potential rate of production, it is natural that the attention of the industry should be focused upon means of controlling production and reducing cost of operation. It seems that the Petroleum Division of the A.I.M.E., as a professional group, might

Jan 1, 1936

The officers and staff of the Petroleum Division are the servants of the members, and to the extent that the wishes of the members are made known and are practicable they will be carried out. The tentative plans outlined here are in general accord with previous custom, but modified by suggestions received recently from various members. The advice of all members is solicited, and it is hoped that the general expression on matters of policy can soon be facilitated by circulation of a questionnaire. Plans for two mid-year meetings of the Petroleum Division and for participation in the annual meeting at New York were inaugurated at the last annual meeting and are being carried forward as rapidly as possible in the belief that an early start will increase the possibility of finding the best available program material and permit the careful preparation, review, editing, and advance discussion of papers. While a number of papers have already been solicited, both members and nonmembers are hereby invited to submit additional papers, with the assurance that such papers will be given just as favorable consideration as the papers that have been requested. Mid-year meetings will be held at about the same time both in the Mid-Continent and California. The time will be selected if possible to coincide with the visits of President Lovejoy, who expects to be in California the last of September and in Texas early in October. Fort Worth, Dallas and Austin have been suggested for the Mid-Continent meeting. The Pacific Coast meeting will be held at Los Angeles. It is to be noted particularly that a Pacific Coast meeting was waived last year in favor of the annual meeting of the American Petroleum Institute, which was held at Los Angeles for the first time in nine years. It is hoped, and it was the understanding at the time among a number of individuals interested in both organizations, that in view of this action of the Petroleum Division the industry will give more than the usual support to the A.I.M.E. meeting this year. Ultimate Recovery is being considered as the keynote topic for the mid-year meetings. In view of trying financial conditions combined with an exceptionally high current potential rate of production, it is natural that the attention of the industry should be focused upon means of controlling production and reducing cost of operation. It seems that the Petroleum Division of the A.I.M.E., as a professional group, might

Jan 1, 1936

By R. W. Shearman, F. Weston Starratt

A new center for mining and metallurgical research is developing at Sterling Forest, N. Y., under the auspices of Union Carbide Corp. Here is to be located the Union Carbide Nuclear and Ore Research Laboratories. In truth, history has repeated itself; the Sterling Forest area in the days of the Revolutionary War, and for many years thereafter, was the mining and metallurgical center of the US. For in these Ramapo hills along the New York-New Jersey border, iron ore was mined, pig lion was cast, and the weapons of war and the plowshares of peace were forged. Before embarking on an historical pilgrimage to yesteryear-a brief description of Sterling Forest. Located in Orange County, N. Y., near Tuxedo, immediately north of the New York-New Jersey State line, and just west of the Erie Railroad and the New York State Thruway, Sterling Forest is approximately 35 mi from New York City. Title was acquired in 1956 from the Harriman family by City Investing Co. Its President, Robert W. Dowling, has established himself as a city planner, having conceived such projects as Pittsburgh's Gateway Center and Philadelphia's Penn Center. A unique, self-contained community -is planned that will contain light industry and centers for research and engineering. Colonies of homes will be interspersed throughout the 20,000 acres of forest land, lakes, and rolling hills. Culture will not be neglected, for Sterling Forest will be the new home for the annual Empire State Music Festival The Sterling Forest Gardens, 125 acres of landscaped woodland and streams, will become the "world's largest permanent floral showplace" The Sterling Forest International Research Building was opened earlier this year, and designed to provide all facilities needed by small growth research companies. The first major company to acquire land to construct research buildings at Sterling Forest is Union Carbide. 1763 ... Discovery of iron ore In turning back the pages of history, a fascinating story can be told of special interest to the metallurgist, the mining engineer, and perhaps even the sociologist. For, where new communities are planned today, older communities had been born, matured, and died. In these hills had lived the. iron miners, the blacksmiths, the lumbermen, the masons, and the teamsters that had given America its start in heavy industry. This was the area where the forests were crisscrossed with many wood roads that brought logs to the charcoal pits, and iron ore to the furnaces. Men make history. Our story brings forth many names of men known as ironmasters, or as industrial leaders-Hasenclever, Faesch, Erskine, Townsend, Ryerson, Parrott, Cooper, Hewitt, Jay Cooke, and Harriman. The name Sterling is derived from a Scotch Lord, the Fifth Earl of Stirling (in its earlier spelling). Lord Stirling was one of seven Englishmen granted a patent of land in the Ramapo hills by Queen Anne in 1707, known as the Cheesecock Patent. He sent an agent, Cornelius Board, to America in 1730, with the express purpose of looking for copper deposits. While he found no copper in his travels up and down the Ramapo Valley, he did find iron ore in two localities: first, in the vicinity of what is now Ringwood, N. J.; second, five miles to the north. There he constructed a forge and furnace at the edge of a lake in 1736, naming the land Stirling Property, after his patron. In 1740, the Ogden family in Newark bought land from Board at Ringwood and began smelting of iron in 1741. The Ringwood story Soon, a genius in the person of Peter Hasenclever appeared on the scene. He was attracted by an advertisement in the New York Mercury for March 5, 1764, in which David Ogden of Newark offered

Jan 1, 1961

Falconbridge Nickel, the one-time subsidiary that grew up to swallow its own parent, Ventures Limited, in 1962, is not about to be left behind by rising nickel consumption. At a cost of several hundred million dollars, this Canadian firm has undertaken a series of new projects that will not only ensure its present share of the market, but also lead it into new areas of the nickel business. Although Falconbridge Nickel Mines Ltd. was not formed until 1928, it actually had its start in 1917- 18 with the discovery of a large, good grade nickel- copper deposit in Falconbridge, near Sudbury, Ontario. However, due to several factors, financing could not be obtained and the orebody lay fallow. It was not until 1928, when the Thayer Lindsley interests bought the property from the original owner, that it was developed.

Jan 10, 1968

NEW MEMBERS The following list comprises the names of those persons who became members during the period Nov. 10 to Dec. 10, 1915: BARTH, ERNEST, Petroleum Geol Box 552, Tulsa, Okla. BEROLZHEIMER, D. D.,.Chemist; Librarian, Barrett Mfg. Co., 17 Battery Pl., New York, N. Y. BLIEK, PIERRE FRANCISCO, Mgr., Compania Minera de Oruro, Oruro, Bolivia, So. Amer. BLOCS, JAMES A., Met 1076 1st Ave., Salt Lake City, Utah. BULKLEY, RALPH G., Mine & Mill Supt.; The Montezuma Mines & Mills Co., Montezuma, Colo. BURRAGE, ALBERT CAMERON, JR., Met. Engr.; Director, 85 Ames Bldg., Boston, Mass. CABELL, CHARLES ARNOLD, Vice-Pres Carbon Coal Co., Carbon, W. Va. CHAPMAN, LEWIS CARL, Economic Geol Producer Oil Co., Houston, Tex. CHOFFEL, FLAVIEN AURELIEN, Mgr Ingersoll-Rand Co., Paris, France COY, HARLEY A., Mine Supt American Zinc Co., Mascot, Tenn. DITTMANN, C. 0. ADOLF, Cons. Engr., Beer, Sondheimer & Co., Inc., Santiago, Chile, So. Amer.

Jan 1, 1916

For the year ending February, 1920 PRESIDENT HORACE V. WINCHELL MINNEAPOLIS, MINN. PAST PRESIDENTS PHILIP N. MOORE ST. Louis,. Mo. SIDNEY J. JENNINGS NEW YORK, N. Y. FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT A. R. LEDOUX NEW YORK, N. Y. TREASURER GEORGE D. BARRON NEW YORK, N. Y. SECRETARY BRADLEY STOUGHTON NEW YORK, N. Y.

Jan 9, 1919

By Carle R. Hayward

SulphuR has long been one of the banes of the steel manufacturer and often no effort and expense have been spared in order to reduce it to a small per cent. in the finished product. This condition is due to a general conviction that in many cases where steels have failed in service, sulphur has been the cause. But there has been a growing feeling in recent years that the verdict against sulphur has been unnecessarily severe. In cases of segregation it was present in. augmented amounts along with other impurities, but it had not caused the segregation. High sulphur in pig iron is caused by poor furnace conditions and the sulphur is merely one indication of an iron that has not been properly reduced. No amount of subsequent treatment under oxidizing conditions in the open-hearth furnace can remedy the defects, although the per cent. of sulphur may be considerably reduced. In other words, the causes of bad steel can frequently be traced back to bad pig iron, and sulphur is merely one indication that the pig iron is bad. The writer recently visited a steel plant where a mass of evidence had been accumulated which substantiated this fact, and the superintendent was emphatic in stating that high sulphur was not harmful provided the steel was not otherwise poor due to insufficient reduction in the blast furnace. The presence of a moderate amount of sulphur is desirable from the standpoint of the man who machines the steel. The low-sulphur material drags and the production of a smooth surface is very difficult. A slight increase in sulphur enables the machinist to produce a smooth surface without difficulty. Since, therefore, such large quantities of steel are subjected to machining, it becomes highly important that the sulphur controversy should be settled, and if its presence is proved to be harmless the ban on it should be lifted. Among the recent papers on the effect of sulphur on steel is one by Dr. J. S. Unger, Manager of the Central Research Bureau, Carnegie Steel

Jan 1, 1917

NEW MEMBERS The following list comprises the names of those persons who became members during the period Aug. 10 to Sept. 10, 1914: Members ALLEY, HARRY MCCAMMON, Mill Foreman .... Churchill Mining Co., Wonder,2 Nev. AMBLER, J. OWEN, Met..; ... Calumet and Arizona Mining Co., Douglas, Ariz. ANDERSON, JAMES WILLOUGHBY, Duell, Warfield and Duell, 2 Rector St., New York, N. Y. ANTISELL, FRANK L., Asst. Supt Raritan Copper Works, Perth Amboy, N. J. CARRINGTON, FRANK GAMBLE, Sec'y and Asst. Mgr., Standard Foundry Co., Anniston, Ala. CONKEY, CHARLES ROLLAND, Structural Draftsman, Barnett McQueen Co., Ft. William, Ont., Canada. COOK, PAUL RICHARDSON, Mill Shift Boss, Buckhorn Mill and Cyanide Plant, Buckhorn. Nev.

Jan 10, 1914

By John E. Sweet

THERE have already been so many subjects of a purely mechanical nature presented to the Institute of Mining Engineers, that it is unnecessary for me to apologize for adding another to the list. When a new invention, or what is supposed to be a new invention, claiming simply an improvement on the well-known devices, is to be described, it is usual to point out the defects of the old and give a history of the object or the art up to date. But, as no doubt a large proportion of the members of this Institute know as much, or more, about the history and use of the steam-engine indicator than I do myself, I will not further preface the subject, than to remind you that what called for the Richards's improvement on the Watt's indicator was high speed ; that the leading improvement was the reduction of momentum in the reciprocating parts; and that this was accomplished by making the parts lighter, and reducing the travel of the heaviest of them, and consequently the speed and momentum. The use of the indicator has been extended, for the speed of steam-engines and other prime movers has been increased, until one engineer at least, John Cooper, of Philadelphia, says, "I want an indicator that will work up to a thousand revolutions." Mr. Thompson, of the Buckeye Steam-Engine Company, of Salem, Ohio, has improved on the Richards's indicator by another reduction in the momentum, which is done by putting the parallel motion nearer the fulcrum of the pencil arm, reducing both weight and travel. The characteristic feature of the indicator I am going to illustrate is a still further reduction in the same direction, which is accomplished by dispensing with the parallel motion altogether. As is often the, case, in putting a simple idea into shape, some difficulties

Jan 1, 1879

By C. Richard Tinsley

INTRODUCTION Documentary complications arise from the risk apportionment in project financing which generally means that once the project is up and running and has satisfied the lender's completion test, the loan agreement specifically limits the lender's recourse to the project and its assets. It is the purpose of this paper to describe the special considerations which apply to industrial minerals projects and explore the reasons why so few project financings are negotiated in this industry. SIZE Small projects do not warrant the relatively high costs of negotiating and documenting project financing. The extent of the documentation is directly proportionate to either (a) the degree of risk apportionment, or (b) the amount of control given to lawyers to negotiate the documents. Although one would like to believe that project-finance documentation could be off-the-shelf, it is almost always necessary to tailor the documents to the mine development itself and the individual desires of the borrower. Accordingly, the documentation costs and initial expenses are seldom less than $40,000, and for complex projects can reach $400,000. In addition, banks often charge an up-front fee to partly compensate them for their staff time and partly to increase their yield on what is deemed to be a "riskier" loan asset. Another factor is the generally lower debt:equity ratio when bankers are uncertain of the accuracy of the cash flow projections. The ratio of the amount of cash flow left over after debt service to debt service itself is a key tool for project finance (debt service coverage). Bankers will require a higher coverage ratio for industrial minerals projects because of the relatively higher uncertainties in the following categories: Prices Markets Geology/Quality Transportation Environmental This, in turn, means that lower debt:equity ratios are the norm for new industrial minerals projects. INDUSTRY STRUCTURE It is hardly worthwhile to generalise about a field as diverse as industrial minerals, but there are four other structural reasons why project financing has not been widely applied. 1. The most obvious example is the predominance of small-sized operations, largely a function of transportation economics. Geological conditions also contribute to their dispersion. 2. Often, the product is only a small part of a company's business in contrast to many petroleum, metals, or coal companies whose sole business is the production of the raw material. The construction industry is a good example here for cement, gypsum, crushed stone, sand and gravel, and the drilling-mud services business for barite and bentonite. A company is unlikely to jeopardise its main business through the failure of a project financing on one of its key inputs. The corrollary is that the mined input is often regarded as a cost centre and not run on the sort of economic basis suitable for project financing. 3. There may be a reluctance to reveal key aspects of an industrial minerals venture to an outsider for purely competitive reasons. Unlike the other minerals industries which readily share technical information at plant visits and

Jan 1, 1985

By Arthur F. Wendt

Introduction.—In the year 1885, the writer signed a contract to take charge of the reopening and developing of the celebrated old mines of " El Cerro Rico de Potosi." Two years earlier, an Eng- . lish firm of engineers had made a very glowing report on the property. In the summer of 1885, telegrams arrived from the parties in charge of operations at the mountain, claiming the finding of one of the old veins, with an average richness of over 200 ounces to the ton. In the fall of 1886, the author first personally visited Potosi, but found neither the English report nor the telegram borne out by the facts. After an expenditure of over half a million of dollars and more than three years of continuons hard work, the writer succeeded in unwatering and developing one of the principal old veins of the mountain. This vein, called "Cotamitos," now yields ores of about 75 ounces to the ton, and the old historic mountains of Potosi may be said to have again fairly entered the list of silver-producers. The experience of the author, during his residence in Bolivia, and data obtained from Sr. Don F. Avelino Aramayo, form the basis of this description. POTOSI. Etymology of the Name.—The Quichuá (pronounced Keechna) Indians, known to North American students as the " Incas," although the word "inca" merely signifies ''king," or "chief," of the Quichuás, called the mountain "Sumac-orcko," or the beautiful mountain." Eighty-three years before the discovery of the mountain by the Spaniards, the inca, or king, Huaina Ccapac, travelling from Cantumarca to Calque-Porco, saw the mountain of Potosf and, admiring its grandeur and beauty, said that within its bowels there was, no doubt, much silver. He ordered his vassal* to work the mines. They, having carried their mining implements to the mountain, ascended it and were on the point of commencing work, when they heard a voice of thunder, which said: " Do not take

Jan 1, 1891

By C. M. Weld

(Cleveland Meeting, October, 1912.) IN the course of my professional work in China during the fall of 1907, I had an opportunity to visit the iron-ore mines at Ta-yeh in Hu-pei province (long. 114° 50' E., lat. 30° 20' N.). It occurs to me that a rescript and discussion of my notes taken at that time should be of interest, particularly as supplementing the exceedingly interesting recent paper-of Thomas T: Read on The Mineral Production and Resources of China.1 Ta-yeh is situated near the right bank of the Yangtze river. The mines are at an average distance of about 16 miles from the river-port Shi-hui-yao, which in turn is some 70 miles S-E. of Hankow. The ores are shipped to the works of the Han-Yeh-P'ing Iron & Coal Co. at Hanyang, as also very largely to the Japanese government iron- and steel-works at Wakamatsu, Japan. Smaller quantities have been exported to the Pacific coast of the United States. These ore-deposits have been briefly noticed in a number of publications, but, so far as I know, Mr. Read's description, in his chapter on the iron-ores of the Chinese Empire,2 contains the first attempt to define their geological character. In his more recent paper Mr. Read follows very closely the text of his earlier description. To quote briefly from the recent paper, he says : " The iron-ores at Ta-yeh . . . . lie along the contact between a marble and an intrusive body of a dark-gray syenitic rock." He refers to a figure which exhibits in plan, but not in section, the relative positions of the syenite, ore-bodies, and limestone. The contact is seen to trend approximately E-W., with the syenite on the north and the limestone on the south. " The syenite lies to the north of the marble, and a few miles farther north the marble again' appears, iron-ore again being present along the contact." No litho- 1 Bulletin Bulletin No. 63, March, 1912, pp. 293 to 343. 2 The Iron Ore Resources of the World', vol. ii., p. 913 (Stockholm 1910).

Oct 1, 1912

By St. John, JOHN Ancel

AT THE New York meeting of the Institute of Metals Division in February, 1927, Jeffries and Tarasov presented a paper on Tungsten and Thoria,1 in which the experimental facts were interpreted in accordance with the prevailing point of view that the thorium is present as the oxide, thoria. In discussing that paper the writer of this article stated that his own investigations, which had been unavailable to Messrs. Jeffries and Tarasov, showed that the so-called "thoriated" tungsten filament failed to disclose any sign of the oxide when subjected to X-ray diffraction analysis, but did give plenty of evidence of the presence of metallic thorium and, in certain cases, of a material believed to bean alloy of tungsten in thorium. Since these results were completely at variance with the results reported in the paper under discussion and with other papers which had preceded it from time to time in the past, it was felt that further discussion should be withheld until the new evidence could be presented adequately. Arrangements were therefore made to present that evidence at this meeting. MATERIAL EXAMINED The material examined was high-emission filament such as is used in radio tubes, supposed to contain about 0.75 per cent. thoria. The actual analysis was not stated.

Jan 1, 1927

I. C. WHITE, Morgantown, W. Va. (written discussion *).-The writer's conclusions with reference to the possibility of finding commercial deposits of petroleum in Brazil were published in 1908 in the Final Report of the Coal Commission of Brazil.1 Since this volume is not generally accessible, and the author has nothing to acid thereto, the following quotation found on pages 243-7 may prove of interest: The Possibility of Petroleum Deposits in Brazil "The writer has often been asked to express an opinion as to the possibility of finding petroleum in commercial quantity in Brazil. "The question is one that does not admit of an adequate answer except for the regions visited by the writer, which as already stated, include only, a portion of that great territory, and only the southern portion of Brazil; namely, the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catharina, Paraná, and a few rapid excursions across São Paulo, and Minas Geraes, as well as the brief visit to Marahú in Bahia. "That the sedimentary beds of the Brazilian Permian once held some petroleum is attested by the evidence of the Iraty black shale which gives off the characteristic odor of this substance from São Paulo to Rio Grande do Sul.

Jan 1, 1918

By L. W. Blau

THE entrance of geophysics and geochemistry into petroleum engineering may be viewed with apprehension by some engineers. They may not remember the time when "practical oil men" opposed the invasion of engineers into the field of petroleum production. By their excellent contributions they established themselves. In the popular mind, engis veers are practical men whereas physicists and chemists are suspected of being theoretical. It will be best to annihilate this misconception right now at the beginning of a closer relationship between petroleum engineers. geophysicists, and geochemists.

Jan 1, 1943