Notes

Abstract

MANY subjects of importance are to be discussed at the meeting of the International Research Council, to be held in Brussels on July 18–28. It may be remembered that the council arose out of Inter-Allied conferences held in London and Paris last year (see NATURE, December 26, 1918). Steps are to be taken at Brussels to establish the federation in its final -form. The statutes of'the council are to be. discussed and also those of international unions of astronomy, physics, mathematics, geodesy and geophysics, and other departments of science. There will be a report of a committee on international co-operation in chemistry, and one on the foundation of the federation of societies of pure and applied chemistry. The important question of the biological exploration of the North Sea and North Atlantic Ocean will also be brought forward. The executive committee, consisting of MM. Picard (chairman), Volterra, Lecointe, Hale, and Schuster, acting upon the views expressed at the conference held in Paris in November last, has unanimously decided to recommend to the council that the following nations, which were neutral during the war, be invited to co-operate:—Denmark, Spain, Holland, Monaco, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. It is suggested also that Czechoslovakia and Finland should be considered as possible co-operating nations. The executive, committee: was appointed as a temporary body only, entrusted with, the duty of bringing forward proposals at Brussels, and promoting the formation of national councils, the federation of which will form the International Council. It may be dissolved when the International Council is finally constituted.