THE CONTEMPORARY OFFICE

Contemporary art seems to be here to stay. On the cover of the Science News-Letter this week is shown a business executive's office in the contemporary manner—part of an exhibit of contemporary design held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. How scientific developments have made this new design possible in this particular instance is best explained in the words of Raymond M. Hood, the architect, in a catalogue which will soon be issued.

"The task of the contemporary designer," he says, "is first to search for the practical solution of his problem, and then to avail himself of every material, every intention, every method that will aid him in its development. He does not forget that it is his business to fashion the materials that he uses into a beautiful form, but he realizes that only by this road can he hope to find the real beauty which will be the harmonious expression of modern life. Especially must there be acknowledgment of the fact that the machine, as a tool of the designer, has replaced the craftsman in contemporary production, and has, therefore, tremendously influenced modern design."

NEW RUBBER PLANT FROM MADAGASCAR

A new species of rubber tree, hitherto unknown in this country and almost exterminated in its native land, has been brought back to Washington by Dr. Charles F. Swingle of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from Madagascar. The plant is one of the most remarkable rubber producers that has ever lived, in the ease with which the gum can be harvested. The rubber separates itself out from the latex on exposure to the air, according to Dr. Swingle, and no elaborate coagulation or smoking process is necessary. Years ago, when the natives of Madagascar were collecting rubber for the French, they would simply cut long gashes in the bark of the tree, and then go round next morning and peel out strips of rubber.

NEW NAME FOR VITAMIN

In the old days when vitamins were strange and little known, scientists called them, for convenience, by the letters of the alphabet. But since the vitamins have been split up into twins and triplets, the matter of names has become somewhat involved. Vitamin B, for instance, might mean any of three definite factors, according to what you were talking about. Scientific literature was becoming confused and the public was very much bewildered.

Now an effort is being made to settle the matter, as far as vitamin B is concerned. A committee of the American Society of Biological Chemists considered the matter and after deliberation has recommended three separate names for the three different factors formerly known as vitamin B.

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