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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Referee's report by Hugh Longbourne Callendar, on a paper 'The determination of the osmotic pressure of solutions by the measurement of their vapour pressures' by the Earl of Berkeley and E G J Hartley, and on a paper 'The relation between osmotic pressure & the vapour pressure of a solution' by Will Spens

Reference number: RR/16/267

Date: 17 November 1905

Description

The experimental part of Berkeley and Hartley's paper should be printed with the figures suitably reproduced. He thinks the theoretical part should be curtailed in view of the fact that the variation of the osmotic pressure with height in a column of solution under gravity is not new. Whether the variation of osmotic pressure with height is due entirely to a concentration gradient in the solution as the authors assert, is another question on which no new experimental evidence is afforded.

The paper appears to prove the variation of osmotic pressure is an unnecessarily complicated manner, but gives no indication as to how far it may be due to other causes than change of concentration. Callendar does not indicate if Spens' paper should be published.

[Both papers published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 1906].

Endorsed on verso as received 17 November 1905.

Reference number
RR/16/267
Earliest possible date
17 November 1905
Physical description
Letter on paper
Page extent
2 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Hugh Longbourne Callendar

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Hugh Longbourne Callendar, Referee's report by Hugh Longbourne Callendar, on a paper 'The determination of the osmotic pressure of solutions by the measurement of their vapour pressures' by the Earl of Berkeley and E G J Hartley, and on a paper 'The relation between osmotic pressure & the vapour pressure of a solution' by Will Spens, 17 November 1905, RR/16/267, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/rr_16_267/referees-report-by-hugh-longbourne-callendar-on-a-paper-the-determination-of-the-osmotic-pressure-of-solutions-by-the-measurement-of-their-vapour-pressures-by-the-earl-of-berkeley-and-e-g-j-hartley-and-on-a-paper-the-relation-between-osmotic-pressure-the-vapour-pressure-of-a-solution-by-will-spens, accessed on 18 July 2026

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  • Referee Reports

    This collection contains reports on scientific papers submitted for publication to the Royal Society. Started in 1832 when the system was formalised, it is a record of the origins of peer review publishing in practice.

    Dates: 1832 - 1954

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