Abstract : Some evidence as to the chemical nature of the new element californium is presented. The chemical separation and identification of the new element was accomplished through the use of ion-exchange adsorption methods employing the resin Dowex-50. Californium appears in the eka-dysprosium position on elution curves containing berkelium and curium as reference points--that is, it precedes berkelium and curium off the column as dysprosium precedes terbium and gadolinium. The experiments so far have revealed only the tripositive oxidation state of eka-dysprosium character and suggest either that higher oxidation states are not stable in aqueous solution or that the rates of oxidation are slow.