bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
XXVIII.—Geological Observations in South-eastern and Central Iceland
Authors: Anderson F. W.
Published: January 2013

The volcanic rocks of Iceland have been grouped by Tyrrell and Peacock (1928) into:

3. The Recent, Post-Glacial and Late Interglacial Eruptives.

2. The Early Glacial Breccia or Palagonite Formation.

1. The Pre-Glacial Kainozoic Basalt Plateau.

Group 1 consists of nearly 10,000 feet of basalts with lignite beds, acid extrusives and acid and basic intrusions. In the east and west of Iceland the old plateau is exposed, but centrally it is down-faulted and covered with more recent tuffs and lavas.

Group 2 contains a varied assemblage of deposits comprising tuffs, breccias and lavas, moraines, boulder clays and fluvioglacial sediments (Nielsen and Noe-Nygaard, 1936 a). The lower part of this formation consists of over 2000 feet of basaltic lavas with interbedded glacial and fossiliferous deposits, and the upper part of glacial and fluvio-glacial deposits with doleritic lavas.

Group 3 is made up mainly of basaltic lavas but with occasional acid phases. In the ice-covered highlands the volcanoes have continued to produce tuffs and breccias.
I. Some Account of a Boy Born Blind and Deaf, Collected From Authentic Sources of Information; with a Few Remarks and Comments
Authors: Stewart Dugald
Published: January 2013

The Memoir which I am about to submit to the consideration of the Royal Society, relates to the melancholy history of a boy who was born blind and deaf; and who, of consequence, has derived all his knowledge of things external from the senses of Touch, of Taste, and of Smell.
XVI.—On the Representative Relationships of the Fixed and Free Tunicata, regarded as two Subclasses of equivalent value; with some General Remarks on their Morphology
Authors: Macdonald John Denis
Published: January 2013

My first precise views of the structure of the Tunicata were formed by the perusal of Mr Huxley's masterly papers dealing with the anatomy of Salpa, Pyrosoma, Doliolum, and Appendicularia, in the Phil. Trans. for 1851, Part II.; and I have since had abundant opportunity of verifying all the important facts, made known by that original observer, in the papers to which I have alluded.

Having thus acknowledged my guide in this field of research, I can scarcely claim much originality as relates to pure anatomy; but I hope that the method here adopted, in opening up this interesting subject, will be found in keeping with nature, as it is the result of much study and practical investigation.
XXII.—On a Pre-Brachial Stage in the Development of Comatula, and its importance in relation to certain Aberrant Forms of Extinct Crinoids
Authors: Allman
Published: January 2013

While engaged last autumn in examining with a hand-lens the contents of a phial into which I had transferred some of the refuse of the dredging-boats employed in the oyster fishery on the coast of South Devon, my attention was attracted by a minute organism which adhered to a fragment of one of the larger Sertularidans. Under this low power it resembled somewhat a Campanularia, with the polype expanded; but, on being removed with a portion of the substance to which it was attached, and placed in a glass trough under the compound microscope, I found that it had closed up, and now resembled in form a cup surmounted by a pyramidal lid, and supported on the summit of a long jointed stem (Plate XIII., fig. 3).
XXVIII.—On the great Refracting Telescope at Elchies, in Morayshire, and its Powers in Sidereal Observation
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi
Published: January 2013

The following pages contain an account of a few double-star measures which, by the kind permission of J. W. Grant, Esq., of Elchies, in Morayshire, I was enabled to make there in September 1862, with his large and equatorially mounted refracting telescope; and as that instrument is altogether the best and most powerful of its kind which has hitherto been erected in Scotland, such a trial of its capabilities, and the first which has been published, will undoubtedly have a peculiar interest for the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The Influence of High Winds on the Barometer at the Ben Nevis Observatory
Authors: Buchan Alexander
Published: January 2013

In Part I. the influence of high winds on the barometer is examined for all directions of wind taken together; but in Part II. the different directions of wind are treated separately. The question of the effect of wind on the readings of the barometer was first examined by Sir Henry James in a paper read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh on 15th March 1852. The observations were made during the succession of gales from the south-west which occurred in January and February of that year at Granton, near Edinburgh, with an aneroid barometer, laid horizontally in succession on the table of a room in a cottage, on the seat of an open summer-house, and on the surface of the ground close to the summer-house, all at the same level.
Abstract of Paper on the Winds of Ben Nevis
Authors: Omond R. T. , Rankin Angus
Published: January 2013

Noting the direction of the wind is part of the regular routine of observations at the Observatory on the summit of Ben Nevis. Owing to the frequency of frozen fogs in winter, anemometers are practically useless, but the record is made complete enough for many purposes by the hourly observations; at each hour of the day and night the wind, at the time of making the observation, is noted, and the number of entries of each wind direction in the day, month, or year must very nearly represent the relative frequency of such winds for that time. Table I. is a summary giving the number of times each wind is observed in each month of the year on an average of six years (1884–89) expressed in percentages; thus in January, out of the 744 hours of the month, there are 120 hours or 16·1 per cent, of N. wind. For the year the most frequent wind is N., next come S.W., S.E., and S., all about equal, and the least frequent is E. N. is the point of greatest frequency in all months except May, when S.E. takes its place; in May 1889 there were only 15 hours in the whole month with N., N.W., or N.E. winds, and during three-fourths of that month the air was moving from the S. or S.E. This was, of course, an exceptional month, but in the six years there are only two (1887–88) in which N. was the most frequent wind in May.
Differences between the Ben Nevis and Fort-William Barometers when both are reduced to Sea-Level
Authors: Omond R. T.
Published: January 2013

The barometer at the Fort-William Observatory is 42 feet above sea-level, and its readings are reduced to sea-level by the ordinary tables based on Laplace's formula; but in reducing the barometer at the Ben Nevis Observatory, which is 4407 feet above sea-level, use is made of a table specially constructed by Dr Buchan, and described by him in the first volume of the Ben Nevis Observations (see Transactions, vol. xxxiv. p. 24). This table consists of the average values of the difference between the barometer on Ben Nevis and that at sea-level in Fort-William, for each successive tenth of an inch of sea-level pressure and each degree of air temperature.
Abstract of Paper on Silver Thaw at the Ben Nevis Observatory
Authors: Mossman R. C.
Published: January 2013

The phenomenon of silver thaw,—that is, rain falling when the temperature is below the freezing-point and congealing when it falls,—is of somewhat common occurrence at the Ben Nevis Observatory. A prolonged fall of silver thaw occasions considerable inconvenience to the observers; the rain freezes on their coats, gloves, and even on their faces, while everything outside becomes covered several inches thick with solid ice. But the most serious effect is the choking of the louvres of the Stevenson screen where the thermometers are, necessitating frequent changing of the screens.
Abstract of Paper on further Results of Mr Wragge's Ben Nevis Observations, taken in the year 1882
Authors: Mossman R. C.
Published: January 2013

The more prominent results of Mr Wragge's work were discussed by Dr Buchan in a paper on the “Meteorology of Ben Nevis,” published in the Journal of the Scottish Meteorological Society (vol. vii. p. 4). The humidities at the intermediate stations on the hill-side have not, however, as yet been discussed. One reason for this was that, until Dr Herbertson and Mr H. N. Dickson carried out their researches on hygrometry at Ben Nevis Observatory, it was not known how far Glaisher's tables could be regarded as reliable at high-level stations. Their experiments, however, showed that for temperatures above 40°, Glaisher's factors could be used except when the air was excessively dry. As Mr Wragge's observations were taken between June and October, when the temperature was relatively high and the air nearly saturated, Glaisher's tables have been employed to compute the humidity and vapour pressure from the dry and wet bulb readings.
The Temperature Correction of Barometers
Authors: Omond R. T.
Published: January 2013

In correcting the reading of a barometer to the freezing-point, it is customary to ascertain the temperature of the instrument by observing a thermometer attached to the brass frame, but it is doubtful how far this attached thermometer indicates the temperature of all parts of the barometer under the conditions in which most observations are made. In a Fortin barometer the level of the mercury in the cistern is adjusted to a fixed point at each observation, and we have only to consider the expansion with heat of the mercury and of the brass scale.
XXIX.—Description of the Lithoscope, an Instrument for distinguishing Precious Stones and other bodies
Authors: Brewster David
Published: January 2013

In examining the light reflected from the surface of calcareous spar, when in contact with different fluids, I observed several phenomena, both of light and colour, which led me to make the same experiments on the natural and artificial surfaces of the precious stones and other minerals. In these experiments, the intensity of the reflected pencil varied, as might have been expected, with the refractive power of the fluid; but I was not prepared for the curious fact, that when the reflective power of the surface was reduced almost to nothing, the surface was no longer able to reflect white light, but reflected pencils of different colours, depending on the approximation of the refractive power of the fluid to that of the solid. When the crystal had much double refraction, the colour of the reflected light varied with the inclination of the plane of reflection to the plane passing through the axis of the crystal.
XXXI.—On the Limits of our Knowledge respecting the Theory of Parallels
Authors: Kelland
Published: January 2013

The subject of this paper is a very old one, and may to many appear to be sufficiently worn; but I venture to hope, that there are some to whom a glimpse of the successive approaches of the human mind towards the right understanding of a question of pure logic, may have an interest,—even although the problem solved be an abstract one, and the conclusion a negative conclusion, having little practical application. Like the kindred problem of the quadrature of the circle, or the metaphysical problem of “Knowing and Being,” the theory of parallels has been attacked in various directions, and although it is true that no one ever reached the goal he aimed at, yet it is not the less certain that great and positive results have followed in the history of human attainment. If no other lesson has been learnt, this at least may have been: that in reasoning it is necessary to look warily around and abroad at every step, seeing that admissions, the most obviously inadmissible, or evasions the most palpable, have foiled generations of thinkers, whilst those who have detected their errors have fallen into others of an equally destructive character.
XXXVI.—On Sun-Spots and their Connection with Planetary Configurations
Authors: Stewart Balfour
Published: January 2013

In pursuance of an idea which occurred independently to Professor Tait and myself, a careful examination has been made of the solar autographs, taken at Kew and Cranford, under the superintendence of Mr Warren De la Rue. This was done with the view of detecting, if possible, some reference to planetary configurations in the behaviour of sun-spots, and in this undertaking, much aid was derived from a remark once made by Mr Beckley of Kew, when taking pictures of the sun, to the effect that, for a considerable period of time, he did not observe any spots in the act of breaking out on the visible disc of our luminary. A few words may not be amiss regarding the nature of the scrutiny to which the solar pictures were subjected, and also the value of this as a test of planetary action. In the first place, let us bear in mind, that by the rotation of our luminary, the different portions of his surface are successively presented to each planet in turn. Now, if the bodies of our system have any appreciable influence of this kind upon the sun, it is natural to expect that this should differ for any given portion of his surface, according as this portion is presented to the influencing body, or withdrawn by rotation, so that the sun's diameter is interposed between it and the planet. We should therefore expect to find that, for a given date, the spots should all begin to break out into visibility at or about the same ecliptical longitude. Similarly with regard to their healing up; and, generally, all spots on the sun's disc at a given date should behave in the same manner as they pass a given ecliptical longitude.
XLIV.—On the Theory of Isomeric Compounds
Authors: Brown A. Crum
Published: January 2013

In the following remarks I intend to confine myself to the consideration of those compounds which have not only the same composition per cent., and the same molecular weight, but also the same constitutional formula. Such compounds may be termed absolutely isomeric. As the constitutional formula of few substances is fully known, this class is of course a small one, or rather there are few substances of which we can certainly say that they belong to this class.
I. Experiments and Observations on the Unequal Refrangibility of Light
Authors: Blair Robert
Published: January 2013

By the discovery of the different refrangibility of light, Sir Isaac Newton laid open the true cause of the principal imperfection of refracting telescopes; and having inferred from the experiments which he made, that the refraction of the different rays composing the prismatic spectrum, was always in a given ratio to the refraction of the mean refrangible ray, this great philosopher was led to conclude, that the imperfection which he had discovered in dioptrical instruments was without remedy.
IV. An Analysis of the Waters of some Hot Springs in Iceland
Authors: Black Joseph
Published: January 2013

Sir Joseph Banks, to whose indefatigable ardour for the advancement of natural history, the philosophical world is so much indebted, made a voyage to Iceland in the year 1772, to enquire into the productions of that remote part of the world, and particularly into those of its famous volcano. When he returned, he brought from thence, among many other natural productions, some petrified vegetables, and incrustations, formed by the waters of the boiling springs; and he was so good as to present a part of them to his friends here, who were surprised to find them composed of siliceous earth. As this was the first example observed, of water containing this earth in such quantity as to form siliceous petrifactions, it raised a strong desire to have an opportunity of examining the water, and of learning by what means this siliceous matter was dissolved in it; and this opportunity was at last given us by John Thomas Stanley, Esq; who, excited by motives similar to those of Sir Joseph Banks, equipped likewise a vessel, and made a voyage to Iceland, during the summer 1789.
VII. On the Origin and Investigation of Porisms
Authors: Playfair John
Published: January 2013

The restoration of the ancient books of geometry would have been impossible, without the coincidence of two circumstances, of which, though the one is purely accidental, the other is essentially connected with the nature of the mathematical sciences. The first of these circumstances is the preservation of a short abstract of those books, drawn up by Pappus Alexandrinus, together with a series of such lemmata, as he judged useful to facilitate the study of them. The second is, the necessary connection that takes place among the objects of every mathematical work, which, by excluding whatever is arbitrary, makes it possible to determine the whole course of an investigation, when only a few points in it are known. From the union of these circumstances, mathematics has enjoyed an advantage of which no other branch of knowledge can partake; and while the critic or the historian has only been able to lament the fate of those books of Livy and Tacitus which are lost, the geometer has had the high satisfaction to behold the works of Euclid and Apollonius reviving under his hands.
XI. An Account of repeated Shocks of Earthquakes felt at Comrie in Perthshire
Authors: Taylor Ralph
Published: January 2013

Dear Sir,

The earthquakes which have lately taken place at Comrie and its neighbourhood, are certainly very deserving of attention. I shall therefore cheerfully comply with your request, and give you as particular a description as I can of such of them as have been most remarkable. To give a particular account of all the noises or concussions which, during the last half-year, have been heard or felt at Comrie, and within a short distance to the north, east and west of that village, is beyond my power, and would indeed be of little use.
XIV. An Account of the Peat-Mosses of Kincardine and Flanders in Perthshire
Authors: Tait Christopher
Published: January 2013

The mosses of Kincardine and Flanders are situated in that extensive plain or carse which begins at Borrowstounness, on the south side of the Frith of Forth, and a little above Eastern Kincardine, on the north side. It stretches along both sides, first of the Frith, and afterwards of the river Forth, as far as Cardross, about twenty-two miles west of the point where it begins. The breadth of this plain, or carse, at Falkirk, where it is widest,is about seven miles, including what is occupied by the Frith.
XXXIX.—On Centres, Faisceaux, and Envelopes of Homology
Authors: Martin Hugh
Published: January 2013

One of the theorems of a paper which Professor Kelland did me the honour to read to the Society, in March 1865, opens up a field of geometrical investigation so interesting and fertile, that I venture to ask attention to some of the results of a partial examination of it in the following series of propositions. I think it right to explain, that I do not venture to expect attention to them on account of any importance attaching to them individually, but on account of their number and somewhat elegant relations. Considered individually, they may be of little importance, having no claim to rank, so to speak, among propositions of a planetary magnitude. But a system of moons, however diminutive, may become interesting if they present elegant relations among their mean motions and longitudes; and an orbit that would be grudged to a pigmy planet may be willingly accorded to a host of planetoids. If this is still too exalted language in which to speak of the following results, I can at least confidently affirm that they indicate a direction in which an analyst of very moderate attainments may easily discover for himself a shower of meteors.
XLIII.—On the Motions and Colours upon Films of Alcohol and Volatile Oils and other Fluids
Authors: Brewster David
Published: January 2013

In a paper “On the Phenomena of Thin Plates of Solid and Fluid Substances exposed to Polarised Light,” published in the “Philosophical Transactions” for 1841, I had occasion to notice certain motions and colours which I had observed upon films of some of the volatile oils; but as they were unconnected with the subject I was then investigating, I made no attempt to discover their nature and origin. Their apparent similarity, however, to the molecular movements and colours upon the soap-bubble, induced me to resume the subject, and to examine them as exhibited upon films of various evaporable liquids, stretched over apertures differing in size, form, and substance.
VI. Remarks on a Mixed Species of Evidence in Matters of History : With an Examination of a new Historical Hypothesis, in the Mémoires pour la Vie de Petrarque by the Abbé de Sade
Authors: Tytler Alexander Fraser
Published: January 2013

In matters of historical research, there is a kind of circumstantial evidence which arises from the combination of known or authenticated facts, with critical argument on the import of doubtful passages of authors, which the reasoner endeavours to interpret, by bringing together, comparing, and making the one illustrate the other; so as to draw from the whole a degree of positive and certain information, which those authenticated facts are not of themselves sufficient to convey, and which those passages, taken separately, are incapable of furnishing. This complex species of evidence, it must be owned, is, with respect to its power of conviction, much inferior to that which arises from the ordinary proofs on which authentic history depends; for example, the testimony of actual witnesses to the facts related; or the positive information of authors, derived from clear and well authenticated records: But, at the same time, as in matters of history we have not always that best kind of evidence on which to found our belief, we are from necessity often compelled to resort to this inferior, circumstantial and analogical species of probation, in order to form to ourselves a rational creed on many matters of doubt, on which the mind is unwilling to rest in absolute uncertainty.
VII. Description of an Extra-uterine Fœtus
Authors: Blizzard Thomas
Published: January 2013

Much light has been thrown upon many of the most important and intricate functions of the animal machine, by accurate inquiries into the processes of nature under extraordinary circumstances. The doctrine of conception, lately advanced, owes its support, in no small degree, to observations made on cases, in which, from adventitious causes, Nature has been led out of her ordinary tract. The following case appears to be of such a description; and, as tending further to elucidate the subject, may probably be not unacceptable to the learned members of this Society.
IX. A New and Universal Solution of Kepler's Problem
Authors: Ivory James
Published: January 2013

Kepler, having discovered the laws that regulate the motion of a planet in its orbit, proposed the following problem, for determining the true place of a planet at any given time: “To draw a straight line DE, from an eccentric point D in the diameter of a semicircle AEB, so that the whole semicircle may be to the sector ADE, in a given ratio.”

In resolving this problem, we are to take the quadrature of the circle for granted: and therefore, if C be the centre of the circle, and if the sector ACM be taken, such, that the whole semicircle is to the sector ACM in the required given ratio, the problem may be otherwise enunciated: “ To draw a straight “ line DE from an eccentric point D, to cut off a sector ADE, that shall be equal to the given sector ACM.”
XI. A New Method of expressing the Coefficients of the Development of the Algebraic Formula (a2 + b2 − 2ab cos φ)n, by means of the Perimeters of two Ellipses, when n denotes the Half of any Odd Number; together with an Appendix, containing the Investigation of a Formula for the Rectification of any Arch of an Ellipse
Authors: Wallace William
Published: January 2013

In calculating the effect of the mutual action of two planets upon each other, it has been found necessary to develop the algebraic formula (a2 + b2 — 2ab cos φ)n into a series of this form, A + B cos φ + C cos 2φ + D cos 3φ + &c. Here a and b denote the distances of the planets from the sun; φ denotes the angle of commutation; and the values of n, more immediately the subject of consideration, are —, and —.

The determination of the coefficients A, B, C, &c. in these cases, appears to have been considered as a matter of difficulty by the mathematicians who first applied to the solution of the problem; for they found, that although it was only necessary to compute the first two coefficients A and B, the rest being easily derived from them, yet it did not appear that they could be expressed in finite terms, nor even by means of circular arches, or by logarithms. Recourse was therefore had to other methods, and chiefly to the method of infinite series; but as the series which most readily occurred to them, converged in some cases so slowly as to be in a manner useless, no small degree of analytical address has been found necessary, either to render it more convergent, or to find the sum of a competent number of its terms, with a moderate degree of labour.
XII. Chemical Analysis of an Uncommon Species of Zeolite
Authors: Kennedy Robert
Published: January 2013

The zeolite subjected to the following experiments, possesses some of the distinguishing properties common to other stones of the same class, but differs in certain respects from any variety with which I am acquainted. I found it, more than three years ago, in the basaltic rock on which the Castle of Edinburgh is built; and it was inclosed within a mass of prehnite.
I.—Account of some Experiments made in Different Parts of Europe, on Terrestrial Magnetic Intensity, particularly with reference to the Effect of Height
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: January 2013

1. The Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh having, on my application in 1832, entrusted me with Hansteen's Magnetic Intensity Apparatus, in their possession, I feel it to be my duty to communicate to the Society the results then and subsequently obtained with it.

2. The instrument consists of a mahogany box 5 inches long, 4 broad, and 2 deep, with sides and top of glass, having also a wooden tube, screwing into the top, for containing a silk-worm's fibre about 5 inches long, by which the magnetic needle is suspended so as to place itself horizontally, and after being caused to deviate from its point of rest, the time of any given number of oscillations in a horizontal plane is measured,—whilst a graduated circle in the bottom of the box indicates its arc of vibration.
IX.—Researches on Heat. Third Series. § 1. On the unequally Polarizable Nature of different kinds of Heat. § 2. On the Depolarization of Heat. §; 3. On the Refrangibility of Heat
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: January 2013

1. The following paper is divided into three sections, containing three distinct yet intimately connected investigations. The two first on the Polarizability and Depolarization of Heat have arisen immediately out of the train of investigation contained in my two former papers, and the researches of others to which they gave rise. The third is on the Refrangibility of Heat, a point of the highest importance for theory.

2. The experiments on which these investigations are based have been performed almost exclusively during the past winter. Part of the experiments on Depolarization were, however, made in the winter 1836-7. The mode adopted for trying Refractive Indices I had long ago contemplated. It was not, however, put in practice until January last.
X.—On the Real Nature of Symbolical Algebra
Authors: Gregory D. F.
Published: January 2013

The following attempt to investigate the real nature of Symbolical Algebra, as distinguished from the various branches of analysis which come under its dominion, took its rise from certain general considerations, to which I was led in following out the principle of the separation of symbols of operation from those of quantity. I cannot take it on me to say that these views are entirely new, but at least I am not aware that any one has yet exhibited them in the same form. At the same time, they appear to me to be important, as clearing up in a considerable degree the obscurity which still rests on several parts of the elements of symbolical algebra. Mr Peacock is, I believe, the only writer in this country who has attempted to write a system of algebra founded on a consideration of general principles, for the subject is not one which has much attraction for the generality of mathematicians. Much of what follows will be found to agree with what he has laid down, as well as with what has been written by the Abbé Buee and Mr Warren; but as I think that the view I have taken of the subject is more general than that which they have done, I hope that the following pages will be interesting to those who pay attention to such speculations.
XIII.—Of the Origin and Compound Functions of the Facial Nerve, or Portio dura of the Seventh Nerve;—being the Second Paper in explanation of the difference between the Nerves of the Encephalon, as contrasted with the regular Series of Spinal Nerves
Authors: Bell Charles
Published: January 2013

In following out the principle formerly laid down—that the study of the organization and functions of the part to which the nerve is distributed, will explain the peculiarities of its origin and connections—I have in this paper entered on a subject of great extent and difficulty.

As the Facial Nerve is one of a distinct class, it will be necessary to shew in what that class is peculiar—that it essentially belongs to the act of breathing—that the act of respiration being, in its ordinary condition, independent of the will, there are nerves appropriated to that function. At the same time, it must be shewn, as the apparatus of breathing is made subservient to other purposes in the economy, by what relations it is brought under the influence of the will.
XV.—Inquiry whether Sea-Water has its Maximum Density a few Degrees above its Freezing Point, as Pure Water has
Authors: Hope Thomas Charles
Published: January 2013

Sir Charles Blagden concludes a memoir in the Philosophical Transactions of London, vol. lxxviii., for the year 1788, “On the Effect of various substances in lowering the Point of Congelation in Water,” with the account of an experiment to determine the effect of salt upon the expansion of water by cold.

From that experiment, he imagined that he had reason to conclude, as far as one experiment goes, that the combination of a salt with water has no other effect upon its quality of expanding by cold, than to depress the point at which that quality begins to be sensible, just as much as it depresses the point of congelation.

The scientific world appear to have admitted this general deduction of Blagden, and, trusting to the result of a single experiment, extended it so far as to lay it down as a general law, that, as pure water has its maximum of density at 7½° above its freezing point, so every saline solution has a maximum of density at a temperature above its point of congelation, and that this temperature will be exactly 7½° distant from the freezing point of the solution.
XIX.—The Colours of the Atmosphere considered with reference to a previous Paper “On the Colour of Steam under certain circumstances.”
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: January 2013

In the following Paper, it is proposed to illustrate more fully the hint explanatory of certain atmospheric colours, given in a notice of the remarkable red hue of condensing steam, communicated on the 21st January. Since that time, I have examined with care the principal authors who have adverted to the subject of the colour of the sky generally, and of the redness of sunset in particular; and since, in the course of that research, I have found much to confirm, and little to modify, the view which I have already taken of the subject, I hope that the present Paper may be considered as a fit appendix to my former experimental notice. It will be recollected that in it I stated the singular fact, that steam does not pass at once from the state of invisible pellucid vapour to that of a misty white cloud, such as issues from the spout of a tea-kettle; but that an intermediate stage occurs, in which it is coloured, even very highly, giving to transmitted light a hue varying from tawny yellow up to intense smoke-red. I then observed, that, since this phenomenon does not require steam of high tension for its production, it is very probable that the tints of sunset and of artificial lights seen through certain fogs, may be owing to the absorptive action of watery vapour in this critical condition.
XXII.—Investigation of Analogous Properties of Co-ordinates of Elliptic and Hyperbolic Sectors
Authors: Wallace William
Published: January 2013

The analogy between certain properties of the co-ordinates of elliptic and hyperbolic sectors, which forms the subject of this memoir, was observed by the early writers on the fluxional or differential calculus, and employed by them in its improvement. But, independently of this important application, the propositions in question are some of the most elegant theorems in geometry, and highly interesting as abstract truths.

Maclaurin, in the third chapter of the second book of his Treatise of Fluxions, has proved the truth of this theorem: “Supposing n to be any number, let E and n × E be elliptic sectors, which stand on arcs that begin at a vertex of either axis, and H and n × H hyperbolic sectors, which stand on arcs that begin at the extremity of the transverse axis: the algebraic equation which expresses the relation between x and z, ordinates drawn to the other axis from the extremities of the arcs, must be the very same in the two curves.”
XXVII.—Account of Experimental Observations on the Development and Growth of Salmon-Fry, from the exclusion of the Ova to the age of two years
Authors: Shaw John
Published: January 2013

That the facts which I communicate regarding the natural history of the salmon in its earlier stages, may not appear altogether undeserving of consideration, I may premise that my remarks have not proceeded from hasty or imperfect observation, but from the experience of many years sedulously devoted to the subject, the whole of my life, with the exception of a few seasons, having been spent on the banks of streams where salmon are in the habit of depositing their spawn, and where of course the parr is likewise abundant. My opportunities of observation have thus been as ample, as my efforts have been unremitting and laborious, to discover the true history of this invaluable species. I shall here present a brief abstract of my earlier proceedings in relation to the subject.
XXIX.—On General Differentiation. Part II
Authors: Kelland P.
Published: January 2013

In a former memoir on this subject, it was my endeavour to exhibit the principles of the science of General Differentiation in a simple, at the same time in a general, point of view. I endeavoured to deduce, from one general formula, results easy of application in all instances; and thus to exhibit the unity of the different parts of the science, and the completeness of its fundamental formulæ, shewing at the same time the facility of their adaptation to particular and varied cases. With the exception of certain expansions by means of a theorem analogous to the series of Taylor, I gave no application of the principles to problems of any kind. It is my intention in the present memoir to supply this branch of the subject, without which, indeed, however interesting may be the details, as a portion of pure analysis, they will offer little to interest any but those who attach themselves to the study of analytical combination. We hope, by the exhibition of a few simple mechanical problems, solved by this process, to give to our subject an interest in the eyes of all, derived not from its intrinsic beauty, but from its use as a medium of demonstration. It is well known that considerable difficulty hangs over several very simple inverse mechanical problems; from the generality of their statement, a direct solution is sometimes impossible by the ordinary methods. We shall shew that by our process such solutions are attainable with the greatest readiness. By this means we hope to give a value to our subject as a branch of knowledge, independent of that value which it must possess from its curious and elegant structure.
XXX.—On Sulphuret of Cadmium, or Greenockite, a new Mineral
Authors: Connell Arthur
Published: January 2013

This mineral is found embedded in small crystals in prehnite, at Bishop town, in Renfrewshire. It had been long supposed by mineralogists to be a variety of zinc-blende; but it was first distinguished from that mineral by Lord Greenock, who communicated his opinion to Professor Jameson; and two small crystals, together less than a grain in weight, were sent to me for chemical examination by the latter, who concurred in the supposition that it was a new mineral.
XXXII.—Documents sur les Dykes de Trap d'une partie de l'Ile d'Arran
Authors: Necker L. A.
Published: January 2013

Avant de parler des dykes contenus dans la portion d'Arran au midi de la baye de Lamlash, portion que, vu l'augmentation du nombre des dykes et le peu de temps que j'avois à donner à leur étude, je n'ai pu examiner que très rapidement et incomplètement, je vais rassembler ici en une sorte de résumé, les résultats généraux de l'examen des faits consignés dans les tableaux suivants.
I. Description of Sternbergite, a New Mineral Species
Authors: Haidinger W.
Published: January 2013

The mines of Joachimsthal in Bohemia, have long been celebrated for their riches. They were successfully worked at an early period, and though their produce has been exceedingly fluctuating, yet the mining district, in which they occur, continues one of the most important of that country. They seem to have been particularly lucrative and important while they belonged to the house of the Counts Schlick, and when, in the beginning of the sixteenth century, a larger kind of silver coin was introduced into Germany, it took the name of Joachimsthaler, from the place of its coinage, a name which was afterwards changed into thaler, talaro, and dollar.

These mines are not less remarkable for the variety of the species, and for the beauty of the specimens which they have produced. The ancient collections of minerals at Vienna, the Imperial cabinet, that of Von der Nüll, that of Von Morgenbesser, and others, contain magnificent suites of sulphuret of silver, of red silver, &c. chiefly crystallised. The finest specimens, however, of the red silver, and perhaps the finest that ever were known in the species, were dug up so late as 1817 and 1822. The National Museum at Prague possesses one of them, consisting of a group of crystals several inches long, without having any rock attached to it, and weighing about twelve marks, or upwards of six pounds Avoirdupois, the value of the silver of which is more than L. 16 Sterling.
VI. On the Parasitic Formation of Mineral Species, depending upon Gradual Changes, which take place in the Interior of Minerals, while their External Form remains the same
Authors: Haidinger William
Published: January 2013

Every mineralogist is conversant with some of the facts relative to the subject of this paper. Some of the observations enumerated, are comparatively new, as the attention of naturalists has been only of late more particularly directed towards these facts. Others, which I have had an opportunity of collecting myself, I trust will not be considered uninteresting, as they tend materially to rectify certain ideas connected with the determination of the mineralogical species, the most important branch of natural-historical research.
XV. Some Experiments on the Milk of the Cow-Tree
Authors: Thomson Thomas
Published: January 2013

A Phial full of this liquid, one of the first specimens, I believe, that ever made its way to Great Britain, was lately sent to Dr Hooker by Sir Ralph Woodford, Governor of Trinidad. It had been collected in Laguayra by Mr Lockart, Director of the Botanic Garden in Trinidad. Dr Hooker having been good enough to put this rare specimen into my possession, I made a few experiments to determine its constituents. The singular nature of the production, rather than any thing very striking in the results which I obtained, led me to suppose that they would not be unacceptable to the Royal Society.

This curious vegetable production was first made known to the scientific world by M. de Humboldt. But from the very imperfect account which he gives of the Galactodendron utile, there is reason to conclude that he had never seen it. It is certain at least that he had never seen it in blossom. The attention of MM. Boussingault and Mariano de Rivero was drawn to this important liquid by M. de Humboldt. They collected it accordingly, and subjected it to a chemical examination. They found its constituents to be wax, fibrin, sugar, a magnesian salt, which was not an acetate, and water. They could neither detect in it casein nor caoutchouc. The ashes after incineration consisted of a mixture of silica, lime, phosphate of lime, and magnesia.
XXV. On Mudarine, the Active Principle of the Bark of the Root of the Calotropis Mudarii, Buch.; and the singular influence of Temperature upon its solubility in Water
Authors: Duncan Andrew
Published: January 2013

To the professional zeal and liberality of my lamented friend Dr Adam, late Secretary to the Medical Board at Calcutta, I am indebted for many interesting specimens of the Materia Medica of Hindostan. Among these was a large supply of the powder of the bark of the Mudar or Mudhar, the Calotropis Mudarii of Dr Hamilton, which, with a nearly allied species, had been formerly referred to the genus Asclepias, under the trivial name of gigantea.

The high reputation which the Mudar Powder enjoyed among the natives of India, as a specific for the cure of various cutaneous diseases, induced Mr Playfair, Mr Robinson, and Dr Vos, to investigate its action as a medicine. These gentlemen gave favourable reports of its effects in India, in cutaneous diseases, syphilitic affections, and tape-worm.
I. On the Investigation of Magnetic Intensity by the Oscillations of the Horizontal Needle
Authors: Harris W. Snow
Published: January 2013

The many irregularities to which the vibrations of the horizontal needle are subject, renders the usual method of investigating the terrestrial magnetic intensity, although precise in theory, occasionally uncertain in practice. It has been my endeavour in the following paper, to consider in some measure the most prominent of the causes of these irregularities, with a view of arriving at certain practical deductions, by means of which they may be either greatly palliated, or otherwise avoided.
II. An Account of some Experiments on the Electricity of Tourmaline, and other Minerals, when exposed to Heat
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: January 2013

Although the phenomena of the Pyro-Electricity of Minerals, as it has been termed, and those of the Tourmaline in particular, have, after a long period of neglect, been recently studied by more than one philosopher of eminence, there are a sufficient number of undetermined or debatable points, even at the threshold of the inquiry, to yield facts of novelty and interest to those who will take the trouble to look for them.

Having during the past summer been much engaged in studying the relations of bodies to heat and electricity, I was induced, by having in my possession a considerable number of long tourmalines, to repeat and endeavour to verify some recently published experiments with this mineral. These inquiries brought out several new facts; and, with the hope of adding something to our knowledge in this curious field, I have taken this opportunity of communicating to the Society the results of some very recent experiments.
IV. Description and Analysis of a Mineral from Faroe, not before examined
Authors: Connell Arthur
Published: January 2013

Some time ago a mineral was put into my hands by Mr Rose, the intelligent mineral dealer of this city, the nature of which was not known, although it had been conjectured to be a variety of Mesotype. Mr Rose obtained it from Count Vargas Bedemar of Copenhagen, who brought it from the Faroe Islands, and subsequently visited this country some years ago. A short chemical examination soon satisfied me that it differed entirely from mesotype; and having ascertained that it contained silica, lime, water, and potash, and no notable quantity of alumina, I was led to conjecture that it would prove to be a variety of apophyllite, although, in that view, it would have presented very remarkable deviations from the ordinary structure of that mineral.
V. Researches on the Vibration of Pendulums in Fluid Media
Authors: Green George
Published: January 2013

Probably no department of Analytical Mechanics presents greater difficulties than that which treats of the motions of fluids; and hitherto the success of mathematicians therein has been comparatively limited. In the theory of the waves, as presented by MM. Poisson and Cauchy, and in that of sound, their success appears to have been more complete than elsewhere; and if to these investigations we join the researches of Laplace concerning the tides, we shall have the principal important applications hitherto made of the general equations upon which the determination of this kind of motion depends.
IX. Chemical Examination of the Petroleum of Rangoon
Authors: Christison Robert
Published: January 2013

At the close of the preceding session, the Council of the Society did me the honour of entrusting me with the chemical examination of several articles sent not long ago to the Society by Mr Swinton, Secretary to Government at Calcutta. The articles in question are, 1. Specimens of the black varnish used in different parts of Hindostan and the Burmese territories, with specimens of the juices of which these varnishes are said to be compounded; 2. Specimens of naphtha from Persia, and of petroleum from Rangoon; 3. Specimens of wood-oil, a variety of fluid turpentine; 4. Specimens of crude caoutchouc, and of solutions of it in wood-oil.

The only one of these articles which has hitherto yielded results of such interest as to induce me to lay them before the Society, is the petroleum of Rangoon, which appears to contain a compound inflammable principle hitherto unknown.
XII. On the Fresh-water Limestone of Burdiehouse in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, belonging to the Carboniferous Group of Rocks. With Supplementary Notes on other Fresh-water Limestones
Authors: Hibbert Samuel
Published: January 2013

I propose in this memoir to methedically connect several desultory notices, which I had occasion to read during the last session of the Royal Society's meetings, relative to the Limestones of fresh-water origin in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, belonging to the carboniferous group of rocks, and to the organic remains which they contain.

Hitherto, the limestones belonging to this older class of deposits have been considered as exclusively of marine origin. I had long since, however, been prepared to expect that a limestone of a fluviatile or fresh-water origin would, some time or other, be proved to exist. For, in judging from analogy, it would be unreasonable to presume, that, when fresh-water limestones appear in the rocks of every later epoch, they should meet with an exclusion in the carboniferous group. In entertaining, therefore, less confined views, I was not at all surprised to find them confirmed in a limestone near Edinburgh, which lately came under my examination,—I allude to that of Burdiehouse. It enclosed none of the marine shells, corallines, or encrinites to be found in the other limestones of the vicinity, but contained in the place of them, and in the greatest possible abundance, the various plants observable in our coal-fields. I also procured from it specimens of fish allied to such as are obtained from beds associated with coal. These facts indicated to me that I had at length found a fresh-water limestone belonging to the carboniferous group of rocks.