bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5. Laboratory Notes: On Thermo-Electricity
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

For some time back I have been endeavouring to prove, by experiment, through great ranges of temperature, the result announced by me in December last, viz., that the electro-motive force of a thermo-electric circuit is in general, unless the temperature be very high, a parabolic function of the absolute temperature of either junction, that of the other being maintained constant.
1. On the Relation of Magnetism to Temperature
Authors: Marshall D. H.
Published: June 2016

The following was the arrangement adopted in these experiments :—A large magnet was put into a copper pot containing oil, which was heated up by a brass Bunsen, and its temperature determined by a mercurial thermometer immersed in it. The magnet was set magnetically east and west, and placed so as to act with equal force on the poles of a small magnet, whose centre was in the prolongation of its axis. This small magnet was cemented to the back of a small concave mirror, suspended by a single silk fibre, and placed in a glass case to guard it against currents of air. The deflections of the small magnet were measured exactly as in the reflecting galvanometer, and since from the nature of the arrangement, the absolute magnetism in the large magnet is directly as the tangent of the angle of deflection of the small one, its amount for any temperature was immediately measured by the reading on the scale.
2. Notice of a New Family of the Echinodermata
Authors: Thomson Wyville
Published: June 2016

During the deep sea dredging expedition of H.M. ships ‘Lightning’ and ‘Porcupine,’ in the summers of 1868–69 and 1870, two or three nearly perfect specimens, and a number of fragments were procured of three species of regular echinideans, which were referred by the author to a new family, the Echinothuridæ, intermediate in their more essential characters between the Cidaridæ and the Diadematidæ.

In these urchins the test is circular and greatly depressed. The plates of the perisom are long and strap-shaped, and the interambulacral plates overlap one another regularly from the apical towards the oral poll, while the ambulacral plates overlap in a similar way in the opposite direction.
3. On the Principles which regulate the Incidence of Taxes
Authors: Jenkin Fleeming
Published: June 2016

It is well known that many taxes do not fall ultimately on the person from whom they are in the first instance levied. The merchant advances the duties imposed on goods, but the tax ultimately falls on the consumer. The problem of discovering the ultimate or true incidence of each tax is one of great importance, and of considerable complexity. The following paper contains an investigation of the methods by which this incidence may in some cases be experimentally determined, and of the principles regulating the incidence in all cases, these principles being stated in a mathematical form.
1. On Cardiocarpon
Authors: Duns
Published: June 2016

The attention of the Society was called to many beautiful specimens of Sphenopteris laid on the table. These had been obtained by Dr Duns and his predecessor, Dr Fleming, from the old workings in the Burdiehouse limestones, near Edinburgh, well known from Hibbert's Memoir (1835), and from the papers of more recent observers. The species exhibited were chiefly S. artemisiæfolia and S. affinis. An Antholite (A. Pitcairniœ) was also shown, in which the pedicels that spring from the flower-like buds in the axils of the bracts, sub-opposite in the spike, are well represented. The author then referred to Cardiocarpon, Brong., and to the species named by Brongniart, Lindley, and Hutton, and more recently by Dawson and Lesquereux. It was pointed out, that very many Cardiocarpa occur in association with the specimens of Sphenopteris on the table.
3. On the Lunar Diurnal Variation of Magnetic Declination at Trevandrum, near the Magnetic Equator
Authors: Broun J. A.
Published: June 2016

The author gives the results derived from different discussions of nearly eighty thousand observations, made hourly during the eleven years 1854 to 1864. They are as follows:—

1. That the lunar diurnal variation consists of a double maximum and minimum in each month of the year.

2. That in December and January the maxima occur near the times of the moon's upper and lower passages of the meridian; while in June and July they occur six hours later, the minima then occurring near the times of the two passages.

3. The change of the law for December and January to that for June and July does not happen, as in the case of the solar diurnal variations, by leaps in the course of a month (those of March and October), but more or less gradually for the different maxima and minima.
2. On the Crinoids of the “Porcupine” Deep-Sea Dredging Expedition
Authors: Thomson Wyville
Published: June 2016

Seven species belonging to the Echinoderm order CRINOIDEA, were procured during the “Porcupine” dredging expeditions of 1869 and 70. Four of these belong to the free section of the order, and are referred to the genus Antedon.
3. Laboratory Notes by Professor Tait - 1. On Thermo-electricity: Circuits with more than one Neutral Point
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

Having lately obtained from Messrs Johnson & Matthey some wires of platinum, and of alloys of platinum and iridium, I formed them into circuits with iron wire of commerce; and noticed that with all, excepting what is called “soft” platinum, there is more than one neutral point situated below the temperature of low white heat, and that at higher temperatures other neutral points occur. This observation is, in itself, highly interesting; but my first impression was one of disappointment, as I imagined it depended on some peculiarity of the platinum metals, which I had hoped would furnish me with the means of accurately measuring high temperatures (by a process described in previous notes of this series). As this hope may possibly not be realised, I can as yet make only rough approximations to an estimation of the temperatures of these neutral points.
1. On the Action of Heat on the Salts of Trimethyl-sulphine. No. III
Authors: Brown Crum , Blaikie J. Adrian
Published: June 2016

The acetate is formed by treating the iodide of trimethyl-sulphinc with acetate of silver. On leaving the strong solution over sulphuric acid in vacuo for three weeks no crystallisation took place. The syrup on being heated in a small retort gave off water, and, without solidifying, sulphide of methyl, mixed with acetate of methyl. On redistilling the two latter, they went over at a temperature between 45° and 56° C. It was not possible to separate them by distillation, but on shaking the mixture with solution of chloride of mercury, the sulphide of methyl was removed, leaving a few drops of acetate of methyl, easily recognised by its fruity smell.
1. Chapters on the Mineralogy of Scotland
Authors: Heddle
Published: June 2016

In this chapter Dr Heddle considered the micas occurring in Scotland. These he found to be Muscovite or Muscovy glass, and margarodite—of the white micas; Biotite, lepidomelane, and a new species which he proposes to call Haughtonite, after Professor Haughton of Dublin—of the dark micas. He also finds the species pihlite, hitherto unrecognised in Britain, occurring in quantity in the central districts of Banffshire, and in the west of Aberdeenshire.

In connection with the first of these micas, the mode of formation of exfiltration veins, and the metamorphism of gneiss into the grey granite of Aberdeenshire, were considered.
2. Chapters on the Mineralogy of Scotland
Authors: Heddle
Published: June 2016

In this Chapter, Dr Heddle discussed the substances usually thrown together, under the term of Chloritic Minerals. He showed, by an extensive series of analyses, that they were to be divided into three groups—those which occurred in metamorphic rocks, in recent strata, and in volcanic rocks.

He proposed to confine the term Chloritic to the minerals which are found in metamorphic rocks, and to apply the term, the Saponites, to those which occur in volcanic rocks.
1. On Gravitational Oscillations of Rotating Water
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

This is really Laplace's subject in his Dynamical Theory of the Tides; where it is dealt with in its utmost generality except one important restriction,—the motion of each particle to be infinitely nearly horizontal, and the velocity to be always. equal for all particles in the same vertical. This implies that the greatest depth must be small in comparison with the distance that has to be travelled to find the deviation from levelness of the water-surface altered by a sensible fraction of its maximum amount. In the present short communication I adopt this restriction; and farther, instead of supposing the water to cover the whole or a large part of the surface of a solid spheroid as does Laplace, I take the simpler problem of an area of water so small that the equilibrium-figure of its surface is not sensibly curved.
1. The Anatomy of the Northern Beluga (B. Catodon) compared with that of other Whales
Authors: Watson Morrison , Young Alfred H.
Published: June 2016

The specimen which formed the subject of this memoir was one of three, imported into England by Mr Farini of London.

The skeleton being already well known, and the state of the parts preventing an examination of the muscular anatomy, attention was directed solely to that of the viscera, of which no complete description had hitherto been given. Drs Barclay and Neill in this country, and subsequently Professor Wyman in America, had previously investigated some points in the anatomy of the soft parts of Beluga, but their descriptions are so fragmentary as to necessitate a more accurate and extended investigation of the viscera.
Notes by William Jolly, Esq., Inverness, On The Transportation of Rocks Found on the South Shores of the Moray Firth
Authors: Jolly William
Published: June 2016

Along the south shores of the inner portion of the Moray Firth, certain movements of rocks have taken place in geological times which are interesting as bearing on the inquiry into the general transportation of boulders over Scotland. These rocks are, happily, of very distinctive varieties, which renders the question of their source and movements a comparatively easy one. On these, I beg to offer some rapid notes, in connection with the work of the Boulder Committee.
Notes on Drift and Glacial Phenomena on the Pentland Hills
Authors: Henderson John
Published: June 2016

The following phenomena were noted by me during a number of visits I made to the Pentland Hills; but as my chief object then was to examine the older rocks, my observation on the recent deposits are by no means complete.
1. References, by Dr Charles Maclaren and Professor Geikie, to Striae and Boulders on the Pentlands
Authors: Geikie  , Croll Jas
Published: June 2016

Mr M'Laren, in his “Geology of Fife and the Lothians,” states:—

“There are few opportunities of observing ‘groovings’ on the Pentland Hills. I noticed them, however, at Westwater of Dunsyre, on the top of a thick bed of hard sandstone, from which 12 or 14 feet of alluvium had been removed. The dressings pointed exactly east and west; and the evidence was the more satisfactory, as the direction of the stream on whose bank the rock was situated, and of the valley in which the stream flowed, was south and north. They were very distinct, the larger groovings being about 1½ inch broad, and ths of an inch deep.
4. On a Calculus of Relationship
Authors: Macfarlane Alexander
Published: June 2016

1. De Morgan read a paper on the ‘Logic of Relations’ before the Cambridge Philosophical Society, and the paper is printed in their Transactions. He attempts to deal not only with the idea of relationship, but with the idea of relation in general. As he does not deal with exact ideas, he cannot give any exact results.

2. Among the writings of Leslie Ellis there are printed some notes on Boole's ‘Laws of Thought,’ and there he refers to the idea of relation. He makes the important remark:— ‘It seems to me that the mind passes from idea to idea in accordance with various principles of suggestion, and that, in correspondence with the different. classes of such principles of suggestion, we ought to recognise different branches of the general theory of inference.’
2. Additional Observations on the Fungus Disease affecting Salmon and other Fish
Authors: Stirling A. B.
Published: June 2016

In my former paper, read before the Society in June 1878, I gave an account of observations which I had made on the fungus disease affecting salmon, and described the character of the fungus, which I referred to Saprolegnia ferax.

In the present communication I propose to relate additional observations, and to discuss the theories which have been advanced by different writers in explanation of the cause of the disease. Four theories have been advocated, namely—pollution of rivers, overcrowding, absence of frost, diseased kelts and addled ova.
4. On the Form and Structure of the Teeth of Mesoplodon Layardii and Mesoplodon Sowerbyii
Authors: Turner
Published: June 2016

The author in the first instance described the characters of the teeth of Mesoplodon Layardii from two specimens which had been collected during the expedition of H.M.S. “Challenger,” under the scientific superintendence of Sir C. Wyville Thomson. The one specimen, a young animal, under 14 feet in length, was obtained at Port Sussex, East Falkland Islands, by Mr H. N. Moseley, F.R.S.; the other, an adult skull, was procured at the Cape of Good Hope.

The teeth of the younger animal, two in number, were imbedded in their alveoli in the lower jaw. Each tooth consisted of a small triangular denticle or crown projecting outwards, and slightly upwards from the middle of the upper border of the fang.
Remarks by the Vice-President, David Milne Home, LL.D., on delivering the Makdougall-Brisbane Prize to Professor Geikie
Authors: Home David Milne
Published: June 2016

The Council having awarded the Makdougall-Brisbane Prize, for the biennial period 1876–78, to Professor Geikie, for his Memoir “On the Old Red Sandstone of Western Europe” published in the Society's Transactions 1877–78, which forms one of an important series of contributions by Professor Geikie to the advancement of geological science, the Medal was presented to him by the Chairman, with the following remarks:—

IN accordance with what he was told was the practice on such occasions, he would shortly explain, first, the purpose for which this particular prize was instituted, and, second, the nature of the memoir and work by Professor Geikie for which the prize had been awarded to him.
5. Proposed Theory of the Progressive Movement of Barometric Depressions
Authors: Tennent Robert
Published: June 2016

This paper is a continuation and a fuller explanation of the previous one, in which it was attempted to show why barometric depressions, or storms, move forward. In our present state of knowledge, exceptional cases in such an investigation are always to be found, and the subject is consequently taken up in a general point of view. It is attempted here to be shown, not how depressions always move, but how, under certain well-known circumstances, they may move.
2. Researches on Contact Electricity
Authors: Knott C. G.
Published: June 2016

In these experiments the general method pursued was by direct contact and separation of two circular plane metal disks, the lower one of which was insulated and connected to one pair of quadrants of a Thomson quadrant electrometer. The upper disk or plate of this condenser arrangement pressed during contact on the lower by its own weight, and was in connection with the other pair of quadrants and with the earth. The lower plate formed the upper surface of a cylindrical flask, whose temperature was determined by that of the water contained within it.
1. On the Distribution of Temperature under the Ice in Frozen Lakes
Authors: Aitken John
Published: June 2016

In January and February 1879 Mr J. Y. Buchanan communicated to this society two papers, on the distribution of temperature under the ice in Linlithgow Loch. In these papers he gives a most interesting and valuable series of temperature observations made by him, of the water, at different points, and at different depths, in the loch while it was covered with ice. He also gives the temperatures as taken by him under similar circumstances in Loch Lomond. These observations by Mr Buchanan disclose a somewhat unexpected thermal condition of the water.
2. On a Sulphurous Acid Cryophorus
Authors: Thomson W.
Published: June 2016

The instrument exhibited to the Royal Society consisted of a U-shaped glass tube stopped at both ends, containing sulphurous. acid liquid and steam. The process by which the sulphurous acid is freed from air, which was partially exhibited to the Royal Society, is as follows:—

Begin with a glass U tube open at both ends, and attach to each a small convenient, very fine, and perfectly gas-tight, stop-cock. Placing it with the bend down in a freezing mixture, condense pure well-dried sulphurous acid gas direct into it from the generator till it is full nearly to the tops of the two branches.
6. On some Applications of Rotatory Polarization
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

Since last meeting of the Society I have found that Broch (in Dove's Repertorium) employed the combination of prism, Nicols, and quartz plate, for the purpose of measuring the rotatory power of quartz for different wave-lengths. I do not find, however, that he suggests its use for the determination of wave-lengths according to one definite standard. Nor does he seem to have used great thicknesses of quartz, which is essential to accuracy in the application I have proposed. In the Annales de Chimie, 1846, there is a translation of a part of Broch's paper, with the remark that the process, which he called a new one, was due to Fizeau and Foucault. Their paper, however, refers to quartz cut parallel to the axis; but it introduces the question, very important so far as my object is concerned, of the interference of two polarized rays after one has been retarded more than the other by very many wave-lengths.
2. The Geology of the Faröe Islands
Authors: Geikie James
Published: June 2016

The author visited the Faröe Islands last summer in company with Mr Amund Helland of Christiania. They made various traverses across the largest and most important islands, and touched here and there at several of the smaller ones. They have constructed a geological map of the group, upon which is shown the outcrop of the coal-seams of Suderöe, the direction of numerous dykes of basalt, the position of great intrusive sheets of the same rock; and the trend of the glaciation is indicated by arrows. The introductory part of this paper gives some account of the geological observations made by previous writers—Jorgen Landt in 1800, Mackenzie and Allan in 1815, Trevelyan a year or two later, Forchhammer in 1824, Robert Chambers in 1854, and Johnstrup in 1873. The general physical features of the islands are next described, the extent of land being roughly estimated at about 600 square miles.
1. On the Structure and Origin of Coral Reefs and Islands
Authors: Murray John
Published: June 2016

Darwin's Theory.–During the voyage of the “Beagle” and subsequently, Mr Darwin made a profound study of coral reefs, and has given a theory of their mode of formation which has since been universally accepted by scientific men.

Darwin's theory may be said to rest on two facts—the one physiological, and the other physical—the former, that those species of corals whose skeletons chiefly make up reefs cannot live in depths greater than from 20 to 30 fathoms; the latter, that the surface of the earth is continually undergoing slow elevation or subsidence.
1. Rock-Weathering, as illustrated in Edinburgh Churchyards
Authors: Geikie
Published: June 2016

Comparatively little has yet been done in the way of precise measurement of the rate at which the exposed surfaces of different kinds of rock are removed in the processes of weathering. A few years ago, some experiments were instituted by Professor Pfaff of Erlangen to obtain more definite information on this subject. He exposed to ordinary atmospheric influences carefully measured and weighed pieces of Solenhofen limestone, syenite, granite (both rough and polished), and bone.
2. On a Realised Sulphurous Acid Steam-Pressure Thermometer, and on a Sulphurous Acid Steam-Pressure Differential Thermometer
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

A sulphurous acid steam-pressure thermometer, on the plan described in my communication on the subject to the Royal Society of March 1, has been actually constructed, with range up to 25° C., but not yet in a permanent form.
6. On an Ultra-Neptunian Planet
Authors: Forbes G.
Published: June 2016

In continuation of researches communicated to the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1880 (February 16), in which I gave the probable position of an ultra-Neptunian planet, I have now to inform the Society that I have detected the existence of perturbations in the motion of Uranus, agreeing remarkably in character and period with those which would be produced by the new planet. These results are obtained from observations of Uranus extending over more than a century. The position of the planet, from this point of view, is found, from the first rough examination, to be the same as that given by me in my former memoir. This gives a means of determining the mass of the new planet.
6. Note on the Wire Microphone
Authors: Ferguson R. M.
Published: June 2016

At our last meeting Professor Chrystal showed us that a fine platinum wire attached to a stretched disc of skin could act as an electric telephone receiver for the sounds of a violin. The wire was included in a galvanic circuit, and the variations of current were made by a microphone attached to the violin. The account he gave of this interesting experiment was that the receiving wire became extended by the heat of the current either as it was established or suddenly increased by the microphone, and correspondingly shortened on the current ceasing. These extensions and contractions were rendered audible by the disc. A similar demonstration with a like commentary was made by Mr Preece to the Royal Society of London, an account of which was published in “Nature” (June 10). Mr Preece got his wires to speak. At the first May meeting of this Society in 1878 I discussed the subject of the sounds emitted by fine wires, giving passage to intermittent currents. I found that the ordinary thread telephone gave us an easy means of hearing these sounds in non-magnetic metals. De la Rive had heard them in 1845, but since his time no one had been able to hear them, and they were almost looked on as apocryphal. I attached the thread of the skin or paper telephone transversely to the sounding wire, and not directly, as Professor Chrystal has done, for the simple reason that I found that the transverse method gave equally good results with very much less trouble. The cause in both cases seemed to me the same, viz., an internal molecular click which marked the setting in and stoppage of the current.
6. Preliminary Report on the TUNICATA of the “Challenger” Expedition. Part II
Authors: Herdman W. A.
Published: June 2016

Since the publication of the first part of this preliminary report (Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., 1879–80, p. 458), I have received some additional specimens of Ascidians belonging to the “Challenger” collection, and including the following ASCIDIADÆ

Ascidia cylindracea, n. sp.

External appearance. —Shape nearly cylindrical; posterior end rounded and wider than truncated anterior end; ventral edge nearly straight, dorsal slightly concave. Attached by base and lower half of left side. Both apertures at anterior end; branchial towards ventral side, sessile; atrial on dorsal edge, forming a rounded projection; both distinctly lobed. Surface smooth. Colour yellowish-grey. Length, 2 cm.; breadth, 1·2 cm.
10. Remarks on the previous Communication
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

In a paper read to the Society on 15th March last (ante, p. 501), I gave a series of proofs of the theorem that four colours suffice for a map. All of these were long, and I felt that, while more than sufficient to prove the truth of the theorem, they gave little insight into its real nature and bearings. A somewhat similar remark may, I think, be made about Mr Kempe's proof.

But a remark incidentally made in the abstract of my former paper has led me to a totally different mode of attacking the question, which puts its nature in a clearer light. I have therefore withdrawn my former paper, as in great part superseded by the present one.

The remark referred to is to the effect that, if an even number of points be joined, so that three (and only three) lines meet in each, these lines may be coloured with three colours only, so that no two conterminous lines shall have the same colour. (When an odd number of the points forms a group, connected by one line only with the rest, the theorem is not true.)
V.—The Early Colonization of North-eastern Scotland. (Address.)
Authors: Childe V. G.
Published: June 2016

The Old Red Sandstone plane of Caithness, with the geologically associated Orkneys, forms a homogeneous region comparatively isolated from the rest of Scotland by its geographical position and structure and by climatic conditions. Neither the physical geography nor the geology of the region need description here, except to note the absence of metals or similar mineral resources and the influence a stone that breaks easily and naturally along its bedding planes into flat slabs must exercise upon the local architecture. A word must, however, be said about the climate, which has not remained constant in prehistoric times.
VII.—On the Presence of a Kyogenic Substance in the Mouse Placenta
Authors: Mirskaia Ljuba
Published: June 2016

The mouse placenta implanted into immature female mice evokes pregnancy conditions in the vaginal epithelium, growth of the follicles in the ovary, and enlargement of the interstitial tissue. It is demonstrated, therefore, that mouse placenta contains an active kyogenic substance.
XII.—On a New Method of Measurement of Minute Alternating Currents
Authors: Martyn D. F.
Published: June 2016

A highly sensitive method of measuring alternating currents of the order of microamperes and of any frequency is described. The current to be measured is passed through the filament of a diode valve. The main heating current of this valve is supplied by an independent oscillator working at the frequency of the current under measurement. The change in the plate current of the valve is measured, thus indicating the amplitude of the alternating current being measured. Theoretical and practical details of the methods of working are given and particulars of the method by which the calibration was tested. It is suggested that the method is particularly applicable to the determination of electro-magnetic field strengths by measuring the currents induced in an aerial.
XIII.—On some Curious Fossils from the Downtonian and Lower Old Red Sandstone of Scotland
Authors: Crookall R.
Published: June 2016

Three curious types of fossil remains, collected by Mr D. Tait of the Geological Survey (Scottish Office), are here described. They are from the Downtonian (Upper Silurian) of Scotland, and are unknown from rocks of a corresponding age in England. The first type described deserves a name as being characteristic of Scottish Downtonian rocks. The other two forms are very rare, the third one described being represented by a single specimen (and counterpart), and the second by two specimens.

It should be mentioned that the Geological Survey collection contains a specimen of the first type (designated Taitia catena) from the Lower Old Red Sandstone of Tealing Hill, near Dundee. This example (No. T. 1251 h) was presented to the Survey by Mr Macnicol.
XXIII.—On some Persymmetric Determinants
Authors: Geronimus J.
Published: June 2016

We consider in this paper the persymmetric determinants

where

p(x) being a function which is not negative in the interval (a, b) (finite or infinite); we suppose further that the integrals

exist fors= 0, 1, 2,….

The object of this paper is the application of a theorem stated by the writer in the paper “Sur un déterminant de Hankel” to many determinants of the type (1), referred to by Sir Thomas Muir in his paper “The theory of persymmetric determinants from 1894 to 1919.”
Opening Address, Session 1866–67
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

Gentlemen,—Of all the agencies which are at work in the material universe, the light of the sun is doubtless the most remarkable, whether we study it in its sanitary, its scientific, or its æsthetical relations In the language of metaphor, it is the very life-blood of nature, without which everything material would fade and perish; the fountain of all our knowledge of the external universe; and the historiographer of the visible creation, recording and transmitting to future ages all that is beautiful and sublime in organic and inorganic nature, and stamping on perennial tablets the hallowed scenes of domestic life, the ever-varying phases of social intercourse and the more exciting scenes of bloodshed and war, which Christians still struggle to reconcile with the obligations of their faith.
1. Influence of Marriage on the Death-Rates of Men and Women in Scotland
Authors: Stark James
Published: June 2016

The object of this paper was to show the different death-rates which prevailed among the married and unmarried men and women in Scotland.

It was pointed out that the mortality among the unmarried men was, at all ages, very much higher than among the married; that, in fact, the mortality of the unmarried was thrice as high at the age 20 to 25 years; and only slowly approximated to that of the married man at 85 years of age.
3. On the Action of Ammonia on Dichloracetone
Authors: Brown A. Crum
Published: June 2016

This paper contains some further details of the properties and composition of the substance mentioned in a former note (Proceedings, vi. 75).

The substance is produced by the action of dry ammonia gas on dichloracetone. A low temperature favours its formation. It forms colourless needles, generally radiating from central points. It is extremely unstable, and can only be preserved in an atmosphere of dry ammonia. In vacuo over sulphuric acid, even at a temperature of 0° C., it decomposes into ammonia, dichloracetone, and a viscous substance, which has a smell recalling that of acetamide. The same decomposition takes place in dry air. Hydrochloric acid converts it into dichloracetone and chloride of ammonium. It may be fused in an atmosphere of dry ammonia, and sublimes readily at temperatures far below its fusing point.
5. On the Effect of Pressure upon Rock Salt and Iceland Spar
Authors: Reusch M.
Published: June 2016

Monsieur,—Les semaines passées j'âi trouvé quelques faits dans le sel gemme et le spath d'Islande, que je prends la liberté de vous communiquer, parceque je m'imagine, qu'il n'y a personne au monde, qui saurait mieux apprécier la valeur des petites choses qui se sont offertes à moi.

Dans le sel gemme il y a un clivage ou passage multiple, omis à tort par les minéralogistes, qui jouit des propriétès singulières et qui jetera peut être quelque lumière sur le phénomène, de la “polarisation lamellaire.” Ce passage suit les faces du granatoëdre ou dodecaëdre régulier. En pressant un morceau carré, dont deux arètes opposées sont enlevées par la lime, on obtient par une pression modique un passage brillant suivant la diagonale.
4. On the Vibration of a Uniform Straight Spring
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

In this paper the solution of the well-known and hitherto refractory problem, “to investigate the law of motion of a uniform elastic plate,” is presented as an example of the application of the theory of primaries to physical research. This problem, on account of its importance in the theory of acoustics, has attracted the attention of the most celebrated mathematicians.

If we suppose a physical elastic line, flexible only in one plane, to have a number of masses fixed at intervals along it—if we investigate the law of the motions of these masses—and if, thereafter, we imagine the masses to be indefinitely subdivided and their parts distributed along the intervals, we shall arrive at the law of vibration of an elastic plate.
5. On a Lower Limit to the Power exerted in the Function of Parturition
Authors: Duncan J. Matthews
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author's object was to show what propelling power was required and produced to push the fœtus through the passages into the world in the easiest deliveries. The fact chiefly founded on, as affording a basis for the necessary calculations, was the occasional birth of the ovum entire, that is, the membranes containing the fœtus and liquor amnii being entire after passing through the maternal passages. In such cases the strength of the amniotic membrane was greater than that of the parturient or expulsive power. The expulsive power was in them never so strong as to break the bag of membranes; and the tensile strength of the membrane being ascertained by experiment, the propelling power could be calculated from it.
10. Note on the Radiant Spectrum
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

This was a preliminary notice of a set of experiments, then in progress under very unfavourable circumstances, on the rare occasions when a ray of sunlight was procurable. The production of the phenomenon was traced to the peculiar texture of the membrane covering the cornea. The dependence of the whole on parallax was confirmed by the appearance of the radiant spectrum in precisely the same position with reference to the bright spectrum, when it was produced artificially by interposing a plate of slightly ground glass in the course of the light, so long as this plate was sufficiently near the eye to produce the phenomenon at all. A farther confirmation was given by the fact that, if the eye be near the prism, the appearance is the same on whichever side of the prism the ground glass be placed. The effects of achromatic prisms, of absorption by coloured glasses, and of the use of various kinds of homogeneous light taken from a pure spectrum, were also described.
1. Pyramidal Structures in Egypt and elsewhere; and the Objects of their Erection
Authors: Simpson J. Y.
Published: June 2016

After considering the many proposed derivations of the word Pyramid, it was pointed out that the origin of the name suggested by the distinguished Egyptologist, Mr Birch, from two Coptic words, “pouro” “the king,” and “emahau” or “maha,” “tomb,”—the two in combination signifying “the king's tomb,”—was probably correct. “Men,” in Coptic, signifies “monument,” “memorial;” and “pouro-men” or “king's monument” may possibly also be the original form of the word. Various authors, as Pope, Pownall, Daniel Wilson, Burton, had long applied the term pyramid to the larger forms of conical and round sepulchral mounds, cairns, or barrows—such as are found in Ireland, Brittany, Orkney, &c., and in numerous districts of the New World as well as the Old; and which are all characterised by containing in their interior, chambers or cells, constructed usually of large stones, and with megalithic galleries leading into them.
3. Physical Proof that the Geometric Mean of any Number of Quantities is less than the Arithmetic Mean
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

If a number of equal masses of the same material be given, at different temperatures, and enclosed in an envelope impervious to heat, they will finally assume a common temperature; which is the arithmetic mean of the initial temperatures, if the material be one whose specific heat does not vary with temperature.

But they may be brought to a common temperature by means of reversible thermodynamic engines employed to obtain the utmost amount of work from the initial unequal distribution. This question was first investigated by Thomson (Phil. Mag. 1853, “On the Restoration of Energy from an unequally heated Space”), and the application of his method to the present problem shows that the final common temperature of the masses, when as much work as possible has been obtained from them, is the geometric mean of the initial temperatures; but this investigation introduces the condition that the temperatures must be measured from the absolute zero.
2. On the Rotation of a Rigid Body about a Fixed Point
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

This paper contains an attempt to exhibit the mutual relations of some of the more important of the various processes which have been employed in solving one of the most celebrated problems of Dynamics. The Quaternion analysis has been throughout used, as far more briefly comprehensive and more suggestively expressive than the ordinary Cartesian analysis.
3. An Investigation into some previously undescribed Tetanic Symptoms produced by Atropia in Cold-Blooded Animals
Authors: Fraser Thomas R.
Published: June 2016

Authorities in toxicology appear to agree in including convulsions among the effects of belladonna and of its active principle—atropia—on man. Convulsive and tetanic symptoms would appear to be also nearly constantly produced when fatal doses of this poison are administered to dogs, rabbits, and other animals, and to various birds. The recent remarkable progress of our knowledge of the exact and intimate physiological action of various medicinal substances is greatly due to investigations that have been made on animals of a lower type of organisation; and, accordingly, numerous observers have instituted experiments with atropia on such animals, and, especially, on frogs.
3. Notice of a Remarkable Mirage Observed in the Firth of Forth
Authors: Christison
Published: June 2016

Some years ago, when visiting on the 31st of May the beautiful scenery of Dalmeny Park, I observed about three in the afternoon, from the terrace on which stand the ruins of Barenbougle Castle, some remarkable examples of mirage on the Firth of Forth which are perhaps worthy of record.

The atmosphere was uncommonly clear in every direction, sunshiny, warm, calm; and what little wind there was came from the south west. But a black, sultry-looking cloud was forming at the same time in the north-west, from which in an hour and a half afterwards, as I was on my way home to town, a severe thunderstorm gradually spread south-eastward over the whole Firth and surrounding country.
1. Practical Note on Intensified Gravity in Centrifugal Governors
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi
Published: June 2016

This paper, after a short introduction upon previous publications and experiences, describes in a plain and practical manner four steps of improvement recently made in the centrifugal governor of an equatorial driving clock; and touches on

1. The number of the pendulums;

2. Their weight and momentum;

3. Their chronometric principle; and

4. The intensification of the effect of gravity upon them, chiefly to increase the promptitude and energy of the centrifugal action.
Mr Mill's Theory of Geometrical Reasoning Mathematically Tested
Authors: Smith W. R.
Published: June 2016

An amusing and instructive example of the way in which logicians are accustomed to dogmatise upon the theory of sciences that they do not understand, is afforded by Mr Mill's explanation of the nature of geometrical reasoning.

Those who remember that Mr Mill assures Dr Whewell that he has conscientiously studied geometry (Logic, 7th ed. I. 270), will probably find some difficulty in believing that the demonstration of Euc. I5, which Mr Mill offers as an illustration of the justice of his theory of geometrical reasoning, depends on the axiom, that triangles, having two sides equal each to each, are equal in all respects. Such, nevertheless, is the case; and when one sees this absurdity pass unmodified from edition to edition of Mr Mill's Logic, and when even Mansel, Mr Mill's watchful enemy, tells us that “against the form of the geometrical syllogism, as exhibited by Mr Mill, the logician will have no objections to allege” (Mansel's Aldrich, 3d ed., p. 255), one cannot but think that logic would make more progress if logicians would give a little more attention to the processes they profess to explain.
An Account of the Anthropoid Apes, chiefly with reference to Specimens recently acquired by the Edinburgh Museum of Science and Art
Authors: Allman
Published: June 2016

In taking cranial capacity as a ground of comparison between the Anthropoids and Man, he gave some measurements of skulls contained in the Museum. The capacity of the cranial cavity in the Gorilla skeleton belonging to the Museum is 29 cubic inches. Considerably larger gorilla skulls, however, have been measured. The smallest healthy adult human skulls in the Museum are those of two Andaman Islanders. Of these, one has a cranial capacity of 75·5 cubic inches, and the other a capacity of 72 cubic inches. Next to these comes a Peruvian skull; its cranial cavity measures 76 cubic inches. The smallest healthy adult human skull measured by Morton was also that of a Peruvian, whose cranial capacity measured only 58 cubic inches.
On Chemical Structure
Authors: Brown A. Crum
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author drew attention to the nature of the process of Chemical Exchange (including substitution, double decomposition, and some cases of direct addition and subtraction), as a process by which the number of relations in which any given atom stands is unaffected. He pointed out the connection between this process and the notion of chemical structure, and discussed the nature of those chemical processes in which the number of relations of an atom is increased or diminished.
On the Rectangular Current Theory of Storms, illustrated by two Storms which passed over the United States, from the 13th to 19th March 1869
Authors: Russell Robert
Published: June 2016

The author's former views on American storms were first alluded to—i.e., that the phenomena could only be accounted for on the supposition that there were two distinct currents. Instead of these being parallel, they were more nearly at right angles to each other. The southerly current on the eastern axis of storms brought up heat and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, causing the barometers to fall. The west or north-west wind, on the other hand, cleared the southerly current away, causing the temperature everywhere to fall and the barometer to rise.
Observations on New Lichenicolous Micro-Fungi
Authors: Lindsay W. Lauder
Published: June 2016

The author's “Observations” relate mainly to the Microscopic Anatomy of the reproductive tissues and corpuscles of about fifty Lichenicolous Parasites—apparently new species—referable partly to the true Fungi, and partly to the Fungo-Lichenes. These parasites, themselves microscopic, have accumulated in the author's Herbarium during the last twelve or fifteen years: or were examined by him while determining the species of various British and foreign Lichen-collections submitted for that purpose during the same period.
On the Theory of the Formation of Ammonia when Nitrogen and Aqueous Vapour are passed over Magnesium
Authors: Catton A. R.
Published: June 2016

In a paper recently communicated to the Society by Mr Main and myself, we showed that when nitrogen and aqueous vapour are passed over magnesium ammonia is formed. We took for granted the theory of the reaction to be that the magnesium decomposes the aqueous vapour, and that the hydrogen thus produced, when in the nascent state, combines with nitrogen and forms ammonia. In a discussion which followed the reading of the paper, Mr Dittmar maintained that such was not the theory of the reaction, but that nitride of magnesium is first produced, and then decomposed by the aqueous vapour into ammonia and magnesia.
Influence of the Vagus upon the Vascular System
Authors: Rutherford William
Published: June 2016

The author gave the chief results of 120 experiments upon frogs, rabbits, and dogs, as follows:—

1. He showed, by novel methods of experimentation, that the inferior cardiac branches of the vagi are—as the brothers Weber. pointed out—inhibitory nerves of the heart, and that they cannot in any sense be regarded as motor nerves of the heart, as maintained by Schiff, Moleschott, Lister, and others. The experiments bearing on this question were performed in 1866–67.
On the Alkaloids contained in the Wood of the Bebeeru or Greenheart Tree (Nectandra Rodiœi, Schomb.)
Authors: Maclagan Douglas , Gamgee Arthur
Published: June 2016

When the wood of the bebeeru tree is subjected to a process similar to that recommended in the British Pharmacopœia for the separation of bebeerine from the bark, a mixture of several alkaloids is obtained.

In this memoir the authors specially describe the properties of one of these alkaloids, to which they have assigned the name Nectandria and the formula C20H23NO4. (Bebeerine, according to V. Planta, has the formula C18H21NO3). Nectandria is obtained by treating the mixed alkaloids obtained from the wood with chloroform, in which it is abundantly soluble.
On the Annual Range of Temperature over the Globe
Authors: Johnston Keith
Published: June 2016

The subject of range of temperature has been divided by meteorologists into the two main heads of Diurnal and Annual range, the former being measured by the variation of temperature between the warmest and coldest hours of the day, the latter by the difference of temperature between the warmest and coldest months of the year.

For a study of diurnal range we should require a series of observations for every hour of the day and night from all parts of the earth, and the places where such laborious observations have been made are as yet very few; but the returns of daily and monthly temperatures now obtainable from all countries are sufficient for a tolerably complete study of the simpler head of annual range.
On the Causes of Volcanic Action
Authors: Murphy Joseph John
Published: June 2016

In offering these remarks on the causes of volcanic action, I take it as proved that volcanoes are in communication with a reservoir of heat, occupying the centre of the earth: which heat, however, the earth is gradually, though very slowly, losing; partly by volcanic eruptions, partly by hot springs, and partly by the slow conduction of heat towards the surface through the strata.

I also take it as proved, that the earth is not fluid but solid throughout; or, at least, that its solid crust is of such thickness that the earth is to be regarded for all purposes as a solid body. Consequently the production of lava—that is to say, the liquefaction from heat of a small portion of the solid mass of the earth—is a strictly local occurrence; this is sufficiently proved by the well-known fact, that the lava stands at different levels in different volcanic craters, even when they are in eruption at the same time, and very near each other: as in the case of Mauna-Loa and Kilanea, in Hawaii (Scrope on Volcanoes, p. 262), which would be impossible if there were any free hydraulic communication between the different reservoirs of lava.
2. On the Preparation of Adamantine Carbon or Diamond
Authors: Marsden E. Sydney
Published: June 2016

The preparation of adamantine carbon or diamond has exercised the genius of philosophers from the very earliest times; but it was not until the middle of the last century (1772) that Lavoisier established the diamond's true nature—notwithstanding the simplicity of the experiments required to demonstrate the fact—and showed it to consist of pure carbon in a crystallised state. Since that time very many attempts have been made to prepare it artificially, but until the recent and now famous experiments of Mr J. B. Hannay there has not been the slightest approach towards the solution of this problem. Great obstacles stood in the way of success, the chief being the complete insolubility of carbon in all known liquids, coupled with its non-volatility and infusibility; while the subject was rendered even more difficult and obscure, by ignorance of the conditions under which the diamond is produced in nature, its peculiar crystalline form, together with extreme rarity, indicating a probable very slow formation, and rare natural existence of the conditions necessary for its formation.