bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Estimation of Uric Acid in the Urine. A Reply to Criticisms upon the Silver Method
Authors: Haycraft John Berry
Published: June 2016

I published in the Brit. Med. Jour., December 12, 1885, a method invented by me for the easy and yet accurate estimation of uric acid. The method consists in precipitating the uric acid as a silver salt, estimating the silver, and calculating the uric acid from the silver (168 uric acid to 108 silver). As no process was then invented which had itself been tested, except as Salkowski's, by the side of others acknowledged to be inexact, I did all my work with weighed quantities of uric acid, and tested my process—the only straightforward way of working—by adding known quantities of uric acid to one of two samples of a urine, and finding as a result of my estimations of the uric acid in the two samples practically the same difference as the weight of acid added. Hermann confirms my work (Zeitsch. f. physiol. Chemie, Bd. xii. s. 496), and Czapek, working with Professor Huppert, proposes a modification of my method, while Camerer's results (Zeitsch. f. Biologie, Bd. xxvii. s. 113) run on parallel lines. My results have been adversely criticised by Salkowski, who still maintains that uric acid and silver do not combine in a definite ratio. This observer published in 1872 twelve analyses, which show, according to his belief, that there is no constancy in the proportion between the silver and uric acid, and in 1889 he again affirms the same thing, bringing forward in proof of his assertion some dozen analyses made by his colleague Professor Jolin and himself. I was for some time unwilling to take up the controversy where Professor Salkowski had left it, for, certain of the care with which my own work had been done, I was quite willing to let the matter be settled by other and less prejudiced persons, especially as such seemed willing enough to undertake the task. As, however, my method had been widely used, especially for clinical purposes, and as I had frequently to answer queries concerning its accuracy, I felt it my duty carefully to examine once more the whole question, and if there was any doubt about it, at once to set that doubt at rest. I was I confess agreeably surprised to find that Professor Salkowski had made a slight mistake, which when rectified places his own results and mine in complete accord. In order to make this point quite clear I will venture to reproduce Professor Salkowski's results, arranging his analyses in order, beginning with the one having the least uric acid.
The Thermoelectric Positions of Cobalt and Bismuth
Authors: Knott Cargill G.
Published: June 2016

So far as I know, the only satisfactory determination of the position of the cobalt line on the thermoelectric diagram was made by Professor Tait's students in the Physical Laboratory of Edinburgh University some fifteen years ago. The position of the cobalt line, so found, was given along with the positions of certain alloys in a paper by Professor J. Gordon MacGregor and myself, published in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, vol. xxviii. (1878). The particular specimen of cobalt used in these early experiments was a short rod obtained by electrolytic decomposition. The noteworthy facts regarding its thermoelectric line were that it lay below nickel on the diagram, and that its inclination to the lead line was much greater than the inclinations of the iron and nickel lines.
On the Gravimetric Composition of Water. A Preliminary Communication
Authors: Dittmar W.
Published: June 2016

On the strength of Dumas' famous Recherche sur la Composition de l'Eau, and adopting the great master's own interpretation of his results, all chemists, until lately, agreed in assigning to the atomic weight of oxygen the value O = 16 (H = l ) ; and it is on the strength chiefly of the same experiments that many of us now hold that O = 15·96 is a closer approximation to the truth !
Investigation of the Action of Nicol's Polarising Eye-Piece
Authors: Sang E.
Published: June 2016

The first announcement of the construction of this important instrument appeared almost paradoxical: a piece of calcareous spar was to be cut in two, the surfaces of the section polished, and then reunited by help of Canada Balsam: and it seemed strange that from such an operation there should have resulted any change in the optical properties of the mass. Even now that the instrument has been in use for some time, the true nature of its performance is often misunderstood ; while no investigation has been made public, the object of which is to enquire into the laws of the action, and into the circumstances which determine the peculiar forms of the parts.
A New Form of Juxtapositor to bring into Accurate Contact the Edges of the two Beams of Light used in Spectrophotometry, with an application to Polarimetry
Authors: Milne J. R.
Published: June 2016

In the ordinary spectrophotometer and in Laurent's “half-shade “polarimeter, two neighbouring patches of light of the same colour but of different intensities are presented to the eye of the observer, who by an appropriate means reduces the intensity of the brighter until in his judgment it is brought down to the same intensity as the other. The accuracy of such a measurement must depend on two factors. The first factor is the accuracy with which the observer's eye can judge of the equality of the two patches of light, and the second factor is the accuracy with which the instrumental reading indicates the intensity of the comparison beam, i.e., of the beam whose brightness is reduced till it becomes equal to that of the other. Now it is found that in ordinary cases the error of the eye's judgment in such measurements amounts to about 4% or 5%, while the measurement of the instrumental regulation of the light can be made much more accurately.
On Professor Seeliger's Theory of Temporary Stars
Authors: Halm J.
Published: June 2016

Professor Becker's paper “On the Spectrum of Nova Persei and the Structure of its Bands,” recently published in the Transactions of this Society, contains an interesting confirmation of some results already pointed out by Messrs Campbell and Wright of the Lick Observatory, which seem to be of considerable importance for the theory of temporary stars. By most careful micrometric measurements of the positions of the bright and dark bands in the photographic spectrum of Nova Persei, Professor Becker arrives at the conclusion that all the bands are similar in type, and that the distances of corresponding maxima and minima from the centres of the bands are proportional to the wave-lengths. The results derived from the Lick photographs point to exactly the same conclusion. It appears, therefore, from these two carefully and independently executed series of observations, that the chemical nature of the elements, whose light-vibrations gave rise to the selective radiations and absorptions noticed in Nova Persei, had no influence on the appearance of the bands. According to the Lick observers, there is no evidence that the structure and character of these bands were affected by other considerations than that of wave-length.
XXXII.—The Theory of Jacobians in the Historical Order of Development up to 1860
Authors: Muir Thomas
Published: June 2016

My last communication in reference to the history of Jacobians dealt with the period 1815–1841 (Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., xxiv. pp. 151–195). The present paper continues the history up to 1860.
XXXV.—The Development of the Auditory Ossicles in the Horse, with a Note on their possible Homologues in the Lower Vertebrata
Authors: Coyle Ray F.
Published: June 2016

The discussion as to the homologies existing between the sound-conducting apparatus of the mammalia and certain elements of the lower jaw and branchial skeleton of fishes has occupied the attention of numerous authors. In fact the question may be considered as a classic, dating as it does to at least 1778, when Geoffry published his Dissertations sur l'organe de l'ouie de l'homme, des reptiles, et des poissons. From that time until 1898—from Geoffry to Gaupp—the contributions to the literature upon this subject constituted an enormous amount. Inasmuch as Gaupp has given a detailed and masterly review of the literature up to the time of his work (1898), and since Fuchs thoroughly covered the ground seven years later, I shall not undertake that task in the present communication. Moreover, as this paper is in the nature of a preliminary report upon the entire developmental history of the skull in the horse, I shall not here review in detail the contributions to the literature since the time of Fuchs' account (1905)
On Tetrabothrium torulosum and Tetrabothrium auriculatum
Authors: von Linstow O.
Published: June 2016

In my report on the Entozoa, brought home by the “Challenger” expedition, I described two new species as Tetrabothrium torulosum (from Diomedea brachyura) and Tetrabothrium auriculatum (from Thalassœca glacialis and Daption capensis) My descriptions have recently been subjected to adverse criticism by Fuhrmann, who maintains that these two species do not belong to the genus Tetrabothrium, but to the genus Prosthecocotyle; that Tetrabothrium auriculatum is identical with Tetrabothrium (Amphoterocotyle) elegans-heteroclitum, Diesing; that these two Cestodes are not Tetrabothria but typical Tœnice; that my drawing of the scolex of Tetrdbothrium torulosum does not correspond with the actual relations; and that my representation of the masculine genital organs of Tetrabothrium auriculatum is inaccurate.
II.—Quantitative Evolution. IV. Deductions from the BAT Curve
Authors: Small J.
Published: June 2016

The preceding papers of this series have demonstrated (1) that there is a progressive increase of average Dp‐age in the subdivisions of Compositæ which can be correlated with geological age as determined from other data (Small and Johnston, 1937); (2) that these Dp‐ages, when placed on a time‐scale of years, follow a peculiar exponential curve, called the BAT curve (Small, 1937, Q.E. II); (3) that the measure of age in years which is given by the BAT curve can be used successfully for the Grasses (Small, 1937, Q.E. III).
XIV.—The Association of Non‐homologous Chromosomes in Corixidæ (Hemiptera‐Heteroptera)
Authors: Slack H. D.
Published: June 2016

Karyological studies on spermatogenesis in species of aquatic bugs of the family Corixidæ have brought to light several examples of an unusual type of chromosome behaviour during the course of meiosis. It is considered to be an association of non‐homologues in a manner unexampled in other animal species.
XXVIII.—The Theory of Hessians in the Historical Order of Development up to 1860.
Authors: Muir Thomas
Published: June 2016

SPECIAL cases of the determinant

where u is a function of x, y, z, …, may well have appeared at a very early date in the history of determinants. The case where u=ax2+2bxy+cy2 may be viewed as traceable to Lagrange (1773), and the case where u=ax2+by2+cz2+2dyz+2ezx+2fxy to Gauss (1801); but it is certain that in those cases the elements of the determinants were not looked on as second differential-quotients of u. The general conception first occurred to Hesse in the year 1843.
XLI.—The Theory of General Determinants in the Historical Order of Development up to 1860.
Authors: Muir Thomas
Published: June 2016

MY last communication in reference to the history of general determinants dealt with the period 1844–1852 (Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., xxv. pp. 908–947). The present paper continues the history up to 1860, but in addition contains an account of five writings belonging to previous periods, namely, by Bianchi (1839), Chelini (1840), Terquem (1846), Hermite (1849), Salmon (1852).
XVI.—Cytogenetical Analysis of the Chromosomes in the Pig
Authors: Crew F. A. E. , Koller P. C.
Published: June 2016

Now that it is accepted that the phenomena observed in genetical experimentation are repercussions of events which have occurred previously in the chromosomes, it is the rule confidently to appeal, whenever possible, to the evidence derived from cytological studies for final explanations of genetical behaviour. This being so, it follows that in those instances in which, for any reason, experimental breeding work is difficult, studies of the chromosomes during the division cycles may be expected to yield significant information concerning the peculiarities of hereditary transmission that might be expected were such genetical investigation undertaken. Further, the larger mammals of economic importance are, under present conditions, unsatisfactory genetical material; they are expensive, and commonly the details of structure and function which they present for examination are not easily or precisely definable and seem to obey no simple rule of inheritance. For these reasons it seems desirable that thorough cytological studies of these forms should be undertaken, for at least these are not costly and they may be expected to provide explanations of the apparently complicated genetic behaviour which these forms exhibit.
XXX.—The Geometry of Twin Crystals
Authors: Evans John W.
Published: June 2016

In a communication to the Mineralogical Society, published in September 1910 (Min. Mag., vol. xv. p. 390), I suggested that the relation between the component structures of twin crystals was similar to that existing in combinations of crystals of different substances with definite relative orientation (Barker, Min. Mag., vol. xiv., 1907, p. 235), and was determined by equality of molecular distances in the two structures in the plane of contact or composition.

It has been my purpose in the present paper to determine what are the possible, geometrical relations between crystal structures in which such equality exists in all or some of the molecular rows in the plane of contact.
XIX.—Description of a Projection-Model of the 600-Cell in Space of Four Dimensions
Authors: Sommerville D. M. Y.
Published: June 2016

§ 1. In 1880 Stringham proved that in space of four dimensions there exist six and no more regular rectilinear figures, whose boundaries are regular polyhedra. The same result was arrived at independently by Hoppe in the following year. In 1883 Schlegel gave an extensive investigation of the same problem, and constructed projection-models of the six regular figures, which were exhibited at the Magdeburg meeting of the Society of German Naturalists in 1884. This series of models was published by the firm L. Brill of Darmstadt and is obtainable from their successors, Martin Schilling in Leipzig.
XIX.—“ Spheroidal”: A Mutant inDrosophila funebrisaffecting Egg Size and Shape, and Fecundity
Authors: Crew F. A. E. , Auerbach Charlotte
Published: June 2016

In the course of a study of fecundity inDrosophila funebris(Donald and Lamy, 1937), it was noted that a particular female was laying very few eggs, and that the shape of these was peculiar. Among her descendants other females of similarly low fecundity and laying eggs of the same abnormal shape were encountered, and it was assumed therefore that a mutation affecting fecundity and egg shape had been recognised. In this paper evidence concerning the type of heredity of these characteristics is presented, and a statistical description of the morphological aspect of the new mutation, the size and shape of the egg, as compared with those of the normalD. funebrisegg, is given.
XXI.—On the Immature Stages of some Scottish and other Psyllidæ
Authors: Lal K. B.
Published: June 2016

The nymphs that are here described belong to those species the biology of which has been discussed in a previous paper (Lal, 1934 b). The plan followed was the one originally adopted by Ferris (1923), in which descriptions and illustrations of all morphological features important in the identification of the species of the nymph, apart from the adult, were prepared from careful examination of specimens mounted for microscopic observation. The importance of such a study has been increasingly appreciated in the last decade, both from the economic and the systematic points of view. Harmful species of Psyllidæ are mainly injurious because of the feeding activities of their immature stages, and there are but two species known, Psyllia pyricola Först. and Paratrioza cockerelli Sulc., in which the adults have also been found to be capable of causing injury. On the other hand, the specific determination of immature stages has been rendered difficult owing to the fact (first) that the published descriptions of individual species of nymphs are often found to be applicable to species other than those to which the particular description refers; and (second) that sometimes the nymphs of two closely allied species are distinguished by such marked differences as to warrant the adults being assigned to different genera and even subfamilies. Such cases have been mentioned by Crawford (1919), Ferris (1928 a), Husain and Nath (1927), and have been summarised by Rahman (1932) in the introductory part of his paper. The present descriptions have, therefore, been prepared with the avowed objects of facilitating the determination of individual species, where comparison with allied species is impossible owing to lack of available material, and also of assessing the value of the various nymphal characters with a view to establishing a classification based on these as contrasted with one based upon the characters of the adults.
IX.—The Dynamics of the Formation of Cone-sheets, Ring-dykes, and Caldron-subsidences
Authors: Anderson E. M.
Published: June 2016

A System of intrusions of the type now known as cone-sheets was first definitely recognized and mapped by Harker in the Cuillin district of Skye, and was described by him in the Geological Survey memoir issued in 1904. The members of the complex were simply designated “inclined sheets,” but they incline inwards towards a common centre from north, west, south, and south-east. When the Scottish Survey undertook the mapping of Mull, in the years preceding the war, two further series of centrally inclined intrusions were soon recognized. Owing to the number of these sheets, and consequent liability to confusion, individual members can seldom be traced very far, or shown to have arcuate curvature. But the systems as a whole sweep round centres in continuous curves. In one case the curve was originally closed, though it has been somewhat interrupted by later intrusions. In the other case the main body of sheets only forms a horse-shoe. Nevertheless the term cone-sheets, which was here applied to these intrusions by Professor Bailey, is extremely appropriate.
Suggestions towards a Theory of Electricity based on the Bubble Atom
Authors: Fraser John
Published: June 2016

In a paper read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh, on 6th January 1902, and printed in its “Proceedings,” I attempted to explain the constitution of matter by supposing the atoms of matter to be bubbles of ether.

In order to fully understand what follows it is absolutely necessary to read that paper in its entirety, but for the benefit of those who may not have access to it, or who do not care to enter deeply into the subject, I give a short synopsis of it.
Certain Mathematical Instruments for Graphically Indicating the Direction of Refracted and Reflected Light Rays
Authors: Milne J.R.
Published: June 2016

The refraction equation sin i == μ sin r, though simple in itself, is apt to give rise, in problems connected with refraction, to formulæ too involved for arithmetical computation. In such cases it may be necessary to trace the course through the optical system in question of a certain number of arbitrarily chosen rays, and thence to find the course of the other rays by interpolation. The

linkage about to be described affords a rapid and accurate means of determining the paths of the rays through any optical system.
On the Volume Effects of Magnetisation
Authors: Knott Cargill G. , Shand A.
Published: June 2016

In a previous communication (see page 85) the remarkable changes of capacity of an iron tube when magnetised were described. In the present note it is proposed to record a few of the more striking results since obtained.
XXV.—The Influence of Twist on the Strength of a Thread
Authors: Oliver Thomas
Published: June 2016

On this very important subject I have not been able to discover much published work of a quantitative description. Professor Hartig, a writer in Dingler's Polytechnic Journal, 1879, appears to have made a special study on the strengths of threads, and was able to express the results of his investigation in the algebraic formula.
XXVI.—A New Method of determining the Degree of Twist in Single Threads
Authors: Oliver Thomas
Published: June 2016

The determination of the degree of twist in a folded or ply thread composed of two or more strands is an easy matter. It is merely necessary to stretch the thread between two clamps, one being fixed and the other forming the end of a bar which can be rotated about its axis. A counter is attached to indicate the number of rotations. Rotating the thread in the opposite direction to its twist ultimately brings the singles parallel to each other. This point is easily observed. If we apply this method to single yarns we are at once confronted with the difficulty that the fibres constituting the yarn cannot be reduced to exact parallelism with each other.
XXXVI.—Preliminary Note on the action of Sodium Ethylate on Trichloromethyl-Sulphonic Chloride
Authors: Brown A. Crum , Cowie Thomas F.
Published: June 2016

Trichloromethyl-Sulphonic Chloride in ethereal solution acts readily on sodium ethylate, and the same reaction takes place when the solutions of the two substances in absolute alcohol are mixed.
XXV.—Notes on the Structure of the Chalk occurring in the West of Scotland
Authors: Hill William
Published: June 2016

The general succession of the Cretaceous rocks discovered by Professor Judd on Morvern, along the shores of Loch Aline, Argyllshire, and in the Isle of Mull may be briefly summarised:—
XVI.—The Theory of Compound Determinants from 1900 to 1920
Authors: Muir Thomas
Published: June 2016

The number of writings on compound determinants in the period 1900–1920 is almost identical with the number for the immediately preceding twenty-year period. The languages used by the writers are at least as numerous: but the contributions made by the various nationalities are relatively much altered in amount. The former strikingly high proportion of Magyar work is not at all maintained, and German has somewhat fallen off: on the other hand, English and Italian have increased. Although statements at variance with historical accuracy, and the publication of old results as new, are still more common than they ought to be, pleasing evidence is not awanting of improvement in these respects. There is nothing so glaring, for example, as the fact chronicled against the writers of the two preceding periods that they had unwittingly rediscovered ten times a theorem that had appeared in so well known a journal as Liouville's in 1851.
XII.—Isohedral and Isogonal Generalizations of the Regular Polyhedra
Authors: Sommerville D. M. Y.
Published: June 2016

0.1. In Max Brückner's discussion of isohedral (gleichflächig) and isogonal (gleicheckig) polyhedra (Vielecke und Vielflache, pp. 140 ff.) two faces of a polyhedron are defined to be equal when they are either directly or inversely congruent, and the dihedral angles at corresponding edges are equal; two vertices are equal when the spherical polygons, which they form on unit spheres with centres at the vertices, are either directly or inversely congruent, and the lengths of corresponding edges are equal. With these definitions he shows that all possible isogonal polyhedra are obtained by truncating the corners and edges of the regular n-sided prism, the octahedron and hexahedron, and the icosahedron and dodecahedron, in a manner similar to that in which the semi-regular polyhedra are obtained from the regular polyhedra. The semi-regular or Archimedean bodies are indeed just special varieties of the more general isogonal polyhedra. The isohedral polyhedra are the polar reciprocals of the isogonal polyhedra, and are obtained from the regular double-pyramid and the regular polyhedra by the reciprocal constructions, “pointing” the faces and edges.
XXIV.—Adrenaline and the Œstrous Cycle in the Mouse
Authors: Robson J. M.
Published: June 2016

The injection of adrenaline hydrochloride into mature female mice is able to inhibit the occurrence of oestrus.

The injection of adrenaline hydrochloride into immature female mice prevents the onset of sexual maturity.

Adrenaline does not interfere with the action of α-hormone (œstrin) on the uterus and vagina; it has an inhibitory effect on the action of gonadotropic hormones (prepared from pregnancy urine) on the ovary.

I should like to thank Mr P. G. Marshall for the supply of gonadotropic preparation from pregnancy urine used in these experiments.
The Design and Interpretation of Experiments based on a Four-fold Table : the Statistical Assessment of the Effect of Treatment
Authors: Kermack W. O. , McKendrick A. G.
Published: June 2016

1. Formulæ are given in a convenient form for calculating the numbers of animals likely to be required in a controlled experiment for testing the effect of a treatment, when a rough knowledge of the possible maximum efficiency of the treatment is available, and the level of mortality amongst the controls is approximately known. For most purposes formula (8) is sufficiently accurate.

2. A formula (11) is deduced for calculating the limits between which the real advantage of the treated over the control is likely to lie.

3. The method has been extended to the case where various treatments are compared amongst themselves. A formula (15) is deduced for the calculation of the limits within which the real superiority (or inferiority) of any one treatment over the aggregate of all the treatments is likely to lie.
XIII.—Studies in Clocks and Time-keeping: No. 4. The Present-day Performance of Clocks
Authors: Sampson R. A.
Published: June 2016

The actual performance that can be obtained from a clock under the most favourable circumstances is a matter of considerable scientific as well as technical interest, and this has been stimulated recently by the development of the Shortt clock. While there is no question that this clock can hold its rate in a way that no other type will do, there is evidence that exaggerated expectations are entertained with respect to its performance, even in well-informed quarters. This is my reason for publishing the following particulars, which are a digested account of the going of two of these clocks at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, during the year 1927.
III.—Double Binary Forms
Authors: Turnbull H. W.
Published: June 2016

In the Quarterly Journal, No. 162, 1910, Professor A. R. Forsyth considered some of the problems arising from a homographic transformation of plane curves whose equations could be written in the form

where F is a rational integral function of z and z′, and where z = x + iy, z′ = x − iy determine the rectangular Cartesian coordinates of the plane. It was suggested that the theory could be developed algebraically by using the symbolic methods of the German school which proved so powerful in furthering the theory of binary forms.
XIX.—The Bone-Cave in the Valley of Allt nan Uamh (Burn of the Caves), near Inchnadamff, Assynt, Sutherlandshire
Authors: Peach B. N. , Horne J. , Newton E. T.
Published: June 2016

A characteristic feature of the plateau of Cambrian Limestone in the neighbourhood of Inchnadamff is the occurrence in it of swallow-holes, caves, and subterranean channels which are intimately associated with the geological history of the region. The valley of Allt nan Uamh (Burn of the Caves), locally known as the Coldstream Burn, furnishes striking examples of these phenomena. One of the caves in this valley yielded an interesting succession of deposits, from which were collected abundant remains of mammals and birds. The discovery of bones of the Northern Lynx, the Arctic Lemming, and the Northern Vole among these relics, and the collateral evidence of the materials forming some of these layers, seem to link the early history of this bone-cave with late glacial time, or at least with a period before the final disappearance of local glaciers in that region.
XXIV.—Chemical Combination and Sir Alfred Ewing's Magnetic Atom
Authors: Laurie A. P.
Published: June 2016

The outcome of recent investigations into the properties of matter has been to show that the atom, in all probability, consists of a positive nucleus surrounded by electrons. The distribution of the electrons round the positive nucleus is controlled by the attraction of the positive nucleus on the electrons and by the repulsion of the electrons for each other. Sir J. J. Thomson and others have investigated mathematically and experimentally the laws governing such a distribution, on the assumption that the electrons are stationary in relation to each other and to the positive nucleus.
Notes on the Effect of Electric Oscillations (co-directional and transverse) on the Magnetic Properties of Iron
Authors: Russell James
Published: June 2016

In the present communication I propose (1) to give some account of preliminary experiments in which the effects of codirectional and transverse oscillations upon the magnetic properties of iron are directly compared with each other and with the normal curves without oscillations.

Numerous experiments have been made with co-directional oscillations alternately assisting and opposing the field; also with oscillatory currents in iron wires longitudinally magnetised, giving rise to transverse oscillatory effects.
IX.—The Influence of Gelatin on the Stability of a Colloidal Solution of Cholesterol, and on the Charge on the Particles
Authors: Kermack William Ogilvy , MacCallum Peter
Published: June 2016

1. The properties of a colloidal sol of cholesterol have been investigated, more particularly in relation to the effect of pH in the presence of protein (gelatin) of various concentrations.

2. The cataphoretic P.D. between the particles of the sol and the medium has been determined in the presence of gelatin at various concentrations and at various pH values.

3. The effect of the presence of gelatin in preventing the precipitation of a cholesterol sol by sodium chloride at various pH values has been investigated. It has been shown that the amount of gelatin required to protect is approximately that required to cover the particles with a layer of gelatin from one to two atoms thick.

4. The mechanisms of precipitation and protection are discussed in the light of these results.
XXXVIII.—The Absorption of Light by Inorganic Salts. No. III.: Aqueous Solutions of Nickel Salts in the Visible Spectrum and the Infra-Red
Authors: Houstoun R. A.
Published: June 2016

The methods and the apparatus were the same as in the two previous articles of the series and hence need not be described, the only change being in connection with the galvanometer. Previously it had rested on the table, but when half the results in the infra-red recorded in this paper were obtained, the arrangement was changed; it was suspended by three iron wires each about one and a half metres long from a bracket in the wall and hung with its three levelling screws clearing the table by about one centimetre. Between the table and levelling screws were placed loose wads of cotton wool for the purpose of damping any vibrations that might arise. With this arrangement the zero is very much less sensitive to vibration. With the lamp and scale at one and a half metres—the distance at which they are ordinarily used now–vibrations of the laboratory rarely cause the zero to move mm. either way.
XLI.—On Sommerfeld's Form of Fourier's Repeated Integrals
Authors: Young W. H.
Published: June 2016

§ 1. In his treatise on Fourier Series and Integrals Carslaw quotes without proof Sommerfeld's theorem that

when the limit on the right-hand side exists. In applied mathematics, he remarks, it is this limit, rather than the corresponding Fourier repeated integral which occurs.

In the present paper I propose to extend this result in various ways. After proving Sommerfeld's result on the general hypothesis, not considered by him, that the integral is a Lebesgue integral, I show that the limit in question is whenever the origin is a point at which f(u) is the differential coefficient of its integral, and I obtain the corresponding results for

In all their generality these statements are only true when the interval (0, p) is a finite one. I then show how, under a variety of hypotheses with respect to the nature of f(x) at infinity, they can be extended so as to be still true when p = + ∞ . These hypotheses correspond precisely to those which have been proved f to be sufficient for the corresponding statements as to the Fourier sine and cosine repeated integrals in their usual forms.
XLIII.—The Relation of the Mono-Molecular Reaction to Life-Processes and to Immunity
Authors: Brownlee John
Published: June 2016

Some of the relationships, such as those between toxins and antitoxins, discovered during the last twenty years have lately been investigated by Arrhenius. It has been found by this observer that many of these processes can be adequately represented by the equations which govern homogeneous mass reactions; for instance, the rates of the disappearance of diphtheria antitoxin and of typhoid agglutinin from the circulation are described at least empirically by such a formula (Diagram I.)
XXIV.—The Grasp of Mind on Nature
Authors: Larmor Joseph
Published: June 2016

I wish to thank the Royal Society of Edinburgh for the indulgent appreciation of which this recognition is a token. It has always been a subject of gratification to me that I have been not unknown to this distinguished company, with its great historic traditions.
1. On the Economy of Single-Acting Expansive Steam-Engines, and Expansive Machines generally; being Supplements to a Paper on the Mechanical Action of Heat.
Authors: Rankine W. J. M.
Published: June 2016

The author, in the first place, states the equations, which, when used in conjunction with the Tables in the Appendix to the original paper referred to, serve to compute the action of Cornish pumping engines. They are similar in form to those of M. de Pambour, but differ in the expressions for the pressure and volume of steam, and for its expansive action, which the author in the original paper deduced from theory.
3. On the Nature of the Red Prominences observed during a Total Solar Eclipse.
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi
Published: June 2016

The author remarked, that the various observers who had seen the eclipse of 1842, gave such generally similar testimony of the place and the size of the red prominences as satisfactorily established them to be some celestial phenomenon. Then as to the question, whether they belong to the sun or the moon, the observers themselves were unanimous in the former view, and the red points then became flaming masses of fire some 40,000 miles in height.
2. On Meconic Acid, and some of its Derivatives.
Authors: How Henry
Published: June 2016

The author commenced his paper by observing that it formed a sequel to one communicated to the Society last Session on comenic acid; his object in the present instance having been partly to ascertain whether some of the substances described in his former paper could not be derived from meconic acid, which is the parent acid of comenic acid. This he shewed to be the case; but before detailing these experiments, he gave his process for purifying meconic acid, which is that of Gregory, modified by the use of ammonia instead of potass.
5. Dynamical Theory of Heat, Part VI. continued. A Mechanical Theory of Thermo-electric Currents in Crystalline Solids.
Authors: Thomson W.
Published: June 2016

In this paper the Mechanical Theory of Thermo-electric Currents in linear conductors of non-crystalline substance, first communicated to the Royal Society December 15, 1851, is extended to solids of any form and of crystalilne substance.

It is first proved, that if a solid be such that bars cut from it in different directions have different thermo-electric powers relatively to one another, or to other linear conductors, forming part of a circuit, there must, for every bar cut from it, except in certain particular directions (principal thermo-electric axes), be a new thermo-electric quality, of a kind quite distinct from any hitherto known; giving rise to a reciprocal thermo-dynamic action, which consists ofa difference in temperature at the sides of the bar causing a current to flow longitudinally, when the two ends, being at the same temperature, are connected by a uniformly heated conductor; and a current through the bar causing an absorption and evolution of heat at its two sides, when these are kept at the same temperature.
7. On the Structure of Diatomacea.
Authors: Dallas E. W.
Published: June 2016

The author directed attention to the following list of species, which, although imperfect, exhibits great variety in the forms, shewing the Medway to be very fertile in these organisms.

Some of the species in this list have been described as new to Britain by Mr Roper, in a late paper published in the Microscopical Journal. The Coscinodiscus, not named, seems from the description to be the same with that found at the mouth of the Thames, and is an exceedingly beautiful disc. The four species of Actinoptychus are those described by Ehrenberg, and are new British species. They exhibit the strong siliceous cellular tissue underneath the moniliform structure of the surface, as in Actinocyclus.
2. Note on the extent of our knowledge respecting the Moon's Surface.
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi
Published: June 2016

Taking advantage of the special attention paid at present to certain astronomical disquisitions, the author called attention to a particular point connected with the moon, which was first stated by the author of “The Plurality of Worlds,” and then made by him to prove that the moon must be uninhabited, and thence to lead to the conclusion that all the other planets were uninhabited also. This point was, that “observations having been made on the moon abundantly sufficient to detect the change caused by the growth of such cities as Manchester and Birmingham, no such changes having been perceived, the theory of non-habitation may be indulged in.”
2. Experiments on the Blood, showing the effect of a few Therapeutic Agents on that Fluid in a state of Health and of Disease.
Authors: Stark James
Published: June 2016

The author stated that when he commenced these experiments, in 1832, his object was to ascertain,first, what effect different diseases had on the constitution of the blood; and,secondly, what effect various therapeutic agents had on that fluid in a state of health and of disease. As the experiments of Andral and others, published since these experiments were commenced, had done much to elucidate many points of the first subject of inquiry, the author limited this communication to a small portion of the latter inquiry.
1. On the Urinary Secretion of Fishes, with some remarks on this secretion in other classes of animals.
Authors: Davy John
Published: June 2016

The urinary secretion of fishes, the author believes, has hitherto received so little attention owing to certain difficulties attending its investigation. He brings forward the few and imperfect observations he has made, with the hope of inducing others more favourably situated to prosecute the inquiry.

The fishes he has examined in quest of their urinary secretion have been fifteen; of those with a urinary bladder he found a fluid only in three, the Perch, Ling, and Ray; and in those without this organ, only in two, in their ureters—those of the Pike and Turbot.
1. On a Question of Arrangement and Probabilities
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

Many of the common illustrations of probabilities are taken from games in which each hand, or trick, must necessarily be won by one player, and lost by the other. It becomes an interesting question to inquire what modification is introduced if we contemplate the possibility of a hand, or trick, being drawn—i.e. not won or lost by either player. The only difficulty lies in taking account of the limiting conditions.
4. Observations and Experiments on the Cerebral Hemispheres and Corpora Striata of Birds
Authors: M'Kendrick
Published: June 2016

Surgeon-Major Black exhibited twenty-five large photographic views of the late eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which had been executed by his brother, John Melton Black, Esq.
1. On the Anatomy of a new species of Polyodon, the Polyodon Gladius of Martens, taken from the river Yang-tsze-Kiang, 450 miles above Woosung. Part II., being its Nervous and Muscular Systems
Authors: Handyside P. D.
Published: June 2016

The author showed to the Society a small entire specimen of the P. gladius, and next described, from a larger opened and dissected one, and from part of an adult fish, the spinal cord, the brain, the organs of the senses, and other parts of its nervous system. He illustrated his remarks by exhibiting four large drawings and nine smaller ones, including six microscopic views, explanatory of his description of the structure and disposition of the spino-cerebral axis, the encephalon as viewed from above and below, the ramifications of the encephalic nerves, and more particularly the structures subserving the senses of smell, sight, and hearing.
4. On a Compound formed by the addition of Bromacetic Acid to Sulphide of Methyl, and on some of its Derivatives
Authors: Brown Crum , Letts E. A.
Published: June 2016

The sulphine compounds discovered by v. Oefele, indicate that, notwithstanding the difference of atomicity, there exists an analogy between sulphur and nitrogen, these compounds corresponding to the salts of the ammonium bases, not only in chemical properties but also in physiological action.

The research, the results of which are communicated in this paper, was undertaken with the view of examining this analogy in some other directions.

It seemed reasonable to suppose that, as the nitrile bases, such as trimethylamine and strychnia unite with chloracetic acid to form compounds such as hydrochlorate of betaine and of glycolyl-strychnia, the sulphides of the alcohol radicals should act in a similar way. Experiments show that this is the case—bromacetic acid acting readily on sulphide of methyl to form a beautifully crystallised compound to which the authors give the name of hydrobromate of methyl-thetine. Analyses proved this substance to have the composition corresponding to the formula C4H9SBrO2 which is that of the sulphur analogue of the hydrobromate of betaine.
1. Supplementary Notice of the Fossil Trees of Craigleith Quarry
Authors: Christison R.
Published: June 2016

Seven fossils, all apparently belonging to the Pine tribe, and either to the same species, or to two closely allied to one another, have been uncovered since 1826 in the sandstone of Craigleith Quarry. Six are stems of great trees; and one is a longitudinally split section of a large branch, or possibly of another stem. Portions of all seven have been traced as still in existence, and have been subjected more or less to examination. Of one, the greatest of all, about 36 continuous feet, from 12 to 14 feet in girth, have been removed in large fragments to the British Museum, and will be pieced and erected there.
3. Note on Grouse Disease
Authors: Maclagan
Published: June 2016

The result of the author's examination of diseased birds has been to confirm the statements of Drs Cobbold and Crisp, lately published in the “British Medical Journal,” that diseased grouse, or at least the emaciated birds commonly known as “piners,” owe their depraved condition to a small thread-like worm (Strongylus pergracilis, Cobbold) which infests the cæca. The author concurs in the opinion entertained by most of those who have written on the subject, that the tape-worm (Tœnia calva), which is well known to infest the grouse, is not the cause of the disease. The Tœnia is undoubtedly often present along with the Strongylus in diseased birds, but is often found by itself in plump healthy grouse. The worst cases seem to be those in which both are present in quantity, as in one examined by the author, whose cæca was crowded with Strongyli, whilst the intestine contained ten tape-worms, the whole weight of the bird, a full-grown cock, being only 15½ ounces.
3. Notice of Striated Rock Surfaces on North Berwick Law
Authors: Stevenson David
Published: June 2016

The well marked “crag and tail” formation of North Berwick Law has long been appealed to by geologists as a striking example of the effects of those mysterious glacial currents, which at some time have wrought such changes on the surface of the globe. The Law presents, as is well known, a comparatively bold face, or crag to the west, against which the glacial current is supposed to have impinged, while, against its eastern face, there is a gently sloping mass of gravel, clay, and stones supposed to have been thrown up by this current under “lee” of the Law, and now forming what is called the “tail.” It had often occurred to me as remarkable, that so great a mass of debris should have been left by the passing current, whatever that may have been, on the eastern extremity of the hill, while it had apparently left no impression on the north and south sides, along which it must have passed.
XXVII.—A Common Thermometric Error in the Determination of Boiling-Points under Reduced Pressure
Authors: Smith Alexander , Menzies Alan W. C.
Published: June 2016

When the bulb of a thermometer is enclosed in an evacuated vessel, the dilatation of the bulb introduces a considerable error in the temperature readings. This fact may be well known, but in the literature of boiling-point and vapour-pressure determinations we have observed no reference to it, and no corrections on account of it. Yet, except in the roughest work, this effect cannot be ignored. Thus, a test carried out with eleven thermometers showed that when the pressure round the bulb was lowered from 748 mm. to 20 mm. and thermal equilibrium with the bath had been recovered, the readings were from 0·10° to 0·17° lower. In all but one case, when there was a slight permanent dilatation, the change was constant and was a linear function of the change in pressure. The change bore no relation to the sizes of the bulbs. The thickness of the glass varied considerably, but could not, of course, be measured.
XLII.—On the Precipitation of Soluble Chlorides by Hydrochloric Acid
Authors: Gibson John , Denison R. B.
Published: June 2016

In a communication made to this Society on December 6, 1897, a tendency towards maximum specific electrolytic conductivity was shown to be a characteristic of many chemical reactions. This tendency is very marked in reactions in which strong acids play a part. Thus, to take a well-known example, chlorine decomposes water under the influence of light with production of hydrogen chloride and oxygen, but as the hydrogen chloride accumulates in the solution, the decomposition of the water is more and more retarded. This photo-chemical reaction is a reversible one, for in the case of highly concentrated solutions the hydrogen chloride is oxidised to water and free chlorine.
XXI.—On the Deviation of the Torsional Oscillations of Metallic Wires from Isochronism
Authors: Peddie W.
Published: June 2016

1. The oscillations of a viscous wire exhibiting set are simple harmonic with regard to the position of set throughout the whole range of the in-motion and a considerable part of the out-motion. In the remainder of the out-motion the deviation from the simple harmonic condition is great.

2. The period of in-motion to the zero is distinctly greater than that of the out-motion from it.

3. A theoretical deduction of these results, and of the law of loss of energy per oscillation, can be founded on the assumption that that loss is due to the rupture of strained molecular (which may be finite crystalline) groups.

4. A sudden change in the oscillation parameters when the decreasing maxima pass through a definite magnitude is explainable by the existence of a dominant type of groups which cease to rupture when the decreasing strain reaches a definite value; and the known peculiar temperature and stress effects are explainable as depending on well-recognised conditions of structural changes.