bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
5. On a Glass Digester in which to Heat Substances under Pressure
Authors: Letts E. A.
Published: June 2016

The objections to the use of sealed tubes are known to every practical chemist, and are a serious drawback to their employment. The chief of these are the time expended in the manufacture of the tubes, the amount of skill in glass-blowing required, the danger experienced in opening them, and above all, the fact that only a small quantity of material can be heated at one operation. Moreover, the same tube can seldom be used for more than three or four experiments, as each time it is sealed up its neck must be drawn out, and its length thus considerably decreased. These disadvantages were especially felt by me whilst preparing bromacetic acid, which was required in considerable quantities, and where as many as half a dozen tubes of bromine and acetic acid had to be heated before 100 grammes of the acid could be obtained. To obviate these objections I have had an apparatus constructed, which consists of a cylinder of glass, the walls of which are about half an inch thick. Its length is fifteen inches, its external diameter three inches, and its capacity about 600 cubic centimetres. At one end it is drawn out to a tube, whose aperture is only about one-sixth of an inch in diameter, though its walls are as thick as the rest of the apparatus. Originally this tube was provided with a stopcock, but at Professor Brown's suggestion, I have substituted a glass plate, which is ground fiat, and accurately adapted to the top of the tube.
1. On an Improved Form of Galvanic Battery
Authors: Cook J.
Published: June 2016

I wish to direct attention to a simple improvement on battery cells, whereby porous cells are dispensed with, and the inconveniences of gravity batteries avoided.
3. On the Distribution of Volcanic Debris over the Floor of the Ocean,—its Character, Source, and some of the Products of its Disintegration and Decomposition
Authors: Murray John
Published: June 2016

During the present session I propose to lay before the Society several papers on subjects connected with the deposits which were found at the bottom of the oceans and seas visited by H.M.S.Challenger in the years 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1876.
5. On the Ruff (Machetes pugnax)
Authors: Duns
Published: June 2016

The exceedingly beautiful bird now on the table was forwarded to me on the 1st of September last by Mr Wilson, Edington Mains, Chirnside, Berwickshire. It had been shot two days previously. Mr Wilson says, “On comparing it with all the Waders figured by Bewick (the only work of the kind which I possess), I find none that correspond; whence I infer that it is really a rara avis.” He adds, “When noticed by the edge of the pond by my children it had a young one with it, which they saw it feeding. The young one, they said, was much lighter in its plumage, but was old enough to fly strongly.” The note led me to expect a full-grown female wader and young one. But the size of the bird and its general features of maturity showed it to be a male, in full winter plumage. Its companion, described as young, doubtless from its size, seems to have been the female, or reeve, which is little more than half the size of the male. In this respect the ruff differs from most of the sub-family Tringinæ, in which the females are generally larger than the males.
3. On an Ammonia-Cupric Zinc Chloride
Authors: Prevost E. W.
Published: June 2016

The following is but a short and incomplete account of a compound formed on the carbon and binding screws of a makeshift Leclanché battery. The cells employed were ordinary Bunsen elements, of which the carbon was embedded in manganese dioxide; the substance in question grew on the brass binding screws, and as a thin layer on the carbon. The external appearance of the mass was reniform, the colour ranging from a pale blue to a dark purple and lilac tint; the portions from the carbon were of a pale green shade, and of no special shape. The quantity being small, it was impossible to make more than one analysis of each substance and that only with very small quantities.
4. On a Peculiarity of the Diurnal Hygrometric Curve at Geneva
Authors: Buchan Alexander
Published: June 2016

In a work recently published by Professor Plantamour on the climate of Geneva, the hourly means of the aqueous vapour of the atmosphere for each month is given, deduced from observations made during the twenty-seven years ending with 1875. The curves drawn from these figures are undoubtedly the most remarkable of the meteorological specialties of the climate of Geneva.
5. On Knots
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

At the last meeting of the Society I stated that I had just procured a remarkable essay by Listing, part of which bears on the subject of knots, and that I had found in it an example of a change of form not producible by the modes of deformation I had employed.

It had for some time struck me as very singular that, thoug I could easily prove that (when nugatory intersections are removed) a knot in which the crossings are alternately over and under is not farther reducible, I could not prove all its possible deformations to be producible by inversions or projections of the kinds specified in my paper; but, as soon as I recognised the existence of amphicheiral forms, I saw that it was probable that they would furnish a key to my difficulty. I immediately set to work to classify the simpler of such forms; and while I was thus engaged I got the Göttinger Studien for 1847, in which is Listing's paper, with the title Vorstudien zur Topologie.
3. Laboratory Notes by Professor Tait (b.) The Thermal Conductivity of Gas Coke
Authors: Knott Messrs , Macfarlane
Published: June 2016

The method employed was the same as that described (Proc. VIII. 623), but the high conducting power of gas coke for electricity made the experimental work very difficult. The results, so far, are not very consistent with one another, but they appear to point to a diminution of conductivity by rise of temperature.
3. Laboratory Notes by Professor Tait (d.) On the Relative Percentages of the Atmosphere and of the Ocean which would flow into a given Rent in the Earth's Surface
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

The note had reference to some sensational statements recently made under the the title “Are we drying up.” But it led also to a curious hydrostatical question as to the equilibrium arrangement of water poured into a shaft already full of air, and supposed to be so deep that in its lower parts the air is compressed to a density exceeding that of water. This suggested numerous questions, such as: What addition to the atmosphere would raise the sea from the earth's surface?
2. Specimen of Auriferous Quartz
Authors: Dudgeon Patrick
Published: June 2016

The specimen was found near Wanlockhead, Dumfriesshire, in 1872, by Andrew Gemmell, miner, who unfortunately broke up the piece, and disposed of the fragments to different parties in the locality. Mr Dudgeon was enabled to get possession of all the fragments, and has restored the mass to its original form. The specimen is a very interesting one, being the largest known piece of auriferous quartz found in Scotland; and Mr Dudgeon thought it would interest the fellows of the Society to exhibit it at the meeting before placing it in the Museum of Science and Art, which has now been done with the consent of the different owners.
3. On the Precautions to be taken in recording and using the Records of Original Computations
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

The real utility of tables of numerical results is only secured by making them accessible to those computers who may require them; and the essence of their utility lies in this, that the labour of a single computer saves that of many others.

It is indispensable that those who use the tables be able to rely implicitly on the accuracy of the tabulated numbers, and that they have a ready means of detecting any error should the existence of one be suspected.
On Mr Muir's Discussion of Professor Tait's Problem of Arrangements
Authors: Cayley
Published: June 2016

To the foregoing Professor Cayley has kindly made the following additions:—

The investigation may be carried further: writing for shortness u3, u4 &c., in place of ψ(3), ψ(4), &c., the equations are

and hence assuming

we have
2. On Ocean Circulation
Authors: Aitken John
Published: June 2016

It is with extreme reluctance that I venture to disturb the present repose of the much-contested field of ocean circulation. My object is not, however, to provoke discussion on the general theory of ocean circulation, as I am sure all will agree in thinking that the subject has already been discussed far beyond the point at which it is likely to be benefited by discussion. My object is simply to call attention to certain influences at work in the ocean, the effects of which seem to have been totally overlooked.
1. On the Structure and Relations of the Genus Holopus
Authors: Thomson C. Wyville
Published: June 2016

The “Challenger” Expedition had no opportunity of visiting Barbadoes, and this I regretted greatly, as Sir Rawson Rawson, who was at that time governor of the island, had paid great attention to the marine fauna, and was anxious to introduce us to his fine collection, which included many specimens of the rare and remarkable forms for which the sea of the Antilles is famous.
5. Laboratory Notes by Professor Tait (b) On Dr Blair's Scientific Aphorisms in connection with the Ultra-Mundane Particles of Le Sage
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

Accident has recently called my attention to a work entitled Essays on Scientific Subjects, by Robert Blair, Regius Professor of Practical Astronomy in the University of Edin. (Edin. 1818). In the University Library there is a second edition of a part of the same work with the title Scientific Aphorisms (Edin. 1827). I bring them before the notice of the Society, as they contain an explanation of gravitation, &c., almost identical with that of Le Sage, to which our attention was lately recalled by our President. Professor Blair seems to have invented this explanation for himself—because, though he gives frequent references to other authors, whose results he quotes, he makes, so far as I have seen, no reference to Le Sage.
3. The Thermo-Electric Properties of Cobalt
Authors: Knott Messrs C. G. , MacGregor J. Gordon , Smith C. Michie
Published: June 2016

As we could not find pure cobalt for sale in the state of foil or wire suitable for thermo-electric experiments, we resolved to prepare it by electrolysis of chloride of cobalt in the way recommended by Mr G. W. Beardslee of Brooklyn, N.Y. For this ther e is require d pur e chlorid e of cobalt of a certain strength to form the electrolyte, and spongy metallic cobalt to form the positive electrode. By the kindness of Dr Crum Brown these were prepared with very great care in the chemical laboratory by Mr Robinson, to whom we are much indebted. The following note of the method of preparation employed has been supplied by Mr Robinson.
Opening Address
Authors: Grant Alexander
Published: June 2016

Gentlemen,—I find it recorded that in the year 1662, which was the first year of the incorporation of the Royal Society of London, the celebrated mathematician, Robert Hooke, drew up “Proposals for the good of the Royal Society,” the third article of which was as follows :— “That every member of the Society shall be equally obliged to promote the ends thereof by paying 52s. yearly, and by doing some one duty that shall be charged on him by the Council once a year, or, if his occasions will not permit, to pay 52s. more per annum.’ This proposed salutary rule does not seem ever to have been enacted by the Royal Society of London, nor do I believe that any analogous article forms part of the statutes of this Society, and yet it is in accordance with the spirit of such a rule that I appear before you this evening.
Remarks by Sir William Thomson on delivering the Makdougall-Brisbane Prize to Mr Buchan
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

The day may even come when the general public is sufficiently instructed to receive with interest, in ordinary periodicals, the physieo-mathematical papers, which form the staple commodity of this Society, and then we shall have done our work. In the meantime I would venture, like Principal Forbes, to advocate “intellectual clubability.” All tentative essays, which are not yet ripe to form a book or an article, may fitly be contributed to this Society and embodied in its Transactions, and I should have thought that not a single professor of any department in the University could go through the teaching of a session, without coming across at least some one novel point, which it would be worth while to bring forward.
3. On a Method of Determining the Cohesion of Liquids
Authors: Hannay J. B.
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author concludes that the measurement of the breaking-strain of liquids is the only universally applicable method of measuring their cohesion; and as dropping is the phenomenon in which the breaking-strain can be most easily measured, he examines the work already done in this direction. Dr Guthrie's theory that the increase in the size of drop, with the increase in the rate of dropping, is due to the attraction of the solid tearing more of the root of the drop in low than in high rates is put to a crucial test by an experiment in which mercury drops from a wide glass tube so arranged that the tube only acts as a support for a column of liquid from the end of which the drops fall.
4. Note on Vector Conditions of Integrability
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

(1.) The relation dσ = uqdρq–1 ensures that the tensor of dσ shall always be u times that of dρ Hence, if ρ be the common vector of three series of surfaces which together cut space into cubes, σ possesses the same property. (See § 6 of my paper On Orthogonal Isothermal Surfaces, Trans. R.S.E., 1873–4. In what follows this paper will be referred to as Ω.)
2. Note on a Geometrical Theorem
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

In “Trans. R.S.E.” (1864–5) Fox Talbot proved very simply, by means of a species of co-ordinates depending on confocal conics, the following theorem, at the same time asking for a simple geometrical proof.

If two sets of three concentric circles, with the same common difference of radii, intersect one another—the chords of the arcs intercepted on the mean circle of each series by the extremes of the other are equal.
4. Suspension, Solution, and Chemical Combinations
Authors: Durham William
Published: June 2016

Some time ago I made some experiments on “Suspension of Clay in Water, and in Acid and Saline Solutions.” These formed the subject of several communications to the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh, and were afterwards published in the “Chemical News.” I shall describe some of these experiments as an introduction to this paper.
7. Extract of Letter to the President from H. E. Rosevelt, Esq., dated New York, Dec. 23, 1877
Authors: Rosevelt H. E.
Published: June 2016

“I saw the ‘Phonograph’ the other day, and though it is very crude I was much interested. I would briefly describe the idea as follows:—

“To the centre of an iron diaphragm is attached a metallic point resting against a strip of paper or tinfoil. You speak against diaphragm through a mouthpiece, at same time the paper being drawn under the points. The vibration of diaphragm and point indent the paper to various depths, making an undulating (as it were) mark, &c. Now, if said paper is afterwards drawn under the point, the diaphragm vibrates exactly as your voice made it vibrate, and all the sounds are reproduced exactly as you said them, making a most astonishing effect—singing, laughing, and articulate words were all reproduced.
5. Some Experiments with the Telephone
Authors: M'Kendrick John G.
Published: June 2016

During the past two months my attention has been directed to the telephone, chiefly as an instrument which illustrates in a remarkable way the delicacy of hearing. As some of these experiments are novel, and may possibly assist those who are investigating the physical phenomena of the instrument, I beg to give a short account of them to the Society. To save circumlocution in description, the term “proximal” will be applied to the telephone receiving the stimulus, and the term “distal” to the one at the other end of the arrangement. Thus, if A talks to B, A will use the proximal, and B the distal telephone.
2. On the Disruptive Discharge of Electricity
Authors: Macfarlane Alexander
Published: June 2016

Last summer session, with the assistance of Messrs Salvesen, Connor, and Stewart, I applied the method of measuring great differences of potential, described in a paper by Mr Paton and myself (Proc. Feb. 19, 1877), to investigate the laws of passage of the electric spark. The method essentially consists in connecting the prime conductor of the Holtz machine, not with the electrometer directly, but with an insulated spherical ball. This ball acts inductively upon another insulated spherical ball which is in connection with the electrometer.
1. Chapters on the Mineralogy of Scotland. Chapter IV. Augite, Hornblende, and Serpentineous Change
Authors: Heddle
Published: June 2016

A couple of months ago I had the honour of submitting to the Society a speculation upon the metamorphism of a particular rock mass. To-night I again return to metamorphism, submitting, however, not a speculation, but the closely elaborated process of the change which has affected another rock.
4. Note on Electrolytic Conduction
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

It is commonly said that there is a resistance to a current at the surface of contact of a solid conductor and an electrolyte. Some good authorities, however, say that we have as yet no proof of this, as the effects observed may be due to polarisation. It is obvious that, if the reverse electromotive force due to polarisation contain a term directly proportional to the strength of the current, the ordinary methods of measurement would not enable us to distinguish this from the surface resistance above mentioned.
1. On the Indications of Molecular Action in the Telephone
Authors: Ferguson R. M.
Published: June 2016

The accepted theory of the telephone represents that the vibrations of the sending plate to and from the pole of the magnet before which it is fixed is the origin of the currents generated in the pole bobbin of wire, and that these currents transmitted to the receiving telephone produce corresponding to-and-fro excursions of its plate. This theory, which is that of the inventor, may be shortly designated, in the happy words of Sir William Thomson for a kindred action, the push-and-pull theory. We have had in this session of the Society two communications of a practical nature, which seem directly confirmatory of this view.
2. On the Anatomy of a recent Species of Polyodon, the Polyodon gladius (Martens), taken from the river Yangtsze-Kiang, 450 miles above Woosung. Part III., being its Viscera of Organic Life
Authors: Handyside P. D.
Published: June 2016

The author proceeded with his anatomical description of the respiratory, circulatory, and pneumatic systems in this remarkable fish; referring to the differences that exist in the male, the female, the young, and the adult specimens. He also shortly noticed the alimentary and other viscera of Organic life.

Dr Handyside illustrated his paper by 24 additional drawings—including 7 microscopic views—of structure in this fish.
4. Fourth Report of Boulder Committee, with Remarks
Authors: Home D. Milne
Published: June 2016

Since the last Report was drawn out and laid before the Society, the Convener has had an opportunity of inspecting a considerable number of boulders not mentioned in previous Reports. Some of these are interesting, on account not only of size, but also of shape, marks on them, and position. The Committee consider that advantage will result from a special description of these, and from woodcuts of a few.
1. On the Splitting up of Electric Currents, as detected by the Telephone, and the founding thereon of a Sounder to call attention from one Telephone to another
Authors: Bow R. H.
Published: June 2016

The telephone is of no use as a “far-speaker,” without some means of calling the attention of the attendant at the distant station. Nothing could well be better than the “electric-bell call,” and the sounder which I am about to describe makes no pretensions of competing with the bell, except on the points of simplicity, cheapness, and facility of use; and although its employment is limited to short length lines, it may be assumed that it is upon short length lines that the telephone will be most frequently used. I have had this sounder in experimental use for more than three months, and have shown it to many persons as a very obvious expedient. However, as it does not appear to have been referred in any publication, I venture to bring it as a Note before the Society; it is of too trifling a nature to be made the subject of a formal paper.
2. An Account of some Experiments on the Telephone and Microphone
Authors: Blyth James
Published: June 2016

Dr M'Kendrick stated, that by applying the microphone or carbon-interrupter of Hughes to the membrane of a phonograph, he had succeeded in using the latter as a transmitting instrument. With such an arrangement, speech could be heard in the distant telephone even after it had become inaudible near the phonograph. He also mentioned that a tambour of Marey, used in physiological experiments, spoke distinctly when the fine point at the end of the lever was applied to the marks on the tinfoil of the phonograph. When a tube was carried from the tambour to the ear, distinct speech could be obtained from phonographic tracings on copper foil, which were scarcely perceptible to the eye.
2. On the Wave Forms of the Vowel Sounds produced by the Apparatus exhibited by Professor Crum Brown
Authors: Jenkin Fleeming , Ewing J. A.
Published: June 2016

At a recent meeting of the Society, Dr Crum Brown exhibited a gutta percha bottle of irregular form, which, when applied as a resonance cavity to reeds of various pitches, gave very good imitations of certain vowel sounds. By closing certain apertures in the side of the bottle it could be made to say A (“father”), A (“awe”), O (“oh”), and I (“machine”). When the cavity was kept constant, and the pitch of the reed was altered, the same vowel continued to be given. Dr Crum Brown was good enough to lend us the apparatus, in order that we might investigate the sounds given by the bottle in the same way as we have been investigating certain human vowel sounds, by obtaining and magnifying phonographic traces, and then subjecting them to harmonic analysis as far as the sixth partial tone.
7. On certain Effects of Periodic Variation of Intensity of a Musical Note
Authors: Brown Crum , Tait
Published: June 2016

Recent discussions as to the nature of vowel-sounds have led us to make experiments (partly with an apparatus constructed some years ago for the same purpose) upon the effect of a periodic variation of intensity of a simple tone.

It is obviously impossible to secure a simple harmonic variation, so we endeavoured to produce a displacement varying as

1 − cos mt.

An organ-pipe, giving a tone very free from harmonics, was sounded on one side of a partition in which were cut a series of large holes.
8. Note on a Mode of Producing Sounds of very great Intensity
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

Two years ago I had an opportunity of making from the deck of the steamer “Pharos” some observations on the performance of the fog-siren at Sanda, off the Mull of Cantire, The instrument is worked by air at about 1¼ atmospheres pressure; and, though driven by a powerful air-engine, sounds for 7 seconds only per minute. One obvious defect of such an arrangement I saw to be the waste of energy in producing a current of air through the trumpet of the siren along with the oscillations.
1. On the Structure of the Reproductive Organs in certain Hydroid Polypes
Authors: Allman
Published: June 2016

Most of the observations contained in the present communication were made some years ago, and during the last autumn the author had an opportunity of repeating many of them and of adding some others. His object in now bringing them together was, that by being thus placed in possession of sufficient material, we might be enabled to make a useful correlation of the ascertained facts, so as to obtain, if possible, some more general expressions forthe phenomena presented.
3. Note on the Black Lustrous Varnish of ancient Pottery
Authors: Davy John
Published: June 2016

So far as my reading extends, the nature of the black varnish of the ancient Greek and Etruscan vases is still undetermined.

From the experiments I have made, operating on very small quantities, abraded from vases which were taken from tombs in the Ionian Islands, I have been led to the conclusion, that it is a vitreous matter, coloured by black oxide of iron, probably mixed with particles of metallic iron, to which its peculiar lustre may be owing.
1. On the Form and Origin of the Symbols on the Ancient Sculptured Stones of Scotland
Authors: Wise
Published: June 2016

In continuation of his former essay on the sculptured stones peculiar to the north-eastern portion of Scotland, the author produced, for the inspection of the Society, two specimens of the Buddhist dorje, which he considered to be the prototype of the well-known spectacle-ornament, found on no fewer than thirty-four of those stones; and, in twenty-nine instances, in combination with zig-zag lines, the symbol of power.
2. Notes on the Structure of Amphora, a genus of Diatomaceæ, and the diagnosis of its species
Authors: Arnott Walker
Published: June 2016

When Linnæus said that all objects of natural history must have a specific name, he did not mean a trivial name (which was not then invented), but what is called a short, distinctive character, otherwise it is not imperative on others to adopt the trivial name imposed, or recognise it in any way. The want of short characters (intended to place clearly before the mind the few essential points of difference between supposed new and already known forms or species) cannot be supplied by figures or diffuse descriptions of the entire object, as these leave quite in the dark the precise marks of distinction observed by the writer, if such actually existed.
2. On the Tides in the Sound of Harris
Authors: Otter Henry C.
Published: June 2016

The author stated that during summer, in neap tides, the stream flows from the Atlantic into the Minch all day, but from the Minch into the Atlantic all night. In winter this was reversed, the stream flowing through the Sound of Harris from the Minch into the Atlantic all day, but from the Atlantic into the Minch all night.

In spring tides, both during summer and winter, the stream comes in from the Atlantic during the greater part of the time the water is rising, and flows back into the Atlantic during the greater portion of the fall of the tide.
3. Account of some Experiments on Radiant Heat
Authors: Stewart B.
Published: June 2016

The object of these experiments was to compare together the radiations from the polished surfaces of different bodies, all having the temperature of 212°. In order to heat the bodies, a tin box was used, double-sided and double-bottomed, or a box within a box. Water being kept boiling in the interval, the interior chamber was found to have a temperature of nearly 212°; and on the bottom of this chamber the bodies to be experimented on were placed. When being used these were taken out of the chamber and placed before the sentient pile of a thermo-multiplier, the galvanometer needle connected with which was immediately deviated from its zero position.
2. On the Temperature of the Sea around the Coasts of Scotland during the years 1857 and 1858; and the bearing of the facts on the Gulf-stream Theory
Authors: Stark James
Published: June 2016

By a reference to observations made on the temperature of the air, of the sea, and the solid land, the author showed that the mean temperature of each of these in and around Scotland were within the fraction of a degree of each other. From observations made on the temperature of the air and of the sea at stations on the west coast, he showed that not only did the air and sea attain their respective minima and maxima at the same time, but that even in their fluctuations of temperature they bore a distinct accord with each other. He then pointed out that such fluctuations in the temperature of the sea were quite fatal to the theory of the mild winters of Britain being dependent on the influence of the Gulf-stream, as such fluctuations could not occur were the temperature of the sea dependent on the heated waters of the Gulf-stream.
2. Verbal Notice respecting the Remains of a Seal found at Portobello
Authors: Allman
Published: June 2016

Professor Allman called attention to some bones discovered by Dr Andrew Balfour in a clay field near Portobello, and forwarded by him for presentation to the Museum of Natural History. They prove to be bones of a seal, and consist of some vertebræ, a portion of a scapula, a radius, a femur, and a fibula. They thus afford an additional instance to the few already recorded, of the occurrence of phocine remains in the British Islands. The deposit in which they occurred appears to belong to the period of the boulder clay. They were found about 20 feet above the present level of highwater, and about 15 feet below the surface of the soil.
3. On the Composition of Old Scotch Glass
Authors: Bloxam Thomas
Published: June 2016

We have recently been engaged in the laboratory of the Industrial Museum in executing some analyses of glass, which, as of general interest, I lay before the Society. The analyses in question have been made by Mr Bloxam, the official laboratory-assistant, and it is desirable first to mention with what object they were undertaken. I have limited the investigation in the first place to common bottle glass and window glass in use in Scotland, and so far as could be ascertained, also manufactured in Scotland. As yet we have only overtaken six varieties, and the full import of their analyses will not appear till additional examples have been examined.
1. Researches on Radiant Heat. Part II
Authors: Stewart Balfour
Published: June 2016

The first part of this paper describes the following groups of experiments:—

I. On the effect which roughening the surface of a body produces upon its radiation.

II. On the nature of that heat which is radiated by rock-salt at at 212° F.

III. On the radiation of glass and mica at high temperatures.

The second or theoretical portion of the paper has reference to the law which connects the radiation of a particle with its temperature, and to Dulong and Petit's experiments on this subject. The instruments used, and method of using them, were almost the same as described in the first series of these researches.
3. On the Recent Vindication of the Priority of Cavendish as the Discoverer of the Composition of Water
Authors: Wilson George
Published: June 2016

The object of this communication was to direct attention to the recent recovery of two documents establishing the priority of Cavendish as the discoverer of the composition of water. Their importance was indicated by the late Mr Robert Brown, the botanist, and his literary executor, Mr J. J. Bennett of the British Museum, has brought them before the Royal Society of London. They are both, contrary to general expectation, published statements contained in well-known works.
2. Some Miscellaneous Observations on the Tadpole, and on the Albumen of the Newly-laid Egg
Authors: Davy John
Published: June 2016

On the Tadpole of the Frog.—The author first notices the jelly—the peculiar enveloping matter of the ova—describing its properties and uses,—the latter, according to him, for the double purpose of defending the eggs before being hatched, and affording the tadpoles food after their hatching. He considers the substance of the jelly a variety of albumen.

Secondly, He notices the ova, which he describes as resembling, in their properties and composition, those of fishes.

Thirdly, He enters into some details respecting the growth of the tadpole and its metamorphosis, specially dwelling on the fact, that whilst in the change to the advanced form there is a diminution of volume, there is an increase of solid matter—the young frog having a bony skeleton, which the tadpole is destitute of.
3. On Acupressure, a New Method of Arresting Hæmorrhage
Authors: Simpson
Published: June 2016

Professor Simpson made a communication on acupressure, as a new mode of arresting surgical hæmorrhage. After describing the various methods of stanching hæmorrhage in surgical wounds and operations which the Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Mediæval surgeons employed, he gave a short history of the introduction of the ligature of arteries, and spoke of it as—with the occasional exception of torsion for the smallest arteries—the hæmostatic means almost universally employed in chirurgical practice at the present day. But he thought that surgery must advance forward a step farther than the ligature of arteries, particularly if surgeons expected—as seemed to be their unanimous desire—to close their operative wounds by the immediate union or primary adhesion of their sides or walls.
1. On the Action of Uncrystallised Films upon Common and Polarised Light
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

Since the discovery of the polarisation of light by refraction, the action of a pile of transparent plates upon common and polarised light has not been studied by any of the writers on physical optics. It was believed that a pencil of common light was completely polarised in the plane of refraction when the plates were sufficiently numerous, no special notice having been taken of the light thrown back by reflexion into the transmitted and polarised beam. Sir John Herschel, indeed, had referred to it; but he remarks that “it mixes with the transmitted beam, and, being in an opposite plane, destroys a part of its polarisation.” So long ago as 1814, Sir David Brewster had shown that this reflected light is distinctly visible as light polarised by reflexion; but owing to the difficulty of procuring very thin plates of glass with perfectly parallel surfaces, it was impossible to ascertain the true character of the oppositely polarised pencils.
2. On Mr Darwin's Theory of the Origin of Species
Authors: Murray Andrew
Published: June 2016

The position taken by Mr Darwin is, that all species have arisen by the natural process of ordinary generation. That the differences which we now see in them have arisen from slight variations in individuals having from time to time occurred, which have been perpetuated by inheritance, by successive stages and slow degrees, through unlimited spaces of time. Some of these slight variations he considers to originate in causes beyond our power of explanation, and which, although not the work of chance, we may call chance, for want of a better appellation—others to arise from habit, or from the excessive use or disuse of certain organs; but that when such a variation has once appeared, it is preserved by hereditary descent through a principle which he calls “natural selection,” and which he deduces as a corollary from the struggle for existence which we see constantly going on around us.
1. On an Apprehended Depreciation of Money, arising from New Supplies of Gold
Authors: Stirling Patrick James
Published: June 2016

The annual production of gold, in Europe, America, and Northern Asia, at the beginning of the present century, which was estimated by Baron Humboldt in round numbers at something over two and a half millions sterling, continued at about the same rate until additions began to be received from the renewed working of the Russian mines. These additions, which, for the period intervening between 1810 and 1822, are estimated by M. Michel Chevalier not to have exceeded in all one million and a half, gradually increased, until in 1847 they amounted to upwards of four millions per annum.
2. On the Chronology of the Trap-Rocks of Scotland
Authors: Geikie Archibald
Published: June 2016

The first part of this paper contained a review of the existing nomenclature of trappean-rocks, and the following arrangement was given as that which the author had found to be most useful for practice in the field:—1st, Ash and volcanic conglomerate. 2d, Interbedded augitic traps (greenstones and basalts). 3d, Interbedded felspathic traps (felstones, porphyries). 4th, Intrusive augitic traps. 5th, Intrusive felspathic traps. By adopting a different colour for each of these classes, the general relations of an intricate trappean district could be shown at a glance.
1. On the Solidification of Limes and Cements
Authors: Robertson George
Published: June 2016

The paper was deduced from a series of experiments, made on the London Dock Works with blue lias and Dorking limes; and at Leith Docks with the limes in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, and with cements both natural and artificial. A short account was first given of the nature of the experiments at the London Docks, with the points investigated. A longer and more professional account of these is to be found in the Transactions of the Institution of Civil Engineers for 1857–58.
1. On the Birds of Linlithgowshire
Authors: Duns John
Published: June 2016

The author, having referred to the value of carefully prepared reports on the ornithology of particular districts, characterised the physical features of that part of Linlithgowshire in which his observations had mainly been made, and showed that it is well fitted for the support of a comparatively large number of species of birds. He stated that the following list had been gradually formed as the result of observations spread over fifteen years. Most of the species named had come under his own notice; for a few he had been indebted to Thomas Durham Weir, Esq. of Boghead, an accurate observer. The classification followed is that which he had found most helpful to his own studies. Species seldom met with are printed in italics.
1. Note on Hydrated Sulphuric Acid
Authors: Playfair Lyon
Published: June 2016

It is well known that hydrated sulphuric acid loses sulphuric anhydrid on heating, and that its specific gravity decreases in consequence. It is of some practical importance to know the exact circumstances under which this takes place, and the following experiments may prove useful in this respect. Sometimes, in distilling and subsequently evaporating sulphuric acid, I obtained a hydrate of sp. gr. 1·848, and at other times not exceeding 1·842.
3. Fragmentary Notes on the Generative Organs of some Cartilaginous Fishes
Authors: Davy John
Published: June 2016

These notes, it is stated by the author, were made at different times and places, as opportunity favoured, and are offered as a contribution to a difficult branch of Ichthyology.

The generative organs of nine different species are described, with more or less minuteness of detail. The species are Squalus squatina, S. galeus, S. acanthias, S. carcharias, S. centrina, S. canicula, Scyllium melanostomum, Raia aquila, and R. oxyrhynchus.
1. On a Method of taking Vapour Densities at Low Temperatures
Authors: Playfair Lyon , Wanklyn J. A.
Published: June 2016

The authors refer to Regnault's experiments, which have shown that aqueous vapour in the atmosphere has the same vapour density at ordinary temperatures as aqueous vapour above 100° C.; and they bring forward fresh experiments upon alcohol and ether to show that when mixed with hydrogen these vapors preserve their normal density at 20° or 30° C. below the boiling points of the liquids, and infer generally that vapours, when partially saturating a permanent gas, retain their normal densities at low temperatures.
3. On the Horizontal Force of the Earth's Magnetism
Authors: Broun John Allan , Tait
Published: June 2016

The conclusions of this paper are derived from observations made at Makerstoun in Scotland; Toronto, Canada; Trevandrum, Travancore, and Singapore, East Indies; St Helena, the Cape of Good Hope, Hobarton, Van Dieman's Island, &c. The author has corrected and discussed all the observations published made in the colonial observatories.

The observations have been found affected by different errors, and frequently the series have been broken. An attempt has been made to correct these series; and, in general, to render the series as near the truth as possible. The grounds for all these corrections are given in an appendix.
4. Notice of an Instrument intended for the Measurement of Small Variations of Gravity
Authors: Broun John Allan
Published: June 2016

If we suspend a weight by two wires, and turn the weight suspended from its position of repose through an angle υ by means of any force, the wires will no longer be vertical, and the weight will be lifted from its lowest position by a gravity equal to l sin i tan i where l is the length of a wire and i is the small angle which it makes with the vertical.
1. On the Embryology of Asteracanthion Violaceus (Linn. Sp.)
Authors: Thomson Wyville
Published: June 2016

Early in December of the present winter, several specimens of Asteracanthion violaceus (L.) were procured, in the peculiar pregnant condition described by Sars. The disk was raised into a hump, and the rays drawn together at the base, to form the “marsupium” for the protection of the young. All the eggs or embryos in a single marsupium were at the same stage of development. In the least advanced, the eggs were undergoing the later stages of yelk-segmentation, while in others this process had been completed. In other individuals the embryos were partially or fully formed.
1. On the Properties of the Secretion of the Human Pancreas
Authors: Turner William
Published: June 2016

The author obtained the pancreatic secretion at a post-mortem examination which he made of the body of a patient of Mr Spence's, who had died with a medullary tumour in the head of the pancreas, which, by compressing the biliary and pancreatic ducts, had produced dilatation of the ducts of the liver and gall-bladder, as well as dilatation of the ducts and lobules of the pancreas. The secretion was contained in the dilated parts of the gland last named, from which it was drawn off by means of a pipette. The fluid thus obtained was of an orange-yellow colour, and well-marked viscid consistency—sp. gr. 1·0105; appearance slightly turbid, owing to the presence of small white flakes, which a microscopic examination proved to consist of groups of small spherical, colourless cells, resembling, and most probably consisting of, the epithelial lining of the vesicles of the gland.
5. On some Derivatives from the Olefines
Authors: Guthrie Frederick
Published: June 2016

This paper is supplementary to, and forms the sequel of, a series of papers which have been published in the “Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society of London.”

In continuing the examination of the behaviour of the olefines towards compound halogens, certain compounds previously described have been submitted to a test of homogeneity, of which the following is the principle:—

“If a body be partly dissolved in a solvent, and if the dissolved part and the undissolved part, or the dissolved part and the whole, or the undissolved part and the whole, have the same composition, then the body is a simple one.”
2. Notes on Ancient Glaciers made during a brief Visit to Chamouni and its neighbourhood in September 1860
Authors: Milne-Home David
Published: June 2016

With reference to the Mer de Glace, the author described the great transported blocks on the slope of the hill above Montanvert Inn; the smoothed rocks about 250 to 300 feet above the glacier; the two ancient lateral moraines on the east side of the valley; the action of the ice on a perpendicular wall of rock near foot of glacier; the old moraine of Lisboli, which must have formerly crossed and blocked up the valley, and the transported blocks on the hill of Flegère, about 2700 feet above Chamouni, and probably deposited there by glacier, when it was at the level of the blocks above the Montanvert.
1. On the Aqueous Origin of Granite
Authors: Bryson Alexander
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author referred to the labours of Dr William Smith, who published his “Tabular View of the British Strata” in 1790, and remarked that since that period geology had been studied mainly in the direction of Palæontology. Physical, chemical, and dynamic geology, were left almost unregarded by the great masters of the science, who generally accepted the speculations of Hutton and the experiments of Hall, as demonstrating the igneous origin of the primary rocks.
1. On the Climate of Palestine in Modern compared to Ancient Times
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

In this paper the writer proposes to revise and extend the argument used thirty years ago by the late Professor Schouw of Copenhagen, as to the climate of Palestine, founded on the coincident cultivation of the Date Palm, and the Vine: the one plant nearly ceasing to bring its fruit to maturity when the other begins to be productive. Tropical heat is as necessary to the maturity of the date as it is injurious to the manufacture of wine.
2. Contributions to our Knowledge of the Structure and Development of the Beroidæ
Authors: Allman
Published: June 2016

In this communication the author gave the results of some careful observations and dissections he had made of a species of Beröe (Idyia), obtained in abundance during the last summer in the Firth of Forth.

In the anatomy of the adult animal, several points were described which seem to have been hitherto either overlooked or imperfectly examined. In the digestive system, the author noticed the presence of two richly ciliated membranous semi-elliptical flaps, which just before the stomach terminates in the narrow neck which leads into the bifurcating funnel, spring from its walls, and extend, by their free extremities, into the neck and commencement of the funnel.
2. Notice of the Catadioptric Altitude and Azimuth Circle
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

This little instrument differs from the ordinary theodolite in the means by which the direction of the object under examination is indicated.

The simplest contrivance for marking the direction of a distant object is a straight rod. This, with the very obvious improvement of studs at the ends, was the only instrument available to the ancients for astronomical observations; it is yet employed in gunnery, and even by surveyors in the plain-table and cross-staff.
3. Note on the Electricity developed during Evaporation and during Effervescence from Chemical Action
Authors: Tait  , Wanklyn J. A.
Published: June 2016

One of Professor W. Thomson's Divided-Ring Electrometers having been recently procured for the Natural Philosophy collection in the University, we have made use of it in repeating and extending the experiments of Volta, Pouillet, and others, on the electricity produced during the evaporation of various bodies. In some cases our results agree with those already known, but in others we find effects differing totally in kind or degree from the accepted ones; and with some substances we find occasionally contradictory indications among our own results.
1. On a recent Landslip
Authors: Duns John
Published: June 2016

In the introduction to this paper, the author pointed out the prominent physical features of the district in which the landslip occurred. At the point where the trap-ridge, which stretches in a south-west direction from Linlithgow to the neighbourhood of Airdrie, sendsone irregular fork to the north-west, and another to the south-west, a broad depression occurs. In this lies the Auchingray moss, the scene of the landslip. Here the parish of New Monkland, Lanarkshire, meets that of Slamannan, Stirlingshire, The following figure is a rough plan of the ground between the Slamannan Railway and Haldane's Moss Road. The area specially influenced by the landslip is enclosed by dotted lines.