bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Account of some Optical Phenomena observed upon the Rigi, on the 16th October 1832
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: June 2016

The object of this paper, was to describe an example of a class of phenomena, which is imperfectly understood. The author observed an indistinct mass of reflected light, surrounded by a faint glory, on the surface of a stratum of thick white clouds, 1000 or 1200 feet below him, when descending from the Rigi. The centre of the coloured circle was the point diametrically opposite to the sun, and consequently varied with the position of the observer. As he approached the level of the cloudy ocean, the colours became brighter, and the circle more distinctly formed, and the shadows of the author and his companion were thrown with distinct outlines upon the illuminated surface.
2. An attempt to illustrate the remaining monuments of the Ancient Etruscan Language
Authors: Williams John
Published: June 2016

The principal object of this paper, was to defend some interpretations of words in the ancient language of Etruria, proposed by Lanzi, and attacked by Niebuhr; as well as to point out some new analogies with other dialects. The languages which the author proposes particularly to call to his assistance are, Greek, Latin, Anglo-Saxon, and Cambrian or Welsh. The paper concluded with an application of these aids to a variety of words in the Etruscan language.
1. Continuation of “Experimental Researches regarding certain vibrations which take place between Metallic Masses having different Temperatures.”
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: June 2016

The vibrations here referred to, are those which with their accompanying sounds were first observed by Mr Arthur Trevelyan, and communicated to this Society in a paper published in the 12th vol. of their Transactions. The author of the present paper undertook the inquiry as soon as the remarkable fact was announced by Mr Trevelyan, and was induced to prosecute it to a considerable extent experimentally, in consequence of being dissatisfied with the only plausible explanation yet offered,–that of the successive expansions of the cold metal by the hot one at the point of contact at each successive vibration, which was conceived to afford the necessary impulse or maintaining power.
1. Observations on the Lines of the Solar Spectrum, and on those produced by the Earth's Atmosphere, and by the Action of Nitrous Acid Gas
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

The author was led, in prosecution of his researches on the absorptive action of transparent media of light, which have been partly communicated in previous papers to the Society, to examine the influence of coloured gaseous bodies. Iodine vapour was one of these, and its action was found of a similar character to that of fluids having a similar tint. Nitrous acid gas presented a far more extraordinary phenomenon.
4. Notice of further Discoveries at Burdiehouse
Authors: Hibbert
Published: June 2016

The author announced that, since his former paper was read, on the organic remains of the limestone quarry at Burdiehouse, discoveries of still greater interest had been made. These chiefly consist of the remains probably of a large animal of the Saurian tribe, namely, what appears to be the epiphysis of one of the vertebræ, presenting, when broken across, the cancellated structure of bone–several large scales obtained by Mr Connell,—and, in particular, a large and beautifully perfect tooth, two inches and a quarter long, and covered with its enamel, which is quite entire. The remains here alluded to were exhibited and presented by the author and Mr Connell to the Society's Museum.
3. Description and Analysis of a Mineral from Faroe, not before examined
Authors: Connell Arthur
Published: June 2016

The mineral in question was put into the author's hands by Mr Rose, mineral-dealer of this city, as a substance supposed to be a variety of mesotype. Mr Rose obtained it from Count Vargas Bedemar of Copenhagen, who had brought it from Faroe.

It has a pure white colour, with some opalescence and translucence, a glistening vitreous lustre, and somewhat greater hardness than fluor. Its texture is imperfectly fibrous; but the fibres in some places diverge with considerable regularity, shewing an approach to a crystalline structure. The specific gravity is 2.362; it is remarkably tough and difficultly frangible, so as to require much time and labour to separate a mass of it into smaller fragments.
1. Notice of Experiments on the Diminution of Intensity sustained by the Sun's rays in passing through the Atmosphere
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

This subject, though in itself deeply interesting, and leading to conclusions of much importance for elucidating many obscure questions connected with the constitution of the Universe, has hitherto received but little attention. Bouguer attempted to fix the actual amount of diminution approximatively, by comparing the moon's light with that of wax candles at different ascertained elevations; and in this way obtained data, from which he inferred, that about a fifth part of the entire rays of the sun is absorbed in traversing the atmosphere vertically. Lambert concluded, that the loss sustained is much greater.
1. On Phosphuretted-Hydrogen Gas
Authors: Graham Thomas
Published: June 2016

It is well known that chemists have usually admitted the existence of two gaseous compounds of phosphorus and hydrogen,—one spontaneously inflammable, the other not so. Of late, Rose of Berlin has ascertained that both gases are identical in composition, and has consequently been led to infer that the existence of two phosphuretted-hydrogens, differing so much in properties, and yet similarly composed, constitutes an example of isomerism among gaseous bodies.
1. Some Observations on Atmospherical Electricity
Authors: Davy John
Published: June 2016

This paper, tending to establish the chemical action of atmospherical electricity, is based upon experiments made in Malta between October 1834 and March 1835. The mode of operating was the following: A tube of glass containing a wire of copper was elevated six feet in all above a turret in Dr Davy's house in Valletta, which rose just fifty feet from the street. It was not in the highest part of the town, and was overtopped by other buildings. To the lower part of the copper-wire was attached one of gold. The communication to the ground was effected through the medium of another copperwire, connected with a leaden cistern.
1. On Paracyanogen and its Compounds
Authors: Johnston James F. W.
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author shewed that pure dry bicyanide of mercury, when heated in close vessels, gave off mercury and pure cyanogen only, yet that there remained always in the retort a portion of a black substance of variable density and lustre. He then proceeded, by a new series of analyses, to confirm what he had stated several years ago, that this black substance is identical in composition with cyanogen, being, like that gas, represented by the formula NC2.
1. On the Origin of the Adjective
Authors: Pillans
Published: June 2016

The principal object of this paper was to exhibit the manner in which, in the early stages of the history of language, the adjective may be supposed to have originated from the noun. Before stating his views of this subject, the author dwelt at some length on the universal principle which influences the formation of all languages, according to which man, when he has once acquired a small stock of words, will have recourse to all manner of expedients to save himself the invention of new terms; and an instance was given in the various applications of the derivatives and compounds of the Latin word Calx.
2. Researches on Heat. Second Series
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

The author states, that in a former paper on this subject, having confined himself to the establishment of a number of new facts in the science of heat, embracing its polarization by reflection, refraction, and double refraction, and the depolarizing action of doubly refracting crystals, he proceeded, on resuming the subject, to ascertain more accurately the laws of these phenomena.

The first section of the paper relates to the methods of observation employed, and the examination of the values of the degrees of the galvanometer, which, for the most part, do not indicate equal increments of force. Two tables are given. By the first, the statical deviations of the needle are reduced, so as to be measures of the force producing them; and, by the second, the dynamical effect, or arc moved over by the initial disturbing action, is reduced to the final or statical effect, and thence to the true measure of heat. Several peculiarities attendant on the use of the galvanometer are kewise discussed.
1. On the Action of Disintegrated Surfaces of Crystals upon Light
Authors: Brewster D.
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author commences with a summary of the present state of knowledge as to the internal constitution of crystalline bodies; and he then proceeds to describe the optical figures produced by the disintegrated surfaces of minerals and artificial minerals, according as the disintegration is effected—1. By the action of solvents while the crystal is forming, or remains in the bowels of the earth; 2. By the action of solvents on the surface of perfect crystals; and 3. By mechanical abrasion.
2. Notice of Experimental Researches into the Laws of certain Hydrodynamical Phenomena that have not hitherto been reduced into Conformity with known Laws
Authors: Russell John Scott
Published: June 2016

This Paper contained the results of researches in hydrodynamics extending over a period of two years, and which the author is continuing to prosecute under the auspices of the British Association in conjunction with Mr Robison, the Secretary of this Society. The present paper contained the development of two new laws in hydrodynamics, which appeared of sufficient importance to form a paper by themselves.

These two laws are,

1. The Law of Emergence—as an Element of Resistance.

2. The Law of the Wave—as an Element of Resistance.
2. An Account of a New Species of British Bream, and a Species of Skate new to Science; with a List of, and Observations on, the Fishes of the Frith of Forth and Neighbourhood
Authors: Parnell Richard
Published: June 2016

The author stated that, in July last, he obtained from the Frith of Forth a species of Bream, which he believes to be the Pagellus acarne of Cuvier. Length 13 inches; depth 4 inches; head one-third the length of the body not including the tail-fin. General form resembling that of the Sea Bream, but not so deep in proportion to its length. Scales large; 70 forming the lateral line, 6½ in an oblique row between it and the first ray of the dorsal-fin. Anterior-teeth small and numerous, disposed in many rows; outer row composed of 30 teeth, longer and more bent than those within; molars large, disposed in three rows in each jaw.

D 12–12, P 16, V8, A 3–11, C. 20. Body pale silvery red. Dorsal and caudal fins rose-red; ventral and anal fins paler. Between the eyes reddish-brown; in front of the eyes and on the lower half of the preoperculum, metallic grey; on the upper part of the base of each pectoral fin, a deep violet-coloured spot, very conspicuous even in the dried state.
2. Observations on the Cysticercus Cellulosœ inhabiting the Human Muscles
Authors: Knox
Published: June 2016

The author commenced his memoir by observing, that about two years ago, he read to the Society some observations respecting an entozoon, of a very singular nature, occurring amongst the human muscles, a species of minute, and indeed microscopic, vibrio. The merit of the discovery was due to Messrs Hilton and Paget of London. Dr Farre afterwards gave an account of its internal structure. Soon afterwards it was announced, that this peculiar entozoon had occurred in other dissecting rooms—in Bristol, for example, and in Dublin. It was added, that the occurrence was rather frequent, in Dublin particularly, and that its existence amongst the human muscles seemed traceable to previous debility and exhaustion of the person before death had occurred. The author of the present memoir is, however, of opinion, that neither of these points has been made out clearly.
1. On the Composition of a new Ink, which, by resisting chemical deletion, promises to diminish the chances of the successful falsification of bills, deeds, and other documents
Authors: Traill
Published: June 2016

The author was led to the investigation of this subject by its connection with that branch of Medical Jurisprudence which treats of the prevention and detection of forgery.

It is well known that common writing-ink maybe totally effaced from paper by certain chemical agents, and that several others so impair its colour, that the characters traced with it become illegible. To the first class of chemical agents belong chlorine, and substances containing it, as well as oxalic acid; to the second diluted solutions, or the vapours of the mineral acids, and of the caustic alkalis. These agents were applied to written specimens of a great number of different inks, and the degree of resistance to their effects was considered as the criterion of the durability of each.
3. Memorandum concerning different kinds of Heat being susceptible of polarization by transmission through a given bundle of Mica Plates
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

“A series of delicate and tedious experiments on heat have conducted me to the following results, which will be fully discussed in a paper shortly to be laid before the Society.

“1. An entire confirmation of my previous statement, that different kinds of heat are differently susceptible of polarization by transmission through a given bundle of mica plates; heat from obscure sources being less polarizable than that from luminous sources. I considered my investigations incomplete until I had proved not only that my former experiments had led me to correct results, but also why the only other person who I believe has attempted to obtain them was led to the opposite conclusion, as stated by M. Melloni in the Annales de Chimie for May 1837, namely, that all kinds of heat are equally susceptible of polarization. I have at length discovered, in the description of M. Melloni's method, the cause of his failure to detect this fact.
1. On the Origin and Compound Functions of the Facial Nerve or Portio Dura of the Seventh Nerve
Authors: Bell C.
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author treats of the Facialis nerve or portio dura of the seventh nerve.

He commences with a view of the Respiratory System of Nerves. Vindicating the term, he proceeds to shew that the Facialis belongs to this system, and that it possesses a double function and double origin. That this composite condition of the nerve is not, however, like the double nerves of the spine (which have a toot for motion and a root for sensation), but that its origins shew it to be connected with the column of voluntary motion and of the column of respiration.
2. Description of the Hydrodynameter, a new instrument for shewing the rate of Sailing of Ships and Velocity of Currents, Rivers, Tides, &c
Authors: Adie R.
Published: June 2016

The author here first refers to the differential barometer of the late Dr Wollaston, from which he derives his new instrument. He then describes the instrument, which, in its simplest form, consists of a glass-tube bent into the form of the letter U inverted, the one end open in the line of the arms downwards, the other has its point turned up at right angles to this line. A divided scale is placed between the tubes, having its zero point as the centre. When the instrument is used, the upper curve and arms are to be filled with oil, or any other fluid lighter than water, as far as the zero on the scale; the remaining parts of the tubes are to be filled with water.
1. Researches on Heat. Third Series
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

This paper is divided into three sections, each containing a distinct investigation.

The First Section is on the Variable Polarizability of different kinds of Heat. This fact, namely, that when polarization takes place by refraction through a bundle of parallel mica plates, some kinds of heat are less completely polarized than others at the same incidence, the author proposed to establish in the second series of his researches. His investigations, however, having been considered by some persons as open to objection, and directly contrary results having been obtained by M. Melloni in his repetition of these experiments, the author was induced to investigate the subject anew and with every precaution.
1. On the Law which connects the Elastic Force of Vapour with its Temperature
Authors: Russell John Scott
Published: June 2016

The object of the paper was to examine into the present state of our knowledge of this subject, for the purpose of ascertaining its defects, and indicating the manner in which they were to be remedied.

Although it appears to any one who examines only a single authority on the constitution of vapour, that its laws are sufficiently definite, yet on comparing together all the authorities we possess on this subject, or even the best of them, we find such discrepancies both in the general expressions of the law, and in the experiments themselves upon which they rest, as are highly discreditable to mechanical science, and far exceed the limits of error usually admitted in similar departments of experimental science. Between 32° and 212°, the difference between Dr Dalton's experiments and Dr Ure's amounts to more than three-tenths of an inch of mercury. Between the experiments of the Institute of France and of the Franklin Institute,—the latest and most extensive series of experiments,—there is a difference at the eleventh atmosphere of more than 6° in temperature, and about 20 inches of mercury in the pressure of the vapour.
2. Abstract of a Paper on Results of Observations made with Whewell's New Anemometer
Authors: Ranken John
Published: June 2016

In laying the results of these observations before the Society, it was thought necessary to make a few remarks in explanation of the manner in which they were made.

The instrument consists of a fixed japanned cylinder, on which the points of the compass are marked, and a moveable portion, which revolves freely round the cylinder as the wind changes; the circular disk of a fly kept opposite to the wind by a weathercock vane, is made to revolve with a velocity proportional to that of the wind. The motion thus produced is diminished by means of endless screws, working in a pair of toothed-wheels, and carried down to a pencil, which, in its descent, rubs on the surface of the cylinder, and traces a broad line, whose length is proportional to the velocity of the wind, and the time during which it blows from any one direction taken jointly. The compartment of the cylinder on which the marks are made indicates the direction of the wind.
2. Notice upon the Alcoholic Strength of Wines
Authors: Christison
Published: June 2016

Various accounts have been given of the alcoholic strength of wines by Mr Brande, Julia-Fontenelle, and others. The author has been engaged for some time in experiments for determining the proportion of alcohol contained in various wines of commerce, and also the circumstances which occasion a variety in this respect. The present paper is an interim notice of the results.

The method of analysis consisted in the mode by distillation, which was applied with such contrivances for accuracy that nearly the whole spirit and water were distilled over without a trace of empyreuma, and without the loss of more than between 2 and 6 grains in 2000. From the quantity and density of the spirit, the weight of absolute alcohol of the density 793.9, as well as the volume of proof spirit of the density 920, was calculated from the tables of Richter founded on those of Gilpin.
1. On the Theory of the Motion of Waves
Authors: Kelland
Published: June 2016

The author proposes, in a series of memoirs on this subject, to investigate the different problems of Hydrodynamics, in a manner which shall carry theory along with experiment. From the great attention that has been of late years bestowed on the question of the motion of the tide-wave, any mathematical investigation which does not assume some process of approximation, is extremely interesting. Whilst the more recondite problems of motion derived from impulses, &c. have been carefully examined by the greatest philosophers of the present day, the more simple and easy ones have been left almost untouched.
3. On the Diminution of Temperature with Height in the Atmosphere at different Seasons of the Year
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

The results communicated to the Society were obtained from nearly five years of simultaneous observations, made twice a-day at Colinton and at the Bonally reservoir five miles south-west from Edinburgh. The height of the former station above the level of the sea is 364 feet, of the latter 1100 feet exactly; the difference 736 feet. The mean annual difference of temperature amounted to 3°.22, giving 229 feet of ascent for a diminution of temperature of 1° Fahr. The influence of the seasons is briefly shewn by the following numbers:

That the decrement of temperature is most rapid in summer, and least so in winter, has been long known.
1. Notice respecting the relative Voltaic agency of Circuits of Copper and Zinc, and Zinc and Iron
Authors: Roberts Martyn
Published: June 2016

While conducting some galvanic experiments, the author accidentally used an iron-wire as a positive electrode, and was surprised to find it was not oxidated, but, on the contrary, retained its original brightness, and gave out oxygen-gas from water placed under its action, in the same quantity as a platinum electrode would have done in the same situation.

Struck by this fact, he followed it up by a course of experiments, and arrived at the conclusion that iron is in a singularly anomalous electric condition, being positive when compared with copper, and yet far more highly negative than copper when compared in their electric relation with zinc: and that although copper and iron form a galvanic combination in which the iron is positive to the copper, yet, when iron is associated with zinc as a galvanic pair, it produces a more powerful current of electricity than a galvanic pair of equal-size, consisting of copper and zinc.
3. On the Newer Tertiary or Pliocene Deposites of Scotland
Authors: Smith James
Published: June 2016

Mr Smith of Jordanhill stated the general results of his observations on the newest tertiary or pliocene deposites of Scotland. In every one of the maritime counties, elevated marine beds containing shells, of which about one-tenth are no longer to be found in the British seas, have been discovered. Some of the shells appear to have become altogether extinct, others occur in crag and Sicilian tertiary beds, and others in the Arctic seas,—indicating that the climate was probably colder at the period of their deposition.
1. On the Effect of the Mechanical Texture of Screens on the immediate Transmission of Radiant Heat
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

The following memorandum was communicated at the former Meeting of the Society.

“On the 2d September 1839, M. Arago communicated to the Academy of Sciences a letter by M. Melloni, containing some very interesting experiments on the transmission of Radiant Heat. M. Melloni finds, that rock-salt (which is well known to transmit rays from every source with equal facility) acquires, by being smoked, the power of transmitting most easily heat of low temperature, or that kind of heat stopped in greatest proportion by glass, alum, and (according to M. Melloni) every other substance. The experiments contained in the Third Series of my Researches on Heat, shew that this is equivalent to saying, that substances in general allow only the more refrangible rays to pass; and as M. Melloni had been led by his previous experiments to the same conclusion, his statement amounts to this, that, whilst rock-salt presents the analogy of white glass, by transmitting all rays in equal proportions, every substance hitherto examined acts on the calorific rays as violet or blue glass does on light, absorbing the rays of least refrangibility, and transmitting only the others.
1. On Sulphuret of Cadmium, a New Mineral (first observed by Lord Greenock)
Authors: Connell Arthur
Published: June 2016

“This mineral occurs in small crystals embedded in prehnite, at Bishoptown, in Renfrewshire. It had been long supposed to be a variety of zinc-blende; but was first distinguished from that mineral by Lord Greenock. Two small crystals of it, sent to the author for chemical examination by Professor Jameson, appeared to be six-sided pyramids, and had a wine-yellow colour, conchoidal fracture, splendent and vitreous lustre, hardness about that of calcareous spar, orange-red streak, and considerable transparency.
1. On certain Physiological inferences which may be drawn from the study of the Nerves of the Eyeball. Part First
Authors: Alison
Published: June 2016

The principles which the study of the Nerves of Sensation and of Voluntary Motion within the Orbit is thought to illustrate, are:—

1. The peculiarity of the muscles of the Eyeball, that they receive few or no sensitive filaments, such as supply all other muscles of the body,—coupled with the peculiarity of their office, that they are designed, in the natural state, to be regulated, not by sensations excited in themselves by their action, but by sensations excited thereby in the Retina,—suggests an important reflection on the use of sensitive nerves and of sensations in guiding and regulating all voluntary and instinctive muscular motion; the sensations which result from the commencing action in every case fixing the effort of the will on the right muscles, and regulating the extent to which the contractions shall be carried; while experience in some cases, and instinct in others, teaches what motor nerves must act, in order to excite the commencement of these sensations.
2. On the Nutrition of Vegetables. Part I
Authors: Madden H. R.
Published: June 2016

The object of the author in this part of his investigation, is to shew that the portion of the food of plants which they receive from the soil, and which he endeavours to prove is chemically combined with it,—although to appearance generically the same in all soils,—is not composed, as some imagine, of one single proximate principle, the same in all circumstances, but consists of several principles varying in their respective proportions in different soils. And he farther attempts to establish the general proposition, that the varying proportion of these principles may be one great cause of the relative fitness of different kinds of soil for the cultivation or nourishment of different kinds of vegetables.
1. On certain Physiological Inferences which may be drawn from the study of the Nerves of the Eyeball. Part Second
Authors: Alison
Published: June 2016

The second part of Dr Alison's paper treated, first, of the inferences which may be drawn from the study of the Nerves of the Eyeball, touching the use of the Ganglia of the Sympathetic Nerve, which are now generally admitted to have essentially the same composition as the ciliary ganglion, i. e. to have motor as well as sensitive filaments from the spinal cord, besides the cords of communication with the other ganglia.
2. On the Supposed Progress of Human Society from Savage to Civilized Life, as connected with the Domestication of Animals and the Cultivation of the Cerealia
Authors: Stark John
Published: June 2016

The object of this paper is to controvert the generally received opinion, derived from the classical writers, and adopted by most philosophers, that human society, in its original state, was one of savage barbarism; and, that, in the supposed progress from savage to civilized life, three separate stages or gradations have been gone through, the one leading necessarily to the other. These stages,—or the hunter's life, when the food of man was procured by the chase of wild animals, the pastoral state, when flocks and herds formed his chief support, and the agricultural state, when grains were cultivated,—the author shews never had any existence, except in the fancies of poets or the theories of philosophers.
3. On the Results of the most recent Experiments on the Conducting Power for Heat of different Soils
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

The author gave, in continuation of a former paper (see Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 3d Dec. 1838), an account of the continued systematic prosecution and annual reduction of the observations of temperature at different depths (3, 6,12, and 24 French feet) below the surface of the ground, in various geological formations near Edinburgh, viz. the trap rock of the Calton Hill, the incoherent sand of the Experimental Garden, and the coal formation sandstone of Craigleith Quarry. The weekly observations at all these stations have been projected into curves, which present the most remarkable concordance of general features for the four years now complete, and give a just confidence in the comparability of the results obtained. The thermometric readings have all been rigorously corrected for the expansion of the alcohol in the tubes; and, starting from these data, the results in the following tables have been obtained, partly by graphical methods, partly by calculation.
1. On the Identity of the Animal Matters which form the Basis of the Animal Fluids and Solids
Authors: Stark James
Published: June 2016

The author, after referring to the late researches of Mulder, Vogel, Liebig, &c, whose experiments proved the close analogy between albumen, fibrin, and casein, and their almost identity in composition, stated that, in consequence of some experiments he had performed a few years ago, he was led to entertain the idea that all the animal fluids and solids consist of modifications of one and the same prototype animal matter. The following considerations seemed to confirm this opinion.
3. Results of Experiments on the Specific Heat of Certain Rocks
Authors: Regnault M.
Published: June 2016

Professor Forbes observed that, in his communication to the Royal Society on the Conductivity of Soils for Heat, on the 20th December last (see Proceedings, page 343*), he had referred to the separation of the conductivity and specific heat, which are involved in the results of the thermometric experiments on subterranean temperature. In order to eliminate the effect of specific heat, M. Regnault of Paris (well known by his experiments on this subject) undertook, at the request of M. Elie de Beaumont, to ascertain the specific heats of the soils in which the different sets of thermometers are sunk.
1. Letter on Terrestrial Magnetism, addressed to the Secretary
Authors: Hansteen
Published: June 2016

**** I Have the pleasure to send you two papers: the first on the changes, which the moment of a magnetical needle or bar undergoes as a function of the elapsed time, and of the variations of the temperature; the second, in the German language, is an extract of a letter to Professor Kupffer of St Petersburg, exhibiting the changes of the time of 300 horizontal vibrations, in Christiania, of my invariable magnetical cylinder, made by Dollond in 1819, from 1820 to 1839.
1. On the Growth of the Salmon
Authors: Young Andrew
Published: June 2016

Mr Young has here taken up the subject of the salmon's growth where it was necessarily left off by Mr Shaw. So far as the earliest or fresh-water state of the fish is concerned, he entirely agrees with the observer just named. He then states the various opinions which prevail regarding the more or less rapid growth of smolts and grilse, and shews by tabular lists (the result of frequently repeated experiments), that the increase in their dimensions is extraordinary so soon as they descend into the salt water.
2. On the Geology of Roxburghshire. Part 2
Authors: Milne David
Published: June 2016

Mr Milne divided his paper into two parts, the first comprehending a description of the leading geological features of the district; the second containing the inferences of a cosmological character, which the facts related in the first part seemed to warrant.

In describing the geology of Roxburghshire, Mr Milne referred, first, to the stratified rocks; secondly, to the igneous rocks; and, thirdly, to the superficial, or (as they have been sometimes termed) the diluvial deposits.
Papers on Glaciers. No. 3, On the Structure of Glaciers, and the cause of their motion
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

With reference to his former paper of the 27th February, the author stated, that he had received a most satisfactory confirmation of his opinion respecting the motion of glaciers in winter. From observations made by his direction on the Mer de Glace of Chamouni, and in which he places entire confidence, it appears that the ice moved no less than 76 feet between the 12th December 1842 and 17th February 1843, or at the rate of 13½ inches per diem, whilst its mean motion during the summer was 17½ inches.
3. Experiments with Hydro- and Thermo-Electric Currents; and an Examination of Metals long exposed to Thermo-Electric Currents
Authors: Adie R.
Published: June 2016

The author commences his paper with a description of two forms of Electric Batteries, which he used in his experiments, and which consisted of bars of antimony and bismuth. One of these, which was chiefly intended for currents excited by solar and astral influences, was so delicate as to make the needle of the galvanometer deflect at right angles, when one end of the battery was exposed to the influence of clear summer's sun; and he therefore considers it a very delicate meteorological instrument. The other form of battery was principally used for thermo-electric currents, from a low flame of gas, or a spirit-lamp.
1. A description of Congenital Malformation of the Auricle and External Meatus of both sides in three persons, with Experiments on the state of Hearing in them, and Remarks on the mode of Hearing by Conduction through the hard parts of the Head in general
Authors: Thomson Allen
Published: June 2016

The three persons referred to came accidentally under the observation of the author during the past year. They were from different parts of the country, and not related to one another. In one of them only was it ascertained that other members of the same family had been similarly affected.

The first part of the paper contained a notice of the history of these persons, and an anatomical description of the malformation with which they were affected.
2. On the Luminousness of the Sea
Authors: Traill
Published: June 2016

The author stated, that this phenomenon seems scarcely to be noticed in the writings of Aristotle or of Pliny which have reached us, though Pliny was familiar with the light emitted by certain shell-fish, and by the Sea Lung or Medusa.

Mr Boyle gives an account, from the journal of a shipmaster, of the luminousness of the sea; and it is particularly detailed, from personal observation, in the Indian voyage of Father Bourzes, in 1704.
1. On the Fossil Vegetables of the Sandstone of Ayrshire, illustrative of a series of them, as a Donation for the Society' Museum
Authors: Patrick J. Shedden
Published: June 2016

The author, after mentioning that they were collected by himself from a quarry on the estate of Mr Warner of Ardeer, in the parish of Stevenston and district of Cuninghame, shortly described the quarry, as belonging in its geological position to the carboniferous group; and stated that it is considered the most valuable for white freestone in the west of Scotland. He mentioned the different strata in the order of their occurrence; and stated that coal had been wrought out from beneath it, within the remembrance of the present generation. He said that the fossils are not confined to any one stratum of the sandstone, but are found in them all, wherever the stone is faulty.
4. On the Zoological Characters of the living Clio caudata, as compared with those of Clio borealis given in Systetematic Works
Authors: Macdonald John Denis
Published: June 2016

The object of the author in this paper is to prove the importance of examining, in the living and expanded state, all soft, collapsible, and contractile animals. He describes in detail the anatomy of the genus Clio, illustrating his description by a drawing. He points out the confusion that has occurred in systematic works between the species named respectively Clio borealis and Clio australis; and he describes characters by which he thinks that these two species ought to be separated from Clio caudata and erected into a new genus; which, however, he declines to designate, being averse to add new names to a list already large.
1. Sketch of the Recent Progress of Sanskrit Literature
Authors: Muir John
Published: June 2016

After giving a sketch of the first beginnings of these studies in India, and their further prosecution in Europe, the author adverted to the relations of Sanskrit with the Greek, Latin, and Teutonic languages, and showed how this affinity established the common origin of the nations by which these languages have been spoken. He then proceeded to give an account of Indian literature, commencing with the hymns and other constituent parts of the Vedas, and then proceeding to the principal systems of Indian philosophy, of which he furnished an outline.
3. On a new fossil Ophiuridan, from Post-pliocene strata of the valley of the Forth
Authors: Allman
Published: June 2016

I am indebted to one of our University students, Mr Peter Lawson, for a specimen of a star-fish, which he informed me had been found, along with many others, in a deposit of brick-clay near Dunbar. The interest of this fact was a sufficient inducement to cause me at once to visit the locality where the star-fish was obtained, and where, by the kindness of Mr France, the proprietor of the brick-works, I succeeded in obtaining good specimens of the fossil.
3. On the Limits of our Knowledge respecting the Theory of Parallels
Authors: Kelland
Published: June 2016

The Author has in this paper traced to its consequences the assumption, as if it were an axiom, of the proposition “That the angles of a triangle are together less than two right angles.” The results as regards the theory of parallels are such as to imply that such lines would have most of the properties of equal circles exterior to one another.

Professor Tait reminded the Society that, at the close of last session, he and Balfour Stewart, F.R.S., of the Kew Observatory, had deposited with the Secretary a sealed packet containing the coincident results of certain investigations which they had separately carried on from totally distinct points of view, and which appeared to lead to a new principle in Natural Philosophy.
1. On the great Drift-Beds with Shells in the South-west of Arran
Authors: Watson Robert Boog
Published: June 2016

These beds, as examined by the author, lie in the Torlin or Kilmorie Burn basin, in the Scoradale or Slidry Water basin (more strictly in the first north or north-west tributary of each, reckoning upwards from the sea), and in the Clachan Glen,—all in the southwest of Arran. They are of great extent and depth; at certain points they contain boreal shells in considerable numbers. They are divisible into two classes, (1.) underlying fine dark sands and clays; and, (2.) overlying coarse red clay with striated stones, probably boulder clay.
3. On Human Crania allied in Anatomical Characters to the Engis and Neanderthal Skulls
Authors: Turner Wm.
Published: June 2016

The Author compared the above crania with various human skulls which had come under his observation. He exhibited a skull brought by Mr Henry Duckworth, F.G.S., from St Acheul near Amiens, which in its general contour presented a striking resemblance to the Engis skull. The St Acheul skull was somewhat smaller, being probably that of a female. It might almost have been regarded as a reduced copy of the Engis skull. There was no evidence that the skull from St Acheul was of an earlier date than the Gallo-Roman period of French history. The Neanderthal skull was compared with several modern crania, mostly British, especially with reference to the projection of the supra-orbital ridges, the retreating forehead, and the slight convexity of the occipital region. He exhibited several skulls which were closely allied to it in one or other of these features.
5. Notice of the State of the Open-Air Vegetation in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden, during December 1863
Authors: Balfour J. H.
Published: June 2016

The state of the vegetation in the open ground of the Botanic Garden during the month of December 1863 was so very remarkable that I have been induced to submit a notice of it to the Royal Society. The number of phanerogamous species and varieties in flower during the month amounted to 245; of these 35 were spring-flowering plants which had anticipated their period of florescence, while the rest were summer and autumn flowers which had protracted their flowering beyond their usual limits.
4. On Fermat's Theorem
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

The author stated that in consequence of Legendre's work, the proof of Fermat's Theorem is reducible to showing the impossibility of

xm = ym+zm,

when m is an odd prime, x, y, z being integers.

Talbot has shown that in this case x, y, z are necessarily composite numbers.

The author shows, among other results of very elementary processes, that if numbers can be found to satisfy the above equation, x and y leave the remainder 1 when divided by m; and that z has m as a factor. Many farther limitations are given on possible values of x, y, z—the process being based on the consideration of their prime factors, and on Fermat's Elementary Theorem Nm − N = Nm.
2. On the Diffraction Bands produced by Double Striated Surfaces
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

Having observed a series of serrated fringes in examining the colours produced by the fibres of the crystalline lens of fishes, the author was led to imitate them by the combination of grooves upon glass and steel surfaces, or of grooves taken from these surfaces upon isinglass or gums.

The interference bands thus produced were serrated or rectilineal, sometimes parallel and sometimes at right angles to the direction of the grooves, and varying in their magnitude and character according as they were exhibited on the colourless image, or on the diffracted spectra, or as they were produced at different angles of incidence, or at different distances of the grooved surfaces, or by different numbers of reflexion, or by different numbers and combinations of refracting and reflecting surfaces.
5. On Centrobaric Bodies
Authors: Thomson W.
Published: June 2016

This is an abstract of an investigation which will be published in full in “Thomson and Tait's Natural Philosophy.” It contains the application of Green's wonderful results regarding the potential to the determination of the centre of gravity of a system when there is such a point. Some of the more remarkable propositions, which are thus established are as follows:—

If the action of terrestrial or other gravity on a rigid body is reducible to a single force in a line passing always through one point fixed relatively to the body, whatever be its position relatively to the earth or other attracting mass, that point is called its centre of gravity, and the body is called a centrobaric body.
2. On some points in the Metrology of the Great Pyramid
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi
Published: June 2016

This paper was an attempt to submit to a severe and searching examination, the very new and apparently important ideas contained in the work, published four years ago by Mr John Taylor of London, and entitled “The Great Pyramid; why was it Built?” To this end, the original authorities for measures of the Pyramid, had been extensively referred to, from Professor John Greaves in the 17th century, down to Colonel Howard Vyse and Dr Lepsius in the 19th; and their various and sometimes conflicting numerical statements had been computed with all due attention to scientific accuracy, as well as every endeavour to eliminate both personal and other sources of error in tbe observations.
3. The Decimal Problem Solved
Authors: Alexander James
Published: June 2016

The author having had experience of the simple duodecimal monetary system of Portugal, which is accumulated by multiplication from a decimal minimum unit, proposes to apply the same principle to the British coinage. Having also discovered, while in Canada, that the difference betwixt the British coinage and a decimal position or character, is 20 per cent, over all, he proposes to overcome this by altering the value of the present farthing, by this rate, making it the fifth, instead of the fourth of the penny—the penny of 5 farthings would then become the duodecimal multiplier of all the coins, making the shilling 60 farthings instead of 48, and the pound 1200 instead of 960, and each intermediate coin would be represented by one of the digits and one or two ciphers, while the pound, being represented by 12, the highest single divisor or multiplier, could be kept out as the maximum unit.
4. On the Elevation of the Earth's Surface Temperature produced by Underground Heat
Authors: Thomson W.
Published: June 2016

Peclet found, by his own experiments, that a body with any common unpolished non-metallic surface, kept by heat from within at 1° higher temperature than that of the air and other objects round it, loses heat from each square metre of surface at the rate of about nine kilogramme-water thermal units per hour, or, which is the same, of a gramme-water unit from each square centimetre per second. The mean conductivity of the three Edinburgh strata, in which Principal Forbes's underground thermometers were placed, is 2¾ grain-water units per second per square foot per 1° per foot rate of variation of temperature, as I have shown previously.
1. Unpublished Letter of the late Professor Dugald Stewart
Authors: Small John
Published: June 2016

The letter which Mr Small has sent to the Royal Society, and which, at the request of the Council, I have the honour of bringing under the notice of the meeting, was acquired by the University in 1861, at the sale of the MSS. of the late Very Rev. Principal Lee. It is by no means destitute of historical importance, though its main value for us may rest on the consideration that it was written directly from the scene of the convulsion which it describes, by Professor Dugald Stewart to the Reverend Archibald Alison. As a zealous student of political philosophy, Mr Stewart took a lively interest in the early stages of the French Revolution. He accordingly visited Paris both in 1788 and in 1789; and while there he maintained an active correspondence on the subject which engrossed him, with his friend Mr Alison.
6. On the Theory of Isomeric Compounds
Authors: Brown A. Crum
Published: June 2016

In this paper only those bodies are considered which are “absolutely isomeric,” that is, which have not only the same composition per cent, and the same molecular weight, but also the same constitutional formula. As the constitutional formula of comparatively few substances is known, this class is as yet a small one.
7. On the Rhombohedral System in Crystallography
Authors: Catton Alfred R.
Published: June 2016

The science of Crystallography has for its object the classification of crystalline forms.

The principles which must guide us in attempting to arrive at a natural classification of crystals are the same as those which have been so successfully applied to the formation of a natural classification of plants by Ray and Jussieu, and of animals by Cuvier.

By the application of these principles it has been found that crystals are formed on six different types or plans of structure, and in consequence crystals have been arranged in six primary classes, termed crystallographic systems. They are named the cubic, pyramidal, rhombohedral, prismatic, oblique, and anorthic systems.