bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2. Extracts from Letters to the General Secretary, on the Analogy of the Structure of some Volcanic Rocks with that of Glaciers.
Authors: Darwin C. , Forbes
Published: June 2016

“I take the liberty of addressing you, knowing how much you are interested on the subject of your discovery of the veined structure of glacier ice. I have a specimen (from Mr Stokes's collection) of Mexican obsidian, which, judging from your description, must resemble, to a considerable degree, the zoned ice. It is zoned with quite straight parallel lines, like an agate; and these zones, as far as I can see under the microscope, appear entirely due to the greater or lesser number of excessively minute, flattened air cavities.
3. Professor Forbes then read the following Letter from Professor Gordon, of Glasgow, on the subject of the Viscous Theory of Glaciers.
Authors: Gordon Lewis
Published: June 2016

When you requested me to give you a memorandum of what appeared to me to be thevery glacier-like motionand appearance of Stockholm pitch flowing from a barrel, I considered my observation to have been too casual to be worth writing, and having foreseen that I could arrange an experiment at Gateshead in the beginning of the year, I delayed giving you the memorandum you wished. I had hoped to have been able to inspect and report on my experiment about this time; but I cannot go to Gateshead for some time to come, nor have I had any report of the progress of my pitch glacier since the 6th January, when I was informed it had not moved since the day after I left it, on the 28th December. Your note of yesterday induces me to offer you the following still perfectly vivid impressions of the analogy betweeniceandStockholm pitch.
1. Observations on the Temperature of the Earth at Trevandrum, in Lat. 8° 30′ 32″.
Authors: Caldecott John , Forbes
Published: June 2016

The present notice is a sequel to one presented to the Royal Society on 1st May 1843, containing the results of Mr Caldecott's Observations on the Temperature of the Earth in India, made by means of thermometers sunk to depths of 3, 6, and 12 French feet, corresponding to those employed in the three stations near Edinburgh, of which the results are already before the Society.
1. On Dr Wollaston's Argument from the limitation of the Earth's Atmosphere as to the Finite Divisibility of Matter.
Authors: Wilson George
Published: June 2016

The author commenced by stating at some length, the nature of Wollaston's argument, the object of which was to affirm that the limitation of the earth's atmosphere justified the conclusion, that the air consists of indivisible particles or true atoms. He then discussed the opinions which have been offered by Daubeny, Dumas, Whewell, and others, as to the validity of Wollaston's conclusion, and stated that the special object of his communication was to shew that the inference from the existence of a limit to the atmosphere, that matter is only finitely divisible, is quite unwarranted.
4. On the Thermometric Correction of Magnetic Instruments.
Authors: Broun J. A.
Published: June 2016

Mr Broun points out the defects of the usual methods of ascertaining the corrections for temperature, applicable to magnetic instruments generally, and the vertical force magnetometer in particular. The usual methods depend upon the knowledge of the time of vibration, or upon the statical deflection produced by a neighbouring magnet, under differing circumstances of temperature. Mr Broun shews that both these methods are liable to great objection; and he has succeeded by arranging the ordinary hourly observations of the instruments in groups, in obtaining consistent results for the temperature correction by a process of elimination.
5. On the Constitution of Bebeerine.
Authors: Maclagan Douglas , Tilley Thomas G.
Published: June 2016

Bebeerine is a vegetable alkaloid, discovered by Dr Rodie of Demerara, in the bark of the Bebeeru tree,Nectandra Rodiei, Schomburgk. The properties of the alkaloid and its application in the form of sulphate, in the treatment of disease, were formerly described by Dr Maclagan in a paper read before the Society, and published in their Transactions, vol. xv., part 3.
1. On the Sums of the Digits of Numbers.
Authors: Terrot
Published: June 2016

It was shewn, that, if the ultimate sums of the digits of the terms of any arithmetic series, whose difference is prime to the local value of the notation employed, minus 1, be taken, such sums will range, without any recurrence, through all the digits of the notation, and then recur in the same order as before. It was then shewn, that in any integer series formed upon a given law, the sums of the digits of the terms will have a fixed period of recurrence. This was proved in polygonal and figurate numbers, in the series of squares, cubes, &c., in the successive powers of a given root; in the series whose general term ism.m+1…m+r−1; and in that whose general term isxm+axm−1.…+l.
2. On the recent Eruption of Hecla, and the Volcanic Shower in Orkney.
Authors: Traill
Published: June 2016

Dr Traill read an account of dust falling from the atmosphere on the 2d and 3d of September last, in the islands of Orkney.

This dust was observed by a gentleman in the island of Rousay, falling from the air in the morning of the 2d. It was collected by another at Skaill, on the western shores of Pomona, on the morning of the 3d; and by two other gentlemen in Kirkwall on the same day. It appears also to have fallen in several other parts of Orkney, probably over all the islands; and was observed also to reach the northern coasts of Caithness, within an area of which the radius cannot be less than 30 or 40 miles.
1. On the Decomposition and Dispersion of Light within Solid Bodies.
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

After noticing various cases of solid and liquid bodies, which disperse light of a colour quite different from the transmitted tint, and Sir John Hersche's explanation of the phenomenon in the solution of acid sulphate of quinine, which, although itself colourless, disperses light of a bright blue, the author considers—

1. The internal dispersion of fluor-spar. By employing a more intense light than Sir J. Herschel did—namely, a condensed beam of the sun's light—he conceives that he has proved that the dispersion is not, as Sir J. Herschel supposes, superficial or epipolic, but, on the contrary, belongs, in some specimens at least, to every part of the crystal. The phenomenon is only seen in the green fluor of Alston, and in some pink and bluish-yellów varieties from Derbyshire. Some specimens are formed of strata alternately dispersing and non-dispersing. The author has not found the same appearances in any other mineral; but he has observed similar phenomena of dispersion in several kinds of glass, and even in some colourless glasses, which disperse a fine green tint.
1. On the recent Scottish Madrepores, with Remarks on the Climatic Character of the Extinct Races.
Authors: Fleming
Published: June 2016

The author, in this communication, referred, in the first instance, to the three species of Lamelliferous Polyparia, described in his “British Animals,” Edin., 1828, exhibiting specimens of theCaryophyllea cyathus, andTurbinolia borealisof that work, together with a characteristic drawing, by the late Mrs Hibbert, of thePocillopora interstincta, there alluded to as a native of the Zetland seas. He then exhibited a specimen, six pounds in weight, of theMadrepora proliferaof Müller, which was found last summer by fishermen, their lines having become entangled with it, in the sea between the islands of Rum and Egg. This species was known to Pontoppidan, as a native of the Norwegian seas, and is now ascertained to be a native of the Hebrides.
1. On the Mean Height of the Barometer in different Latitudes.
Authors: Hansteen
Published: June 2016

Professor Hansteen first shews, that the remarkable difference of 1·62 French lines, by which the barometer reduced to the level of the sea, is higher at Paris than at Christiania, cannot be ascribed solely to the effect of the difference of gravity of the mercury in the barometer at the two places. The author then gives an empirical formula to represent the mean height of the barometer in any latitude which he compares with observations.
3. Extracts from a Letter of Baron Berzelius.
Authors: Berzelius
Published: June 2016

“In the investigation of the vegetable alkalies which I have made for the new edition of my Hand-Book, I consider myself to have established, in a satisfactory manner, that the alkaline constituent of these substances is ammonia, coupled with a variety of different compounds, such as carbo-hydrogens, organic oxides, chlorides, oxychlorides, sulphurets, amides, and even saline compounds. The ammonia in these substances can be converted into amide, ammonium, or oxide of ammonium, under different circumstances. Although, however, I conceive we are now on the right road with the basic constituent of the alkaloids, we are still very much in the dark with regard to the substances which are coupled with the ammonia. The investigation of these will be a much more difficult problem, if, indeed, we ever succeed in solving it.
2. Notes on the Superficial Strata of the Neighbourhood of Edinburgh, concluded.
Authors: Fleming
Published: June 2016

The author began by adverting to the position of Edinburgh as favourable to the study of geology, from the proximity of the transition rocks, the old red sandstone, and the coal measures; and then stated, that the deposits belonging to the modern epoch were equally accessible and interesting.

In order to illustrate the character of the superficial strata, the author considered, in the first instance, the condition of thesurfaces of the rocks, on which these loose deposits rest.
2. On Vital Affinity. Parts II. and III..
Authors: Alison
Published: June 2016

In continuation of his former paper, Dr Alison proceeded to review the chief facts known in regard to the formation of theoilsand thealbuminouscompounds in organized bodies, with the view of illustrating the modification given by vitality to chemical affinities. The formation of fat or oil in vegetables appears to be effected simply by the separation of oxygen from some of the varieties of starch; but in animals, where no oxygen is evolved, and where, nevertheless, oily compounds may certainly be formed from starch (as shewn by Liebig, Chevreul, and Milne-Edwards), this appears to be effected by an affinity of the greater part of the carbon and hydrogen of the starch, for a small part of the oxygen, to form fat, while a smaller part of the carbon and hydrogen, with the greater part of the oxygen of the starchy aided by additional oxygen absorbed from the air, passes off as carbonic acid and water. In both cases, the essential characters of that affinity, which appears to be peculiar to the state of life, lies apparently in the attraction of carbon for hydrogen, with a much smaller proportion of oxygen than exists in the compounds of these elements existing in the inorganic world; and as no such compound is formed from starch, under the same circumstances in other respects, without the presence of living cells, he regards the formation of oil in living bodies as an effect of vital affinity; although admitting that in the course of the decomposition of animal compounds, by various chemical agents, oily matters may be formed by simple chemical action, as in the well-known example of the formation of adipocere from fibrin.
1. On the Co-existence of Ovigerous Capsules and Spermatozoa in the same individuals of the Hydra Viridis.
Authors: Thomson Allen
Published: June 2016

In this communication, the author described some observations made by him in the autumn of 1845, by which he had ascertained that in the Common Green Polype, as had previously been observed in theHydra fusca, generation takes place at the approach of winter by the development of impregnated ova.

Professor Thomson ascertained, that, at this season, while a number of the polypes bore the spermatic capsules near the base of the arms, a few animals were to seen, on which, besides these capsules, an ovum was developed from the exterior of the middle of the body.
2. On the Parallel Roads of Lochaber; with Remarks on the change of relative Levels of Sea and Land in Scotland, and on the Detrital Deposits in that Country. Part I.
Authors: Milne David
Published: June 2016

The author, after referring to the views of former observers, stated, that though he had proceeded to Glen Roy under a strong impression that Mr Darwin's marine theory afforded a solution of the question, he had felt himself constrained, after an examination of the valleys, to abandon that theory, and that he had satisfied himself that the shelves had been formed by lakes of fresh water. He referred to the proofs still existing of the mode in which these lakes had been discharged, and he described particularly the unequivocal traces of an old river course running from the head of Glen Glaster to Loch Laggan, with a delta at the level of shelf 4 on Loch Laggan side, formed by this ancient but now extinct river.
2. Observations of Terrestrial Temperature made at Trevandrum Observatory, from May 1842 to December 1845.
Authors: Caldecott John
Published: June 2016

This paper is a continuation of the Register of Observations already recorded at page 29 of this volume of the “Proceedings.”
1. On Certain Products of Decomposition of the Fixed Oils in Contact with Sulphur.
Authors: Anderson T.
Published: June 2016

The investigations contained in this paper were undertaken with the view of ascertaining the nature of the action of sulphur in the free state on organic substances. The author endeavoured, in the first instance, to examine the action of that agent upon some of the simpler organic compounds, but without obtaining any definite results; and finally confined his experiments entirely to the fixed oils.

The distillation of oil of almonds with sulphur, which is attended by the violent evolution of sulphuretted hydrogen, afforded a peculiar nauseous oil, and a crystalline product deposited on cooling from the latter portions of the oil. In order to ascertain the source of these products, comparative experiments were made with pure stearic and oleic acids. It was thus found, that stearic acid, when distilled with sulphur, gave products identical with those obtained by its simple distillation, but that oleic acid gave an oily fluid and crystals similar to those produced from the crude oil.
2. On the Structural relation of Oil and Albumen in the Animal Economy.
Authors: Bennett J. H.
Published: June 2016

Nitrogenised principles of food are subservient to the formation of albumen, whilst the non-nitrogenised are mostly converted into fat or oil. The fact, that a union of these is essential to nutrition, is explained, according to the chemist, by supposing that albumen constitutes the basis of the tissues, and that oil furnishes the elements of respiration and animal heat. This theory, however, does not explain the origin and maintenance of all growth, which is so essential to the vital functions. The author considered that the necessity of oil and albumen was accounted for by their being both necessary to the formation of the tissues, and he endeavoured to shew that there is no elementary cell into which these principles do not enter as constituent parts.
2. Note on the Constitution of the Phosphates of the Organic Alkalies.
Authors: Anderson Thomas
Published: June 2016

The author had been led to investigate the phosphates of the organic alkalies, with the view of determining the accuracy of an analysis of the phosphate of strychnia by Regnault, which gave results incompatible with the known constitution of the inorganic phosphates. He alluded to the investigation of the phosphates of aniline by Nicholson, and proceeded to the statement of his own observations.
1. Account of a Geological Examination of the Volcanoes of the Vivarais.
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

The author having, on former occasions, stated some results of his travels in Auvergne and the Cantal, gives a more detailed description of the volcanoes of the Vivarais, which have been less frequently and less accurately described.

He first gives an account of the journey from Le Puy across the chain of the Cevennes which culminate at the volcanic summit of the Mezeuc, by the course of the Loire, to Montpezat in the department of the Ardêche.
3. Contributions to the Phenomena of the Zodiacal Light.
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi
Published: June 2016

The purport of this paper was to place on record certain observations made during the years 1843–4–5, in the southern hemisphere, at those times of the year when the Zodiacal Light cannot be seen in the Northern hemisphere; to test, by means of these new data,—which, besides the novelty of the geographical position, had the further one of being determined by instrumental measurement,—what laws of the phenomena may be considered to have been satisfactorily made out, and what required further elucidation; and to recommend these latter to the attention of observers situated in more favourable parts of the world than those commanded by European Observatories generally.
1. Practical Illustration of the Adjustments of the Equatorial Instrument.
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi
Published: June 2016

The object of this paper was partly to introduce to the notice of travellers and residents in tropical countries, a small equatorial instrument, specially contrived for observing the Zodiacal light; and partly to bring forward before amateur astronomers, prominently, the advantage of equatorial mountings in general; as well as to exemplify the best and easiest methods of adjusting and rectifying the instruments, and placing the telescopes in every respect in the most favourable circumstances for yielding good results.
2. On the Vertebral Column, and some Characters that have been overlooked in the Descriptions both of the Anatomist and Zoologist.
Authors: Macdonald
Published: June 2016

After noticing that the vertebral skeleton has usually been compared to a column, of which the basis (in man) is formed by the sacrum and coccyx, the shaft or columnar part being the bodies of the true vertebræ, as they are usually styled, and surmounted by the splendid composite capital the cranium, the author proposed restricting the observations to the columnar portion, usually divided into 7 cervical, 12 dorsal, and 5 lumbar vertebræ. This division was denounced, and beginning at the summit, he shewed that the upper or cervical region consisted only of 6 vertebræ, as the 7th, in its normal position in the mammal class, had a rib partly articulated to its body, and therefore acquired the character of a dorsal vertebra.
2. On the Colouring Matter of the Morinda citrifolia.
Authors: Anderson Thomas
Published: June 2016

The substance examined by the author was imported into Glasgow from Bombay, under the name of sooranjee, as a substitute for madder, but had been found useless by the dyers. No information could be obtained regarding its botanical origin in this country, but the importers having written to their correspondents received a quantity of seeds, labelled, Seeds of the Sooranjee plant,Morinda citrifolia. These seeds did not germinate, but agreed in their characters with those ofM. citrifolia; and, for reasons stated at length in the paper, are considered by Dr Balfour to belong to that plant.
3. An Attempt to improve the present Methods of determining the Strength and Direction of the Wind at Sea.
Authors: Smyth C. P.
Published: June 2016

The laxity of the present methods having been brought, by his friend Captain Cockburn, R.N., before the author, with a desire to be furnished with some sort of anemometer, and with some easy means of eliminating the effect of the motion of the vessel, he began to consider what would be themost appropriateform of anemometer to be used at sea; for several kinds had been already tried, but had failed, as he thought, from not being constructed on a suitable principle. The species which the author considered the best, was that which should imitate, as nearly as possible,mutatis mutandis, the log-line by means of which the ship's way through the water is determined; for that instrument seems to have preserved its situation and supremacy over all others on board-ship amongst all nations, and from the time of Columbus to the present, mainly on account of the appropriateness of the principle involved.
3. Note respecting the Refractive and Dispersive Power of Chloroform.
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

From an experiment made in very cloudy weather, and therefore rather unfavourable light, I determined the following indices of refraction for pure chloroform, prepared by Dr George Wilson, of sp. gr.

The measure of the refracting angle of the prism was 39° 41′. References were made to the principal lines of the spectrum, as below, the temperature of the fluid was probably 54°.
1. Geological Notes on the Valleys of the Rhine and Rhone.
Authors: Chambers Robert
Published: June 2016

The principal part of this paper was devoted to a description of alluvial terraces, as seen along the banks of the Rhine at Bonn, Mainz, and Basle, and in the valley of the Arve, the well-known tributary of the Rhone. These terraces, which rise high above the reach of the present river, yet slope in the same direction. The intermediate hollow or trough in which the river runs, has evidently been cut out of what was at first an entire sloping sheet of detrital matter, filling the valley from side to side up to a certain height. At the lower part of the Arve valley, the detrital matter has been discharged across the valley of the Rhone, so as to form a barrier for the Lake of Geneva.
1. An Account of Carnot's Theory of the Motive Power of Heat, with Numerical Results deduced from Regnault's Experiments on Steam.
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

The questions to be resolved by a complete theory of the motive power of heat, are the following:—

I. What is the precise nature of the thermal agency by means of whichmechanical effectis to be produced, without effects of any other kind?

II. How may the amount of this thermal agency necessary for performing a given quantity of work be estimated?
2. On the Extraction of Mannite from the Dandelion.
Authors: Smith Messrs , Stenhouse
Published: June 2016

Messrs Smith stated that they had extracted from the dandelion, a large amount of a crystalline sweet substance, having all the physical characters of mannite. It was analysed by Dr Stenhouse, and found to contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, in the proportions which characterise the accepted formula for mannite; viz., C6H7O6, so that it certainly was the substance it was supposed to be.
1. Personal Observations on Terraces, and other proofs of Changes in the relative Level of Sea and Land in Scandinavia.
Authors: Chambers Robert
Published: June 2016

In this paper were given descriptions of alluvial formations of a terassiform character in the valley of the Lir river, near Drammen, in Norway, and of similar objects in valleys near the foot of the Miösen lake. The author then described a remarkable terrace which runs for fully fourteen miles at one elevation along the upper part of the valley of the Logan, in the Dovre field. It is composed on the left side of the valley of water-laid sand, and is believed to be about 2150 feet above the level of the sea. On the Dovre field, several hundred feet higher, are morasses containing the remains of much greater trees than are now growing in that district, the highest vegetation of which is a dwarf birch; and Mr Chambers remarks, that when the terrace was on the sea-level this district would enjoy a temperature fit for the production of such large timber. Mr Chambers next described some remarkable terraces in the valleys near Trondhiem, and particularly the great terrace of erosion which overlooks that city at an elevation of 522 feet above the sea.
2. Notice respecting a Deposit of Shells near Borrowstounness.
Authors: Maclaren Charles
Published: June 2016

This deposit of shells is situated about a mile and a half west from Borrowstounness, where the Carse of Falkirk terminates in a strip of flat land a furlong in breadth. The shells are exposed in two openings, each about 300 feet long, made in the soil to procure limestone for Mr Wilson's iron-works. The bed can be traced in these openings along lines having an aggregate length of 1000 feet. Over all that spare the shells form an unbroken stratum of very uniform depth (nearly three inches), and almost perfectly horizontal.
5. On the Extinction of Light in the Atmosphere.
Authors: Jacob W. S.
Published: June 2016

In a letter dated Madras, November 1849, Captain Jacob says, “I have been much interested in reading, lately, Professor Forbes's paper in the Philosophical Transactions, 1842, Part 2, on the Extinction of Light and Heat in the Atmosphere.” As his results agree very closely with those of my experience on the Trigonometrical Survey of India, and which, though not founded on any precise measures, being still the conclusions of some years' experience, are perhaps worth noticing, particularly when they agree with the results of more exact measures.
1. Abstract of a Paper on the Hypothesis of Molecular Vortices, and its Application to the Mechanical Theory of Heat.
Authors: Rankine William John Macquorn
Published: June 2016

The object of this paper is to shew how the laws of the phenomena of Elasticity and Expansion, as connected with heat, may be reduced to mechanical principles by means of an hypothesis called that of Molecular Vortices.

The author ascribes the first distinct statement of an hypothesis of this kind to Sir Humphrey Davy, and refers to Mr Joule as having supported it; but he states that its consequences, to the best of his knowledge, have not hitherto been developed by means of the principles of Analytical Mechanics.
1. On the Equilibrium of Elastic Solids.
Authors: Maxwell James Clerk
Published: June 2016

This paper commenced by pointing out the insufficiency of all theories of elastic solids, in which the equations do not contain two independent constants deduced from experiments. One of these constants is common to liquids and solids, and is called the modulus ofcubicalelasticity. The other is peculiar to solids, and is here called the modulus oflinearelasticity. The equations of Navier, Poisson, and Lamé and Clapeyron, contain only one coefficient; and Professor G. G. Stokes of Cambridge, seems to have formed the first theory of elastic solids which recognised the independence of cubical and linear elasticity, although M. Cauchy seems to have suggested a modification of the old theories, which made the ratio of linear to cubical elasticity the same for all substances. Professor Stokes has deduced the theory of elastic solids from that of the motion of fluids, and his equations are identical with those of this paper, which are deduced from the two following assumptions.
2. Account of a Remarkable Meteor, seen 19th December, 1849.
Authors: Forbes J. D.
Published: June 2016

“On the evening of the 19th December 1849, whilst walking near the southern part of Edinburgh, about fifteen minutes past five. Greenwich time (as I afterwards estimated), I observed a meteor, fully brighter than Venus at her average brilliancy, moving from W. towards N., parallel to the horizon, elevated 15° above it, and followed by a distinct luminous train. This angle was subsequently taken by estimation by daylight, with the aid of a theodolite; and the compass-bearing of the meteor, when first seen, ascertained in the same way, must have been 47° W. of N. When it bore 29° E. of magnetic north, it was observed to have divided into two, the one part following the other at some distance; and I soon after lost sight of it in the obscurity of the smoke of the town. When it split, its altitude was estimated at 6°. It thus described an arc of no less than 76°, in doing which it occupied, as I roughly estimated, about 15 seconds, or possibly more.
4. On a Peruvian Musical Instrument, like the ancient Syrinx.
Authors: Traill
Published: June 2016

The author prefaced his description of the instrument, by a few general remarks on the communication, in very remote epochs, between the inhabitants of the old and new worlds, as deducible from affinities in their traditions, their cosmogenies, their religious rites and structures, their astronomical cycles, and their determination of the length of the year.

The Peruvian instrument was discovered, some years ago, in ahuaco, or vast tumulus, that was believed to cover the remains of an Inca of Peru. It is not of unequal reeds, like the Greek syrinx, but is cut out of a piece ofpotstone, of a trapezoidal form, in which are cut eight tubular holes of unequal depths.
3. Abstract of Professor Kelland's Exposition of the Views.
Authors: Hay D. R.
Published: June 2016

The fundamental hypothesis of the author was stated to be this:— That the eye is capable of appreciating the exact subdivision of spaces, just as the ear is capable of appreciating the exact subdivisions of intervals of time; so that tho division of space into an exact number of equal parts will affect the eye agreeably in the same way that the division of the time of vibration in music, into an exact number of equal parts, agreeably affects the ear. But the question now arises, What spaces does the eye most readily divide? It was stated that the author supposes those spaces to be angles, not lines; believing that the eye is more affected by direction than by distance. The basis of his theory, accordingly, is, that bodies are agreeable to the eye, so far as symmetry is concerned, whenever the principal angles are exact submultiples of some common fundamental angle.
1. On the Constitution of Codeine, and its Products of Decomposition.
Authors: Anderson Thomas
Published: June 2016

The author commenced his paper by referring to the analysis of codeine made by different chemists. On these analyses four different formulæ had been founded; but two only, those of Regnault and of Gerhardt, required special mention, the others being now known certainly not to represent the constitution of the base. Regnault had deduced from his analysis the formula C35H20NO5, while Gerhardt gives C36H21NO6as the expression of his results.
1. Researches on the Conducting Power of the Metals for Heat and Electricity, tending to establish a New Analogy between these principles
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: June 2016

The paper began by pointing out the very limited class of bodies to which observations of the kind alluded to have been extended. The author was led to a careful examination of the existing determinations of the conducting powers of the metals for heat, by some collateral trains of experiment in which he was occupied two years ago. He points out the degree of confidence which may be placed in the arrangement of conductors given by different authors; for we appear to be far from reaching a correct estimate of their numerical values. In viewing those of M. Despretz as the best, he remarks, that the position of platinum, which is certainly erroneous, shews how imperfectly we can depend upon experiments on this point, made with even more than usual care. Platinum is placed, by this writer, almost at the top of the list, between gold and silver, whilst the commonest experiments serve to shew that it is really a very imperfect conductor.
On the Gradual Elevation of Land in High Northern Latitudes
Authors: Johnston J. F. W.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, the author shewed, by a number of phenomena observable within the coasts of Sweden, chiefly around Stockholm, and on the shores of the Lake Macler and its arms, that the conclusion of the Swedish surveyors in 1821, that a change of the relative level of the land and water along the coasts of the Baltic had in many localities taken place, could not reasonably be disputed.
2. On the Equations of Loci traced upon the surface of the Sphere, as expressed by spherical co-ordinates
Authors: Davies T. S.
Published: June 2016

This paper is intended as a necessary supplement to the paper bearing the same title already printed in the Society's Transactions, though but an abridgment of a larger one which the author had prepared on the subject. Particular circumstances induced him to alter the plan he had originally contemplated, and instead of a complete development in detail of his researches and his views, he has only on the present occasion given so much of his results as were necessary to bring the system of polar spherical co-ordinates to a state analogous to that in which plane polar curves has long been stationary, one point of the analogy excepted, viz. where the author has extended the method of treating tangents and normals, and the consequent investigations dependent on these, by giving the polar equations of those lines, instead of merely examining the relation between the radius-vector, and perpendicular upon the tangent. In a note the equations of the tangent and normal, to plain curves, is given from first principles; and the analogy between plane and spherical curves is shewn to be remarkably close.
2. Experiments on Magnetic Intensity made at Liverpool and Manchester
Authors: Traill
Published: June 2016

Dr Traill made a report to the Society of experiments made by him in 1832 at Liverpool and Manchester on magnetic intensity, measured by the oscillations of the horizontal needles belonging to the Society, which had been sent to him for that purpose. The reporter also stated the result of a series of experiments made by Professor Oersted and himself in Liverpool in 1823, which is important, as having been made use of by Professor Hansteen in constructing his isodynamic magnetic lines for Great Britain.
2. Notice relative to the Polyzonal Lenses belonging to the Commissioners of the Northern Light-houses
Authors: Stevenson Alan
Published: June 2016

These lenses, which were exhibited to the Society by Mr Stevenson, are three in number. One, a plano-convex lens, two feet six inches square, was made by M. Soleil at Paris, under the superintendence of the late M. Fresnel. Another is a double-convex circular lens of flint-glass, three feet in diameter, which was constructed by the Messrs Gilbert of London, at the suggestion of Sir David Brewster. The third is a circular plano-convex lens, two feet six inches in diameter, cast in one piece as originally proposed by Buffon. This lens has been executed for the first time by the Messrs Cookson, plateglass-makers, Newcastle.
1. Notes on the Geology of Auvergne, particularly in connection with the Origin of Trap Rocks and the Elevation Theory
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

The first part of this paper (which accompanied a series of geological specimens from Auvergne, presented to the Society) relates to several specific points which tend to assimilate the evidence for the igneous origin of trap-rocks generally, with that afforded by the volcanic district of Central France. The altered character of the stratified deposits with which igneous rocks have been intermixed, is one of their most striking features; yet we occasionally find cases where this evidence is far from being so obvious as might be expected; and this dubious character, which is particularly remarked in the hill of Gergovia, near Clermont, forms an admirable parallel to some cases in trap districts where a like want of alteration occurs.
2. On the occurrence of Megalichthys Hibberti in a bed of Cannel Coal in the West of Fifeshire; with Observations on the supposed Lacustrine Limestone of Burdiehouse
Authors: Horner Leonard
Published: June 2016

In a fragment of this kind of coal there was accidentally found a very fine specimen of a tooth, which the author considers to belong to the Megalichthys Hibberti of Agassiz. It is similar to some of those found in the limestone of Burdiehouse by Dr Hibbert, and is almost identical with that figured at p. 183 in Dr Hibbert's Memoir, in the 13th volume of the Society's Transactions; being about two inches long, and seven-eighths of an inch at the base, longitudinally striated, and covered with a shining enamel.
1. On the Non-Hellenic portion of the Latin Language
Authors: Williams
Published: June 2016

The line of argument went to shew, that the Umbri were one of the most ancient nations of Italy. That they, through their colonies or entire tribes, entered deeply into the composition of the primitive population of Rome. That, according to ancient authorities, these Umbri were the descendants of the “Veteres Galli.” That these Veteres Galli were of the same race and blood as the present Cumbri of Wales, Cornwall, and Brittany. That hence it is probable, that the ancient language still preserved among these may have entered easily into the composition of the language of the Romans.
4. Professor Forbes communicated the following memorandum respecting the Polarization of Heat
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

“I have recently ascertained the following facts respecting heat.

“1st, That heat polarized in any plane, and then reflected from the surface of a refracting medium, changes its plane of polarization in a manner similar to what obtains in the case of light. Thus, with a thick plate of mica, which polarized homogeneous red light most completely at an incidence of about 59°, the plane of polarization of reflected polarized heat remained on the same side of the plane of reflection when the incidence was great, and was on the contrary side when the incidence was small. The limiting angle of incidence was about 57°, which therefore should be the polarizing angle of dark heat for mica. This mode of observing the polarizing angle offers some advantages above more direct methods.
Observations on the Chemical Nomenclature of Inorganic Compounds
Authors: Hope
Published: June 2016

The object of this paper is to propose a modification of the nomenclature of inorganic compounds now in use among chemists, which shall display with accuracy the ingredients of each compound, and the atomic ratios of each ingredient.

After stating the introduction of the principle of employing a descriptive nomenclature in chemistry by Bergman, and the happy application of it by Lavoisier and his associates, and subsequently by Berzelius, he traced the various changes rendered necessary by the improved knowledge of the more intimate constitution of compounds, resulting from the discovery of combination in definite proportions, and the atomic ratios in which combinations take place, adopted by Wollaston, Thomson, Thenard, Turner, &c.
1. Observations on Terrestrial Magnetism made in different parts of Europe, especially with reference to the influence of Height
Authors: Forbes
Published: June 2016

These observations have reference chiefly to the intensity of the earth's magnetism, and were made for the most part with Hansteen's apparatus, in the possession of the society.

The first section of the paper refers to the method of making the observations, which is nearly that of Professor Hansteen.

The second refers to the corrections applied. These are—1. for the rate of the chronometer; 2. for reduction of the vibrations of the intensity needles to infinitely small arcs; 3. for the effect of temperature in diminishing the magnetism of the needles, which was determined for each by direct experiment; 4. for changes in the earth's magnetism; 5. for progressive changes in the needle's magnetism, which were considerable for one of the Hansteen needles, but for the other very small.
1. On Tea Oil
Authors: Thomson Robert D. , Christison
Published: June 2016

A species of fixed oil, familiarly used in China for the same economical purposes for which olive oil is employed in Europe, has been ascertained by recent travellers in China to be produced in all probability by the tea-plant, or another species of the same natural family. The author assigns reasons for believing that it either is, or may be, obtained from the seeds of various species of the two genera Thea and Camellia. It has been hitherto almost unknown in Europe. It is when fresh quite free of smell, of a pale yellow tint, without any sediment when long kept. It resists a cold of 40° F., but at 39° becomes like an emulsion. Its density is 927. It is insoluble in alcohol, sparingly soluble in ether. It burns with a remarkably clear white flame.
1. On the Condition of the Earth, as it is first described in the Mosaic Account of the Creation
Authors: Ponton Mungo
Published: June 2016

In this paper, the author confined his attention principally to those words of the original, which, in the received translation, are rendered “without form and void.” He considered that, in a philological point of view, the most correct translation is “vastness and emptiness,” or, in the adjective form, “immeasurable and imponderable.”

The bearing of the most recent philosophical discoveries, and of the opinions of natural philosophers and geologists, upon the interpretation of this passage, formed the next subject of inquiry. It was stated that there are three prevailing opinions in regard to the Mosaic account of creation, arising out of three different views with respect to the period when those strata were formed which contain organic remains.
3. Description of a Single Achromatic Eye-Glass
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

The author observes that, “in combining the surfaces of an achromatic eye-piece, a very limited question is resolved. The condition is, that pencils of light falling upon the first surface in directions parallel [approximately] to the axis of the instrument, emerge from the last surface in such a way, that the different rays into which each is decomposed may be parallel among themselves. On account of this restriction, achromatism can be obtained by the use of only one medium, and it is unnecessary to combine substances acting differently on the light of various colours.”

The author then proceeds to show that, since the only required conditions are that two refractions shall take place of a certain amount and at certain distances, these conditions may be fulfilled by two refracting surfaces, or by a single lens of a certain thickness.
1. On the Constitution of the Earth's Atmosphere in Remote Geological Epochs
Authors: Johnston
Published: June 2016

This is the first paper of a promised series on the subject here announced. In the present paper the author endeavours to shew, that in remote epochs the atmosphere was more extensive and heavier than it is now, that it contained a greater absolute quantity of oxygen, and that this quantity has gradually diminished up to our own era, and is probably still undergoing a sensible diminution. His views are founded partly on speculative considerations, of which it is not possible to give a sufficiently circumstantial abridgment, and partly on the evidence of various operations going on at or near the surface of the earth, the tendency of which must, on the whole, apparently be to diminish the quantity and proportion of the oxygen in the atmosphere. In addition to the ordinary and well known causes of deterioration, the author points out a new source of diminution to which his attention has been lately drawn. From experiments made upon the aeriform fluid discharged from the earth during an inundation, and obviously expelled by the water penetrating to a considerable depth, and displacing the gases contained in the soil, he found that this gaseous matter consists of 2.5 per cent, carbonic acid, 12.764 oxygen, and 84.736 nitrogen. Taking this observation in conjunction with many others previously made on the composition of the gaseous discharges in volcanic districts, and the gaseous contents of mineral waters, he infers that a process of oxidation is constantly going on at various depths below the earth's surface, the oxygen for which is in all probability derived by absorption of the atmospheric gases at the surface.
2. Notice of the remarkable Mathematical Properties of a certain Parallelogram
Authors: Russell John Scott
Published: June 2016

The parallelogram which formed the subject of this communication is the rectangle whose sides are to each other in the ratio of the diagonal of a square to its side,—a figure well known to architects, sculptors, and painters, from its beauty, and frequently adopted in the practical arts.

The author shewed that if the given rectangle be bisected by a line parallel to its shortest side, each segment will be a figure similar in all respects to the original rectangle; and if either of these halves be itself bisected in the same manner, their halves will be rectangles similar to the original rectangle; and so on ad infinitum. The sides of the primary figure and its halves are continual proportionals, represented by the series

The author endeavours to trace an analogy between the properties of this parallelogram and the logarithmic spiral.
1. On the Wild Ox of Scotland
Authors: Knox
Published: June 2016

In this memoir, the author endeavours to trace the antiquity of the white oxen of Cadzou and of Tankerville during the historic period of Britain, but thinks that materials are altogether wanting for such an inquiry. No records exist in proof of these cattle being aboriginal; or, if introduced into the island by any of the three great races of men found in it, it would be difficult to offer a conjecture by which race they were introduced. Had the cattle of Britain been generally white in Caesar's time, it is probable that that great man would have noticed the fact.
2. Inquiry whether Sea Water has its Maximum Density at some degrees above its freezing point, after the manner of fresh water
Authors: Hope
Published: June 2016

Dr Hope stated that it has been considered a matter of considerable importance in the reasonings of geologists and hydrographers respecting some oceanic phenomena, whether sea water obeys at all temperatures the general law of expansion by heat, and contraction by cold, or, after the manner of fresh water, observes the anomalous course of contracting by heat, and expanding by cold, during a short range of temperature near its congealing point.
2. Remarks on the Illustrations presented by the Surface of the Moon, respecting certain Geological Phenomena. In a Letter to Sir J. Robinson, K. H, &c.
Authors: Nichol
Published: June 2016

Professor Nichol conceives that, as the upheaving cause is a general or cosmical phenomenon, no true or complete theory of it can be deduced from a review of its merely terrestrial actions; and in the notice read to the Society, he called the attention of geologists to a few general but important inferences, from the peculiar form of the elevations in the moon.

The author introduced his observations, by adverting to the following facts, as now ascertained and generally known concerning these elevations.
1. On the Fourth and Sixth Nerves of the Brain, being the concluding paper on the distinction observed in the Nerves of the Encephalon and Spinal Marrow
Authors: Bell C.
Published: June 2016

As no fewer than six of the nine nerves which arise from the brain are connected with the organ of vision, he finds it necessary to announce, not only the distinct sensibilities possessed by the organ of vision, but the motions to which it is subjected. Having shewn the connection of the voluntary motions of the eye-ball with the sensation on the retina, and the motions involuntary and for the protection of an organ so delicate and so exposed, he proceeds to shew the necessity of combinations among the muscles of the eye. As there are no direct communications between the muscles, necessarily united in action, he shews the necessity of distinct nerves, and also the necessity of their relations being established at their roots, and hence deduces the reason of the fourth and sixth nerves deviating from the others in their place and mode of origin.