bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2. Notice of a Remarkable Piece of Fossil Amber
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

The piece of amber, now on the table, was found in the kingdom of Ava, and sent to me from India by the late Mr George Swinton, to whom the Society was indebted for many interesting objects of natural history from that country. It weighs 2½ lbs., and in its general aspect seems to differ considerably from the ordinary specimens of amber. The remarkable fact, however, which distinguishes it from all the specimens of amber I have seen or read of, is, that it is intersected in various directions by thin veins of a crystallised mineral substance. These veins are in some parts of it as thin as a sheet of paper, and in other parts about the twentieth of an inch thick. In order to determine the nature of the mineral I extracted a portion of the thickest vein, and having obtained, by cleavage, a small rhomb, I succeeded in measuring the inclination of its planes, and found it to be carbonate of lime.
3. On the Cause and Cure of Cataract
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

The author's attention was called to this subject in consequence of having had an attack of incipient cataract forty years ago. The laminæ of the lens had separated so much as to exhibit rays of light, and the prismatic colours, round every source of light. At the end of eight months the laminæ came into optical contact, the rays and colours disappeared, and the eye became as perfect as the other, —a proof that cataract, in its incipient stage, may be discovered optically, and may be cured. During a series of experiments on the changes in the crystalline lenses of animals after death, the author observed that the capsule of the lens transmitted water into the lens till it burst; and hence he concluded that cataract might arise from an unhealthy state of the aqueous humour,—hard cataract from too much albumen in the aqueous humour, and soft cataract from too much water.
5. On the Molecular Constitution of Organic Compounds, No. I
Authors: Catton Alfred R.
Published: June 2016

The author stated this to be the first of a series of papers, in which he intended to develop in detail a new theory of the molecular constitution of organic and inorganic compounds.

In this paper the author considers the constitution of the olefines C2nH2n, aldehyds C2nH2nO2, fatty acids, hydrides of alcohol radicles C2nH2n+2, alcohols C2nH2n+2O2, glycols C2nKn+2O4. (C = 6, 0 = 8.)
4. On the Tertiary Coals of New Zealand
Authors: Lindsay W. Lauder
Published: June 2016

In 1861–62 the author visited and examined several of the Tertiary coal-measures of New Zealand; and the paper, of which this is an abstract, contains, or consists of, an epitome of his observations thereon. The collections of specimens made during his excursions, with relative maps and other illustrations, were exhibited to the Society at their Conversazione of 25th February 1863. A suite of coal specimens was submitted to chemical analysis by Professor Murray Thomson, the results of which are included in the paper.
2. Note on Action
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

The quantity represented by ∫vds, or its equivalent ∫v2dt, in any case of the motion of a particle, is known to possess important dynamical relations. The accidental discovery of a singularly simple geometrical representation of this quantity in the case of planetary motion led me to inquire whether the method involved might not be easily generalized. This note contains a sketch of some of the results of a hurried investigation of the point.

Graphical representations of the action in some common cases of motion readily suggest themselves.
4. On Transversals
Authors: Martin Hugh
Published: June 2016

This paper contains upwards of seventy theorems, in great part new, with reference to the intersection of systems of lines. The demonstrations are based upon determinants.
1. On the Food of the Royal Engineers stationed at Chatham
Authors: Playfair Lyon
Published: June 2016

The value of the food of soldiers is an important subject, because it presents us with the results of a long experience in feeding adult men, so as to preserve them in health and strength.

In this country fixed rations of ¾ lb. meat and 1 lb. of bread are issued to the soldiers, and the rest of their food is furnished from their own pay.
5. On the Composition of some Old Wines
Authors: Maclagan Douglas
Published: June 2016

The samples of wine were furnished to Dr Maclagan by the Earl of Dalhousie; they had been found in a recess in a wall in Panmure House, which was known to have been built up in 1715; the samples were consequently at least 150 years old.

The wines submitted to examination were three in number, and were contained in quart bottles, resembling those ordinarily in use at the present day. They were, when sent to Dr Maclagan, securely corked; evaporation had, however, gone on to a sensible extent in two of the bottles, the third being nearly full.
6. Preliminary Note on the Colouring Matter of Peziza œruginosa
Authors: Brown A. Crum
Published: June 2016

The Peziza œruginosa is a fungus belonging to the family Ascomycetes, and order Elvellaceæ. Although the fructification is not often met with, the plant itself is by no means rare, growing on dead wood, chiefly of the oak, birch, and ash. It has an intense green colour, and tinges the wood on which it grows to a considerable depth.
1. Some Observations on the Cuticle in relation to Evaporation
Authors: Davy John
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author gives an account of many experiments made on the loss of weights of different animals in their fresh state, when suspended, exposed to the air, from evaporation; from the results of which he infers, that it is comparatively greatest from the batrachians, not quite so great from fishes, less from mammalia, and least from birds.
Address on the Forces concerned in the Laying and Lifting of Deep-Sea Cables
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

The forces concerned in the laying and lifting of deep submarine cables attracted much public attention in the years 1857–58.

An experimental trip to the Bay of Biscay in May 1858, proved the possibility, not only of safely laying such a rope as the old Atlantic cable in very deep water, but of lifting it from the bottom without fracture. The speaker had witnessed the almost incredible feat of lifting up a considerable length of that slight and seemingly fragile thread from a depth of nearly 2½ nautical miles.
2. The “Doctrine of Uniformity” in Geology briefly refuted
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

The “Doctrine of Uniformity” in Geology, as held by many of the most eminent of British Geologists, assumes that the earth's surface and upper crust have been nearly as they areat present in temperature, and other physical qualities, during millions of millions of years. But the heat which we know, by observation, to be now conducted out of the earth yearly is so great, that if this action had been going on with any approach to uniformity for 20,000 million years, the amount of heat lost out of the earth would have been about as much as would heat, by 100° Cent., a quantity of ordinary surface rock of 100 times the earth's bulk.
4. Note on a paper by Balfour Stewart, Esq., in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Authors: Todhunter I.
Published: June 2016

In Volume XXI. of the Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, pages 407–409, a proposition in the Theory of Numbers is demonstrated. The proposition may be extended, and, at the same time, the demonstration simplified. I propose to establish the following result:—Let 1, α, β, γ, … μ, be the n roots of the equation

then, will

where t is any quantity.
1. Additional Observations on the Polarisation of the Atmosphere made at St Andrews in 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, and 1845
Authors: Brewster David
Published: June 2016

In a former paper on this subject, the author gave a selection from his observations on the polarisation of the atmosphere. After its publication, he received a long and elaborate memoir on the same subject by Dr R. Rubenson, containing a series of valuable observations made at Rome on the place of maximum polarisation, and on the intensity of the maximum polarisation at different hours of the day. Important observations on the polarisation of the atmosphere have also been made by M. Liais and M. Andres Poey, and the value of such observations, in determining the height and constitution of our atmosphere, has been universally recognised.
3. The World as Governed by Law, Teleologically considered
Authors: Wyld R. S.
Published: June 2016

Mr Wyld stated that he considered the philosophic treatment of this subject important, as there existed a great amount of loose ill-digested opinion in the public mind regarding it, and possibly also in the minds of many men of science.

The first object of the paper is to direct attention to the fact of the existence of general laws, alike in the physical and in the moral world; to consider these as designed for the benefit of the human race; and to enforce the duty of reviewing them as the appointed paths to human happiness and progress.

Mr Wyld showed that the doctrine is not only not necessarily connected with what is called infidel opinions, but, on the contrary, is far more naturally allied with the belief in a supreme Ruling Intelligence.
Account of Recent Measures at the Great Pyramid, and the Deductions flowing therefrom
Authors: Smyth Piazzi
Published: June 2016

This address, which was illustrated by specimens, models, drawings, and stereoscopic photographs, referred chiefly to the four months' labour of the author in the winter and spring of 1864 and 1865 at the Great Pyramid; where he went with the approval of, and also, he thankfully acknowledges, a considerable amount of assistance from, His Highness the Viceroy of Egypt. The observations then made, comprised measures of length, angle, and heat; and are enough to fill several MS. books, which are being prepared for publication. The author, indeed, had hoped to put all these foundational facts into the hands of the public before venturing to announce any of the conclusions, but was overruled by respect for the appeal made to him by the Council of the Society on this occasion. He trusts however, still, that no one will prejudge the pyramid question on hearsay, but wait until they have all the instrumental particulars before them.
2. On the Absorption of Substances from Solutions by Carbonaceous Matters, and the Growth thereby of Coal-Seams
Authors: Skey William
Published: June 2016

Some time since, during the performance of a series of analyses of the Brown Coals of Otago, my attention was directed to the very large quantity of sulphur which several of them contained, even where the most careful examination failed to detect more than traces of sulphates or sulphides in the composition of the coal, a singular fact which has been before commented upon by Dr Percy in his work on Metallurgy.

After several unsuccessful efforts to discover the form in which the excess of sulphur was present, it occured to me, that possibly the sulphur might be retained to the coal in combination with hydrogen, by a similar absorptive power to that which charcoal exercises over that gas.
1. On a Method of Economising our Currency
Authors: Coventry Andrew
Published: June 2016

In the outset, it was stated that the currency consisted mainly of a large mass of paper, whose convertibility had been provided for by Sir Robert Peel's Bank Bill of 1844–45, with which paper, and the gold set aside for it, the author did not propose to meddle. But alongside of the paper there circulated a large quantity of gold, and the object of his paper was to economise it. Now, gold having only three uses—as currency, in the arts, and to discharge debts abroad—it was desirable that some arrangement should be thought of which might relieve it of the first mentioned service, in which it suffers much waste, and set it free for the two others.
2. On the Principles of Scientific Interpretation in Myths, with Special Reference to Greek Mythology
Authors: Blackie
Published: June 2016

Professor Blackie commenced by saying that, of all the branches of interesting and curious learning, there was none which had been so systematically neglected in this country by English scholars as mythology—a subject closely connected both with theology and philosophy, and on which those grand intellectual pioneers and architects, the Germans, had expended a vast amount of profitable and unprofitable labour. The consequence of this neglect was that of the few British books we had on the subject, the most noticeable were not free from the dear seduction of favourite ideas which possessed the minds of the writers as by a juggling witchcraft, and prevented them from looking on a rich and various subject with that many-sided sympathy and catholic receptiveness which it required.
2. On the Extension of Brouncker's Method
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

The operation in use by the ancient geometers for finding the numerical expression for the ratio of two quantities, was to repeat each of them until some multiple of the one agreed with a multiple of the other; the numbers of the repetitions being inversely proportional to the magnitudes.

The modern process, introduced by Lord Brouncker, under the name of continued fractions, is to seek for that submultiple of the one which may be contained exactly in the other; the numbers being then directly proportional to the quantities compared.

On applying this method to the roots of quadratic equations, the integer parts of the denominators were found to recur in periods; and Lagrange showed that, while all irrational roots of quadratics give recurring chain-fractions, every recurring chain-fraction expresses the root of a quadratic; and hence it was argued that this phenomenon of recurrence is exhibited by quadratic equations alone.
3. On the Forces experienced by Solids immersed in a Moving Liquid
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

Cyclic irrotational motion, [§ 60 (z)] once established through an aperture or apertures, in a movable solid immersed in a liquid, continues for ever after with circulation or circulations unchanged, [§60 (a)] however the solid be moved, or bent, and whatever influences experienced from other bodies. The solid, if rigid and left at rest, must clearly continue at rest relatively to the fluid surrounding it to an infinite distance, provided there be no other solid within an infinite distance from it. But if there be any other solid or solids at rest within any finite distance from the first, there will be mutual forces between them, which, if not balanced by proper application of force, will cause them to move.
3. On the Flow of Electricity in Conducting Surfaces
Authors: Smith W. R.
Published: June 2016

The conditions of a steady flow of electricity in a conducting surface are completely determined, if we know either the nature of the electrical distribution throughout the surface, or the direction and intensity of the flow at every point. On the first of these ways of considering the question, the problem is solved if we can express the potential v at any point as a function of the co-ordinates, and the nature of the distribution will be indicated to the eye by forming the equipotential curves
4. On the Kombi Arrow-Poison (Strophanthus hispidus, DC.) of the Manganja district of Africa
Authors: Fraser Thomas R.
Published: June 2016

In nearly every narrative of exploration in uncivilised tropical regions, accounts are given, often no doubt somewhat fanciful, of poisonous substances which are said to possess the most remarkable properties. Usually these poisons are of vegetable origin; and the great majority may be included in the two divisions of ordeal and of arrow poisons, according as they are applied to one or other of these purposes. Among the most remarkable of the ordeal poisons are the Tanghinia venifera of Madagascar, the Physostigma venenosum of Old Calabar, and the Akazga poison of the Gaboon; and of the arrow-poisons, the famous Curara or Wourali of South America, and the Antiaris toxicaria of Java.
2. Notes on Indian Society and Life in the Age when the Hymns of the Rigveda were composed
Authors: Muir John
Published: June 2016

The paper began by stating, that although the hymns of the Rigveda exhibit a simpler and less developed stage of religious belief and conception than we find in the works of the earliest Greek poets, and a system of ideas wildly diverse, both from the mythological forms and the theosophic opinions, of the later Indian pantheon, and of subsequent speculation; and although many of the customs and practices of that early age are different from those of later times, we are not to suppose that in the former period the condition of society was of a very primitive description.
1. On the Lake Basins of Eastern Africa
Authors: Johnston Keith
Published: June 2016

In 1866 the indefatigable Dr Livingstone is again in Africa, with the determination of filling up the great gaps in our knowledge of the lake region from Nyassa to Tanganyika, beginning the great journey from which he has not yet returned.

News arrived in England, in September 1866, that the traveller had, for a third time, entered the Rovuma river, and had succeeded in penetrating for 130 miles from its mouth, where he had found a friendly chief, whose residence he intended to make the starting-point of his expedition to the northern end of Nyassa, and the south of Tanganyika.
1. Remarks on the Theories of Capillary Action
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

That theory of capillary action, which seems to have satisfied the greater number of physicists, is founded on the assumption that the particles of a fluid are separated by distances immensely great in comparison with their magnitudes, and that these particles attract each other,—the sphere, however, of their attraction extending to a distance infinitesimally small in comparison with the observed disturbances of the fluid-level.
1. Primitive Affinity between the Classical and the Low German Languages
Authors: Neaves
Published: June 2016

In this paper the author adverted to the limited attention that was paid in this country to comparative philology, and noticed the principles it had developed and the progress it had made elsewhere of late years.

In illustration of the results thus attained in the Aryan or Indo-Germanic languages, he took as familiar examples the affinities that could be traced between the Latin and the Old English tongues, viewing the Latin as a type of the earlier branches of the family, including the Greek and Indian; and the English as a type of a later branch, consisting chiefly of the Low German dialects. The affinities referred to were not those which connected Latin with English through the romance languages, but those which subsisted between Latin and vernacular English, and which must have arisen from a prehistoric identity or connection.
4. Proposed Method of ascertaining the Temperature of Falling Rain
Authors: Stevenson Thomas
Published: June 2016

A friend informed me some time ago that the late Principal J. D. Forbes had often noticed that a long continuance of rain resulted in a track of cold weather. Principal Forbes attributed this fact to the rain having a lower temperature than the atmosphere through which it fell. It does not appear, however, that he made any observations to determine the truth of his hypothesis, and as the subject is of considerable importance in other meteorological questions, it occurred to me that a simple instrument could be made for ascertaining the temperature of falling rain.
8. On Cystine (C3H7NO2S)
Authors: Dewar James , Gamgee Arthur
Published: June 2016

With the exception of the physical characters of this rare chemical substance, which is only known as an abnormal constituent of the human body, we know so very little, that even a few facts with regard to its behaviour with reagents may not be altogether uninteresting.

Cystine has the composition C3H7NO2S; and crystallises in the form of six-sided plates. It forms with hydrochloric, nitric, and phosphoric acids, definite crystalline compounds.
Opening Address, Session 1870–71
Authors: Home David Milne
Published: June 2016

Gentlemen, Fellowsof the Royal Society of Edinburgh,—In compliance with a special request of the Council, I come before you this evening to deliver the Address usually given at the opening of our Winter Session.

This practice of annually taking stock to ascertain what business we are doing, and how we are doing it, seems to me very right and expedient. The whole Society is thus made aware whether it is retrograding or advancing,—whether it is or is not, carrying out the objects of its institution.
3. Note on Linear Differential Equations in Quaternions
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

The generally non-commutative character of quaternion multiplication introduces into the solution even of linear differential equations with constant (quaternion) coefficients, difficulties of a somewhat novel character. To some of these which have presented themselves to me in many investigations, I wish to draw attention in the following note, but want of leisure prevents my attempting at present either to classify the numerous curious forms which may be met with in physical inquiries, even when these lead to mere physical interest, inasmuch as they include the problem of finding two homogeneous strains, such that the vector-sum of their effects on any vector shall represent the effect of one given strain on that vector, while the effect of their successive performance in a given order on any vector shall be equivalent to that of another given strain.
2. On the Old River Terraces of the Spey, viewed in connection with certain proofs of the Antiquity of Man
Authors: Brown Thomas
Published: June 2016

The author referred to the paper which he had read on the terraces of the Earn and Teith, and then described similar deposits which he had observed last autumn on the Spey, giving examples with drawings, from the neighbourhood of Kingussie, Dalvey, and Ballindalloch. The arguments formerly adduced were equally conclusive in the Spey to show that these terraces were not old sea beaches nor lake margins, but the fluviatile deposits of some former epoch when the floods rose to a greater height.
5. On the Formation and Decomposition of some Chlorinated Acids
Authors: Buchanan J. Y.
Published: June 2016

1. On the Rate of the Action of a Large Excess of Water on Monochloracetic Acid at 100° C.—When monochloracetic acid is heated with water, double decomposition takes place, glycollic and hydrochloric acids being formed; and conversely, when glycollic acid is heated with hydrochloric acid, it is converted into monochloracetic acid and water. A similar reaction takes place with the two monochloropropionic and corresponding lactic acids, and probably with all their homologues.
1. Notes on the Antechamber of the Great Pyramid. Based on the Measures contained in vol. ii. “Life and Work at the Pyramid.”
Authors: Smyth C. Piazzi , Tracey  , Day St John Vincent
Published: June 2016

In considering the authority for the division of the sacred cubit into 25 inches, we have, first, the architectural fact that the Queen's chamber, containing the visible expression of that cubit, stands in or upon the 25th course of masonry, comprising the whole Pyramid. And here, though not strictly bearing on the case, may be mentioned a connection between the lengths of the two passages (the first ascending, and the horizontal passages) leading to that chamber, remarkable when expressed in inches, of which 25 make a cubit.
1. Note on the Early History of Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Talbot H. Fox
Published: June 2016

Newton, in his observations on the spectrum, appears never to have used a narrow aperture. In fact there was nothing, in the existing state of knowledge in his day, to lead him to suppose that this would alter the phenomena.

Wollaston was the first who observed some obscure bands in the spectrum, by viewing with a prism the aperture left by the shutters of his room when nearly closed. It is surprising that this acute philosopher did not follow up the hint thus accidentally presented to him, but contented himself with the rude observation above mentioned.
Mathematical Notes by Professor Tait - 3. On some Quaternion Transformations
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

Since the algebraic operator

when applied to any function of x, simply changes x into x + h, it is obvious that if σ be a vector not acted on by

we have

whatever function f may be.

If Δ bear to the constituents of σ the same relation as ∇ bears to those of ρ, and if f and F be any two functions which satisfy the commutative law in multiplication, this theorem takes the curious form

of which a particular case is

The modifications which the general expression undergoes, when fand F are not commutative, are easily seen and need not be indicated in this abstract.
2. Note on a Singular Property of the Retina
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

While suffering some of the annoyances seemingly inseparable from re-vaccination at too advanced an age, I was led to the curious observation presently to be described. I was unable to sleep, except in “short and far between” dozes, from which I woke with a sudden start, my eyelids opening fully. I found by trial that this state of things became somewhat less intolerable when I lay on my back, with my head considerably elevated. In this position I directly faced a gas jet, burning not very brightly, placed close to a whitish wall, and surrounded by a ground glass shade, through which the flame could be prominently perceived. The portions of the wall surrounding the burner were moderately illuminated, and hyperbolic portions above and below somewhat more strongly. I observed, on waking, that the gas flame seemed for a second or two to be surrounded by a dark crimson ground, though itself apparently unchanged in colour. Gradually, after the lapse of, at the very utmost, a couple of seconds, everything resumed its normal appearance. As this phenomenon appeared not only to be worthy of observation in itself, but to furnish me with something definite to reflect upon, which is far the best alleviation of annoyances similar to those from which I was suffering, I determined to watch it, transitory as it was, feeling assured that I should have many opportunities of observing it.
3. Note on the Strain-Function
Authors: Tait
Published: June 2016

When the linear and vector function expressing a strain is self-conjugate the strain is pure. When it is not self-conjugate, it may be broken up into pure and rotational parts in various ways (analogous to the separation of a quaternion into the sum of a scalar and a vector part, or into the product of a tensor and a versor part), of which two are particularly noticeable. Denoting by a bar a self-conjugate function, we have thus either where є is a vector, and q a quaternion (which may obviously be regarded as a mere versor).
2. On the Rainfall of the Continents of the Globe
Authors: Buchan Alexander
Published: June 2016

This paper was illustrated by two large charts of the world showing, by ISOHYETAL LINES, the rainfall over the different continents in January and July; two large charts showing the months of least and greatest rainfall in Europe, north Africa, and west Asia; and by six sets of smaller charts of thirteen each, showing, by isohyetal lines, the monthly and annual rainfall of Europe, Asia, Australasia, North America, Africa, and parts of South America. The data laid down on these eighty-two charts were taken from a Table comprising about 2000 good averages of rainfall, calculated or collected by the author.
1. Some Helps to the Study of Scoto-Celtic Philology
Authors: Neaves
Published: June 2016

Lord Neaves read a paper entitled “Some Helps to the Study of Scoto-Celtic Philology,” in which, after noticing the mistaken tendencies of the Celtic scholars of former times, both Irish and Scotch, as to the origin and affinities of Gaelic, and adverting to the fact now firmly fixed that it was an Aryan or Indo-Germanic tongue, he submitted a statement of some of the imitations or disguises which words underwent or assumed in passing into Gaelic. Thus it was a peculiarity of Gaelic to avoid the letter p, which it did in various ways. Sometimes it dropped that letter, as when it changed the Latin Pater into Athir, the Latin piscis into iasg, plenus into lán, &c. Sometimes it changed the p into a gutteral c, g, or ch, as seachd for septem, feasgar for vesper.
Opening Address. Session 1878–79
Authors: Kelland
Published: June 2016

In taking my place this evening, I might reasonably be expected to say much about my unworthiness to fill the post, and the kindness of my friends in placing me here. All that I can trust myself to say is, that I feel too deeply everything that can be imagined of this kind to venture on giving it words. To be the successor of such men as the Duke of Argyll, Sir Robert Christison, and Sir Wm. Thomson, is an honour which the most ambitious man might covet, and the most self-conceited deem himself scarce worthy of. To myself that honour has come neither to gratify ambition nor to administer to self-conceit. It has descended on me all unsought through the kindness of the many friends who have sat with me for years in this room, and the only emotion it awakens is that of affection and gratitude. Just a month has elapsed since it became apparent to me that I should be called upon to address you to-night. That such would be the case had not till then crossed my thoughts. I had made no preparation for the address. The first month of the University session left me the very smallest amount of time and strength for the work. You will, therefore, pardon an address rather feebler in character than is fitted to the occasion.
3. On Deep-Sea Thermometers
Authors: Buchanan J. Y.
Published: June 2016

For the purpose of observing the temperature of the waters below the surface in lakes and seas, two classes of thermometers have been used—namely, ordinary thermometers and self-registering ones. The earliest observations were made with the ordinary thermometer, and it was used in one of two ways—either it was sunk itself to the desired depth, and was so enveloped and protected by badly conducting material, that in bringing it up again through the layers of water of different temperature it had not time to alter its own temperature, or a quantity of the water at the desired depth was enclosed in a bucket of suitable construction and brought to the surface, and then immediately tested with the thermometer. Many very excellent and trustworthy observations exist which have been made in one of these ways.
4. Preliminary Note on a Crystalline Compound formed in Water containing Sulphuretted Hydrogen and Mercaptan in Solution
Authors: Blaikie J. Adrian
Published: June 2016

In the process of making mercaptan by collecting the distillate from a mixture of ethyl-sulphate of calcium and sulphydrate of potassium, along with water and mercaptan, a considerable quantity of crystalline substance was observed to collect in the receiver, and also towards the end of the condenser. The receiver having been placed in a freezing mixture, to condense as much mercaptan as possible, it was thought that the crystalline substance was ice, and the freezing mixture was removed. The crystals, however, continued to be formed, and even stopped up the end of the condenser, so that it was necessary to pour in hot water to melt them. In a few minutes they were again formed, not only in the receiver, but half way up the condensing tubes, through which water at about 2–3° C. was running. As it was evident that these crystals could not be ice, the conditions under which they were formed, and their composition, were subjected to investigation.
2. On the Effects of Chloroform, Ethidene Dichloride, and Ether on Blood-Pressure
Authors: Coats Joseph , Ramsay William
Published: June 2016

Dr Coats stated that this communication referred to part of an investigation on the physiological action of anæsthetics, undertaken, at the request of the British Medical Association, by Dr Ramsay, Dr M'Kendrick, and himself.
5. Preliminary Note on Alternants
Authors: Muir Thomas
Published: June 2016

When the elements of the first row of a determinant are all positive integral powers of one quantity, the elements of the second the like positive integral powers of another quantity, and so on, the determinant is called an ALTERNANT; for example, .

Every alternant of the nth degree is evidently a function of n variables, viz., the n quantities whose powers are the elements. To interchange two of these variables would be the same as to interchange two of the rows of the determinant, and therefore would have the effect of merely changing the sign of the function. A function having this property, and therefore closely resembling a symmetric function, Cauchy called a symmetric function also distinguishing the two kinds as alternating and permanent.
3. On an Instrument for detecting Coal-Gas in Mines
Authors: Forbes George
Published: June 2016

In 1877, shortly after the disastrous colliery explosion in the Blantyre pit, in which hundreds of lives were lost, Mr James Young, F.R.S., of Kelly, described to me an instrument which he had thought of for determining what is the amount of fire-damp in any part of a mine. This was the first thing which directed my attention to the subject, and I very soon saw that there was a principle in acoustics which might be most admirably adapted to the end in view, viz., to determine the quantity of fire-damp (or marsh gas) by the diminution in density of the mixed air and gas (for marsh gas is only about half the density of air). Mr Young and myself tested the principle the next day, and found it to be one of extreme delicacy.
2. On Minding's System of Forces
Authors: Chrystal
Published: June 2016

Minding has proved a remarkable theorem concerning a variable system of forces defined as follows, the points of application of the different forces, and their magnitudes are given, while the directions are such that a pencil of rays through any given point parallel to them moves as a rigid body.

Besides Minding's original investigation, several others have been given since. The last of these, due to Professor Tait, rests on purely quaternion methods, and is so elegant and concise that I was led to reinvestigate the whole subject by ordinary methods in the hope that the analysis might have some points of interest.
3. Vibrations of a Columnar Vortex
Authors: Thomson William
Published: June 2016

This is a case of fluid motion, in which the stream lines are approximately circles, with their centres in one line (the axis of the vortex) and the velocities approximately constant, and approximately equal at equal distances from the axis. As a preliminary to treating it, it is convenient to express the equations of motion of a homogeneous incompressible inviscid fluid (the description of fluid to which the present investigation is confined) in terms of “columnar co-ordinates” r, θ, z, that is co-ordinates such that r cos θ = x, r sin θ = y.
1. On the Occulation of the Star 103 Tauri. (B. A. C. 1572.)
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

An occultation of a star, though not appealing to ordinary observation with the same force, is intrinsically an event as striking as an eclipse of the sun. It establishes the fact of the moon's proximity. Were it not that the moon's brightness overpowers the light of the small stars, occultations would be commonplace phenomena. As things are, we can watch, with the eye unaided, the eclipses of the planets and larger stars, not down, perhaps, to below the third magnitude; and the rarity of such conspicuous objects makes the occultations correspondingly rare.
Remarks by the Chairman, J. H. Balfour, M.D., on delivering to Professor Fleeming Jenkin the Keith Prize
Authors: Balfour J. H.
Published: June 2016

Professor Jenkin has contributed several valuable papers to our Transactions.

In 1869 we had “The Practical Application of Reciprocal Figures to the Calculation of Strains on Framework,” in which he exemplified in a very clear manner the mode of applying to important statical questions a beautiful principle, due in part to Rankine but mainly to Clerk-Maxwell.

The paper for which the award of the Keith Prize is now made is more thoroughly original, and may be roughly described as an extension of Maxwell's principle to the kinetics of machinery, where all parts move in one plane. It is entitled “The Application of Graphic Methods to the Determination of the Efficiency of Machinery.” The first part was read to the Society in 1877, and the second in the following year. All three of these papers are in our Transactions.
3. On the Constitution of Adult Bone-Matrix and the Functions of Osteoblasts
Authors: Birch De Burgh
Published: June 2016

By tearing thin sheets from the surface of decalcified bones, Sharpey first demonstrated the lamellar nature of bone, and also that these lamellæ have a fibrous structure.

The fibres, consisting of two sets crossing each other, were thought to be interwoven in each lamella, and contiguous fibrous laminæ to be separated from each other by a homogeneous ground substance in which the lime salts were mainly situated; alternations of fibrous and homogeneous layers giving rise to the appearance of lamellation.

From the researches of V. Ebner and my own investigations, the matrix is undoubtedly throughout fibrous, the lamellar appearance being due to an alternation of layers in which the directions of the fibres differ.
2. On the Processes in Subepiphysal Bone Growth and some points in Bone Resorption
Authors: Birch De Burgh
Published: June 2016

Subepiphysal Bone Growth. —Two processes must be noticed in this connection.

1st, The replacement of the neck of the cartilaginous head or epipliysis by cancellous tissue as an accompaniment to the rise of the epiphysis caused by the growth of the cartilage forming its neck.

The cartilage is channelled by the advancing marrow, the rows of cartilage capsules being opened up.

The opening up of the rows of cartilage capsules results from the presence of a capillary blood-vessel forming the head of the column of marrow which lies in immediate contact with the next unopened capsule (Ranvier). The close proximity into which the pabulum is thus brought with the cartilage corpuscle in the unopened capsule nearest it causes it to grow rapidly and absorb the surrounding cartilage, this occurring, quickest in the direction of least resistance that is, towards the marrow.
7. Description of New Astronomical Tables for the Computation of Anomalies
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: June 2016

The planets move round the sun in ellipses, in such a manner that the radii vectores describe areas proportional to the times. Now, by means of parallel lines, we can always project an ellipse upon a plane surface so as to make the projection circular, and thus we have to consider the motion of a point in the circumference of a circle, describing round an excentric point areas proportional to the times. The angle AOQ is called, very inappropriately, the excentric anomaly; I prefer to call it the angle of position. If we suppose a point M to move uniformly along the circumference, with the periodic time of the planet, and to have reached M when the actual projection of the planet is at Q, it is clear that the sector AOM must be equivalent to the area ASQ. The angle AOM is the mean anomaly.
9. Note on the Colouring of Maps
Authors: Guthrie Frederick
Published: June 2016

From the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, No. 106, p. 501, it appears the colouring of maps is receiving attention. This note bears chiefly upon the history of the matter.

Some thirty years ago, when I was attending Professor De Morgan's class, my brother, Francis Guthrie, who had recently ceased to attend them (and who is now professor of mathematics at the South African University, Cape Town), showed me the fact that the greatest necessary number of colours to be used in colouring a map so as to avoid identity of colour in lineally contiguous districts is four. I should not be justified, after this lapse of time, in trying to give his proof, but the critical diagram was as in the margin. With my brother's permission I submitted the theorem to Professor De Morgan, who expressed himself very pleased with it; accepted it as new; and, as I am informed by those who subsequently attended his classes, was in the habit of acknowledging whence he had got his information.
I.—Variations of the Rest Metabolism of the Rat in Relation to the Sex Cycle
Authors: Fraser A. C. , Wiesner B.P.
Published: June 2016

The problem of the influence exerted by the ovary upon metabolism has been studied by a number of authors, but no definite conclusions have yet been reached. In recent years the rôle of the sex-cycle has been considered, and various studies of the relation between the œstrous cycle and metabolism have been undertaken. Apart from the indirect influence, which is due to the increase in the spontaneous activity (Slonaker, 1925), such as is observed in the mouse or rat during œstrus as an effect of ovarian hormone, an influence of the ovarian function upon basal metabolism appears to exist, but nothing definite is known. Since the secretion of “œstrin” from the ovary appears to be periodical (Wiesner, 1926), the question of whether the supposed influence upon metabolism is also of a periodical nature is of particular interest.
III.—Some Observations on the Thymus Gland in the Fowl
Authors: Greenwood A. W.
Published: June 2016

Certain tentative conclusions may be drawn regarding the relationship between the involution of the thymus gland and the gonads in the fowl.

(1) At maturity the male possesses thymus substance considerably greater in amount than that characteristic of the female.

(2) Successful ovarian grafting in complete males induces a female grade involution of the thymus.

Intermediate grades between male and female thymus follow the implantation of ovary to males in certain cases, although in these no grafts were recovered at the post-mortem examination.

Since only small ovarian grafts have been recovered from males with a female type of thymus, it is evident that the reaction is a delicately balanced one requiring only a relatively small amount of ovarian tissue to determine the degree of involution.

(3) Partial ovariotomy, when performed before sexual maturity, produces no deviation from the female type of thymus.

(4) Castration and ovariotomy cause a delay in the involution of the thymus.

(5) Successful implantation of testes to complete males has no effect on the size of the thymus.

(6) No inference may be drawn from the results of partial castration and the degree of thymus involution.

(7) A definite relationship exists between gonad and thymus involution in the fowl.
VI.—The Gonadotrope Actions of the Anterior Lobe of the Pituitary
Authors: Wiesner B.P. , Crew F.A.E.
Published: June 2016

The problem of the relation between gonad and the other endocrine glands has, during recent years, attracted much attention. It has been shown that the maturation of the ovary, which is responsible for the other manifestations of puberty, is itself dependent upon the developmental level of its somatic environment rather than upon its own age; that the senescent insufficiency of the ovary is due, not so much to its own inability to elaborate hormones and ova, as to a decrease in the amount of, or deterioration in the quality of, the extra-ovarian substances which are necessary for its proper functioning. Similar evidence has been produced in relation to the testis. It has been shown, further, that the pituitary is intimately concerned in the establishment and maintenance of the œstrous cycle, and also that the placenta exerts an influence upon the structure of the ovary.
IX.—Studies in Translocation. No. I.—Movement of Food-materials in the Swedish Turnip
Authors: Caldwell John
Published: June 2016

(1) An attempt has been made to prove experimentally that there is definite localisation of translocation in the plant.

(2) This localisation is brought about by the almost complete absence of easy cross-transfer of materials in the plant tissues. It affects the movement of both salts and elaborated food-materials.

(3) The fact that movement upwards and downwards is easy while lateral movement is almost completely absent is clearly demonstrated where it is shown that the materials which are elaborated in the leaves on one side of. the swede plant are stored as reserved food-materials in the portion of the bulb on the same side.

(4) It is also shown that this localisation is found in the case of other plants, and that it offers a new method of attacking a variety of problems which at the present time present some difficulty of interpretation.
X.—The Morphology of Trichomanes aphlebioides Christ, with special reference to the Aphlebioid Leaves
Authors: Williams S.
Published: June 2016

1. The morphology and anatomy of Trichomanes aphlebioides Christ, a species endemic to New Guinea, is shortly described.

2. The most outstanding feature of the species is the presence of aphlebioid leaves. These latter are shown to be the modified first fronds of the axillary branches.

3. The anatomy of the alphebioid leaves is described. They show great reduction in relation to the humid conditions of the high forests in which the plant grows.

4. The morphology of aphlebiæ and aphlebioid leaves is briefly discussed.

5. No experimental evidence is available with regard to the function of the aphlebioid leaves. Mention is made, however, of the various suggestions which have been put forward in relation to this question.
Experiments on Animal Electricity
Authors: Bennet Hughes
Published: June 2016

Dr Hughes Bennett, at the request of the Council, performed several experiments with a view of showing how, in modern times, physiology was successfully investigated by means of newly invented instruments. He noticed especially the subject of animal electricity, stating, that a specimen of the Melapterurus beninensis which had been forwarded to him from Old Calabar in Africa, had been preserved for eighteen months in one of the hot-houses of the Botanic Garden of this city. Unfortunately, it died only that afternoon. He regretted that the arrangements he had made for showing the electrical currents in muscles and nerves had failed, in consequence of the injury which had been inflicted on two of the delicate galvanometers, recently invented by Sir W. Thomson, in their transit from the University to the Society's Rooms. He proceeded, however, to show the influence of continued and interrupted streams of electricity, on muscles and nerves.
1. On an Application of Mathematics to Chemistry
Authors: Brown A. Crum
Published: June 2016

In this paper chemical substances are represented as “operands,” and chemical processes as “operators”—thus, φ·x is the substance produced by acting on the substance x by the process φ. When φ, χ, ψ, &c., act independently on x, this is indicated by the notation . When they act one on another to produce a complex operator which acts on x, the notation φ·χ·ψ·x is used. It is shown that in the latter case the commutative law does not apply to operators.
3. Note on the Action of Nitric Oxide, Nitrous Acid, and Nitrites on Hæmoglobin
Authors: Gamgee Arthur
Published: June 2016

When engaged, during the course of last summer, in the examination of the action of various medicinal and poisonous agents on blood, I observed the remarkable change in the colour of the blood of animals poisoned with nitrite of amyl. In every case in which I induced death by this agent the blood presented a dirty chocolate coloration, instead of the characteristic colour of normal blood. When examined by means of the spectroscope, this blood was found to present optical characters very different from those of ordinary blood, for the two well-marked absorption bands of 0 – hæmoglobin, or (as the readers of Professor Stokes' paper will know them better as) of scarlet cruorine, were found to be extremely faint, and only visible when comparatively thick layers of fluid were examined; whilst an additional and very faint absorption band in the red, occupying the same position as that of acid hæmatine, was seen.