bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I.—The Law of Extensible Minors in Determinants
Authors: Muir Thomas
Published: January 2013

§1. As a preliminary to the establishment of the law in question, it is necessary to state and exemplify another law to which I have elsewhere directed attention, viz.,

THE LAW OF COMPLEMENTARIES.

To every general theorem which takes the form of an identical relation between a number of the minors of a determinant or between the determinant itself and a number of its minors, there corresponds another theorem derivable from the former by merely substituting for every minor its cofactor in the determinant, and then multiplying any term by such a power of the determinant as will make the terms of the same degree.
V.—Gaseous Spectra in Vacuum Tubes, under small Dispersion and at low Electric Temperature; including an Appendix III
Authors: Herschel Alexander S. , Smyth Piazzi
Published: January 2013

Of all the various spectra which the progress of experimental science has enabled man to observe in the present day, none are so rich, varied, and important, as those of gases. And no wonder! for it is only when matter has been reduced to the gaseous condition, that it is able to specialise itself and write its character with much of its history in any otherwise smooth, undefined, continuous spectrum; while, if in former times, men would have found it an impossibility to drive many of the more refractory substances into the state of incandescent vapour, what is there now anywhere on the surface of this earth which, in small quantity, can resist the action of a powerful and condensed induction spark of electricity; and what application of that spark is so neat, elegant, convenient, and economical, as when it is employed in conjunction with so-called gas-vacuum tubes.
VIII.—On the Action of Phosphide of Sodium on Haloid Ethers and on the Salts of Tetrabenzyl-Phosphonium
Authors: Letts  , Collie N.
Published: January 2013

The phosphines, or substances derived from phosphuretted hydrogen by the partial or complete replacement of its hydrogen by hydrocarbon radicals, have formed the subject of many valuable researches; but although their discovery was anterior to that of the compound ammonias, their study has made comparatively little progress. This is no doubt mainly due to the difficulty attending their preparation, a fact which is immediately forced upon the notice of any one who wishes to investigate them.
XI.—On Phosphorus-Betaines
Authors: Letts
Published: January 2013

In a paper by Professor Crum Brown and the author on Dimethyl- Thetine and its Derivatives, attention was drawn to the analogies which frequently exist between elements which have different atomicities, and which are usually considered as belonging to different families. The most striking examples of such elements are boron and carbon, gold and platinum, and phosphorus and sulphur.
XIII.—The Effect of Permanent Elongation on the Specific Resistance of Metallic Wires
Authors: Gray Thomas
Published: January 2013

The object of this investigation was to obtain information as to the change of specific resistance produced in wires of various metals by different amounts of elongation. The present paper refers to experiments on copper, iron, and German silver wires.
XIV.—On the Histology of the Pedicellariæ and the Muscles of Echinus sphæra (Forbes)
Authors: Geddes Patrick , Beddard Frank E.
Published: January 2013

The structures known as pedicellariæ were first described by O. F. Müller. He regarded them as parasitic organisms, and described under the generic name of Pedicellaria three species—Pedicellaria tridens, P. triphylla, and P. globifera. Lamarck, in the first edition of his “Animaux sans Vertèbres,” published in 1801, and also in the second edition, following Müller, classified the genus Pedicellaria with the Corynidæ and Hydridæ among the naked polyps. Cuvier also, in the first edition of the “Regne Animal,” took the same view of the nature of pedicellariæ. It was not until 1825 that the real nature of these organs was recognised. Delle Chiaje, in his work on invertebrate animals, asserted that pedicellariæ formed an integral portion of the Echinus, and were simply appendages of the test. The following quotation from his work shows that he thoroughly understood the true nature of these structures. He says (vol. ii. p. 324):—“Fanno elleno parte integrale degli echini e servon loro per attacarsi a corpi adiacenti ed anche a ritenere gli animaletti da cibarsi.”
XVI.—Effects of Strain on Electric Conductivity
Authors: Witkowski August
Published: January 2013

In the following communication an account is given of some experiments made in the Physical Laboratory of the Glasgow University, whose object was the measurement of the change of conductivity produced by strain in a metal conductor.

Two constants are required in order to determine this alteration in the most general case of a homogeneous isotropic conductor, strained in any way, as may be easily inferred from the analogy with elastic strains and stresses, constants expressing the change produced by uniform cubical compression and by simple distortion. The determination of the latter for brass is the object of the present paper.
I. Essay on the Origin and Structure of the European Legislatures
Authors: Maconochie Allan
Published: January 2013

The fall of the feudal system was accomplished, in the principal states of Europe, at a period when the revival of learning had diffused in society a spirit of reflection, and communicated, to the better sort, some knowledge of the history of the Greek and Roman republics. As it was, in general, the kings who conducted the attack on the privileges of the feudal nobility, the principal part of the spoils had fallen naturally to their share. But the people were warlike, the nobles were still; animated with the pride of rank, of family, and of their ancient consequence, and men, in general, had begun to speculate on their rights, and were unaccustomed to perceive, with satisfaction, the whole powers of government centred in the crown.
VII. Essay on the Origin and Structure of the European Legislatures
Authors: Maconochie Allan
Published: January 2013

It is reasonable to suppose, that the founders of the European states would, at least for some time after their conquests, retain much of their former political arrangements. The idea, therefore, which I have formed of their legislatures in their new situation may, in a great measure, be anticipated from the observations contained in the preceding part of this paper. At the same time, the change from the wilds of Germany to the cultivated provinces of the empire was very great: And it is necessary to survey, in general, the aspect which, on this event, the German governments might be expected to exhibit, in order, either to form an accurate conception of the general hypothesis I have adopted, or to perceive the propriety and application of those discussions which are intended for its support.
VIII. An Essay upon the Principles of Historical Composition; with an Application of those Principles to the Writings of Tacitus
Authors: Hill John
Published: January 2013

The proofs of found judgment in the writings of Tacitus are extremely numerous. From the choice of his subjects, he appears to have been perfectly acquainted with the nature and the extent of his own powers. Though he was considerably advanced in life before he began to write history, yet the closeness of his application enabled him to unfold that wisdom which his experience had furnished. In spite of an ardent love of fame, he avoided the rock upon which most authors, split, and wisely forbore to solicit the attention of the public, till he could for certain command its respect.
II. Account of some Additional Experiments on Terrestrial Magnetism made in different parts of Europe in 1837
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: January 2013

In 1836, I communicated to this Society the results of an extensive series of observations on Terrestrial Magnetic Intensity, made with the Hansteen Apparatus, which is the property of the Society. Some results with a small Dipping Needle, belonging to myself, were also given, but without great confidence in their accuracy.

I held then, however, the opinion which I still do, and to which the remarkable geometrical researches of Professor Gauss of Göttingen on Terrestrial Magnetism have given additional weight, that the element of horizontal intensity ought to be determined, and its laws of variation, in the first place, ascertained, independent of any other. Even should the deduction of total intensity be the sole ultimate object, I hold that an observer with only portable, and consequently imperfect instruments at his command, would do well to separate completely his investigations as to horizontal intensity from those upon dip, and then, by the skilful grouping of each set, having obtained a law of variation of each element according to the co-ordinates of Latitude and Longitude, the two partial results may be combined into the general one of total intensity , whilst either series may be used to check future observations, or be combined with any single future series in which one of the elements should be better determined.
VI. On the mode in which Musket-Bullets and other Foreign Bodies become inclosed in the Ivory of the Tusks of the Elephant
Authors: Goodsir John
Published: January 2013

Musket-Bullets are occasionally found inclosed in ivory, and every anatomical museum contains specimens of this kind. Why bullets should be so frequently met with in this situation, it is not easy to say; the head of the animal appears to be generally aimed at, and foreign bodies when they enter the tusks, instead of being removed in the usual manner, are retained by the process, an investigation of which is to form the subject of the present paper.
X. On the Preparation of Paracyanogen in large quantities, and on the Isomerism of Cyanogen and Paracyanogen
Authors: Brown Samuel M.
Published: January 2013

The design of the processes described in this memoir was to decompose the bicyanuret of mercury at such a temperature, and under such a degree of pressure, as to secure the simultaneous extrication of the two equivalents of cyanogen, or their elements, in the expectation that they should come off united, and produce the interesting compound of nitrogen and carbon, isomeric with cyanogen, Paracyanogen : And that result was sought in the belief that it would illustrate the chemical theorem of the existence of bodies which, though composed of the same elements in the same proportions, yet differ as widely from each other in chemical properties and mechanical conditions, as one element differs from another.
XXIV.—On the Law of Visible Position in Single and Binocular Vision, and on the representation of Solid Figures by the union of dissimilar Plane Pictures on the Retina
Authors: Brewster David
Published: January 2013

In the course of an examination of Bishop Berkeley's “New Theory of Vision,” the foundation of the Ideal Philosophy, I have found it necessary to repeat many old experiments, and to make many new ones, in reference to the functions of the eye as an optical instrument. I had imagined that many points in the physiology of vision were irrevocably fixed, and placed beyond the reach of controversy; but though this supposition may still be true in the estimation of that very limited class of philosophers who have really studied the subject, yet it is mortifying to find that the laws of vision, as established by experiment and observation, are as little understood as they were in the days of Locke and Berkeley. Metaphysicians and physiologists have combined their efforts in substituting unfounded speculation for physical truth; and even substantial discoveries have been prematurely placed in opposition to opinions of which they are the necessary result.
XXV.—On the Growth and Migrations of the Sea-Trout of the Solway (Salmo trutta)
Authors: Shaw John
Published: January 2013

Although the sea-trout (Salmo trutta) cannot be considered either of so much importance to the community as an article of food, or so interesting in its habits and economy to the naturalist as the true salmon, nevertheless, it is universally allowed to rank next in value to that species. It holds a high place in the estimation of the public as an article of diet, and is, consequently, an object of great commercial value to our fisheries. Its history being still almost as involved and obscure as was that of the salmon some seasons back, I am induced to offer the following remarks with a view to its elucidation.
XXX.—On the Presence of Organic Matter in the Purest Waters from Terrestrial Sources
Authors: Connell Arthur
Published: January 2013

Ever since the discovery by Berzelius of crenic acid in the iron ochre of the water of Porla, in Sweden, chemists have admitted the usual presence of that acid in mineral waters, or those springs containing notable quantities of dissolved inorganic constituents. In such natural waters, also, as are visibly coloured, organic matter is usually understood to be present. Any ideas, however, which may have been entertained respecting the occurrence of organic matter in the perfectly colourless, transparent, and comparatively pure water of ordinary springs, wells, and rivers, have been merely vague and conjectural.
XXXIX.—On a Remarkable Oscillation of the Sea, observed at various places on the Coasts of Great Britain, in the first week of July 1843
Authors: Milne David
Published: January 2013

This phenomenon presented a remarkable interference with those laws which govern the ordinary movements of the ocean. It occurred at one place whilst the tide was flowing, at another whilst it was ebbing; in some cases, producing a sudden retrocession of the waters,—and in others, as sudden an impulse of them on the shore.

The period during which the sea thus continued to retreat and rise respectively, was generally from ten to fifteen minutes. It then made a momentary halt—after which, it began to flow in the opposite direction, and which it continued to do, for about the same period which characterised its previous movement.

In this state of alternate flux and reflux, the sea was at most places observed to continue, for three or four hours together.
XL.—Notice concerning the Indian-Grass Oil, or Oil of Andropogon Calamus-aromaticus
Authors: Tilley Thomas George
Published: January 2013

The volatile oil commonly known as Indian-Grass Oil, is supposed by Professor Royle to be produced from a peculiar species of Andropogon. This species he considers identical with the Καλαμος αςωματιχος of the ancient Greeks, an he has therefore called it A. calamus aromaticus.

For the specimen of the oil which I have examined I am indebted to Dr Christison, by whom it was received from Mr Key, of the Madras Medical Service. This gentleman obtained it while resident in the Nizam's territories, not far from Ellichpoor, where the plant grows freely on hilly ground. The oil is there called Roossah-oil.
XLIII.—On the Knowledge of Distance given by Binocular Vision
Authors: Brewster David
Published: January 2013

In analysing Mr Wheatstone's beautiful discovery, that in binocular vision we see all objects of three dimensions by means of two dissimilar pictures on the retina, I trust I have satisfied the Society that the dissimilarity of these two pictures is in no respect the cause of our vivid perception of such objects, but, on the contrary, an unavoidable accompaniment of binocular vision, which renders it less perfect than vision with one eye. On the other hand, it is quite true that, in Mr Wheatstone's experiment of producing the perception of objects of three dimensions by the apparent coalescence of two dissimilar representations of such objects in plano, the dissimilarity of the pictures is necessary in the exhibition of that beautiful phenomenon.
II. A Short Account of the Life and Writings of William Tytler, Esq; of Woodhouselee, F.R.S. Edin.
Authors: Mackenzie Henry
Published: January 2013

The custom which this Society has established, of giving some account of the lives of its deceased members, is in every case gratifying to friendship, in many interesting to curiosity, but in those which serve to record the pursuits and occupations of men of letters, it is more strictly and properly an object coming within the views of a literary institution. The history of the authors is always in a great degree the history of the literature of a country; and even exclusive of an immediate relation to their works, the narrative of their private and domestic habits is often, in a moral point of view, useful and interesting to the scholar and the author. In both these respects, I may claim the attention of the Society to the following short account of the life and writings of our late worthy colleague, Mr William Tytler.
IV. On a New Analysis of Solar Light, indicating three Primary Colours, forming Coincident Spectra of equal length
Authors: Brewster David
Published: January 2013

The decomposition of white light by prismatic refraction, as effected by Sir Isaac Newton, has, for more than a hundred and fifty years, been received as a demonstrated truth by the most distinguished philosophers of all nations. Various attempts indeed have been made, both in his day and in ours, to overturn this beautiful generalization, but they have been made by persons not only ignorant of the subject, but unacquainted with the first principles of physical research.

The analysis of light by the prism is perfect, in so far as it goes, and was demonstrated by Newton in the case of spectra produced by the single refracting medium which he employed. It was left, indeed, to his successors to discover the different dispersive powers of bodies, and the irrationality of the coloured spaces, and thus to establish the principles of the Achromatic and the Aplanatic Telescopes. These discoveries presented no points of objection to the views of Newton. They were entirely of a supplementary character, and were calculated to establish more firmly his general doctrine respecting the composition of light.
VI. A Description of a Fossil Tree discovered in the Quarry of Craigleith, near Edinburgh, in the month of November 1830; with a Short Account of a Fragment and Branch found in 1831
Authors: Witham Henry
Published: January 2013

In the month of November 1830, a small portion of a magnificent fossil stem was discovered in the quarry of Craigleith, in this vicinity, and more and more of it was brought into view as the working of the quarry proceeded.

In December following, I communicated to the Natural History Society of Northumberland a description of that part of the petrifaction which had then been uncovered. This description will appear in their Transactions.

At that period a considerable part of the stem had been brought into view, and since that time the remaining portion, and the roots, have been exposed.
IX. Account of some Experiments in which an Electric Spark was elicited from a Natural Magnet
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: January 2013

Notwithstanding the intimate connexion which has long been known to exist between magnetism and electricity, we may safely say, that, only fifteen years ago, the announcement of the excitation of a luminous spark from a natural magnet would have been received with astonishment and even with incredulity.

After the great discovery of electro-magnetism, in 1819, by Professor Oersted, the extreme improbability of such a discovery was indeed removed; but, even after that period, until the recent researches of our distinguished countryman Mr Faraday, every attempt having failed to procure the feeblest trace of electricity from the obdurate magnetic mass, so striking a result, which comes home to the comprehension of those least accustomed to interest themselves in the less palpable results of scientific enquiry, could scarcely have been looked for with any degree of confidence.
XII. On the Equations of Loci traced upon the Surface of the Sphere, as expressed by Spherical Co-ordinates
Authors: Davies Thomas Stephens
Published: January 2013

The modern system of analytical geometry of three dimensions originated with Clairault, and received its final form from the hands of Monge. Descartes, it is true, had remarked, that the orthogonal projections of a curve anyhow situated in space, upon two given rectangular planes, determined the magnitude, species, and position of that curve; but this is, in fact, only an appropriation to scientific purposes of a principle which must have been employed from the earliest period of architectural delineation—the orthography and ichnography, or the ground-plan and section of the system of represented lines. Had Descartes, however, done more than make the suggestion—had he pointed out the particular aspect under which it could have been rendered available to geometrical research—had he furnished a suitable notation and methods of investigation—and, finally, had he given a few examples, calculated to render his analytical processes intelligible to other mathematicians;—then, indeed, this branch of science would have owed him deeper obligations than it can now be said to do.
IX.—Description of the Plant which produces the Ordeal Bean of Calabar
Authors: Balfour John Hutton
Published: January 2013

It has been long known that in various parts of Africa, the natives are in the habit of subjecting to the ordeal of poison parties who are suspected of crimes. On the east coast, we meet with Tanghinia venenata, yielding the Tanghin poison-nut of Madagascar; and on the west coast, seeds and barks of different kinds have been employed as ordeals,—the sources of which, however, have not been hitherto fully ascertained.

Dr Kirk, naturalist to the Livingstone Expedition, states, that the Manganja tribe, in the south-east of Africa, believe in a God, and in medicine, or the ordeal which he directs as the means of discovering crime. If the ordeal causes vomiting, it shows innocence; if it acts by the bowels, crime, and the person is put to death. But the doctors have a good knowledge of which to give, for there are different plants used.
XI.—Upon the Thyroid Glands in the Cetacea, with Observations on the Relations of the Thymus to the Thyroid in these and certain other Mammals
Authors: Turner William
Published: January 2013

In the writings of comparative anatomists, considerable difference of opinion is expressed respecting the position and relations of the thyroid gland in the Cetacea, and some authorities even have asserted that it does not exist in these Mammalia.

John Hunter states that he has examined several porpoises, balænæ, and other cetacea, yet “could not observe anything like a thyroid gland.”

Meckel believed that he found, in a fœtal porpoise (D. phocœna), eight inches long, a thyroid gland. He describes it as half an inch broad, two lines thick and high, and of equal depth and thickness both on the middle and sides of the air-tube, in the same position as that in which the gland is found in other mammals. From this examination, however, of so young a fœtus, he does not feel disposed to affirm that, contrary to the opinion of Hunter, it exists in full grown cetacea. In a subsequent paper he mentions incidentally, that in the dolphins the gland is formed of two quite separate lobes. Cuvier states that he has found the gland very distinct in many dolphins and porpoises. In these animals it was divided into two parts, and suspended from the trachea opposite the upper border of the sternum, and some distance from the larynx. Carus describes the gland in the dolphin and porpoise as consisting of two parts, entirely separate from each other. It is difficult to say, however, from the text, whether he is giving the result of his own observations, or simply adopting those of Cuvier. Dr Martyn repeats the statement that the cetacea do not possess a thyroid, and he ascribes the supposed absence of the voice in these animals to the want of this glandular structure.
XVIII.—On a Method of Reducing Observations of Underground Temperature, with its Application to the Monthly Mean Temperatures of Underground Thermometers, at the Royal Edinburgh Observatory
Authors: Everett Joseph D.
Published: January 2013

A few years since I was engaged in the performance of some calculations under the direction of Professor W. Thomson of Glasgow, having reference to the observations of underground temperature made at the Royal Edinburgh Observatory. In this paper I propose to describe a modification of Professor Thomson's method, which, while retaining a sufficient degree of accuracy, will be simple enough for general adoption. The objects proposed are—

1st, To express the variations of temperature at a given depth in terms of the time of year.

2d, To deduce the conducting power of the soil.
III. A Short Paper on the Principles of the Antecedental Calculus
Authors: Glenie James
Published: January 2013

Several of my friends have suggested to me the propriety of publishing something of the kind now offered to the Society, observing, that the great brevity with which the Antecedental Calculus is written, and the very concise form in which it is delivered to the public, may lead some to form erroneous opinions respecting the principles on which it is founded. In compliance partly with their request, I have drawn up this short paper, which I hope will remove even the possibility of misconception on that head, and convince every intelligent reader, that the antecedental calculus has the same geometrical principles for its ground-work, that the formulæ in the Universal Comparison themselves have, from which I originally derived it more than twenty years ago.
V. Determination of the Latitude and Longitude of the Observatory at Aberdeen
Authors: Mackay Andrew
Published: January 2013

Dear Sir,

Some time ago I promised to send you the result of a series of observations, made to determine the situation of this place. Having, however, been much hurried of late, I am only able at present to transmit you the determination of the latitude, deduced from a series of observations of the sun's meridian zenith distances. With respect to the longitude, as soon as it is in my power, I will reduce some observations of occultations, and of the late solar eclipse, and send you the results.
VI. An Account of certain Motions which Small Lighted Wicks acquire, when swimming in a Bason of Oil; together with Observations upon the Phenomena tending to explain the Principles upon which such Motions depend
Authors: Wilson Patrick
Published: January 2013

Dear Sir,

I now sit down to give you some account of the little hydrostatical lamp, which I so briefly mentioned to you in a former letter. As I am far from being fure whether what I have to offer upon this subject may be entitled to the notice of the Edinburgh Royal Society, so I will refer this point to your determination, after you have had leisure to consider the contents.
II. M. Chevalier's Tableau de la Plaine de Troye illustrated and confirmed, from the Observations of subsequent Travellers, and others
Authors: Dalzel Andrew
Published: January 2013

As the Members of this Society afforded to M. Chevalier an early and warm encouragement and patronage, and readily gave his Tableau de la Plaine de Troye a place in their Transactions, as well as admitted the author to a seat among their number; and as that paper, since the time of its publication, has excited a good deal of interest and speculation, they will, no doubt, hear with pleasure, that it has now received, at least in all its material circumstances, a most ample and satisfactory confirmation.
XXI. Description of some remarkable Atmospheric Reflections and Refractions, observed in the Greenland Sea
Authors: Scoresby William
Published: January 2013

During the summer of the present year (1820), while navigating with the ship Baffin, the icy sea in the immediate neighbourhood of West Greenland (the east side), several extremely curious appearances of distant objects, produced by the reflective and refractive properties of the atmosphere, were observed.
XV. Experimental Researches regarding certain Vibrations which take place between Metallic Masses having different Temperatures
Authors: Forbes James D.
Published: January 2013

1. On the 17th January 1831, Mr Arthur Trevelyan communicated to the Royal Society of Edinburgh a paper, entitled “Notice regarding some phenomena observed during the Cooling of certain Metals placed in contact with Lead.” This was the first account published of the remarkable discovery made by that gentleman, of a most curious class of phenomena, which till then was unknown to the scientific world. This paper was afterwards published, with some additions, in the 12th volume of the Transactions of that body, under the title of “Notice regarding some Observations on the Vibrations of Heated Metals.”

2. Mr Trevelyan had, in February 1829, first observed the phenomena just alluded to, which consist in certain tremulous motions accompanied by sounds, often highly musical, excited in many metals while hot, placed in contact with lead or tin, at a lower temperature.
XIX.—On a Mode of Taking the Density of Vapour of Volatile Liquids, at Temperatures below the Boiling Point
Authors: Playfair Lyon , Wanklyn J. A.
Published: January 2013

The interest awakened by Gay-Lussac's great discovery of the simplicity in the relation of the volumes of gases has greatly increased in recent times, when chemists have discovered that, in a large number of instances at least, the formula of a body, as deduced physically from its vapour density, exactly coincides with that deducible from chemical considerations of its reactions, and from the nature of the products arising in consequence of them.

The processes at present used for determining the vapour densities of bodies, are those of Gay-Lussac and Dumas.
XX.—The Bifilar Magnetometer, its Errors and Corrections, including the Determination of the Temperature Coefficient for the Bifilar employed in the Colonial Observatories
Authors: Broun John Allan
Published: January 2013

In 1845, a paper by me on the balance magnetometer was read to the Royal Society of Edinburgh (see Trans. vol. xvi. p. 67), which contained an examination of some of the difficulties to be considered and overcome in relation to that instrument. No similar examination has yet appeared, as far as I am aware, of the bifilar magnetometer. When it is considered that the value of the results obtained from this instrument in so many observatories is dependent on an exact knowledge and elimination or correction of its errors; and, as will appear hereafter, that the temperature coefficients employed in the discussion of the Colonial observations are in some cases so erroneous that the unconnected observations would have been nearer the truth than after correction, the following communication may not appear unnecessary.
XXXI.—On the Constitution of Anthracene or Paranaphthaline, and some of its Products of Decomposition
Authors: Anderson Thomas
Published: January 2013

The solid compounds of carbon and hydrogen form a class of substances to which chemists have scarcely, as yet, paid that attention which their importance and interest appear to merit. With the exception of naphthaline, very little is known regarding them, and it is remarkable that the numerous and varied products of decomposition obtained from that singular substance should not have induced a more minute examination of the kindred compounds, whose existence has been indicated by different chemists. The interest attaching to these compounds is all the greater because, according to their discoverers, several of them are isomeric, or at least polymeric, with naphthaline; and a more careful examination of them might be expected to throw some light on their intimate constitution, and relations to that body.
I.—On the Principle of Onomatopœia in Language
Authors: Blackie
Published: January 2013

By ὀνοματοποιια the Greek grammarians understood that principle, or tendency in the growth of language, according to which certain words are formed by an imitation of the sounds which they signify. Thus, ὀγχ, the root of the Greek word ὀγχᾶσθαι, to bray, may be considered to have been formed of a human mimicry of that animal to which human beings of the lowest cerebral capacity are peculiarly compared; and in the same way, laogh, the Gaelic for a calf, seems to contain a sound to which only the throats of Highland calves, Highland chieftains, and Highland crofters are competent. The word onomatopœia, like some other technical terms of the old grammarians, is not particularly happy, for it means only and generally word-making, or rather name-making, and says nothing of the principle by which the special class of words in question is made. Instead of this term, therefore, I should prefer to speak of the imitative or pictorial principle in the formation of human speech; and I should contrast the whole class of words in which the operation of this principle can be traced, with another class, derived from ideas or notions about the thing to be named in the mind of the word-maker. Thus, the modern Greeks call a cock πετεινό, that is, the fowl, or flying animal, from πέτομαι, to fly; and the Latin word, equus, a horse, if it comes, as Professor Müuller says, from the Sanscrit root â'su, swift, will be another word formed on the same principle. The roots of these words I propose to call notional roots, as contrasted with the onomatopoetic class of roots, which I propose to call pictorial roots, or roots formed by phonic imitation.
III.—On Hemiopsy, or Half-Vision
Authors: Brewster David
Published: January 2013

The affection of Half-vision, or Half-blindness as it has been called, was first distinctly described by Dr Wollaston, in a paper “On Semidecussation of the Optic Nerves,” published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1824. “It is now more than twenty years,” he says, “since I was first affected with this peculiar state of vision, in consequence of violent exercise I had taken for two or three hours before. I suddenly found that I could see but half the face of a man whom I met, and it was the same with every object I looked at. In attempting to read the name Johnson over a door, I saw only son, the commencement of the name being wholly obliterated from my view. In this instance, the loss of sight was towards my left, and was the same, whether I looked with my right eye or my left. This blindness was not so complete as to amount to absolute blackness, but was a shaded darkness, without definite outline. The complaint lasted only about a quarter of an hour.” In 1822, Dr Wollaston had another attack of hemiopsy, with this difference, that the blindness was to the right of the centre of vision, and he has referred to three other cases among his friends; but in these, the affection was accompanied with headache and indigestion.
IV.—Miscellaneous Observations on the Blood
Authors: Davy John
Published: January 2013

On a fluid of so much importance as the blood, observations with any pretension to accuracy can hardly be too often made and repeated, more especially when we consider its great instability, its little uniformity, and the differences of opinion entertained by physiologists respecting some of its most remarkable properties.

Such is the persuasion which has influenced me in engaging in the present inquiry, and in submitting its results to the Society.
VII.—On the Motion of a Heavy Body along the Circumference of a Circle
Authors: Sang Edward
Published: January 2013

In the year 1861 I laid before the Royal Society of Edinburgh a theorem concerning the time of descent in a circular arc, by help of which that time can be computed with great ease and rapidity. A concise statement of it is printed in the fourth volume of the Society's Proceedings at page 419.

The theorem in question was arrived at by the comparison of two formulæ, the one being the common series and the other an expression given in the “Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine” for November 1828, by a writer under the signature J. W. L. Each of these series is reached by a long train of transformations, developments, and integrations, which require great familiarity with the most advanced branches of the infinitesimal calculus; yet the theorem which results from their comparison has an aspect of extreme simplicity, and seems as if surely it might be attained to by a much shorter and less rugged road. For that reason I did not, at the time, give an account of the manner in which it was arrived at, intending to seek out a better proof. On comparing it with what is known in the theory of elliptic functions, its resemblance to the beautiful theorem of Halle became obvious; but then the coefficients in Halle's formulæ are necessarily less than unit, whereas for this theorem they are required to be greater than unit.
IX.—Some Observations on the Cuticle in relation to Evaporation
Authors: Davy John
Published: January 2013

Though it is generally admitted that the cuticle performs an important part in retarding and regulating evaporation from the surface of the body, yet I am not aware of any inquiry hitherto made to determine the fact with exactness.

On account of the importance of the subject, I have been induced to engage in it. The experiments instituted for the purpose have all been of a very simple kind and easily made. They were on the similar parts of dead animals, detached immediately or very soon after the animals had been killed. From one specimen in each instance, the cuticle with the cutis, or the cuticle alone, was removed; whilst from the other these parts of the integuments were left entire. Each was carefully weighed, and then suspended, exposed to the air, side by side. Day after day, with occasional interruptions, or hour after hour, the weighing was repeated, and the result in the loss sustained was noted down. The experiments were made, when not otherwise mentioned, as just described, in a room in which, except in the height of summer, there was commonly a fire by day, its temperature during the day and night varying from about 50° of Fahr. to 55° and 58°. The animals affording the subjects of the trials were the trout, frog, toad, hare, rabbit, pig, thrush, common fowl, blue tit. Even at the risk of tediousness, I shall give the results of the weighing in some detail,—exactness in such trials being the first thing necessary.
XIV.—On the Tertiary Coals of New Zealand
Authors: Lindsay W. Lauder
Published: January 2013

Coal deposits of Tertiary age have now been found more or less throughout the two great islands (north and south) of New Zealand. They are best known, and they have been chiefly worked, however, in the provinces of Otago, Nelson, Canterbury, and Auckland. Their apparent more meagre development in other provinces is probably simply due to the circumstance that the latter have not, as yet, been so thoroughly explored or so extensively colonised and peopled as the others. The explorations, however, of provincial and geological surveyors, of prospecting goldminers and sheep-owners, and of other pioneers of civilisation, are daily adding to the number of the known coal-fields of New Zealand; and it is probably not going too far to assert, in general terms, that the whole area of its two great islands is studded over with coal-basins of various extent, depth, age, and quality of coal.
II.—On the Torbanehill Mineral
Authors: Traill Thomas Stewart
Published: January 2013

It is well known to the Society, that a mineral, found in the strata of Torbanehill, not far from Bathgate, in the county of Linlithgow, has lately been the subject of a keen lawsuit. Specimens of this mineral were early in the year put into my hands by the lessee, and sometime afterwards by the proprietor of Torbanehill, for the purpose of obtaining a mineralogical opinion on the nature of the mineral. I stated at the time to both parties, that I would carefully examine it before I could presume to offer a decided opinion. In fact, the mineral was not altogether new to me; for, in the two preceding years, I had received specimens of a mineral from Torbanehill, and from Boghead, which I was unable to refer to any described species; and I was therefore determined to give my opinion with due caution, especially as I understood that large interests were involved in the question.
VIII.—On the Meteorology of the English Lake District, including the Results of Experiments on the Fall of Rain, the Temperature, the Dew Point, and the Humidity of the Atmosphere, at various Heights on the Mountains, up to 3166 feet above the Sea Level,—for the years 1851, 1852, and 1853
Authors: Miller John Fletcher
Published: January 2013

The experiments on the rain-fall in the lake district valleys were commenced in 1844,—the mountain gauges were planted in the spring of 1846,—the hygrometrical observations were instituted at the beginning of the year 1852,—and the entire investigation was brought to a close at the end of the year 1853, when its main objects were considered to have been satisfactorily answered and attained.

The tabular observations and general results of the inquiry up to the close of the year 1850, were communicated to the Royal Society of London in four papers, which are published in the Philosophical Transactions of that body. The fifth and concluding paper (comprising the observations, &c. for the years 1851—53 inclusive) I have now the honour to present to the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
XI.—On certain Vegetable Organisms found in Coal from Fordel
Authors: Balfour John Hutton
Published: January 2013

The Society has had its attention of late so much directed to the subject of coal, that some apology, perhaps, is necessary for bringing this substance again under notice. I may premise, however, that in doing so, it is not my intention to revive the disputed question as to Boghead gas-coal, nor to take up the time of the Society with what may be considered as unprofitable discussion. I purpose to bring forward a few facts relative to a coal, concerning which there is no dispute, and which presents some vegetable organisms and products calculated, in my opinion, to throw light on the history of carboniferous deposits. Much of the recent difference of opinion on the question of coal has arisen from the mode in which some histologists have chosen to define it. I trust that the result of all our discussions will be to lead to a fuller examination of coal in all its forms,—to a comparison of specimens, both mineralogically and microscopically, from different localities,—and, finally, to an extended report on the subject in which geologists, chemists, and histologists will combine.
XVIII.—Experiments on Colour, as perceived by the Eye, with Remarks on Colour-Blindness
Authors: Maxwell James Clerk
Published: January 2013

The object of the following communication is to describe a method by which every variety of visible colour may be exhibited to the eye in such a form as to admit of accurate comparison; to show how experiments so made may be registered numerically; and to deduce from these numerical results certain laws of vision.

The different tints are produced by means of a combination of discs of paper, painted with the pigments commonly used in the arts, and arranged round an axis, so that a sector of any required angular magnitude of each colour may be exposed. When this system of discs is set in rapid rotation, the sectors of the different colours become indistinguishable, and the whole appears of one uniform tint. The resultant tints of two different combinations of colours may be compared by using a second set of discs of a smaller size, and placing these over the centre of the first set, so as to leave the outer portion of the larger discs exposed. The resultant tint of the first combination will then appear in a ring round that of the second, and may be very carefully compared with it.
XXV.—On the Possibility of combining two or more Probabilities of the same Event, so as to form one Definite Probability
Authors: Terrot
Published: January 2013

(1.) The inquiry which, with its results, I propose to lay before the Society, was suggested by the following passage in the very popular Treatise on Logic by Dr Whately, now Archbishop of Dublin.

“As in the case of two probable premises, the conclusion is not established except upon the supposition of their being both true, so in the case of two (and the like holds good with any number) distinct and independent indications of the truth of some proposition, unless both of them fail, the proposition must be true: we therefore multiply together the fractions indicating the probability of the failure of each—the chances against it—and the result being the total chances against the establishment of the conclusion by these arguments, this fraction being deducted from unity, the remainder gives the probability for it.
XXXIV.—On a Dynamical Top, for exhibiting the phenomena of the motion of a system of invariable form about a fixed point, with some suggestions as to the Earth's motion
Authors: Maxwell J. C.
Published: January 2013

To those who study the progress of exact science, the common spinning-top is a symbol of the labours and the perplexities of men who had successfully threaded the mazes of the planetary motions. The mathematicians of the last age, searching through nature for problems worthy of their analysis, found in this toy of their youth, ample occupation for their highest mathematical powers.

No illustration of astronomical precession can be devised more perfect than that presented by a properly balanced top, but yet the motion of rotation has intricacies far exceeding those of the theory of precession.
II.—Circular Magnetisations accompanying Axial and Sectional Currents along Iron Tubes
Authors: Knott Cargill G.
Published: January 2013

The experiments now to be described have for their object the investigation of the magnetic induction in an iron conductor under the influence of a current passing through it. The method of experiment was briefly in this wise. An iron tube was magnetised circularly by a current passed from end to end along its entire length; and the induction so produced in the iron was measured in terms of the current induced in a coil of wire wound longitudinally round the walls of the tube.

In the experiments four tubes were used, all of the same length and nearly the same external diameter. The internal diameters of one pair were approximately double those of the other. The various dimensions are given accurately in the following table, the tubes being distinguished as A, B, a, b. Each diameter measurement is the mean of eight measurements taken across different diameters.
IV.—On the New Star in the Constellation Auriga
Authors: Copeland Ralph , Becker L.
Published: January 2013

The discoverer of Nova Aurigæ is the Rev Thomas D. Anderson of Edinburgh, D.Sc. in Classical Philology. Dr Anderson is “almost certain” that he saw the star at 2 a.m. on January 24 of this year; it was then slightly brighter than χ Aurigæ. Unfortunately, he mistook it for 26 Aurigæ, which it precedes by about 6m 39s, merely remarking to himself that the star was brighter than he had previously thought it to be. Twice in the following week he made the same observation at about the same hour of the night. At last, on the morning of January 31, it flashed upon him that, after all, the star was not 26 Aurigæ, and that 26 Aurigæ had a much greater right ascension. He consulted a small star-map, and the discovety was made. Regretting that he had not earlier compared the map with the heavens, and thinking that the star might be well known to astronomers, Dr Anderson wrote an anonymous postcard to me on the same morning bearing the words:—“Nova in Auriga. In Milky Way, about two degrees south of χ Aurigæ, preceding 26 Aurigæ. Fifth magnitude, slightly brighter than χ.” I may add that Dr Anderson's plant consists of a small hand spyglass adapted to astronomical purposes by removing the front pair of lenses from the eyepiece. In this state it magnifies about ten times, and, of course, gives inverted images. Dr Anderson hopes that amateurs, although provided with only the most modest appliances, may, by his unexpected success, be induced to persevere in their observations.