bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What is Coal?.
Authors: Fleming  
Published: June 2016

Dr Fleming, after stating the circumstances which led him to bring before the Royal Society the consideration of this question, pointed out the distinction between amineral speciesand arock, a circumstance which had been greatly overlooked in recent discussions on the subject. He considered coal as a rock, and capable of being traced, in its origin and history, from peat at the beginning of the series, to blind coal or anthracite at the termination.He illustrated the character of peat in reference to the vegetables from which it was derived—the changes of a mineralizing nature which it had undergone—and the strata of sand, clay, and marl with which it is usually associated.
2. On the Stability of the Instruments of the Royal Observatory.
Authors: Smyth Piazzi 
Published: June 2016

In an observatory where, as in that of the Calton Hill, the principal object of pursuit is the determination of the exact places of the fixed stars, and the investigation of those exceedingly slow secular variations, which require many thousands of years to run their cycle,—the stability of the instruments, as a necessary element to the accuracy of the observations, becomes of the extremest importance.To secure this quality much invention and no little ingenuity have been employed, but not yet with perfect success; for invariably the more accuracy we demand, the more insuperable difficulties appear to arise. Even nature at last appears to be taxed beyond her powers, for we find when we have passed beyond a certain degree of magnifying power, that there are no bodies absolutely stiff and rigid—none constantly of the same dimensions; but all are expanding and contracting, and giving and limiting with every change of temperature or application of small accidental pressures.
1. Some additional Experiments on the Ethers and Amides of Meconic and Comenic Acids.
Authors: How Henry 
Published: June 2016

The author commenced by alluding to his analysis of amidomeconic acid in a previous paper, and to the objections urged against the formula he had assigned to it.By referring to his former analyses, and to a later one, he showed that the empirical formula of the acid could not be that suggested by Messrs Wurtz and Gerhardt, but that his results could only lead to that which he had formerly given, namely—C84H89O78N7.
2. On a Revision of the Catalogue of Stars of the British Association.
Authors: Jacob W. S. 
Published: June 2016

After a brief allusion to the importance of catalogues of stars in general, as the foundation of exact astronomy, the circumstances connected with the publication of the important Catalogue of Stars by the British Association were mentioned.Many of the materials were well known to be imperfect at the time of printing, but that step, it was thought, would strongly induce all astronomers to improve the defective portions.
2. On New Species of Marine Diatomaceæ from the Firth of Clyde and Loch Fine. Illustrated by numerous drawings, and by enlarged figures, all drawn by Dr Greville.
Authors: Gregory  
Published: June 2016

In two papers, read before this Society, and subsequently published in the Microscopical Journal, I described and figured a large number of new species of Diatoms, chiefly marine, which I had found in the Glenshira sand.This sand was deposited by the Dhu Loch of Glenshira, at a period geologically recent, when that lake occupied a higher level than it now does, and extended about two miles farther up the valley. That the Dhu Loch at that period, as well as now, communicated with Loch Fine, so that at high tide the salt water flowed into the lakes, while at low water the current, as in a tidal estuary, flowed outwards, is proved by the fact, that the sand then deposited contains more marine than fresh-water species.
2. On the Reproductive Economy of Moths and Bees; being an Account of the Results of Von Siebold's Recent Researches in Parthenogenesis.
Authors: Goodsir  
Published: June 2016

In a recent work, entitled “Wahre Parthenogenesis bei Schmetterlingen und Bienen”—Real Parthenogenesis in Butterflies and Bees, Von Siebold, after reviewing the present condition of the subject, distinguishes the so-called alternate generation from parthenogenesis, and limits Professor Owen's term to reproduction by unimpregnated females.He has ascertained that this real parthenogenetic mode of reproduction occurs in certain moths—Solenobia lichenellaandtriquetrella, the larvæ of which are sac-bearers; and inPsyche helix, the larva of which constructs one of those remarkable spiral sacs which have been mistaken for the shells of molluscs.
1. Notice respecting Father Secchi's Statical Barometer, and on the Origin of the Cathetometer.
Authors: Forbes  
Published: June 2016

A friend, who returned lately from Rome, has sent me some copies of a pamphlet by Father Secchi of the Collegio Romano, one of which I lay on the table of the Society.It describes a barometer stated to be on a new construction. The barometric tube is suspended from one arm of a balance, and counterpoised. It is filled with mercury in the usual way; but the cistern into which it opens is fixed apart, and does not move with the beam of the balance. It is evident, therefore, that the varying pressure of the air on the exterior of the tube will require a changing counterpoise, and that the magnitude of the change may be increased by enlarging the section of the tube, so that the alteration of pressure may be indicated with any required delicacy.
3. On the true Signification of certain Reproductive Phenomena in the Polyzoa.
Authors: Allman  
Published: June 2016

When the reproductive phenomena of Alcyonella, as manifested both in gemmation and true generation, are viewed in their proper sequence, they will be found to present a series of acts which admit of an obvious comparison with the class of phenomena commonly known as the “alternation of generations.”From the fecundated ovum an embryo is produced in the ordinary way after the segmentation of the vitellus. In this embryo, which presents at first the form of a locomotive ciliated sac, sexual organs are never directly developed, but there are produced within it by a process ofgemmationthe following series of zooids.
Laboratory Notes by Professor Tait. 1. On the Relation between Thermal, and Electric, Conductivity
Authors: Tait  
Published: June 2016

Reference was made to a previous paper by the author (Proceedings, 1867–8, p. 309), in which an attempt was made to apply to this subject the Theory of Dissipation of Energy.Some years ago, a bar of German silver was procured, at the expense of the British Association, for the purpose of ascertaining whether its thermal, like its electric, conductivity is little altered by change of temperature. With this, Forbes' experiments have been carried out carefully through very great ranges of temperatures.
2. Additional Note on the Strain-Function, &c.
Authors: Tait  
Published: June 2016

The author gave an account of the mode in which he had treated the Strain-Function in an elementary Treatise on Quaternions, soon to be published, mainly from the pen of Professor Kelland.The coefficients of the cubic in φ are determined easily from the condition that homogeneous strain alters the volume of every part of a body in the same ratio.
3. Laboratory Notes by Professor Tait—On the Thermo-electric Positions of Sodium and Potassium
Authors: Tait  
Published: June 2016

Farther experiments with the apparatus described in the “Proceedings” of 2d March 1874, and with a similar one containing potassium, have led to the following values of the tangent of the inclination of the corresponding lines in the thermo-electric diagram. I have added its value in palladium for comparison—Na – ·00212K – ·00066Pd – ·00182
3. On a Form of Radiation Diagram
Authors: Forbes George 
Published: June 2016

The following facts appear to have been conclusively established by universal experience:—1. Nearly all, if not all, solid substances become self-luminous at the same temperature.2. The red rays are the first to become visible, and, on increasing the temperature, colours of less wave-lengths are successively added in the order of their wave-lengths.3. While colours of shorter wave-lengths are being added, those which were previously visible become more intense.
1. Laboratory Note.—Analysis of Titaniferous Iron Sand from North Berwick
Authors: Davidson James 
Published: June 2016

In an excursion of Professor Geikie's class to North Berwick (5th February), a layer of titaniferous iron sand was found lying along the shore for a short distance.The rocks at this locality consist chiefly of dull green and red trap-tuffs, traversed by dykes and veins of basalt. Immediately in front of the spot where the iron sand was met with several intrusive masses of dark heavy basalt occur. It was evidently from the decomposition and trituration of this rock that the iron sand came, which has been assorted by the waves along the upper margin of the beach.
2. The Placenta in Ruminants.—a Deciduate Placenta
Authors: Turner  
Published: June 2016

All zoologists, who have accepted the placental system of classification of the Mammalia, agree in placing the Ruminantia amongst the Indeciduata.As is well known, the fœtal portion of the placenta in Ruminants consists of a number of distinct cotyledons. Each cotyledon is composed of numerous branched villi, which fit into pits or depressions situated in mound-like elevations of the wall of the uterus, called the maternal cotyledons.
IV.—On the Illuminating Power of Groups of Pin-hole Burners
Authors: Harris R. G. 
Published: June 2016

The object of the present series of experiments is to find the variation of the illuminating power of symmetrical groups of pin-hole burners with the distance of adjacent burners.The burners were fitted so as to slide on a frame composed of two pieces of a metre-rod fastened together to form a cross, as shown in figs. 1 and 2. The stems of the burners were circular in section and cylindrical in bore, the external and internal diameters being 8 mm. and less than 1 mm. respectively. Their bases were bevelled in such a manner that the burners could be fixed so close as to touch each other; thus their centres could be placed at any distance from the centre of the cross from 4 mm. to 10 cm. The standard of illumination with which they were compared was a similar pin-hole burner.
VI.—A Further Contribution to a Comparative Study of the dominant Phanerogamic and Higher Cryptogamic Flora of Aquatic Habit in Scottish Lakes
Authors: West George 
Published: June 2016

This contribution is a continuation of a former paper on the same subject, references to which in this paper will, for the sake of brevity, be referred to as ante, p.…, or ante, fig.… The present pages deal especially with the following districts of Scotland:—1. North-west Kirkcudbrightshire.2. South-east Kirkcudbrightshire.3. Wigtownshire.4. Fife and Kinross.
XIII.—The Theory of Orthogonants in the Historical Order of Development up to 1860
Authors: Muir Thomas 
Published: June 2016

Notwithstanding the generalisations made by Jacobi and Cauchy, the special case with which the whole theory originated continued from time to time to attract attention. In 1843 William Thomson, afterwards known as Lord Kelvin, published under the signature “T.” in the Cambridge Math. Journ., iii. pp. 247–248, a short note in which he proved the detached theorem that if l1, m1, n1, l2, … be nine quantitiessuch thatthen it follows thatThis led to a short paper by A. Göpel in the Archiv d. Math. u. Phys., iv. (1843) pp. 244–246.
XXXV.—The Morphology of the Manus in Platanista gangetica, the Dolphin of the Ganges
Authors: Turner Wm. 
Published: June 2016

In July 1909 I communicated to the Society a description of the skeleton of Sowerby's whale, and discussed the morphology of the Manus in the Ziphioids, Mesoplodon and Hyperoodon, and in the Delphinidæ. In this paper I propose to consider the morphology of the manus in the pentadactylous Gangetic dolphin, the type example of the Platanistidæ.The most complete account of the anatomy of Platanista is contained in the chapter on the Cetacea in the important “Anatomical and Zoological Researches” by the late Dr John Anderson. As director of the Indian Museum, Calcutta, he collected and studied both the soft parts and the skeleton in a number of specimens of both sexes. He analysed the constitution of the manus, and assigned to the carpal bones names corresponding with those used in descriptive human anatomy.
XVII.—On a Fuller Test of the Law of Torsional Oscillation
Authors: Ritchie James B. 
Published: June 2016

It has been shown in a former paper that an equation of the formcan be applied to give close representation of results in the determination of the law of decrease of torsional oscillations of wires of different materials, when the range of oscillation is large in comparison with the palpable limits of elasticity.
XXIV.—The Scattering of Light
Authors: Milne James Robert 
Published: June 2016

SummaryThe present paper describes a number of experiments made in connection with Christiansen's experiment in which a beam of light is passed through a transparent insoluble powder immersed in a liquid, with the result that light of the particular colour for which the indices of powder and liquid are the same passes unaffected, while light of all other colours is scattered. In this communication only the simplest case of the above is dealt with, that, namely, in which a flat piece of glass, ground on one side, takes the place of the powder, the rugosities of the ground surface representing a single layer of grains, and air takes the place of the liquid. In such a case there is, of course, no colour of light for which the indices of solid and liquid are alike, and indeed it was found that the colour of the light made very little difference to the results. On the other hand, however, it soon became apparent that different ways of grinding the glass surface led to very different effects. Accordingly, as no previous work appears to have been done in this field, and as it seemed a promising one, it was decided to make a systematic study of the various cases. Each specimen of glass employed was photomicrographed, and had its polar light distribution measured by a photometer. Two methods of characterising the particular scattering power of a screen soon suggested themselves and have been formally defined—the one connected with the Angle of Maximum Total Emission, and the other with the Equivalent Cavity.It is hoped to continue the investigation not only on the above lines, but also in the direction of ascertaining the effect of a number of plates, i.e. of successive layers of light-scattering particles; and in investigating the polarisation effects, which some rough preliminary experiments have shown to be marked.I am glad of this opportunity of acknowledging the help I have received from the Trustees of the Carnegie Trust in the form of grants for the construction of the special apparatus necessary; and desire to tender my grateful thanks to Professor MacGregor for the many facilities for carrying on the work which he kindly placed at my disposal.
XXVIII.—Atmospheric Electric Potential Results at Edinburgh during 1912
Authors: Carse G. A. , Shearer G. 
Published: June 2016

§ 1. In this paper are given the results of calculations made from continuous records of atmospheric electric potential obtained during the year 1912 at the Physical Laboratory of the University of Edinburgh.During the summer of 1909 intermittent observations of the atmospheric electric potential and earth-air current were made at various points in Edinburgh, the results of which have already been communicated to this Society, and since October 1911 there has been an electrograph in operation at the laboratory.
1. Vortex Statics
Authors: Thomson William 
Published: June 2016

The subject of this paper is steady motion of vortices.1. Extended definition of “steady motion.” The motion of any system of solid or fluid or solid and fluid matter is said to be steady when its configuration remains equal and similar, and the velocities of homologous particles equal, however the configuration may move in space, and however distant individual material particles may at one time be from the points homologous to their positions at another time.
5. On Knots
Authors: Tait  
Published: June 2016

At the last meeting of the Society I stated that I had just procured a remarkable essay by Listing, part of which bears on the subject of knots, and that I had found in it an example of a change of form not producible by the modes of deformation I had employed.It had for some time struck me as very singular that, thoug I could easily prove that (when nugatory intersections are removed) a knot in which the crossings are alternately over and under is not farther reducible, I could not prove all its possible deformations to be producible by inversions or projections of the kinds specified in my paper; but, as soon as I recognised the existence of amphicheiral forms, I saw that it was probable that they would furnish a key to my difficulty. I immediately set to work to classify the simpler of such forms; and while I was thus engaged I got the Göttinger Studien for 1847, in which is Listing's paper, with the title Vorstudien zur Topologie.
3. On the Precautions to be taken in recording and using the Records of Original Computations
Authors: Sang Edward 
Published: June 2016

The real utility of tables of numerical results is only secured by making them accessible to those computers who may require them; and the essence of their utility lies in this, that the labour of a single computer saves that of many others.It is indispensable that those who use the tables be able to rely implicitly on the accuracy of the tabulated numbers, and that they have a ready means of detecting any error should the existence of one be suspected.
2. Note on a Geometrical Theorem
Authors: Tait  
Published: June 2016

In “Trans. R.S.E.” (1864–5) Fox Talbot proved very simply, by means of a species of co-ordinates depending on confocal conics, the following theorem, at the same time asking for a simple geometrical proof.If two sets of three concentric circles, with the same common difference of radii, intersect one another—the chords of the arcs intercepted on the mean circle of each series by the extremes of the other are equal.
7. Extract of Letter to the President from H. E. Rosevelt, Esq., dated New York, Dec. 23, 1877
Authors: Rosevelt H. E. 
Published: June 2016

“I saw the ‘Phonograph’ the other day, and though it is very crude I was much interested. I would briefly describe the idea as follows:—“To the centre of an iron diaphragm is attached a metallic point resting against a strip of paper or tinfoil. You speak against diaphragm through a mouthpiece, at same time the paper being drawn under the points. The vibration of diaphragm and point indent the paper to various depths, making an undulating (as it were) mark, &c. Now, if said paper is afterwards drawn under the point, the diaphragm vibrates exactly as your voice made it vibrate, and all the sounds are reproduced exactly as you said them, making a most astonishing effect—singing, laughing, and articulate words were all reproduced.
2. On the Anatomy of a recent Species of Polyodon, the Polyodon gladius (Martens), taken from the river Yangtsze-Kiang, 450 miles above Woosung. Part III., being its Viscera of Organic Life
Authors: Handyside P. D. 
Published: June 2016

The author proceeded with his anatomical description of the respiratory, circulatory, and pneumatic systems in this remarkable fish; referring to the differences that exist in the male, the female, the young, and the adult specimens. He also shortly noticed the alimentary and other viscera of Organic life.Dr Handyside illustrated his paper by 24 additional drawings—including 7 microscopic views—of structure in this fish.
7. On certain Effects of Periodic Variation of Intensity of a Musical Note
Authors: Brown Crum , Tait  
Published: June 2016

Recent discussions as to the nature of vowel-sounds have led us to make experiments (partly with an apparatus constructed some years ago for the same purpose) upon the effect of a periodic variation of intensity of a simple tone.It is obviously impossible to secure a simple harmonic variation, so we endeavoured to produce a displacement varying as1 − cos mt.An organ-pipe, giving a tone very free from harmonics, was sounded on one side of a partition in which were cut a series of large holes.
3. Note on the Black Lustrous Varnish of ancient Pottery
Authors: Davy John 
Published: June 2016

So far as my reading extends, the nature of the black varnish of the ancient Greek and Etruscan vases is still undetermined.From the experiments I have made, operating on very small quantities, abraded from vases which were taken from tombs in the Ionian Islands, I have been led to the conclusion, that it is a vitreous matter, coloured by black oxide of iron, probably mixed with particles of metallic iron, to which its peculiar lustre may be owing.
2. On the Tides in the Sound of Harris
Authors: Otter Henry C. 
Published: June 2016

The author stated that during summer, in neap tides, the stream flows from the Atlantic into the Minch all day, but from the Minch into the Atlantic all night. In winter this was reversed, the stream flowing through the Sound of Harris from the Minch into the Atlantic all day, but from the Atlantic into the Minch all night.In spring tides, both during summer and winter, the stream comes in from the Atlantic during the greater part of the time the water is rising, and flows back into the Atlantic during the greater portion of the fall of the tide.
1. Researches on Radiant Heat. Part II
Authors: Stewart Balfour 
Published: June 2016

The first part of this paper describes the following groups of experiments:—I. On the effect which roughening the surface of a body produces upon its radiation.II. On the nature of that heat which is radiated by rock-salt at at 212° F.III. On the radiation of glass and mica at high temperatures.The second or theoretical portion of the paper has reference to the law which connects the radiation of a particle with its temperature, and to Dulong and Petit's experiments on this subject. The instruments used, and method of using them, were almost the same as described in the first series of these researches.
2. Some Miscellaneous Observations on the Tadpole, and on the Albumen of the Newly-laid Egg
Authors: Davy John 
Published: June 2016

On the Tadpole of the Frog.—The author first notices the jelly—the peculiar enveloping matter of the ova—describing its properties and uses,—the latter, according to him, for the double purpose of defending the eggs before being hatched, and affording the tadpoles food after their hatching. He considers the substance of the jelly a variety of albumen.Secondly, He notices the ova, which he describes as resembling, in their properties and composition, those of fishes.Thirdly, He enters into some details respecting the growth of the tadpole and its metamorphosis, specially dwelling on the fact, that whilst in the change to the advanced form there is a diminution of volume, there is an increase of solid matter—the young frog having a bony skeleton, which the tadpole is destitute of.
3. Fragmentary Notes on the Generative Organs of some Cartilaginous Fishes
Authors: Davy John 
Published: June 2016

These notes, it is stated by the author, were made at different times and places, as opportunity favoured, and are offered as a contribution to a difficult branch of Ichthyology.The generative organs of nine different species are described, with more or less minuteness of detail. The species are Squalus squatina, S. galeus, S. acanthias, S. carcharias, S. centrina, S. canicula, Scyllium melanostomum, Raia aquila, and R. oxyrhynchus.