Buckland; Secretaries, W. Sanders, S. Stuchbury, T. J. Torrie, and F. H. Rankin, Esquires. D. ZOOLOGY AND BOTANY.-(At Colston' School) President, Prof. Henslow; Secretaries, John Curtis, and S. Rootsey, Esquires, Prof. Don, and Dr. Riley. E. ANATOMY and MedicinE. (At Colston's School) President, Dr. Roget; Secretaries, Dr. Symonds, and G. D. Fripp, Esq. F. STATISTICS.-(At the Cathedral Chapter-room) President, Sir C. Lemon; Secretaries, Rev. J. E. Bromby, C. B. Frepp, and J. Heywood, Esquires. G. Mechanical Science.—(At the Merchants' Hall) President, Davies Gilbert, Esq.; Secretaries, T. G. Bunt, G. T. Clark, and W. West, Esqrs. In all the sections, papers of very great interest have been read. In section A. Sir D. Brewster gave some account of an experiment made by him in making lenses of rock-salt. Mr. Lubbock made statements respecting the comparative tides of London and Liverpool, and on the influence of atmospheric pressure as affecting tides; and he was followed by Mr. Whewell on the same subject, and also on the Committee's proceedings for ascertaining the relative level of the sea and land with respect to its permanence. These remarks are so important that we venture to lay some of them before our readers. It is intended to appoint a committee for the same purposes, who should be furnished with instructions founded upon the views at which the former Committee had by their labours and experience arrived. One method proposed was that marks should be made along various parts of the coast, which marks should be referred to the level of the sea; but here the enquiry met us in the very outset what is the proper and precise notion to be attached to the phrase level of the sea? Was it high water-mark or low water-mark? Was it at the level of the mean tide, which recent researches seemed to establish? In composing hydrographical maps the level of the sea was taken from low water, and this, although in many respects inconvenient, could not yet be dispensed with, for many reasons, one of which he might glance at that, by its adoption, shoals, which were dry at low water, were capable of being represented upon the maps as well as the land. The second method proposed appeared to be the one from which the most important and conclusive results were to be expected. It consisted in accurately levelling, by land survey, lines in various directions, and by permanently fixing, in various places, numerous marks of similar levels at the time; by the aid of these marks, at future periods, it could be ascertained whether or not the levels had or had not changed, and thus the question would be settled whether or not the land was rising or falling. Still further, by running on those lines as far as the sea-coast, and marking their extremities along the coast, a solution would at length be obtained to that most important question-what is the permanent level of the sea at a given place? Until something like this were accomplished, we could not expect any thing like accuracy in many important and even practical cases. As an example, he supposed the question to be the altitude of Dunbury Hill referring to the level of the sea if that level of the sea were taken at Bristol, where the tide rises fifty feet, the level of low water would differ from the same level on the seacoast at Devonshire, where the sea rises, say eighteen feet; and supposing the place of mean tide to be the true permanent level by no less a quantity than sixteen feet, which would therefore make that hill to appear sixteen feet higher, upon an hydrographical map constructed by a person taking his level from the coast of Devonshire, than it would appear upon the map of an engineer taking his level at Bristol. In the method proposed, the lines of equal level would run, suppose from Bristol to Ilfracomb in one direction, and from Bristol to Lime Regis in the other, and by these a common standard of level would soon be obtained for the entire coast. Mr. G. B. Gerrard's researches on the general solution, which were reported by Sir William Hamilton, attracted great interest in the section, and elicited some very high eulogies from Prof. Peacock and Mr. Babbage on Mr. Jerrard's mode of treating this difficult subject. Professor Phillips read a report of experiments made for the purpose of determining the inferior temperature of the earth, and, in connection with this subject, Prof. Forbes gave an extempor aneous account of some experiments in the mines on the Lead Hills. These were followed by a paper of Mr. Craig's on polarized light, who in the course of his remarks detailed the five ordinary methods of polarizing light: 1. By reflections at certain angles from plates of glass. 2. By reflections from similar plates, having their under surfaces blackened, so as to absorb the rays upon their coming to the back surface of the glass. and to this glass he would refer the effects of all polished surfaces, such as varnished mahogany tables and trays, japanned metals, burnished leather, &c., and he instanced the total disappearance of all diversity of colour from varnished card of several colours, when viewed under certain circumstances, through eye-pieces of tourmaline, Iceland spar, &c. 3. By transmitting the ray through certain crystalline substances, such as Iceland spar, &c. 4. By passing the ray through crystals of tourmaline cut by planes parallel to the axes of the crystal. 5. By the use of Nicholl's double fusion of Iceland spar. The rev. gentleman then proceeded to explain, in connection with his theoretic views, the play of colours observed within certain kinds of crystals of Iceland spar, the distinction between right-handed and left-handed quartz crystals, and numerous other instances derived from facts familiar to those who have studied this branch of science. Mr. Russell gave an account of researches regarding the laws of the motion of waves, a subject deserving the greatest attention, especially when taken in connection with the investigations of Messrs. Whewell and Lubbock on the tides. Mr. Russell divides waves into four classes, to the two latter of which his enquiries were chiefly confined:-1. Waves of the first species are seen in what is commonly called ripple on the surface of a pool; these may be called dentated, and are not propagated beyond the place of their generation. 2. Waves of the second species, or oscillatory waves, are found when a stone is dropped into a quiescent fluid, and these succeed each other in concentric rings--these are the waves of Newton and Young, and correspond to the second species of poisson; they are propagated with a velocity proportioned to the magnitude of the displaced fluid. 3. The third species of waves are called breakers, surges, and tidal-bores; and, 4. The fourth species of waves is the solitary wave, analogous to the great tidal-wave of the ocean; it is propagated with nearly a uniform velocity. The following principles may be considered as ascertained. The two last species, the surge and the solitary wave, are the subjects of this investigation. It was observed, 1st, When a considerable and permanent addition is made to the volume of a limited portion of fluid contained in an open reservoir, such addition produces an elevation of the surface of the fluid, which is propagated in the form of a solitary wave, moving with a velocity nearly uniform. 2nd, The velocity of the propagation of such waves is equal to that which would be acquired by a heavy body, in falling through a space equal to half the depth of the fluid. 3d, The length of such a wave is nearly constant for a given depth. 4th, The height of the wave varies with its volume, and must be added to the depth of the fluid, in calculating the velocity according to art. 5th, When the height of a wave exceeds twice the depth its form ceases to be a form of equilibrium, and it breaks. 6th, When the anterior part of a wave is found at a depth less than that of the posterior portion, and the height is greater than twice the depth, the wave curls forward, forming the common surge. 7th, When the width of a channel diminishes in an arithmetical ratio, the height of the wave increases in a geometrical one until it exceeds twice the depth, when it breaks. Mr. Russell received some very handsome compliments from Mr. Scoresby, Mr. Whewell, and Sir William Hamilton. Besides the papers above mentioned, must be enumerated Professor Powell's paper on the degrees of refraction of different transparent substances, Mr. M'Gauley's account of experiments in electro-magnetism with reference to its application as a motive power, which was very severely commented on by Dr. Ritchie, a very successful and talented experimenter on the same subject. Papers were subsequently read by Messrs. Slevely, Wheatstone, Addams, and others; but we have not room for a more extended notice. In section B Mr. Watson read a paper on the phosphate and pyrophosphate of soda, after which was described and exhibited a new form of blowpipe by Mr. Ettrick, so constructed as to furnish a constant blast independently of hydrostatic pressure, accomplished by small bellows worked by a wheel and pinion, and fitted with a stop-cock to the tube connecting the bellows and reservoir. Mr. Herapath followed with some remarks on the chemical constituents of the Bath waters, and afterwards with a short paper on the aurora borealis, which he attributed to the escape of electricity in streams from an excited cloud enveloped in a dry atmosphere. This view was strongly opposed by Dr. Dalton, on the ground that the phenomena occur frequently when clouds are altogether absent. Dr. Hare next described his apparatus for the analysis of gaseous mixtures. It consists of two distinct parts, his eudiometer and calorimeter, in the former of which he measures and confines, and, by the latter of which, he fires the mixture. The combustion is not produced, as in the case of the common eudiometer, by an ordinary electric spark, but by igniting with the calorimeter a fine platinum wire, which traverses the gaseous mixture. Dr. Hare applies his calorimeter to the blasting of rocks. By this machine the powder can be fired at a great distance, and several trains also at the same instant, of course, without endangering the lives of quarrymen; and, should an immediate explosion not take place upon setting the calorimeter in action, by replacing this instrument in the inactive state, which is done in an instant, the train may be approached without fear that ignition will ensue, a thing which, according to the ordinary modes of blasting, can seldom be done with impunity. He also alluded to an apparatus, in which silicon and boron can be readily obtained by igniting with his calorimeter potassium enveloped by the fluosilicic or fluoboric gases. A profoundly scientific paper was read by Mr. Exley on the propriety of reducing chemistry to mathematical principles, which was highly praised by Drs. Dalton and Thomson of Glasgow; but it was too difficult to be generally understood by a mere hearing of it. Mr. Babbage exhibited an old thermometer discovered in Italy, which occasioned some interesting conversation on thermometers generally, and their application to meteorological purposes. An essay on gaseous interference, by Dr. Charles Henry, was next read. If oxygen and hydrogen be mixed, and brought into contact with spongy or metallic platinum, the combination of these gases is very rapidly effected, and, if mixed in the proper proportion, they are converted usually with the phenomena of ignition, although into water. It is also well known that if into an atmosphere of oxygen and hydrogen, mixed in the ratio necessary for forming water, certain other inflammable gases be introduced, the combination of the oxygen and hydrogen is, if not altogether suspended, at least materially interrupted. This is what Dr. Henry denominates gaseous interference. The cause of this remarkable effect has at different times attracted the attention of eminent chemists. Dr. Turner has ascribed it to the soiling of the platinum by the interfering gas, Dr. Faraday to some peculiar condition induced in the metal; while Dr. Henry himself, at a period long prior to the present, conceived it to arise from the fact of carbonic oxide and olefiant gas having a stronger affinity than hydrogen for oxygen gas. In his present paper, Dr. Henry investigated the entire question. As a general rule, it may be laid down that the interfering influence of the gas bears an inverse relation to the energy with which the platinum acts, and the degree of heat-conditions, however, which may be considered as identical. The diminution, and even disappearance, of interference at high temperatures, Dr. Henry attributes to a relative augmentation of the affinity of hydrogen for oxygen, an hypothesis indeed established by other and independent facts. That Dr. Henry's theory of gaseous interference is the true one, he infers from the general fact of no gases exercising any such influence but those which have an affinity for oxygen; and that it is strictly true, at least in the case of carbonic oxide, there can be no question, seeing that some of the oxygen is actually employed in the production of carbonic acid. Papers were also read by Mr. Horapath on arsenical poisons, by Professor Johnston on chemical constants, by Dr. Hare on Berzelius's nomenclature, by Dr. Dalton on atomic symbols, and by others whom we cannot further mention for want of room. In section C the business commenced with a memoir by Mr. Charlesworth on the vertebrated animals found in the Norfolk and Suffolk crag; and what the writer seemed most desirous of proving was that the tertiary formations in the eastern counties, the mammifera and mollusca, are found in association. The northern part of the crag, that is, from Cromer to Aldborough, differs materially in its fossil remains form the southern part in Essex and Suffolk,particularly in the fish and testacea; but in both parts the genera of mammiferous animals could be identified with those still existing or others exclusively belonging to the diluvial deposits. Bones of birds were also discovered, chiefly those of the natatorial tribes. The variety of the testacea in different parts of the crag led to the supposition that its formation had taken place at different eras, and the absence of reptiles seemed to prove that the climate at the time of the formation was similar to that of the Polar regions. An animated conversation followed between the writer, Messrs. Sedgewick, Greenough, Conybeare, and Murchison, on the period of the formation of the crag. Mr. Sedgewick considered the crag to be of one epoch, and dissented from Mr. Charlesworth about the extinction of the mastodon before the formation of the diluvial beds, as there were not facts sufficient to justify the conclusion. Mr. Bowman read a paper on the bone-caves in the mountain-limestone at Caefn in Denbighshire, after which two models by Mr. Ibbotson, of the country about Neufchatel and of the undercliff in the Isle of Wight, which were well entitled to the praise bestowed on them by the Committee. The great feature of the second day's meeting in this section was a memoir by Messrs. Sedgewick and Murchison on the classification of the Devonshire slate-rocks, and on the position of the culm deposits in the middle of the county. It appears that up to the present period the older slate-rocks have been represented by one colour only, and so likewise the different limestones by one only. The object of this paper was to ascertain the position and nature of the several deposits so that they might be separately marked on the maps. The ascending order of the series is said to be as follows:-1. A system of slaty clays with casts of organic remains, passing into glossy clay-slates and a reddish flagstone or sandstone. 2. A series of rocks characterized by masses of thick-bedded sandstone and red micaceous flagstone, with very few organic remains. 3. The calcareous slates of Ilfracombe abounding with organic remains, and containing many distinct ribs of limestone. 4. A formation of green and blueish slates passing superiorly into a great bed of variously-coloured sandstones and micaceous flagstones. 5. The Silurian rocks, containing many subordinate beds of limestone, very rich in characteristic organic remains. 6. The carbonaceous system of Devonshire, in a direction east and west across the county, in its southern boundary so close to Dartmoor that its lower beds have been tilted up and altered by the granite. It occupies a trough, the northern border of which rests partly upon the Silurian system and partly upon older rocks. Its southern border also rests on the slate rocks of Launceston. It every where exhibits a succession of violent contortions. In some places it is overlaid by patches of green sand, and west of Bideford by conglomerates of the new red THE PRE that our report of this learned meeting must here close for the ΟΙ present; but we shall hope to return to the subject next month. NEW-Y! SOCI THE NEW-YORK MONTHLY MAGAZING LIBRARY OF POLITICS, LITERATURE, AND BELLES LETTRES. VOL. XXII. OCTOBER, 1836. No. 140. Page Prize List of the Edinburgh Academy-The Tailors, a Tragedy for Warm Weather, with designs by Cruikshank-Adventures of Bilberry Thurland-Mr. Midshipman Easy-Abbott's Works Abridged - Bellchambers's Biographical Dictionary-Remarks on our Foreign Policy-The Great Teacher--The Young Divine The Works of Sallust-Progressive Exercises in English Grammar, Composition, and Rhetorical Reading-Letters of Dr. Sigmond and Mr. Pettigrew on the Management of the Charing Cross Hospital 16 Theatrical Intelligence 17 Notes of the Month Page 390 409 LONDON: SHERWOOD, GILBERT, AND PIPER, |