Royal Society. 41 



Mr. Chenevix was undoubtedly a man of considerable ability, ac- 

 quirement and industry. We have from him seven different commu- 

 nications to the Philosophical Transactions : 



An analysis of the arseniates of copper. Observations on Dr. 

 James's powders, with a method of preparing a similar substance in 

 the humid way. Observations and experiments upon oxygenated and 

 hyperoxygenated muriatic acid. An analysis of corundum. Obser- 

 vations on the chemical nature of the humours of the eye. Inquiries 

 concerning the nature of a metallic substance, under the title of 

 Palladium. On the action of platinum and mercury on each other. 



In the latter years of his life, which could not have reached three- 

 score, he appears to have abandoned chemistry, and to have fallen on 

 speculations wholly unworthy of being noticed from this place. 



The only remaining individual who has taken a direct active part 

 in our labours, by contributing to the Transactions, is Mr. James 

 Lewis Smithson, and of this gentleman I must be allowed to, speak 

 with affection. We were at Oxford together, of the same College, 

 and our acquaintance continued to the time of his decease. 



Mr. Smithson, then called Macie, and an undergraduate, had the 

 reputation of excelling all other resident members of the University in 

 the knowledge of chemistry. He was early honoured by an intimate 

 acquaintance with Mr. Cavendish j he was admitted into the Royal 

 Society, and soon after presented a paper on the very curious 

 concretion frequently found in the hollow of bambil canes, named 

 Tabasheer. This he found to consist almost entirely of silex, exist- 

 ing in a manner similar to what Davy long afterwards discovered in 

 the epidermis of reeds and grasses. 



Mr. Smithson enriched our Transactions with seven other commu- 

 nications : A chemical analysis of some calamines. Account of a 

 discovery of native minium. On the composition and crystalliza- 

 tion of certain sulphurets from Huel Boys in Cornwall. On the 

 composition of zeolite. On a substance procured from the elm-tree, 

 called Vlmine. On a saline substance from Mount Vesuvius. 

 Facts relative to the colouring matter of vegetables. 



He was the friend of Dr. Wollaston, and at the same time his rival 

 in the manipulation and analysis of small quantities. Ayaflij ' epi$ rfte 

 PpoToiffi. Mr. Smithson frequently repeated an occurrence with 

 much pleasure and exultation, as exceeding any thing that could be 

 brought into competition with it, and this must apologize for my in- 

 troducing what might otherwise be deemed an anecdote too light and 

 trifling on such an occasion as the present. 



Mr. Smithson declared, that happening to observe a tear gliding 

 down a lady's cheek, he endeavoured to catch it on a crystal vessel : 

 that one-half of the drop escaped, but having preserved the other 

 half, he submitted it to reagents, and detected what was then called 

 microcosmic salt, with muriate of soda ; and, I think, three or four 

 more saline substances -, held in solution. 



For many years past Mr. Smithson has resided abroad, principally, 

 I believe, on account of his health : but he carried with him the 



N.S. Vol.9. No. 4-9. Jan. 1831. G esteem 



