Royal Society. 39 



diet, such as wheaten flour, bread, starch, rice, potatoes, peas, 

 soup, sugar, vinegar, gruel, tea, milk, eggs, gelatine, and various 

 kinds of wine ; also when mixed with the principal secretions of 

 the alimentary canal, as bile and saliva. Arsenious acid mixed 

 with butter, lard and oils, or with sheep's blood, or ox bile, was de- 

 tected with great ease. Similar results were afforded by corrosive 

 sublimate, the acetate of lead, and sulphate of copper, added in 

 small quantity to the most complicated mixtures of organic sub- 

 stances. In some instances where the common tests do not act at 

 all, or only act fallaciously, the electro-chemical method acts with 

 the greatest certainty. 



Anniversary Meeting, Nov. 30th. On this occasion the President, 

 Davies Gilbert, Esq. M.P. delivered the following Address : 



Having now, for the last time, to address you in reference to the 

 loss of eminent persons sustained by the Society in the preceding 

 year, I cannot but congratulate you on the difference between the 

 list now read, and that which we had the misfortune to hear twelve 

 months ago. Several individuals of great distinction, of extensive 

 acquirements and of splendid talents, are undoubtedly brought before 

 us on the present occasion : but advanced age or long absence from 

 this metropolis tend in some instances to lessen the pain we should 

 otherwise feel on the recital of their names. While in the former 

 case, persons at the very head of different departments in science, 

 of our own ages, and daily conversant with our social habits, were 

 suddenly taken from us, leaving the higher paths of science (as we 

 feared at the time) without a foot that might in future trace their 

 windings j and our more familiar society without that sparkling of 

 intellect, which invigorates the understanding, and at once elevates 

 and refines the common intercourses of life. 



The individual, who unquestionably demands our first attention is 

 Major James Rennell, taken from us in his eighty-eighth year, la- 

 mented by all those who are capable of appreciating his science, 

 and by every one conversant with his active virtues or with the sim- 

 plicity and kindness of his manners. 



I have endeavoured to collect some particulars respecting this 

 distinguished person in his early years. 



Major Rennell was descended from an ancient and respectable 

 family in Devonshire, said to be of Norman origin. His father was 

 a Captain in the Royal Artillery, and fell at the siege of Maestrich. 

 James Rennell was born at his father's house, Upcott near Chud- 

 leigh, in Devonshire, on the 23rd of December, 1742. He entered 

 on the naval service of his country at a very early age, where his 

 spirit and exertions soon attracted the notice of Sir Hyde Parker, 

 with whom he sailed in the Brilliant frigate to India. After the con- 

 clusion of peace, his eager desire for active service induced him to 

 quit the navy, and he obtained a commission in the corps of engi- 

 neers belonging to the East India Company. His zeal and ability in 

 discharging the duties belonging to this station obtained for him the 



friendship 



