Chemical Science. 387 



connected with naval architecture, and to publish from time to 

 time, in its transactions, such papers of approved merit, as might 

 be laid before it at its meetings. 



There is not time at the present moment, to go into the subject 

 with all the generality which its merits demand ; and the hint is 

 thrown out in a crude and imperfect state, for the consideration 

 of those, who, from their talents, and the interest they feel in the 

 subject, would be likely to promote the formation of a society of 

 the kind. 



December 1st, 1825. Z. 



II. Chemical Science. 



1 . Influence of Solar Light on the Process of Combustion. By Dr. T. 

 M'Keever. — Induced by the general opinion prevalent in this and 

 other countries, respecting the power of sun-light in diminishing 

 the combustion of a common fire, Dr. M'Keever instituted a set 

 of experiments on the actual rate of combustion of well-known 

 bodies in the bright rays of the sun, and in dark places ; they 

 were made during the past fine summer. 



Exp. i. Two portions of green wax taper, each weighing 10 

 grains, were both ignited at the same moment ; one of them I 

 placed in a darkened room ; the other I exposed to broad sunshine 

 in the open air : thermometer in sun 78° F. ; in room 67° F., loss 

 as follows * : — 



In five minutes, that placed in sunshine, lost . 8| grains. 



„ „ darkened room, lost 9$ „ 



Exp. ii. Again, two portions of taper, each weighing 23 grains : 



In seven minutes, that placed in sunshine, lost . 10 grains. 

 „ „ darkened room, lost 11 „ 



Exp. iji. A common mould candle, fourteen inches in length, 



and three in circumference, was accurately divided into inches, 



half inches, and eighths, and exposed, in the first instance, to strong 



sunshine : thermometer 80° F. ; atmosphere remarkably calm. 



To consume one inch, it took . . 59' 0" 



In darkened room (temp. 68° F.) . . 56 O 



In ordinary light of day (temp. 6S° F.) .57 10 



Exp. iv, A piece of taper 7 inches in length, and six^eighths of 

 an inch in circumference, was carefully divided into inches ; and, 

 as in former experiments, submitted to bright sunshine j ther- 



* Ja all these experiments the snuff was carefully removed with a sharp 

 scissors, whenever a quarter of an inch of taper was consumed. 



