PROCEEDINGS 



PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



FORTIETH SESSION, 1841-42. 



CONTENTS. 



1. Professor Thomson on the Oxides of Bismuth, 4 



2. Professor Gordon on the Melting Points of Metals, 10 



3. Mr. Mackain on the Means of Extinguishing Fires in Factories, . . .13 



4. Mr. GouRLiE on the Cultivation of Plants in Close Cases, • . . .16 



The Philosophical Society of Glasgow was founded on the 9th 

 of November, 1802. Three gentlemen of that city, Messrs. John 

 Roberton, William Douglas, and Peter Nicholson, considering that 

 general advantage would be derived from the establishment of a 

 society for the discussion of subjects connected solely with the arts 

 and sciences, issued a circular, dated 5th November, 1802, to their 

 fellow-townsmen, requesting such as favoured the scheme, to attend a 

 meeting on the 9th of the same month. Accordingly, on that day the 

 following gentlemen convened at the Prince of Wales* Tavern : — Dr. 

 William Meikleham, Messrs. James Monteith, John Roberton, Wil- 

 liam Douglas, James Cook, William Mitchell, William Dunn, Robert 

 Kibble, Robert Thom, David Hamilton, Peter Nicholson, James 

 Hardie, James Scott, Andrew Brocket, John Buttery, John Smith, 

 James Boaz, James Haldane, Alexander Galloway, Alexander Drum- 

 mond, James Chrichton, William Reid. Such were the original mem- 

 bers who constituted the first meeting. Their number, however, 

 speedily increased to sixty, and comprehended many individuals who 

 have since acquired prosperity and reputation. 



From that period to the present, the society has continued with 

 varied success to hold meetings either weekly or every fortnight. 

 The minutes of the society have been carefully preserved, and exhibit 

 throughout, on the part of the office-bearers and secretaries, much care 

 in conducting the business, and in recording the transactions of the 

 society. The presidents were often chosen annually ; the secretaries 

 have, however, been more permanent office-bearers. Mr. James Boaz 

 continued in the office of secretary from 1804, till his death in March 

 1830. His minutes are written with great neatness, and contain 

 abstracts of papers, and drawings of models or plans which have 

 accompanied descriptive communications. 



No. 1. 



