[ 206 ] 

 XXXV. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



ROYAL SOCIETY. 



[Continued from vol. xxiii. p. 385.] 

 Nov. 23, r r , HE following papers were read, viz. — 



1843. -* 1. "Magnetic Term Observations at Prague, for 

 May, June, July and August, 1843." By Professor Kreil. Com- 

 municated by S. Hunter Christie, Sec. R.S., &c. 



2. " Variations de la Declinaison et Intensite Magnetique obser- 

 vers a Milan le 26 et 27 Mai, le 21 et 22 Juin, le 19 et 20 Juillet, 

 le 25 et 26 Aout,le 20 et 21 Septembre,le 18 et 19 Octobre, 1843." 

 By Sig. F. Carlini, For. Mem. R.S. 



3. " An Account of a remarkably large and luminous Spot in the 

 Sea." By Captain F. Eardley Wilmot, F.R.S. With remarks on 

 the water taken thence : in a letter to S. H. Christie, Sec. R.S., 

 from Lieut. Manley Dixon, R.A. 



The letter is as follows : — 



Dear Sir, Woolwich, October 6th, 1843. 



Captain F. Eardley Wilmot, on his voyage home from the Cape of 

 Good Hope in the spring of this year, observed one night a remark- 

 able, though not very uncommon appearance of the sea. This was 

 a large and very luminous spot, which was clearly defined by a 

 sharp edge. He thus describes the appearance, and also the steps 

 which he took to obtain some of the water for the purpose of 

 bringing it home to England and submitting it to a chemical test. 



" The sea was covered with so brilliant a surface of silver light 

 that we could see to read, and the shadows of ropes, &c. were 

 strongly marked. We sailed through it for about four hours. In 

 one place it had an edge ; and we sailed out of it for nearly half an 

 hour, when we again entered it as abruptly, and finally left it, when 

 the edge of the illuminated part was strongly defined. The water 

 was taken up in a clean bucket and put into a carefully cleaned 

 bottle ; about 10° north latitude." 



As Captain Wilmot's time in England was limited, he left the 

 bottle of sea water with me, and I took the first opportunity of show- 

 ing it to Dr. Faraday, who took it to London with him, and wrote 

 me a note, of which the following is a copy. 



" Royal Institution, September 25th, 1843. 



" Dear Sir, — I have examined the water, and it is peculiar in 

 some points. It contained much sulphuretted hydrogen, and also a 

 portion of solid deposit, which was about one half sulphur and the 

 other half organic matter. There has no doubt been considerable 

 change in the contents of the water, and I cannot now recognise 

 organic forms ; but the presence of the animal matter, the sulphur, 

 and the sulphuretted hydrogen, all agree with the idea that the water, 

 when taken up, was rich in animals or animalculse. 



" I am, Sir, yours very truly, 

 " Lieut.Dixon,B.N.,&c\&c." " M.Faraday." 



I remain, Sir, yours very truly, 

 Professor Christie, W. Manley Dixon. 



Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. 



