Royal Society. 549 



the distillation of myricine. From these he procured likewise pal- 

 mitic acid and a solid hydrocarbon, which, rectified over potassium, 

 had a melting-point of 62°, and contained, as shown by analysis, 

 carbon and hydrogen in equal equivalents. The analogy of the mode 

 of formation of this substance to cerotine from Chinese wax shows, 

 that it is the hydrocarbon, melene, C^ H 60 . By repeated crystalliza- 

 tion from ether a substance was obtained from the impure myricine, 

 of a crystalline character, melting at 72° ; the analysis of which 

 agrees with the formula C 92 H 92 4 , which explains the reactions of 

 the substance. 



The general conclusion from this investigation is, that waxes are a 

 class of bodies which, chemically speaking, stand in the same rela- 

 tion to fat as do fatty bodies to the alcohol and acetic acid of vinous 

 fermentation ; all which bodies are members of one chemical series, 

 possess an analogous chemical character, and are susceptible of 

 analogous transformations. 



" An account of Astronomical Observations proposed to be made 

 in South America." By S. M. Gilliss, in an extract of a letter to 

 Lieut. -Col. Sabine, R.A., For. Sec. R.S. Communicated by Lieut. - 

 Col. Sabine. 



Dear Sir, Washington, October 25, 1848. 



During the month of April last I sent to you, through the Royal 

 Society, a printed report from one of the naval committees in con- 

 gress, recommending a grant of funds for the purpose of sending 

 an astronomical expedition to the most available point in South 

 America, to make observations which should have for their object 

 the improvement or verification of the solar parallax. The basis of 

 this report was a correspondence between Dr. Gerling of Marburg, 

 other astronomers, and myself, that had been presented for con- 

 sideration by the Secretary of the Navy, and, in accordance with the 

 views of the Philosophical Society and of the Academy of Arts and 

 Sciences, had been laid before congress for their decision. 



Conformably with the recommendation of the committee, an ap- 

 propriation was made, and the Honourable Secretary of the Navy 

 directed to employ it in making the observations requested by the 

 two societies just named. The command of the party has been as- 

 signed to me, and a plan of operations submitted to the societies 

 having received their sanction, has been approved by the Secretary. 

 This is briefly as follows : — 



To embark the instruments and their assistants by the 1st of June 

 next for Valparaiso, for which place I shall leave New York per steamer, 

 vid Chagres and Panama, at the same time. As the voyage by this 

 route may be readily made in thirty-five days, I shall be able to se- 

 lect a suitable station and make all necessary arrangements prior to 

 the arrival of the instruments ; but it is very probable that Santiago 

 or Talca will be chosen for our operations, and from the solicitude 

 expressed by the resident Chilian Charged' Affaires, the preponderance 

 is on the side of Santiago. Moreover, it is thought that if Santiago 

 is chosen and we remain nearly four years, as contemplated, the Chi- 

 lian government will be induced to establish a permanent observatory 

 there. 



