96 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



to be broken ; also from the same, under date of August 5, 

 a letter presenting a copy of " Lindermanni Corpus Gram- 

 maticorum Latinorum," in four volumes, and suggesting an 

 exchange of publications on the part of the Academy with the 

 Entomologischer Verein zu Stettin, in accordance with the 

 desire of that institution. 



The Corresponding Secretary also read the following com- 

 munication from Dr. William Sharswood, entitled "An 

 Extract concerning the Antidote for Arsenious Acid." 



" It is well known that to administer the acknowledged antidote for 

 arsenious acid, that of hydrated oxide of iron, there are attending two 

 difficulties ; the first, that it is only in the recently precipitated con- 

 dition that the above antidote is most active ; secondly, that to form 

 the above antidote at the time when required would, from the neces- 

 sarily long time spent in its preparation, endanger the life of the 

 patient. In answer to the two mentioned difficulties, I would offer 

 the following new antidote, or, more properly, modification of the above 

 antidote, in an isolated form. To prepare this, we have merely to take 

 a solution of the proto-sulphate of iron, and, after having oxidized the 

 iron by means of a few drops of nitric acid, precipitate the oxide with 

 caustic magnesia, when the result is a precipitate of hydrated sesqui- 

 oxide of iron, combined with sulphate of magnesia. 



" It will be easily perceived, that, while this depends upon the same 

 principles (excepting the desired effect produced by the presence of 

 the sulphate of magnesia), it is at the same time characterized by facil- 

 ity and speed of preparation, which render it capable of being prepared 

 on the moment, and thereby affording the desired state before alluded 

 to, that of a recently precipitated condition." 



A communication was next read from Professor J. P. Espy, 

 concerning his theory of Storms, and presenting his work on 

 the subject. Professor Espy's letter and book were referred 

 to the Rumford Committee. 



The President read a note addressed to him by Professor 

 Benjamin Peirce, accompanying a letter from Dr. I. I. Hayes 

 addressed to the Academy, and asking its good offices in the 

 furtherance of the project of a new expedition, under his 



