Royal Irish Academy, 387 



The relation between u and Ar, for the vibrations in the plane of 

 the wave, has already yielded to M. Cauchy the probable result, 

 that the molecules of the aether repel one another according to the 

 inverse fourth power of the distance. When this law of force is 

 substituted in the corresponding relation for the normal vibration, 



the author finds that the resulting value of — , or of the velocity of 



propagation, is infinite ; so that the normal disturbance is propa- 

 gated instantaneously , and gives rise to no wave. Thus the hypo- 

 thesis of transversal vibrations seems to be established on theore- 

 tical grounds. 



The author finally gives reasons for concluding that the theory, 

 in its present form, is insufficient to explain the phaenomena of 

 light in bodies ; and that it becomes necessary in this case to take 

 into account the action of the material molecules. This extension 

 of the theory will be given in a future communication. 



3. " On the Composition of Thebaine." By Robert J. Kane,M.D., 

 M.R.I. A., Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Royal Dublin 

 Society. 



The author gave an account of the analysis of the vegetable alka- 

 loid thebaine (pararaorphine) which had been discovered in opium, 

 and of which the analysis by Pelletier and Couerbe gave discordant 

 results. With a specimen which had been prepared by Apothecary 

 Merck of Darmstadt, Dr. Kane obtained the following formula Cg^ 

 N^ Hgg O3, (Berzelian atoms,) and giving the per cent, composition : 



25 Carbon = 74-57 = 1910-925 



2 Azote = 6-89 - 177*036 

 28 Hydrogen = 6*83 - 174-714 



3 Oxygen = 11*71 - 300*000 



lOO'OO 25Q2'Q75 



Owing to the circumstance of the salts of this base with the mineral 

 acids being uncrystallizable, the atomic weight obtained by analysis 

 could not be synthetically confirmed. 



Professor Kane read likewise an extract of a letter from Pro- 

 fessor Liebig, of Giessen, communicating some new results of che- 

 mical analysis. 



It was resolved, on the recommendation of Council, that the 

 " Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy" be printed every month 

 during its sittings, for the use of its members. The " Proceedings" 

 to be under the management of the Council, and to contain, — 1. Abs- 

 tract^ of the larger papers read to the Academy. 2. Minor com- 

 munications, not intended for the Transactions, printed more at 

 length. 3, Notices of the election of members, of presents received, 

 and of all other matters of general interest transacted at the meet- 

 ings of the Academy. 



3D2 



