1867.1 359 [Chase. 



tuation in the terrestrial inajiiietic force, whieli appears to be inti- 

 mately connected with the joint action of atmospheric elasticity and 

 solar differential-tidal attraction. 



The coefficient of atmospheric specific gravity, 4, suggests the ratio 

 of the length of a sonant aerial column to that of an equivalent sonor- 

 ous wave, as well as tlie time of a complete oscillation of each mag- 

 netic pulse. During each vibration, from a maximum of condensa- 

 tion across the position of e((uilibrium to minimum, or oice versa, the 

 effect produced by any constant force would be four times as great as 

 during the half oscillation, from either extreme to the point of equi- 

 librium. The ratios of wave-velocity to elasticity and density, and of 

 revolution to distance from the centre of motion, point to various 

 experiments upon the relations of magnetic capacity to tenacity, in 

 iron, and of magnetizing power to specific gravity or to specific heat,* 

 in coils of different metals. If such experiments should show any 

 intimate connection between elasticity and specific magnetism (a 

 result which it does not seem unreasonable to anticipate), some of 

 the mystery in which an interesting phy.sical fact is now shrouded 

 will be happily dispelled. 



The minutes of the last meeting of the Board of Officers 

 and Council were read. 



New nominations, Nos. 582, 583, 584, and 585, were read. 

 And the Society was adjourned. 



Stated Meeting, December 6, 1867. 



Present, nine members. 



Prof. Cresson, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



Letters were read from John Stuart Mill, dated Avignon, 

 November 10, 1867, acknowledging the receipt of notice of 

 his election as a member of the Society. 



From the Holland Society of Sciences at Amsterdam, 

 January 18, and May 25, 1866; the Rojal Society of Sci- 

 ences at Amsterdam, April 15, 1866; from the Royal Acad- 



* The specific heats of iron, cobalt, and nickel are nearly the same, being each 

 about 27 times that of hydrogen. Recently discovered cosmical affinities of 

 hydrogen and iron, and the ratio between solar and terrestrial superficial grav- 

 itation, may, perhaps, some time lead to the recognition of a significance in 

 relations which would now be generally regarded as fanciful and accidental. 



