December loth, igi2?\ Proceedings. xi 



A colouretl photograph of a specimen of the Baikal or 

 Formosan Teal, Anas formosa, was also shown by Mr. Coward. 

 The bird was shot at Wirral a short time ago. It had probably 

 escaped from captivity, but -here is always the possibility that 

 these strong-winged birds may have wandered on migration. 

 This Teal has occasionally reached Europe. 



A paper entitled '' The Constitution of the Phosphoric 

 Acids and some of their Alkali Salts," by Dr Alfred 

 Holt and Mr. j. E. Myp:RS, M.Sc. was read by the former. 



There appear to be only two varieties of metaphosphoric 

 acid and two corresponding series of salts. These salts are 

 derived from mono and Irimetaphosphovic acids. 



The tri-acid is vitrious ; the mono-acid can only be obtained 

 in solution. The monometaphosphates of the alkalies are readily 

 soluble in waier and are prepared by either neutralizing the 

 mono-acid or by devitrifying the glass obtained by the action of 

 heat on microcosmic salt. This is in direct contradiction to the 

 usual statement of text-books. 



The more complex melaphosphates are probably double salts. 



Miss Philippa C. Esdaile, M.Sc, read a paper on "The 

 Scientific Results of the Salmon Scale Research at 

 Manchester University." 



This paper is printed in full in the Mettioirs. 



Mr. C. L. Barnes, M.A., read a "Note on the Mean 

 Magnetic Moment and Mean Energy of a Vibrating 



Magnet," by Dr. J. R. Ashworth, communicated by Mr. 

 K. E. Taylor, F.C.S.. E.l.C. 



This paper is printed in full in the Memoir?,. 



General Meeting, Januaiy 7th, 1913. 



Mr. Francis JoNE.s, M.Sc, F.R.S.E., F.C.S., Vice-President, 

 in the Chair. 



Mr. Hans Renold, M.LMech.E., Priestnall Hey, Heatoti 

 Mersey, was elected an ordinary member of the Society. 



