xxxiv Proceedings. [March ^th, igi2. 



of the English Lake- District" by Frederick Sessions, (8vo., 

 London, 1907), presented by the author. 



Mr. J. H. WoLFENDEN exhibited a specimen of hgematitic 

 slate found near Keswick, which exhibited " cone in cone " 

 structure such as is commonly found in the crushed car- 

 boniferous shales of Lancashire. 



Mr. R. L. Taylor, F.C.S., F.LC, read a paper, by 

 himself and Mr. Clifford Bostock, INLSc.Tech., entitled, 

 "The Action of Dilute Acids on Bleaching Powder." 



In these investigations a method originally described by 

 Taylor was used for distinguishing between free chlorine and 

 hypochlorous acid, and, in a mixture of the two, determining 

 their relative amounts. 



Bleaching powder was distilled with varying amounts of 

 different acids, together with a considerable amount of water. 

 Hydrochloric, sulphuric, and nitric acids act pretty much alike, 

 giving off, with comparatively small amounts of acid, almost pure 

 hypochlorous acid, but, with larger amounts of acid, mixtures of 

 hypochlorous acid and chlorine, and finally nothing but chlorine. 

 Acetic and phosphoric acids act in the same way with small 

 amounts of acid, but the hypochlorous acid never entirely 

 disappears, even with large quantities of acid. When bleaching 

 powder is distilled with boric acid (and a sufficient amount of 

 water) practically pure hypochlorous acid is produced even when 

 the boric acid is used in comparatively large quantities. 

 Although at the ordinary temperature carbon dioxide liberates 

 nothing but chlorine from bleaching powder, as the temperature 

 is raised hypochlorous acid begins to be evolved, mixed with 

 chlorine, and when the liquid is actively boiling practically pure 

 hypochlorous acid is produced. 



Dr. Alfred Holt gave an account, entitled " Sorption 

 of Hydrogen by Palladium," of researches carried out by 

 himself. Dr. Edgar, and Mr. Firth with palladium. He said 

 that their experiments on the subject lead to the following 

 conclusions : — 



