I2 
mometer graduated in centigrade degrees from the 
absolute zero, and it was pointed out that mercury froze 
at 235 degrees above the absolute zero, and alcohol at 
145 degrees. Below this temperature an air thermo 
meter could be used until oxygen turned liquid at 92 
degrees, and then a hydrogen thermometer could be used 
until that gas liquified at 23 degrees. Below this point 
the only gas which remained in that condition was 
helium, which was therefore the only substance of which 
thermometers could be made for temperatures below 23 
degrees. The lowest temperature yet reached was that 
at which hydrogen became solid, viz., 16 degrees above 
absolute cold. 
Friday, 7th March, 1902. Sir Samuel Wilks, Bart., 
M.D., F.R.S., a Vice-President, in the Chair. 
Mr. Martin Jacoby, F.E.S., read a paper entitled 
““Tnsects at Home and Abroad.” Mr. Jacoby gave an 
account of the more familiar insects to be met with in 
houses and gardens, and made remarks on their habits, 
lives, and injurious or beneficial effects. He also drew 
attention to the many erroneous ideas in connection with 
familiar insects. After which he spoke in glowing terms 
of the enormous number of handsome butterflies, moths 
and other insects to be found in the tropics, especially in 
South America and the great Malayan Islands. The 
fauna of the latter places often enabled us to form an 
idea as to which of the neighbouring continents these 
islands were probably formerly attached, since the same 
species were found in both. 
Friday, April 4th, 1902. Sir Samuel Wilks, Bart., 
M.D., F.R.S., a Vice-President, in the Chair. 
The Chairman, before the commencement of the 
business of the evening, spoke in feeling terms of the 
late Sir Richard Temple, the President of the Society, 
