329 



the same relative proportions of the same elements,— chemists gene- 

 rally consider the former to consist of one equivalent of carbon and 

 two of nitrogen (N C2) and the latter of two equivalents of the for- 

 mer and four of the latter (N* CO- But the author endeavours to 

 shew that the true constitution of paracyanogen is that in which it is 

 regarded as a compound of two equivalents of cyanogen, that is, of 

 two " equal and similar atoms" of the same body. 



In conclusion, the author proceeded to apply these views to the 

 constitution of the simple or elementary bodies ; and endeavoured to 

 shew that there is nothing unreasonable in the supposition, that, — as 

 chemists are now acquainted with various instances of compound 

 bodies which have widely different forms, different physical proper- 

 ties in general, and different chemical relations, although agreeing 

 exactly in their intimate constitution, — so, in like manner, some of 

 those bodies, which are at present accounted elements distinct from 

 one another, may really be isomeric, that is, different forms of one 

 common element. And he stated that he hoped to be able to adduce 

 experimental evidence of such being the fact with two of the most 

 familiar of the elements, which until now have been considered wholly 

 distinct." 



3. A notice was communicated by Mr Mylne from Joseph 

 Atkinson, Esq. of results obtained with Rain-Gauges of 

 different forms. 



Graham Spiers, Esq. Sheriff of Edinburgh, was duly elected 

 an Ordinary Fellow of the Society. 



The following Donations were presented : — 



Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1840. No. 98.— Bi/ the 



Soc{et^/. 

 On the Study of Natural History as a Branch of General Education 



in Schools and Colleges. By Robert Patterson, Vice-President 



of the Natural History Society of Belfast. — JBt/ the Natural 



Historp Socicti/ 0/ Belfast. 



