46 



He drew the conclusion, that if these two compounds be not 

 identical, they are, at least, very closely connected, and in all 

 probability, contain the same radical. It is possible that creosote 

 may be a definite compound of carbolic acid with some allied body. 

 At all events, it is very remarkable, that these two compounds, de- 

 scribed as different, should agree in density, taste, smell, antiseptic 

 property, power of combining with bases, power of dissolving resins, 

 indigo, &c., and finally in composition ; although probably perfectly 

 pure creosote has not yet been analysed. 



The author mentioned these results very briefly, havinof dis- 

 covered, just befoi'e the meeting, that he had been anticipated in 

 his experiments on creosote, by M. Laurent, who had obtained the 

 same results, and drawn very nearly the same conclusions, in a very 

 recent paper, and who was therefore entitled to pi'iority in the 

 matter. 



4. On the Thermometric Correction of Magnetic Instruments. 



By J. A. Broux, Esq. 



Mr Broun points out the defects of the usual methods of ascertain- 

 ing the corrections for temperature, applicable to magnetic instru- 

 ments generally, and the vertical force magnetometer in particular. 

 The usual methods depend upon the knowledge of the time of vibra- 

 tion, or upon the statical deflection produced by a neighbouring 

 magnet, under differing circumstances of temperature. Mr Broun 

 shews that both these methods are liable to great objection ; and he 

 has succeeded by arranging the ordinary hourly observations of the 

 instruments in groups, in obtaining consistent results for the tem- 

 perature correction by a process of elimination. 



5. On the Constitution of Bebeerine. By Douglas Mac- 



lagan, M.D., F.R.S.E., and Thomas G. Tilley, Esq., 

 Birmingham. 



Bebeerine is a vegetable alkaloid, discovered by Dr Rodie of 

 Demerara, in the bark of the Bebeeru tree, Ncctandra Bodlei, Schom- 

 burgk. The properties of the alkaloid and its application in the 

 form of sulphate, in the treatment of disease, were formerly described 

 by Dr Maclagan in a paper read before the Society, and published 

 in their Transactions, vol. xv., part 3. 



