95 



properties approximated in some respects to those of Unveixlorben's 

 odorin, and stated that he had separated from the oleum cornu cervi, 

 a mixture of several oily bases, one of which was soluble in water, 

 but which did not agree perfectly cither with the characters of pico- 

 line, or those which Unverdorben has attributed to odorin. 



The author then details the properties and constitution of the com- 

 pounds of picoline, which differ in many respects from those of aniline. 

 It gives with sulphuric acid an acid compound which deliquesces rapidly 

 in the air, and which has the formula C12 H7 N + 2 (H O, S O 3). 

 Its platinum salt is identical in constitution with that of aniline, but 

 its mercury compound is Ci^ H; N + Hg Cl^ , while that of aniline 

 is 2 (Ci, 11; N) + 3 Hg CI .,. 



The author then treats of the products of the decomposition of pico- 

 line, a branch of the subject on which, owing to the small quantity 

 of the substance at his disposal, he was enabled only to make a few 

 observations, which, however, tend to shew that the action of reagents 

 on it is remarkably different from that which they produce on aniline. 

 The action of nitric acid was found to be extremely slow and par- 

 tial, long continued ebullition producing only a very slight evolution 

 of nitrous acid, without any of the blue colour which aniline gives, 

 and apparently without the formation of carbazotic acid. Bromine 

 gives an oily product heavier than water, and different, of course, 

 from the solid bromaniloid of Fritsche. 



The author concludes by remarking, that the present is the first 

 perfectly established case of isomerism among organic bases, those 

 previously x'ecorded being devoid of absolutely conclusive evidence, 

 and by pointing out the interest which attaches to the isomerism of 

 two substances such as aniline and picoline, which are members of 

 one of the most interesting and extensive groups of organic sub- 

 stances, the indigo, salicyl, and benzoil series. 



2. Notice of Polished and Striated Rocks recently discovered 

 on Arthur Seat, and in some other places near Edin- 

 burgh. By David Milne, Esq. 



Mr Milne stated, that, in the gully situated between Arthur Seat 

 and Sampson's Ribs, a great extent of rock had been recently ex- 

 posed (by the removal of clay and other superficial deposits) which 

 was found to be smoothed as well as furrowed or scratched. 



The gully is about 30 feet wide, at the lowest level to which it 



