463 



I need not allude to the questions which crowd upon us in 

 contemplating the explanation thus suggested. What is the 

 connection between the glacial period indicated by the Roches 

 Moutonnees found close to the present level of the sea, and those 

 — in all respects so similar — found on the tops of mountains of 

 such considerable elevation. Was it one long glacial epoch 

 during which the required elevation was accomplished? or was it 

 a recurrence of similar conditions after a gale of intermediate 

 changes ? 



3. On M. J. Nickles' claim to be the Discoverer of Fluorine 

 in the Blood. By George Wilson, M.D., F.R.S.E., Regius 

 Professor of Technology in the University of Edinburgh. 



I am very reluctant to occupy the time of this meeting with a 

 personal matter, but as I am necessitated to defend my priority in 

 reference to certain researches which, in greater part, were first 

 communicated to this Society, and first made public through its 

 " Transactions," it seems the proper tribunal, at least in this country, 

 to adjudicate on a question liable to dispute. 



A communication was made to the French Academy, at its meet- 

 ing on the 3d of November 1856, by M. J. Nickles, entitled 

 " Presence du Fluor dans le Sang." From the tenor of M, Nickles' 

 remarks, it would seem that he is not aware that the existence of 

 fluorine in the blood was announced by me in 18-lG, and specially 

 demonstrated in 1850; nor is he acquainted with the researches 

 which others besides myself have made in this country and in Ame- 

 rica, into the distribution of fluorine throughout the different king- 

 doms of nature. In justice, accordingly, to all parties, I seek to 

 recal the following facts, which may save M. Nickles needless 

 labour, and prevent future disputes. His announcemint is as fol- 

 lows : It is reported in the Comptcs Rendus for November 6, 1856, 

 and in the Journal Je Pharmacie et de Chimie, December 1856, 

 p. 406, from which I take it : — 



" Pretence du Fluor dans le Sang. Par M. J. Nickles. (Com- 

 munique ck I'Acad^mie des Sciences, dans la s(5ance du 3 Xovembre 



1856.) 



" Par suite dc considerations que j'aurai prochainoment rhonneur de 



2 p 2 



