TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 33 



On the Action of Nitric Acid on Naphtha. By Drs. Smith and Leigh. 



This was an account of experiments which ai-e still in progress, showing that by 

 the action of nitric acid on naphtha, a variety of bodies isomeric with turpentine might 

 be produced. 



On the supposed Formation of Valerianic Acid from Indigo, and on the Acid 



which is formed by the Action of Hydrate of Potash upon Lycojwdium. 



By J. S. MuspRATT, Ph.D. 



The author presented an examination of the very remarkable series of metamor- 

 phoses to which indigo is subjected in the processes described by Gerhardt. It is con- 

 tended that the valerianic acid produced in these experiments is not due to the indigo, 

 but to foreign matters mixed up with it. A peculiar oleaginous matter had been ob- 

 tained from lycopodium having a peculiarly acid character. 



Experiments on the Formation or Secretion of Carbon by Animals, the Disap- 

 pearance of Hydrogen and Oxygen, and the Generation of Animal Heat 

 during the process. By Robert Rigg, F.R.S. 



The experiments described in this paper were made with two young mice, confined 

 in a wire trap ; the one weighed 210 and the other 218 grains. They were fed with 

 bread and water only ; and at pei-iods of half an hour, an hour, and sometimes for 

 two hours, the animals when in the trap were placed several times in the day under a 

 glass jar, atmospheric communication being cut off by mercury. Portions of the air 

 within this jar were removed and examined for carbonic acid over mercury. One of 

 the mice was under experiment nearly eight and the other nine weeks; during which 

 time they were sometimes supplied with an abundant quantity, at other times a mode- 

 rate, and at other times a very spai-ing quantity of food. With whatever quantity they 

 •were supplied, the carbon in the respired air exceeded that in the food ; the former 

 comprising during the whole period 2016, and the latter 1491 grains of carbon. One 

 of the animals was killed when in its fattest condition, and when its weight was 276 

 grains, and the other when its weight was reduced, by being fed for several days with 

 a very sparing quantity of food, to 169 grains. The animals were dried in their 

 whole state, and average samples analysed with oxide of copper ; the weight of carbon 

 comprised in the former was 45-91 grains, and that in the latter 22*5 grains. 



From these and similar results obtained by experiments made with other animals 

 and birds, the author is led to conclude that animals secrete carbon ; and on a recapi- 

 tulation of the elements comprised in the animals, in the bread, and in the water, he is 

 led to infer that hydrogen and oxygen undergo some process of natural chemistry, 

 having this secreted carbon as a result : and by calculating for the specific heats of these 

 bodies, he finds that these animals generate from three to six times the heat by the for- 

 mation of the carbon they secrete, as by the formation of the carbonic acid they re- 

 spire ; and that this secretion of carbon, and consequently generation of heat, is influ- 

 enced by the quality and quantity of food, exertion, and quiet or active habits of the 

 animal. 



On increasing the Intensity of the Oxyhydrogen Flame. By C. J. Jordan. 



The author in this paper examines various processes of gaseous combustion, as the 

 ordinary flame where heat is generated only at the coincident surfaces of oxygen and the 

 combustible, and the flame of oxygen and hyArogen previoushj mixed, where at every 

 point of the jet heat is generated. In this last case enlarged bulk of flame is advan- 

 tageous, but not generally practicable with ceconomy and convenience. Instead of 

 augmenting the biilk, the author suggests concentration of the mixed gases by pressure, 

 so as to accumulate more burning points within a given area, and thus raise the in- 

 tensity of the flame, and supports this view by various facts and reasonings, chiefly 

 derived from the efl'ects which accompany gaseous combustion under reduced pressure 

 or diluting aeriform admixtures. 



To accomplish the production of the mixed oxyhydrogen flame, under pressure, the 

 author proposes a strong vessel charged with compressed air, or some appropriate gas, 

 1844. D 



