14 



experiment. — Decomposition and re-composition of carbo- 

 nate of lime, with an experiment illustvative of the various 

 and incessant changes undergoing by the modifications of 

 matter. — The existence of carbon in the gaseous form de- 

 monstrated by its palpable reduction to the solid state within 

 a glass tube, by the action of phosphorus. — On a species of 

 carburetted hydrogen obtained from stagnant waters. — Its 

 properties, Sec. exliibited. — Olefiant gas. — Mode of pro- 

 curing. — Its general properties. — Large proportion of car- 

 bon it holds in combination shewn by experiment. — Its 

 explosions, when united with oxygen gas, from contact of 

 flame and the electric spark. — Its union with chlorine, and 

 the consequent formation of chloric aether. — Union of car- 

 buretted hydrogen with chlorine by a succession of electric 

 discharges. — Ignition of charcoal, in a pulverised state, by 

 chlorine gas. — Luminous shower exhibited by its descent.— 

 Similar experiments with powdered antimony and plumbago. 

 — Examination of the malachite, green carbonate of copper, 

 (a beautiful specimen from the society's museum). — Its re- 

 duction to the metallic state. — Perfect fusion of plumbago, or 

 graphite, by the agency of the mixed gases, the combustion 

 of which was on this occasion effected by a self-acting 

 safety apparatus, capable of continuing an uninterrupted 

 igneous jet during three quarters of an hour. By this ex- 

 periment a number of perfect and beautiful globules were 

 obtained from the assay, presenting various shades of colour, 

 and of a hardness enabling the operator to cut glass with 

 facility ; thus exhibiting another striking proof of the simi- 

 larity existing between the diamond, plumbago, and char- 

 coal. Mr. W. concluded this series of lectures by an 

 exhibition of the intense light yielded by carbonate of lime, 

 when acted upon by a jet of burning gas from the apparatus 

 mentioned in the last experiment. The le«ture-room in an 

 instant became illuminated by the most vivid description of 

 light imaginable ; and the lecturer, in speaking of its im- 

 portant application to the purpose of geodesical surveys, 

 demonstrated that the light thus produced had been dis- 

 tinctly seen at a distance little short of one hundred miles. 



February 10. — Mr. Martin delivered an introductory 

 Lecture on the science of Ethics, in which were explained 

 the objects which this branch of knowledge comprehends, 

 and concluded by enforcing the study of it, on the ground 

 of its being interwoven with the dignity and peace of ra- 

 tional beings. 



February 17. — Mr. Read delivered a Lecture on Archi- 

 tccliuc, the oue on comparative aoatouiy,^ aanounced for 



