(il.KAMNCiS iJEl'oKTS OF SOCIETIES. 9B 



Mit. Clkmext L. WiiAcuiK.— "We learn from the GI<is;ioir Herald that 

 at the half-yearly meeting of the Scottish Meteorological Society, held 

 at Edinhurgh, on 22nd March, the report of the Council was read, 

 giving an account of the operations during the last six months, and 

 referring particularly to the observations made by Mr. Wragge on Ben 

 Nevis. Mr. Wragge followed with an interesting statement of his 

 work, and Mr. liuchan, the secretary, having referred to the possible 

 results that might be obtained from these observations, Sir William 

 Thomson moved a resolution, recommending the Council of the 

 Society at once to appeal to the British public for funds to erect on 

 Ben Nevis a permanent meteorological observatory. This was seconded 

 by Professor Douglas Maclagan, and unanimously agreed to. The 

 l)roceedings were brought t<} a close by the presentation to Mr. Wragge 

 of a gold medal, in commemoration of the remarkable work he carried 

 on last summer. 



iUprts of i^ocictits. 



BIKMINGHAM X.\TUR.\L HISTOKY AND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.— 

 February -iHth.— Geologkal Section— Mr. ^V. .1. Harrison, F.G.S., was re-elected 

 president, and Mr. .\. H. .\tkins, B.Sc, secretary of the section. Mr. Rabone 

 presented to the Society a tine specimen of the C yclopteros luinpiis, or Lump 

 Fish (caught at Tenby, which was described by Professor Bridge. Mr. W. 

 Southall exhibited a number of stones collected by earthworms at the month of 

 their burrows. Mr. T. H. Waller, K.A., H.Sc, then read a paper on "The occur- 

 rence of Carbonic Acid in Crystals." Snjall cavities are common in quartz and 

 other crystals, containing water, chloride of sodium, carbonic anhydride, etc. 

 The presence of carbonic acid has been proved by its great expansion when 

 lieated, and by means of the spectroscope. It exists in the liquid state at 

 ordinary temperatures, and nuist therefore be under great pressure. When 

 warmed up to »9 deg. F., the bubble disappears, being converted into gas, for at 

 that temperature, which is called the critical point, no pressure whatever can 

 keep it in the liquid form. This was beautifully shown by causing a current of 

 warm air to impinge on a thin section of quartz while under the microscope. 

 These investigations have led to several theories concerning the temperature 

 and pressure at which granite was crystallised. The heat nuist at least have 

 been ecpial to the critical temperature of water, viz., 7'M deg. F., or the heat of 

 melting zinc, and the pressure iunuense. Some of the bubbles of liquified gas 

 are in a state of perpetual motion, as if trying to escape from their miiuite 

 prison-house, which movement some of the slides exhibited remarkably well. 

 The reasons for this curious phenomenon do not seem to be well understood 

 though several causes have been assigned for it. The paper was illustrated by 

 many uncroscopical sections besides those mentioned, and was listened to with 

 great interest. March 7.— Mr. R. W. Chase e.xhibited a specimen of the \\'hite- 

 tailed Eagle, Huliaetus albicilhi, shot at Storuoway, Isle of Lewis, and also some 

 l)arasites (mounted) taken from the bird. Professor T. W. Bridge read a paper on 

 •' Deep-Sea Fishes," in which he gave an account of the recent additions to our 

 knowledge of this subject. Before 1870 not more thau thirty deep-sea forms 

 were discovered ; now, through the voyage of the C hallenger, more than .300 are 

 known. .\ deep-sea fish may be defined as one which lives at a depth of more 

 than 200 or -2.50 fathoms. Xi these gi-oat depths, reaching from that limit down 

 to 4,5(X) fathoms, the animals are subject to peculiar conditions, which have 

 modified the species in accordance with their environment, di There is at that 

 depth no trace of sunlight. [•!■ At all depths below 1,000 fathoms the water is 

 everywhere only a few degrees above freezing point. (3j The jn-essure at 800 

 fathoms amounts to one ton per square inch, at 1,000 lo two tons, and soon 

 Whilst at the surlaco auunals live under a ])re8sure of lllbs. only per S(juare 



