CONTENTS. 



rAOB 



XXI.— On the Physiological Actions of Spartine and Scoparine, with a Notice 



of their Chemical Constitution. By Ai-thur Mitchell, M.A., M.D.,&c., 173 

 XXII.— On the Estimation ot the Commercial Value of some Specimens of 



Black Oxide of Manganese. By Mr. George William Brown, . . 185 

 XXIIL— The Effects on Healtli of Inhaling the Fumes of Cyanide of Potas- 

 sium Solutions. By .James Napier, Esq., 188 



Report of Botanical Section, • • 192 



XXIV.— Sketch of the Climate and Vegetation of the Him.alaya. By Thomas 

 Thomson, M.D., Assistant Sm-geon in the H.E.l.G. Semce, Bengal 



Establishment, r^, ' 



XXV — Thermometric Observations for 1850, made at Windsor TeiTace, Glas- 

 gow. By James King, Esq., • 204 



XXVI.— Chemical Examination of Drift Weed Kelp from Orkney. By Mr. 



George William Brown, 208 



Report of Libr.irian, 219 



Abstract of Treasurer's Account, ^^0 



The late Mr. John Hart, 222 



Office-Bearers of the Society • ■'■'* 



XXVII.— Notes on the Introduction of the Potato into Scotland. By John 



Scouler,M.D., LL.D., F.L S. Communicated by Wm. Gom-lie, Esq., 226 

 XXVIIL— Remarks upon Miner.al Veins and Water- Worn Stones. By James 



Napier, Esq., F.C.S 231 



XXIX.— Notice of the Vinegar Plant. By Dr. R. D. Thomson, . . . 238 

 XXX.— Examination of the Waters of the Dead Sea. By Robert SI. Murray, Esq., 242 

 XXXI.— The Force of Vapour from. Saline Water, as applied to Marine Engmes. 



By Paul Cameron, .• 246 



XXXII.— Sketch of the Life and Labours of Dr. Thomas Thomson, F.R.S., Presi- 

 dent of the Philosophical Society. By Walter Crum, F.R.S., . 250 

 Report of Librarian, ..•..•• ' " oct 



Abstract of Treasurer's Account, ^o7 



Office-Bearers of the Society, • ^°" 



XXXIII.— On the Economy of the Heating or Cooling of Bmldmgs by means of 



Currents of Air. By Professor William Thomson, . . . 269 



On Ventihation. By Mr. John Ure, .272 



XXXrV.— On the General Law of the Transformation of Energy. By W. J. 



Macquorn Rankine, 276 



XXXV.— On the Mechanical Values of Distributions of Electricity, Magnetism, 



and Galvanism. By Professor William Thomson, ... 281 



XXXW.— On Transient Electric Currents. By Professor William Thomson, . 285 

 XXXVII.— Illustrations of the Utility of Wrter-tight Compartments in Iron 



Vessels. By Mr. J. R. Napier, 289 



XXXVIII.— Experiments on the Evaporation of Water in Copper, Iron, and Lead 



Vessels. By Mr. J. R. Nanier, 291 



XXXIX.— On the Natro-Boro-Calcite, or "Tiza" of Iquique. By Thomas An- 



derson, M.D., ,• • 293 



XL.— On the Acetates and other Compounds of Alumina. By Walter 



Crum, F.R.S., 



298 



XLI.— Remarks upon Sandstones used for Building, &c. By Mr. J. Napier, 



Chemist, Partick, 313_ 



Abstract of Treasurer's Account, 3^3 



Librarian's Report, 227 



Office-Bearersof the Society, ^^° 



Memorial on Ordnance Survey, • "31 



Volunietrical Method for the Estimation of Yellow Prussiate of Potash. 



By Mr. Wallace, 332 



Damp Walls. By Jlr. J. Napier, 333 



Spurious Coins. By Mr. J. Napier, . . ._.._. 344 



Description of an Instrument for Measuring the Velocity of Ships, 



Currents, &c. By Mr. James R. Napier, 350 



Death of Andrew Liddell, Esq., 356 



Abstract of Treasurer's Account, 361 



Office-Bearers of the Society 363 



Remarks on Ships' Compasses. By Sir. James R. Napier, . . 365 

 Note on the Determination of the Magnetic Meridian .at a Distance 



from Land. By W. J. Macquorn Rankine, C.E., F.R.S.S. L. & E., &c., 376 

 Note on the Approximate Determination of the Azimuth of a Star, 



&c. By W. J. Macquorn Rankine, F.R.S.S. L. & E., &c., . . 378 

 Outlines of the Science of Energetics. By W. J. Macquorn Rankine, 



C.E., F.R.S.S. L, & E., &c., 881 



