198 Proceedings of the Royal Society. 



In a case of inflammation of the tibia consequent on an injury and 

 terminating in death, of nearly the whole of that bone, amputation 

 became necessary at the close of five weeks after the accident. On 

 examining the amputated limb, the periosteum of the tibia was 

 found chequered with patches of osseous substance adhering to its 

 inner surface, and covered with a delicate membrane. This obser- 

 vation led hira to subject the question to the test of experiment, 

 which he conceives he has accomplished in the following manner. 

 An incision was made in the fore leg of a dog, and a portion of the 

 radius, about two inches long, was removed along with its invest- 

 ing membrane. In the other fore leg the same operation was per- 

 formed, with the exception that the periosteum was carefully dis- 

 sected from the portion of bone which it was intended to remove, 

 and two inches of bone were cut out, its membrane being thus left 

 entire. In six weeks the animal was killed ; when it was found 

 that a large vacuity was left in the radius, where the membrane 

 was removed as well as the portion of bone ; while in the other, 

 where the membrane had been left, the gap was entirely filled up 

 by firm osseous texture, and at this part of the radius the bone was 

 even thicker than elsewhere. The experiment was several times 

 repeated with the same result. In another dog the periosteum of 

 the radius was carefully dissected off as before, but without either 

 disturbing the position of the membrane or removing the subjacent 

 portion of bone ; and a thin metallic plate was passed around the 

 bone between it and the detached periosteum. In six weeks the 

 animal was killed and the limb examined. The inner surface of 

 the membrane presented an extensive deposition of osseous matter 

 between it and the metallic plate ; while between the plate and the 

 bone there was merely a membranous formation without any new 

 bony substance whatever. 



2. On one Troja. By the Venerable Archdeacon Williams. 



The introduction only of this communication was read. The 

 abstract will be given after the paper is concluded. 



March 20. — Sir Thomas M. Brisbane, Bart., President, in 

 the Chair. The following communication was read : 



On the Action of Voltaic Electricity or Pyroxylic Spirit, 

 and on Solutions in Water, AJcohol, and Ether. By 

 Arthur Connell, Esq. 



The author has found a perfect resemblance to exist between the 

 appearances presented by pyroxylic spirit (Bihydrate of Methyline 



