200 Froceedings of the Boyal Societi/ of Edin'oim/li. 



the process he could devise, to obtain the results indicated by the 

 German anatomist. Constantly the spirit, whatsoever its strength, 

 whether proof spirit or rectified spirit, became weaker. It was ob- 

 served at the same time, that, if the bladder containing spirit was 

 enclosed in a confined space with quicklime, the spirit slowly be- 

 came absolute alcohol of the density 796, in consequence of a per- 

 manent atmosphere of alcohol being speedily formed, while the 

 watery atmosphere was absorbed by the quicklime as fast as it was 

 produced. Subsequently it was proved that the bladder was not 

 essential to tiie process ; for an open cup of rectified spirit, inclosed 

 in a confined space with quicklime, to absorb the water which arose 

 from the spirit, became in two months absolute alcohol of the den- 

 sity 796. Professor Graham of London some time ago jiroved the 

 analogous fact, that spirit might be thus rendered pure alcohol in 

 the air-pump vacuum. A vacuum, however, is, upon principle, as 

 well as in fact, not necessary for the process ; it merely accelerates 

 it. The new method is obviously applicable on the great scale for 

 obtaining absolute alcohol, wherever time may be allowed. 



March 18. — Dr Abercrombie, Vice-President, in the Chair. 

 The following communications were read : — 



1. Notice respecting the Drying-up of the Rivers Teviot, 

 Clyde, and Nith, and their tributaries, on the 27th No- 

 vember 1838. By David Milne, Esq. 



The phenomenon was in the first instance described, and certain 

 views were afterwards off^ei-ed explanatory of it. 



It appears that, betwixt 10 p.m. on the 26th November, and 

 6 A. M. on the 27th November, the channels of the Teviot, Clyde, and 

 Nith, became nearly dry for a great part of their course, so that 

 scarcely any current flowed in them. All the mills on the Clyde, as 

 far down as several miles below New Lanark, were stopped from 

 want of water. The Nith was nearly dry as far down as Enter- 

 kinefoot ; and the mills on it, and on its tributaries, were stopped. 

 This was the case also on the Teviot. The phenomenon was most 

 strikingly manifested in the higher parts of the riveis, near their 

 sources. The small streams from which tiiey derive their supplies, 

 were in general completely dried up. The rivers, in the lower 

 parts of their course, were not entirely deprived of their current ; 

 nor were the rivulets, which there supplied them, nearly so mucli 

 affected as the rivulets in more elevated districts. 



The desiccation continued all the morning, forenoon, and part of 

 the afternoon of the 27th November. When the current was re- 

 stored, it returned not with a sudden rush, but gradually ; nor when 

 the current was restored, did the waters rise much above their or- 

 dinary level. 



With reference to the cause of the phenomenon, it was stated, 

 that various explanations had been suggested. Some persons liad 



