932 Kirwanlan Society of Duhlin. 



of those different cflTccts produced by tea-drinking ; as well 

 as upon what predominant qnalities of this exotic these 

 effects depend. Hence it will be inferred, that when the 

 fine green leas are employed, whose sedative counterbalance 

 their astringent qualities, and particularly in weak or deli- 

 cate constitutions, debilitating and injurious effects may 

 succeed ; as tremors, fluttering and agitation of spirits, 

 pain of the stomach, and weakened digestion, with flatu- 

 lence, head-ache, and various nervous affections ; and with 

 such constitutions, this tea taken in the evening produces 

 watching, and the unhappy sensations which want of the 

 refreshment of sleep naturally produces: and may it not 

 also be suspected, that the increased frequency of palsies 

 and apoplexies mav in some measure be attributed to the 

 fragrant, odorous, and sedative influence of this exotic?" 

 " Indeed, froin the whole analysis of green and bohea teas, 

 the sedative and exhilarating qualities of the former will 

 be clearly comprehended, as well as the astringent qualities 

 of both ; although, from the larger proportion of tannin in 

 the bohea, it will be less relaxing ; nevertheless combining 

 such a proportion of odour as to give it a grateful influence 

 on the nervous svstem ; and thus, either single or mixed, 

 they convey a pleasant and reviving sensation, as has been 

 so often mentioned l)y travellers; and persons after fatigue 

 of body, as well as exertion of mind, And in tea a gratetui 

 sedative and pleasing diluent." 



KIRWANIAN SOCIETY OF DUBLIN. 



Jan. 27. Mr. Carmichael concluded his paper " on the 

 electric fluids, considered as different compounds of the 

 solar rays." But &s a long chain of induction, supported 

 bv references to a multiplicity of unconnected facts, and 

 given in the most concise and naked form, scarcely admits 

 of a perspicuous analysis, we are necessarily confined to a 

 mere statement df the plan of the memoir. 



it commences with the grounds for supposing that elec- 

 tricilv is derived from the sun, as well as light and heat; 

 and details the experiments made by M. Ritter,. Dr. Wol- 

 lastoii, and yir,rlL Davy, on the divSo.xygcnating ray, whose 

 eflects so nearly i'esciiibie those of the Galvanic influence. 

 After which are sugge^^tcd such further experiments as would 

 •tend to a niore saii-stactory examination of the subject. 



The possibility of chemical combinations, between thfe 

 calorific, colorilic, and disnxygenaiing rays, is next dis- 

 cussed : and it is supposed th.U llic formation of one of the 

 electric fluids is efiected by a union betweeji the disoxy- 



genating 



