Royal Society. 551 
be checked by coming in contact with the accelerated portions of the 
opposing currents to which they respectively owed their former in- 
crease of velocity; so that the one current will be retarded at the 
part of the plate where the other is accelerated. To these alternate 
accelerations and retardations of electric currents during their pro- 
gressive motion, the author is disposed to refer the alternate dark and 
luminous divisions in a platina wire heated by electricity, as was 
observed by Dr. Barker. 
“ Meteorological Journal kept at Allenheads, near Hexham.” By 
the Rev. William Walton. Communicated in a letter to P. M. Roget, 
M.D., Sec. R.S. 
This Journal contains a register of the height of the barometer, 
taken at 9 a.m, and at 3 p.m. during every day in January and 
February 1836, with remarks on the state of the weather during a 
few particular days. The station where the observations were made 
is elevated 1400 feet above the level of the sea. 
March 24.—A paper was in part read, entitled “ On the Tem- 
peratures and Geological Relations of certain Hot Springs ;_ particu- 
larly those of the Pyrenees ; and.on the Verification of Thermometers.” 
By James David Forbes, Esy., F.R.S., Professor of Natural Philosophy 
in the University of Edinburgh. 
The Society then adjourned over the Easter vacation, to meet again 
on the 14th of April. 
April 14.—The reading of Professor Forbes’s paper, “ On the 
Temperatures and Geological Relations of certain Hot Springs ; par- 
ticularly those of the Pyrenees; and on the Verification of ‘Thermo- 
meters,’’ was resumed and concluded. 
The author expresses his regret that notwithstanding the great in- 
terest, more especially in a geological point of view, which attaches 
to every topic connected with the origin, the nature, and the perma- 
nence in temperature of the many thermal springs met with in dif- 
ferent parts of the world, our information on these subjects is exceed- 
ingly deficient. On many points which might easily be verified, and 
which are of essential consequence towards obtaining a satisfactory 
theory of the phenomena, we as yet possess but vague and uncertain 
knowledge, It is evident that the first step towards the establish- 
ment of such a theory must consist in the precise determination of 
the actual temperature of each spring; from which we may derive 
the means of estimating by comparative observations, at different 
periods, the progressive variations, whether secular, monthly, or even 
diurnal, to which that temperature is subject. We have at present, 
indeed, not only to lament the total absence of exact data on which 
to found such an inquiry ; but we are obliged to confess that, owing 
to the difficulties which meet us even in the thresbhold, we have not, 
even at the present day, made any preparation for establishing the 
basis of future investigation, by applying such methods of experiment 
as are really in our power, and are commensurate with the superior 
accuracy of modern science, The researches of Fourier would lead 
us to the conclusion that, if the high temperature of these springs 
be derived solely from that of the interior portions of the earth, the 
