Geological Society. 44 1 



May 8. — A paper was read, entitled, " On the Connexion be- 

 tween' Refracted and Diffracted Light." By Paul Cooper, Esq, Com- 

 municated by J. G. Children, Esq., Sec. U.S. 



The purport of the present paper, as stated by the author, is to con- 

 nect the phenomena of the dispersion of light arising from refraction, 

 with that consequent upon diffraction, by showing, 1st, "that white 

 refracted light is formed by the superposition of fringes of colours, or 

 rays of light uniformly refracted, which compensate each other in suc- 

 cession ; 2nd, that diffracted white light is formed by the superpo- 

 sition of fringes which are not uniformly refracted, but which recede 

 from it so gradually, as not to prevent the same mutual compensation, 

 although it is distinguished by other appearances ; and 3rd, that the 

 purity of the colour of the light, in both cases, depends upon its con- 

 tinuity, any interruption of which, although the different portions into 

 which it may be separated are white at the moment the division takes 

 place, produces colours in its further progress, because each portion 

 carries with it the difference of direction required for their develope- 

 ment." 



A paper was also read, entitled, "Observations on the Reciprocal 

 Influence which Magnetic Needles exercise over each other, when 

 placed at a given distance within their respective Spheres of Action, 

 at different positions on the Earth ; with Tables of numerical Re- 

 sults obtained at separate Stations. Also a method of discovering 

 where certain local influences are acting on the Needle, from which 

 may be obtained a proportional correction to be applied to Magnetic 

 Observations in general." By Edward J. Johnson, Esq., Commander 

 R.N. Communicated by Francis Beaufort, Esq., Capt.R.N., F.R.S. 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



At the Annual General Meeting of this Society holden on the 21st 

 of February, the President stated that the Council had awarded to M. 

 Agassiz the proceeds of the WbHaston Fund for the past year, in order 

 to promote his important work on Fossil Fishes. 



The Meeting proceeded to ballot for the Officers and Council for 

 the ensuing year ; and the following gentlemen were elected : — 



Officers'.— President, George Bellas Greenough, Esq. F.R.S. <Sr 

 L.S. : Vice-Presidents, William John Broderip, Esq. B.A. F.R.S. & 

 L.S. ; Henry Thomas De la Beche, Esq. F.R.S. & L.S. ; Roderick 

 Impey Murchison, Esq. F.R.S. & L.S. ; Henry Warburton, Esq. M.P. 

 F.R S. ; Secretaries, Edward Turner, M.D. F.R.S. L. & E. Professor 

 of Chemistry in the University of London; William John Hamilton, 

 Esq. : Foreign Secretary, Charles Lyell, Esq. F.R.S. & L.S. : Trea- 

 surer, John Tavlor, Esq. F.R.S. 



Council— George William Aylmer, Esq.; Rev. Prof. Buckland, 

 D.D F.R.S. L.S. Professor of Geology and Mineralogy in the Uni- 

 versity of Oxford ; Major S. Clerke, K.H. ; Rev. W. D. Conybeare, 

 M.A. F.R.S. j C. G. B. Daubeny, M.D. F.R.S. Professor of Botany 

 and Chemistry in the University of Oxford; Sir Philip de Malpas Grey 

 Egerton, Bart. F.R.S.; William Henry Fitton, M D. F.R.8. & L.S.; 

 D. Gilbert, Esq. D.C.L. F.R.S. S.A. L.S. & H.S Hon. Mem. R.S. Ed. 

 Third Series. Vol. 4. No. 24. J"nr 1834. 3 L 



