232 Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool. 
LONDON ELECTRICAL SOCIETY. 
[Continued from vol. xxi. p. 485.] 
Jan. 17*.—*“ On Assaying by Galvanism,”’ by Martyn J. Roberts, 
Esq., F.R.S.E., M.E.S. This consists in employing a simple gal- 
vanic pair, the positive element of which is the metal next in affinity 
for oxygen to that to be extracted ; as a pair of silver and copper to be 
employed in extracting silver from a solution containing silver, copper, 
and iron: this method was perfected and practised many years ago. 
“Dissection of a second Gymnotus Electricus; and the Anatomy 
of the Torpedo,” by H. Letheby, Esq., B.M., A.L.S., Curator to 
the Museum of the London Hospital. The author follows out the 
views developed in his former paper, and touches on those points 
which were not accessible to him from the condition of the former 
specimen. The Society are indebted for this, as well as for several 
other specimens, to the liberality of Walter Hawkins, Esq., who 
has expressed his determination to persevere until he succeeds in 
presenting to the Society a living specimen of the Gymnotus. 
“New Voltaic Battery,” by Scheenbein. This consists of zinc 
and passive iron, or of active and passive iron, in either case excited 
after the manner of a Grove’s battery. The power of such arrange- 
ment is said to be very great. Its economy is a matter of importance ; 
and the value of the salt produced (sulph. ferri) is not to be overlooked. 
“ Report of Mr. Armstrong's Electrical Steam Apparatus,” by L. 
L. Boscawen Ibbetson, Esq., K.R.E., M.E.S., &c. This instrument 
had power, under the unfavourable circumstances of a wet day, to 
produce a 15-inch spark, and to give 120 spontaneous discharges per 
minute to a Leyden jar 5 inches diameter, and coated to the height 
of 62 inches. 
«« Disturbance of Electric Equilibrium,” by Martyn J. Roberts, Esq. 
Mr. Weekes’s Register for December. 
LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF LIVERPOOL. 
Nov. 14, 1842.—Dr. Sutherland read a paper “ On the Origin 
and Progression of Glaciers,’ in which, after giving a general view 
of their natural history, he proceeded to the examination in detail of 
the new facts in regard to their structure and motion which have 
recently been discovered by Professor Forbes and M. Agassiz. The 
facts bearing most closely on the theories of progression were divided 
as follows :— 
A. Facts in regard to Structure.—Ist. It has been shown by 
Agassiz that glacier ice is highly porous, and admits of the free 
circulation of water through its structure. 2nd. That the quantity 
of water in the ice is greater during the day than during the night. 
3rd. That the surface of the ice is constantly melting whenever 
the atmospheric temperature is above 32° Fahr., and that the quan- 
tity of water passing through the glacier is found to increase when 
the atmospheric temperature rises and to diminish when it sinks. 
4th. That the temperature of the ice of the glacier is at all ascer- 
tained depths 32° Fahr., at least during the season of progression, 
and that it varies very little if at all from that temperature. 5th. That 
* The Proceedings for December 1842 will be given in our next. 
