176 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 

 In the second formula, 



_ i3oooxtx|x$ = 541 | lbs . 



JX24X1 



But the value of w from experiment is 558 lbs. from which the 

 strength by the last formula, in which the elasticities are supposed to be 

 perfect, differs only I63 lbs.; while the other formula, in which the 

 centres of tension and compression are as deduced by Mr Barlow, gives 

 the strength 2544 lbs. more than it ought to do, or nearly one-half the 

 breaking weight. 



The application of the same formulae to Mr Barlow's other experiments, 

 which were on triangular beams, would be much more laborious, and pos- 

 sibly might give results showing the elasticities to be somewhat less per- 

 fect than as above : However, I think there has been enough done to con- 

 vince the reader that Mr Barlow's deductions in this respect would form a 

 very defective substitute for the more natural assumption of perfect elas- 

 ticities. 



Art. XXXIX.— PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF 



EDINBURGH. 



December 19. — Dr Edward Turner read a paper on a Method of 

 detecting Boracic Acid by means of the Blowpipe. 



Sir William Hamilton reid a Paper on the Practical Conclusions 

 from Gall's Theory regarding the Functions of the Brain. 



January 9, 1826. — Professor Dunbar read an examination of Dr Parr's 

 Observations on the etymology of the word Sublimis. 



At this meeting H. H. Blackaddek, Esq. was elected an ordinary mem- 

 ber. 



Jan. 23. — There was read a Description of a New Air Thermometer free 

 from the pressure of the Atmosphere, by Mr James King. 



There was read also a Report on the Register of the Thermometer kept 

 at Leith Fort, for every hour of the day and night during the years 1824. 

 and 1825, by Dr Brewster. 



An abstract of this paper is printed in this Number, p. 18. 



February 6- — There was read a Notice respecting the late severe cold in 

 Inverness-shire and Aberdeen, as communicated to Dr Brewster in two 

 Letters from J. P. Grant, EsqJ-M. P., and George Fairholme, Esq. 



At the same meeting, Sir WJliam Hamilton concluded his Observations 

 on Gall's Theory. 



The following gentlemen were elected Ordinary Members : — 

 Alexander Wood, Esq. Advocate. 

 The Rev. Dionysius Lardner, Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. 



February 20th. — Mr Bald read a Notice on the Fine Sand near Alloa 

 for making Flint-Glass. — See our last Number, p. 333. 



There was read a Letter from Professor Moll of Utrecht to Dr Beew- 

 sTtu, on a New Island in the Pacific. This letter is printed in our last 

 Number, p. 278. 



