48 Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [June, 



tic telescope of 44 inches focus any intermediate power between 

 SO and 360. The Hght by the use of four glasses was admitted 

 to be diminished, but the images of fixed stars were stated to be 

 better defined and rendered more distinct than by the use of any 

 ■other eye lube. 



At this meeting also a paper was read, on the different Quali- 

 ties of the Alburnum of Spring and Winter felled Timber, by 

 T. A. Knight, Esq. It has been long supposed that oak timber 

 felled in the winter is superior to that felled in spring, but the 

 cause of this difference has not been inquired into, and the fell- 

 ing of timber in the winter has been discontinued in consequence 

 of the superior value of spring bark. The author proceeded 

 to relate some experiments he had instituted on the subject. 

 'These were made on two similar oaks of about 100 years old, 

 which grew near each other, and which were felled at the differ- 

 •ent seasons above-mentioned. The specific gravity of the 

 alburnum of the spring felled oak was 0*666, wlule the specific 

 gravity of that of the winter felled was 0*565. Two equal blocks, 

 were then cut out of the alburnum of each, which, being well 

 •dried, w'ere suspended in a damp room for ten days : at the end 

 of this time i't was found that 1000 grs. of the spring felled tim- 

 ber had gained 162 grs. while the same quantity of that felled ia 

 winter had gained only 145 grs. Hence there was found a striking 

 difference between the properties of the two. Mr. Knight stated 

 it to be his opinion that oak timber would be much improved if 

 the tree, after being barked in the spring, was permitted to 

 stand till the following winter. He concluded by stating, that 

 although he had not made the experiment, he had little doubt 

 that the same observations would apply to the heart wood as to 

 the alburnum. 



April 27. — At this meeting, a short abstract of a paper, by S. 

 Ware, Esq. on the Properties of Domes and their Abutment 

 Walls, was read, the mathematical nature of the subject not 

 admitting it to be read in detail. 



At this meeting also a paper, by Assistant-Surgeon Hood, 

 "was begun on Diarrhcea Asthenica. 



May 4. — The above paper was concluded. This disease is 

 «ndemic annually among the indigent Hindus, on the Malabar 

 and Coromandel coast, and usually appears about the commence- 

 ment of the monsoons. The symptoms are diarrhcea with spasms 

 of the bowels and flexor muscles of the legs, sickness, &c. and 

 the pulse is slow and feeble. To these succeed a shivering fit, 

 and excessive thirst; and if proper treatment is not speedily 

 adopted, the pulse becomes weaker, the features contracted and 

 ghastly, the pain violent, and death, preceded by coma, soon 

 closes the scene. After discussing the various remedies whicK 

 Jiave been employed in this disease, he proceeded to recommend 

 that on an attack, the patient should take two ounces of brandy 

 and ten drops of sulphuric acid in half a pint of cold water, and 



