50 Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [July, 



at last destroyed, by the disturbance of equilibrium produced by 

 heat. 



It is by the same disturbance of equilibrium that bodies in 

 general become more decomposible at a high temperature, more 

 proper to enter into combination with others, and at the same 

 time better conductors of the electric forces. 



The calorific action may pass into the state of light ; and, vice 

 versa, the luminous action may pass into that of heat. 



The calorific action approaches more and more to the state of 

 light in proportion as the reaction of the forces in it becomes 

 more intense ; which supposes likewise a greater velocity. The 

 velocity of calorific, luminous, and chemical rays, follows 

 according to our principles, as well as those of optics, the order 

 of their refrangibilities. 



Article IX. 



Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. 



EOYAL SOCIETY. 



April 22. — A paper, by .Capt. James Anderson, R.N. was read, 

 entitled " Some Observations on the Peculiarity of the Tides 

 between Fairleigh and the North Foreland, with an Explanation 

 of the supposed Meeting of the Tides near Dungeness." After 

 some general remarks on the common opinion respecting the 

 meeting of the tides between Dungeness Point and Rye Harbour, 

 Capt. A. proceeded to describe the peculiarity of the channel at 

 that point, and its veiy sudden contraction between Dungeness 

 and Cape D'Alpree, and between the South Foreland and Calais 

 Point. In consequence of this contraction, the western tide, 

 according to the author, meets with a resistance in its course at 

 Dungeness and Cape D'Alpree ; and the water must continue to 

 accumulate until it deepens and widens the channel so as to 

 become adequate to its discharge. To this accumulation, the 

 author principally referred the peculiarities of the rise and fall of 

 the tides in the neighbourhood of the above-mentioned places. 

 That the tides do not meet at Dungeness in a line across the 

 channel is further proved by the absence of that violent concus- 

 sion of the waters which would occur in such a case. The fact 

 is, according to Capt. A . that the formation of the coast by gra- 

 dually altering the course of the tides between the South Fore- 

 land and the Buoy of the Nore from E.N.E. to W.N.W. occasions 

 a gentle blending of the waters, so that there is a strong eddy 

 about the Kentish Knock, and a foaming rippling where they 

 meet and proceed together. 



At this meeting, a paper was also read, by Sir E. Home, oh the 



