~ 
1819. Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. 377 
and (to speak so) reduced to an inferior power by the action of 
the other before it can produce either alkalinity or acidity. 
I shall not enter into our author’s observations on the intensity 
and capacity of acids and alkalies, because this part of the sub- 
ject has been much simplified by the improvements introduced 
ito the atomic theory since the work under review was pub- 
lished. 
(To be continued.) 
Se 
~ Articte VII. 
Proceedings of Philosophical Sueidtios. 
ROYAL SOCIETY. 
April 1.—A paper, by Dr. Brinkley, was read, entitled 
“ Results of Observations made at Trinity College, Dublin, for 
determming the Obliquity of the Ecliptic, and the Maximum 
of the Aberration of Light.” After some general observations 
upon the obliquity of the Ecliptic, the author proceeded to con- 
sider the opinion of astronomers that observations of the winter 
solstice have given a less obliquity than those of the summer— 
an opinion sanctioned by the observations of Maskelyne, Arago, 
and Pond; but questioned by Bradley. Dr. Brinkley referred 
this difference to some unknown modification of refraction, and 
stated that he has observed that at the winter solstice the irre- 
gularity of refraction from the sun is greater than from the stars 
at the same zenith distance; whence he inferred the necessity 
of paying greater attention to the observations made at the win- 
ter solstice. The author next alluded to the maximum of the 
aberration of light, which he stated, from observations made by 
him during the last year, to be 20°80”. 
At this meeting also, a paper, by Sir E. Home, was read, enti- 
tled “ Some additional Remarks on the Skeleton of the Proteor- 
rhachius.” ‘The author commenced by stating, that having 
previously proved that this animal has four legs, and that its 
progressive motion through water is similar to that of fishes, he 
was led to look for its place in the scale of beings between 
amphibia and fishes. He found the vertebre of the proteus 
cupped at both extremities, like those of the fossil animal; and 
rom this and other circumstances it appeared, that the fossil 
animal was nearly allied to the proteus ; but the capacity of-the 
chest, and the want of sufficient room between the occiput and 
first rib, seemed to show that it breathed by lungs only and did 
not possess gills. From this circumstance, and from its appear- 
ing to have been capable of the two kinds of progressive motion, 
the author gave it the name of proteorrhachius. 
Another paper was likewise read at this meeting, on some 
