64 Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [Juny, 
ARTICLE XIV. 
Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. 
ROYAL SOCIETY. 
June 6. On the Binomial Theorem, by John Walsh, Esq. 
A paper, by Dr. Davy, was likewise read, entitled “ Some 
Observations on Corrosive Sublimate.” It is known that the 
liquor hydrargyri oxymuriatis of the London Pharmacopeeia, on 
exposure to light, slowly undergoes decomposition ; and it has 
been asserted that light has a similar effect on corrosive subli+ 
mate itself. Dr. Davy relates a number of experiments made to 
investigate these points. He finds that corrosive sublimate 
remains unaltered on exposure to light ; that it remains unaltered 
when exposed in solution in media, having a strong affinity for 
it, as alcohol, ether, muriatic acid, &c. and that decomposition 
takes place only under circumstances of complicated affinities, 
as in the instance of the liquor hydrargyri oxymuriatis, and in 
the aqueous solution, when calomel and muriatic acid appear to 
be formed, and oxygen evolved. 
For the purpose of further illustration of the subject, Dr. Davy 
describes a series of experiments on corrosive sublimate with 
alcohol, ether, several oils, muriatic, and the mineral acids, many 
of the muriates, &c. the results of which hardly admit of being 
given in the form of abstract. In every instance that an oil, 
whether volatile or fixed, was heated with corrosive sublimate, 
mutual decomposition took place, charcoal was evolved, and 
muriatic acid and calomel formed. Besides, when oil of turpen- 
tine was used, some traces of artificial camphor appeared ; and 
when the oils of cloves and peppermint, a purple compound dis-+ 
tilled over, consisting of the oil employed, and muriatic acid. 
With muriatic acid, common salt, and some other muriates, 
corrosive sublimate formed definite compounds remarkable for 
their solubility. 
June 13.—On the State of Water and Aeriform Matter in the 
Cavities of certain Crystals, by Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. PRS. 
June 20.—Some Experiments on the Changes which take 
Place in the fixed Principles of the “Egg during Incubation, 
by W. Prout, MD. FRS. 
The author, after a few preliminary remarks, proceeded to 
relate his experiments on the recent egg. The specific gravity 
of new laid eggs was found to vary from 1080 to 1090. Eggs, 
however, as is well known, on being kept for some time, become 
specifically lighter than water, owing to the substitution of air 
for a portion of their water which escapes. Thus it was stated 
that an egg exposed for two years to ordinary circumstances, 
