1823.] Linnean Society. 305 



the author at first conceived that the yellow fluid might be a 

 new hydrate of chlorine ; but he found that it was also produced 

 by introducing a portion of the gas, dried over sulphuric acid, 

 into a glass tube to which a stop-cock was attached, and then 

 forcing in air by means of a condensing syringe, at the same 

 time applying cold ; so that in reality it wasjtuid chlorine. 



This fluid may be distilled out of the water by means of a 

 spirit-lamp ; at whatever temperature it is produced, it is per- 

 fectly limpid and fluid, and it remains so at 0° ; it is very vola- 

 tile ; and when exposed at the common pressure of the atmo- 

 sphere, a portion volatilizes, the remainder being cooled down 

 so low by the evaporation, as to preserve, for a time, its fluidity. 

 By comparing the weights of apparently equal volumes of water 

 and chlorine, the specific gravity of the latter seemed to be; 

 1*33; and that this estimate cannot be far from the truth, 

 the manner in which the chlorine lies in the water is evinced by. 



A note had been annexed to this paper by Sir H. Davy, in 

 which he stated, that Mr. Faraday's experiments had induced 

 him to think, that other gases beside chlorine might be reduced 

 to a liquid state by the pressure of their own atmospheres, when 

 evolving from substances containing them ; and that, in order to 

 verify this conjecture, he placed sulphuric acid and muriate of 

 ammonia in different parts of a glass tube, and, after sealing the 

 tube, brought them into contact ; when an orange-coloured fluid 

 was produced, which was muriatic acid. Although the two 

 substances employed were as pure as they could be obtained, 

 yet the orange-colour of the resulting liquid, he considered, 

 inicht be owing to iron. Sir Humphry concluded with some 

 remarks upon the superiority which this method of condensing 

 the gases possesses over those of mechanical compression and 

 the application of cold. 



LINNEAN SOCIETY. 



Feb. 4. — The reading of a paper, on Lansium and other 

 Malayan Plants, by Dr. William Jack, FLS. which had been 

 commenced at the preceding meeting, was resumed and con- 

 cluded ; and the following paper was read : Catalogue of 

 the Land and Freshwater Shells found in the County of 

 Suffolk, by the Rev. Revett Shephard, FLS. Dr. Maton and 

 Mr. Rackett having given the habitats of the land and fresh- 

 water shells in the midland and western counties, in vol. viii. of 

 the Linnean Transactions ; the purpose of this paper was to 

 supply those of Suffolk and Essex. The author adopted the 

 Linuean arrangement, the genera of which, he was of opinion, 

 were the best for land and freshwater shells ; though, at the 

 same time, he expressed his approbation of M. Draparnaud's 

 work, observing tliat his genera, considering them as subdivi- 

 sions of the Linnean, were secundum nalitrant. 



Feb. 18.— The following papers, by Major-Gen. Hardwicke, 

 FRS. and FLS. were read, all of which were illustrated by 

 New Series, vol*, v. x 



