294: Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [ApRlt^ 



lecture tfeble by Mr. Faraday. Numerous specimens of the 

 substance in all states, and as applied to manufactures in the 

 construction of vessels and clothing, were exhibited, having been 

 furnished by Mr. Hancock. 



FebAO. — Mr. Faraday gave an account of the results which Mr. 

 Brunei has obtained, in his endeavours to apply the liquids 

 resulting from condensed gases to the construction of powerful 

 mechanical engines. It appeared that after having successfully 

 encountered many difficulties, Mr. Brunei had succeeded per-, 

 fectly in confining and manipulating with the substances, and 

 that he found the data furnished by his experiments highly 

 favourable. He is at present engaged in constructing a working 

 machine. 

 . A plant of Ficus Elastica stood in the library. ' 



Feb. 17. — Mr. Griffiths's experiment on the existence of free 

 alkali in glass was exhibited in the library. — Mr. Varley illus- 

 trated and explained the construction and use of his single 

 microscope. — Mr. Brant produced an extraordinarily large bar 

 of palladium, weighing above 61b, which came from Brazil. — A 

 series of geological and mineralogical specimens from South 

 America was also exhibited. 



Feb. 24. — Mr.Cornehus V^arley explained the construction and 

 uses of his graphic telescope, an instrument intended to perform 

 the office of the camera obscura of Dr. Wollaston, but admitting 

 of the application at the same time of magnifying powers. 



March 3. — The chemico-mechanical principles of the art of 

 lithography were explained by Mr. Faraday, and illustrated by 

 many of the actual operations on stone. The stones and draw- 

 ings had been furnished by Mr. HuUmandel, whose superinten- 

 dent assisted also in the operations. Numerous very fine speci- 

 mens cf the art lay upon the tables. 



March 10. — Mr. Brande gave an experimental illustration of 

 the state and quantity of alcohol in wines, and the manner in 

 which its properties are diminished, and partly naasked, by com- 

 bination with the other principles present. Unadulterated port 

 wines were selected for the purpose, and the proportion of alco- 

 hol shown to be very low as compared with common port wines. 

 The various precautions required in the accurate analysis of 

 wines were pointed out, and applied in the operation. 



LINNEAN SOCIETY. 



Jan. 17. — A paper was read. On some Cornish Species of the 

 Genus L,abrus; by Mr. Jonathan Couch, FLS. Among other 

 species noticed in this communication were Labrus Julia; Tinea 

 (Common Wrasse); cornubiensis (Goldsinny) ; microstoma (Cork- 

 wring) ; trimaculatus ; and Comber: also Perca inermis. 



