

Miscellanies. 39 1 



/ 



3. Phenomenon of immiscible fluids. — Dr. Hancock has ascertained 

 that when a portion of sulphuric ether and proof spirit in equal parts, 

 is added to laurel oil, the latter, although a fluid of greater specific 

 gravity, invariably occupies the upper part, or floats on the surface of 

 the compound of ether and proof spirit. The result is identical 

 whether the oil or the compound be poured in first, or whether the 

 vial be shaken, or the materials be added in the gentlest manner. The 

 sp. gr. of the oil which he tried was, to that of the ethereal mixture 

 as twenty one to seventeen* 



Dr. Hancock attributes this curious apparent aberration from the 

 common laws of sp. gr. to the " strong affinity and combination of the 

 laurel oil with ether, by which it is attracted and separated from the 

 water and alcohol." Pure ether and pure laurel oil combine intimate- 

 ly, but the author does not state whether this compound is lighter or 

 heavier than that of ether and proof spirit.— Dr. Brewster's Journal, 

 July, 1830, 



4. Phenomenon of revolving motion in fluids. — Dr. Hancock finds 

 that if some rectified spirits of wine be dropt at intervals into a vial 



of laurel oil, a circulation commences of globules of alcohol up and 

 down through the oil, which will last for many hours or for days. A 

 revolving or circular motion also appears in the oil, carrying the alco- 

 holic globules through a series of mutual attractions and repulsions, the 

 round bodies moving freely through the fluid, turning short in a smallj 

 eccentric curve at each extremity of their course, passing each other 

 rapidly without touching, but after a time, seeming to acquire a den- 

 sity approximating to that of the lower stratum, which appears to be 

 an aqueous portion, separated by the ethereal oil from the alcohol, and 

 this assimilation taking place, the globules, after performing many re- 

 volutions, will fall flat upon the surface, and unite with the lower or 

 watery stratum. Larger globules will occasionally separate and re- 

 volve, and smaller ones will leave their course and revolve about the 

 larger, like secondary planets about their primaries. The experiment, 

 he observes, is well worth the trouble, and may possibly serve towards 

 an illustration of the celestial motions. — Idem. 



5. Laws of the living organism, or the application of physico- 

 chemical laws to Physiology.— A work with the above title by Dr. A. 

 Fourcault, which deserves (says the Journal des Progres des sciences 

 et Institutions medicales) 10 be read as well on account of the erudi- 

 tion it displays, as for the talent and intellectual vigor of the author, 

 concludes with the following recapitulation of the principles which it 



maintains: 



