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Proceedings of the British Association, 325 
tities of orceine. From this circumstance a number of phenom- 
ena in the color of lichens can be explained, which Dr. K. has 
described in his work on that subject. Prof. L. also states that 
he has performed many experiments on the legumin of beans, 
and some other leguminous plants. He has arrived at the con- 
clusion, that this body is identical with the casein in milk of ani- 
mals. It has precisely the same composition, and contains the 
same salts,—(phosphate of potash, potash, magnesia, lime and 
iron,)—as the casein of milk. Prof. L. also mentions, that Drs, 
Will and Varrentrapp have devised an excellent method for deter- 
mining the amount of nitrogen in organic bodies. The substance 
is mixed with a quantity of caustic potash and hydrate of soda, 
and heated to redness in an ordinary combustion tube. All the 
nitrogen in the substance escapes as pure ammonia, which is con- 
densed in a small and neat apparatus, containing dilute hydro- 
chloric acid. This solution is mixed with chloride of platinum, 
evaporated to dryness in a water-bath, and the excess of chloride 
of platinum is washed from the ammonia chloride by a mixture 
of ether and alcohol. From the metallic platinum which remains 
after the ammonia chloride is heated to redness, the quantity of 
nitrogen is to be calculated. In conclusion, the Professor states 
that he has repeated all the experiments of Dr. Brown on the 
production of silicon from paracyanogen, but is not able to con- 
firm one of his results. His experiments prove that paracyanogen 
is decomposed by a strong heat, into nitrogen gas, and a residue 
of charcoal which is exceedingly difficult of combustion.—Dr. 
Parnell stated that he too had repeated the experiments of Dr. 
Brown, without being enabled to verify any one of his results. 
The following papers were also read before the Section. 
On some instances of restrained chemical action; by E. A. Parnell. 
On some subjects connected with the sulpho-cyanides; by the same. 
On the direct formation of cyanogen, from its elements ; by G. Fownes. 
Experi riments showing the possibility of fire from the use of hot water in warming 
buildings, and of manor in steam-engine boilers; by Goldsworthy Gurney. 
‘the production oj or hydrogen by the action of vegetable matter 
on solutions containing fry y E. Lankester, M. os 
On the composition of sanity diabetic sugar; by R. D. tame M.D. 
On spontaneous combustion ; by Messrs. Booth, rai, and Hearde 
Section C. Geology and Physical ax to 
Mr, J. E. Bowman read an extensive paper on the Upper Silu- 
rian Rocks of Denbighshire, and stated that a re-examination 
