174 



3. In the third place the Tanghinia has a great influence upon the 

 voluntary muscles, which become paralysed. This action begins very 

 soon, and we have been able to show, with the aid of the myogra- 

 phion of Volkman, that as soon as the heart is paralysed, the muscles 

 also begin to lose their force. Nevertheless, the total paralysis of 

 these organs is not observed till after six hours and more, that is to 

 say, when the muscles have been preserved in a temperature of 14 

 to 16 R. In a temperature of 4 to 6 R., the irritability of the 

 poisoned muscles may last for double this time, as is usual with all 

 poisoned muscles and nerves ; but even in this case it disappears 

 long before that of the non-affected muscles. 



4. If muscles which have lost their irritability through the Tang- 

 hinia are put into a solution of common salt of from ^ to 1 per cent., 

 their power of contraction reappears after a certain time, but only 

 when they have been preserved at the lower temperature of 5 to 

 6R. 



5. Lastly, the nerves also are paralysed by the Tanghinia, and, as 

 far as we were able to pursue this question, under the same circum- 

 stances as the muscles, Only perhaps a little earlier. 



From all this it follows that the Tanghinia is a paralysing, and 

 above all, a muscular poison. As far as we have been able to follow 

 its action, it resembles very much the Upas Antiar, only its power 

 would seem to be a little less strong. 



Professor Stokes drew the attention of the Meeting to some pho- 

 tographic specimens illustrative of the recent researches of M. Niepce 

 de Saint Victor on "a New Action of Light" (Comptes Rendus, 

 March I and 8) . They were presented to the Society by the author 

 through Mr. Grove, F.R.S. 



The Society adjourned over the Easter vacation to Thursday, 

 April 15. 



