86 



to the action of electricity by means of wires introduced through the 

 stoppers. 



By immersing about fifty substances in the liquid acid for various 

 periods of time, he has found that it is comparatively a chemically 

 inert substance, and not deoxidized by any ordinary deoxidizing 

 agent except the alkali-metals. Its solvent power is extremely 

 limited; it dissolves camphor freely, iodine sparingly, and a few 

 other bodies in small quantities ; it does not dissolve oxygen-salts, 

 and it does not redden solid extract of litmus ; it penetrates gutta 

 percha, dissolves out the dark-brown colouring matter, and leaves 

 the gutta percha undissolved, and much more white. It also acts in 

 a singular and somewhat similar manner upon india-rubber ; the 

 india-rubber whilst in the liquid acid exhibits no change, but imme- 

 diately on being taken out it swells to at least six or eight times its 

 Original dimensions, and then slowly contracts to its original volume, 

 evidently from expansion and liberation of absorbed carbonic acid ; 

 and it is found to be perfectly white throughout its substance. These 

 effects upon gutta percha and india-rubber may prove useful for 

 practical purposes. 



The liquid acid is a strong insulator of electricity ; sparks (from 

 a Ruhmkorffs coil) which would pass readily through ^-nds of 

 an inch of cold air, would with difficulty pass through about 

 T^Lyth of an inch of the liquid acid. 



In its general properties it is somewhat analogous to bisulphide 

 of carbon, but it possesses much less solvent power over fatty sub- 

 stances. 



January 31, 1861. 



Major-General SABINE, E.A., Treasurer and Vice- President, 

 in the Chair. 



Sir William Jardine, Bart., was admitted into the Society. 

 The following communications were read : 



