1 70 Annals of the Philosophical Club 



Dr. Williamson described a combination of a glass and a 

 flexible tube for producing a non-conducting vacuum, and 

 Mr. Gassiot mentioned some experiments with electric 

 currents and vacuum tubes. 



1865. Jan. 26th, i62nd meeting. Sir R. Murchison 

 stated that the Geographical Society had resolved to send 

 out an expedition under Dr. Livingstone to explore the 

 watershed of East-Central Africa, more especially between 

 the southern end of Lake Tanganyika and the northern 

 one of Lake Nyassa. 



Dr. Bence Jones communicated the results of experiments 

 on the absorption of such drugs as iodide of potassium and 

 chloride of lithium. Within twelve minutes, the former 

 had been taken into the system, and the latter was diffused 

 with extraordinary rapidity ; for instance, three grains 

 of lithium chloride had been administered to a guinea-pig 

 by the mouth, and that alkali was detected by spectrum 

 analysis in every part of its body, for at least twenty-four 

 hours, being present even in cartilage and in the crystalline 

 lens, but not in the latter till four hours after administration, 

 though it reached the aqueous humour within two hours. 

 In the case of this animal it could be detected in the urine 

 for at least thirteen days. 



Sir H. James stated that he desired to determine the level 

 of the Dead Sea by carrying a line to it from Jaffa through 

 Jerusalem, each station being marked. 



Feb. 23rd, i63rd meeting. Professor Frankland referred 

 to experiments by himself and Mr. Duppa in the synthesis 

 of organic compounds. They had lately succeeded in 

 forming butyric acid from acetic acid, by substituting two 

 atoms of methyl for two of hydrogen. By submitting acetic 

 ether to the action of sodium they had obtained butyric 

 ether. 



Mr. Gassiot spoke of a recent large extension of his constant 

 galvanic battery. It now consisted of 2000 elements, the 

 cells being 3| inches high and i inches in interior diameter, 

 the elements being carbon and zinc, and the exciting fluid 

 sulphate of mercury. This apparatus, properly kept, had 





