Mr Hunter on Various Methods of Water Analysis. 183 



very frequently difficulty is experienced in obtaining these 

 standards perfectly clear. This point I have investigated 

 most carefully, and as the result of my observations I am 

 satisfied that the only cause beyond that from washing the 

 apparatus employed with other than perfectly pure distilled 

 water is, that in delivering the standard ammonia into the tube 

 a small quantity of the ammonia gets on the glass and drains 

 into the tube after the nessler reagent has been added. As a 

 preventative against such a result being obtained, I would 

 recommend adding first the standard ammonium chloride to 

 the tube by means of a pipette, then filling up to the graduation 

 with water — I mean, of course, chemically pure water — taking 

 care to pour it over that point which has been touched by the 

 pipette, to remove the drop. With these precautions ammonia 

 standards can invariably be prepared with their colour perfectly 

 bright, and free from any trace of opalescence. 



II. On some Sections in the North- West Highlands, Examined 

 during the last Summer (1876). By James Bryce, 

 Esq., LL.D., F.G.S. 



(Owing to the death of the lamented author, who read the 

 above paper from short notes, a detailed account of his most 

 recent views on this subject cannot now be furnished.) 



III. On Certain Birds collected hy the late Captain {Rear- 

 AdwAral) P. P. King in tlie Straits of Magellan hetiveen 

 ths years 1826-27. By John Gibson, Esq. 



A survey of the Straits of Magellan was made in the years 

 1826-27 by Captain Philip P. King in the ships " Adventure " 

 and " Beagle," belonging to the Koyal Navy, and that ofi&cer 

 collected specimens to illustrate the zoology of this hitherto 

 little known region. He made a list of the birds thus col- 

 lected, briefly describing and naming those he considered, 

 with the lights he had on board the " Adventure," as new to 



