Dec. 16, 1869] 
The spark was taken in air between two magnesium poles, so 
separated that the magnesium spectrum did not extend from pole 
to pole, but was visible only for a little distance, indicated by the 
atmosphere of magnesium vapour round each pole. 
The disappearance of the 4 lines was then examined, and 
it was found that they behaved exactly as they do on the sun. 
Of the three lines, the most refrangible was the shortest ; and 
shorter than this were other lines, «ich Ar. Lockyer has not | 
detected in the spectrum of the chromosphere. 
This preliminary experiment, therefore, quite justified the 
assumption, and must be regarded as strengthening the theory on 
which the assumption was based, namely, that the bulk of the 
absorption takes place in the photosphere, and that it and the 
chromosphere form the true atmosphere of the sun. In fact, had 
the experiment been made in hydrogen instead of in air, the 
phenomena indicated by the telescope would have been almost 
perfectly reproduced ; for each increase in the temperature 
of the spark caused the magnesium vapour to extend further 
from the pole, and where the lines disappeared a band was ob- 
served surmounting them, which is possibly connected with one 
which at times is observed in the spectrum of the chromosphere 
itself when the magnesium lines are not visible. 
Professor Williamson communicated a paper “ On the successive 
Action of Sodium and Iodide of Ethyl on Acetic Ether,” by 
J. Alfred Wanklyn, F.C.S. The author referred to a paper by 
Frankland and Duppa, describing the products obtained on 
treatment with iodide of ethyl of the yellow wax-like mass given 
by the action of sodium on acetic ether. Besides the description 
of the compounds, Frankland and Duppa gave four equations 
expressive of their view of the origin of the wax-like mass: each 
one of these four equations affirmed the evolution of an equivalent 
of hydrogen by every equivalent of sodium employed; but 
according to Mr. Wanklyn neither acetic ether nor any other 
ether ever evolves hydrogen by reaction with the alkali metals. 
All equations which assume evolution of hydrogen in these 
reactions are therefore inadmissible. In the present paper Mr. 
Wanklyn offers an explanation of Frankland and Duppa’s pro- 
ducts, which does not involve the assumption of evolution of 
hydrogen. On reference to Frankland and Duppa’s paper just 
cited, it will be found that the products described by them as 
obtained from the ‘‘ wax-like mass” and iodide of ethyl are the 
following :— 
A. Cx Hy, Os, liquid boiling at 195° C., 
B. Cy9 Hyg Os, liquid boiling at 210° C. to 212° C, 
butyric ether, caproic ether, and also some unacted-upon acetic 
ether, and a considerable quantity of common ethylic ether. Mr. 
Wanklyn has already shown that the direct products of the action 
of sodium on acetic ether are ethylate of sodium and sodium- 
triacetyl. Nothing else seems to be produced directly. But the 
excess of acetic ether, which is necessarily taken, acts on some 
of the ethylate of sodium, producing alcohol and acetate of 
ethylene-sodium, the extent to which this secondary action takes 
place being determined by the exact circumstances of the experi- 
ment. We have, therefore, in the wax-like mass got by pro- 
longing the action of sodium on acetic ether :— 
Ethylate of sodium . .. , C, H; NaO 
Sodium-triacetyl . - . . « . C,H, 0, Na 
Acetate of ethylene-sodium. . . C,H, NaO, 
INEGI! 5 a 5 6 a oa o © CHICO) 
On the first three iodide of ethyl acts, giving iodide of sodium 
and organic liquids. From the ethylate of sodium comes the 
common ether. From the sodium-triacetyl comes ethyl-triacetyl, 
which is A=C, H,, O3, having been got by Geuther from the 
pure sodium-triacetyl. From isolated acetate of ethylene- 
sodium and iodide of ethylene Mr. Wanklyn has recently 
obtained liquid B, Cj, H,g O3. This liquid boiled at 212° C. 
and gave carbonate of baryta with baryta-water, and was 
identical with Frankland and Duppa’s liquid B. By the action 
of liquid A upon ethylate of sodium Geuther has recently 
shown that butyric ether is produced together with acetate of 
ethylene-sodium, and Mr. Wanklyn predicts that liquid B will 
give caproic ether by a similar reaction. 
Royal Geographical Society, December 13, Sir R. Murchi- 
son in the chair. The President made some comments on the re- 
cent letter from Dr. Livingstone, whose return would, he thought, 
very probably be delayed by the exploration of the waters, which 
might prove the head waters of the Congo. The paper of the 
evening was Mr. Hayward’s account of his visit to Eastern 
Turkestan ; a large map constructed by Captain George, from 
NATURE 
-escape suspicion. 
197 
the maps and observations sent home by Mr. Hayward, and two 
views, enlarged from sketches taken by him on the spot, illus- 
trated the paper. Dr. Leitner’s collection of Yarkandi manu- 
factures was also exhibited, and the presence of Niaz Mu- 
hammed, the native of Yarkand, excited much interest. Mr. 
Hayward has carefully fixed all the positions in the maps sent 
home by him, and also sent itineraries, list of mames, 
and plans of towns. He mentioned the valuable pocket arti- 
ficial horizon invented by Captain George, which enabled him to 
Mr. Hayward left Leh Sept. 29, and pro- 
ceeded by the Chang Chennoo Pass, 18,839 feet high, to 
Shadula, in lat. N. 36° 21’ 11”, long. FE. 78° 18’, 360 miles 
from Leh, the frontier fort of Eastern Turkestan, 14,745 feet 
high, which is divided from the dominions of the Maharajah of 
Kashmir by the Karakorumrange. Mr. Shawhad, unknown to Mr. 
Hayward, arrived a few days before. The travellers were de- 
tained while a messenger was sent forward to obtain permission 
for them to enter the country. The opportunity was taken to ex- 
plore the sources of the Yarkand Daria, beyond the Khirgiz 
Pass, 17,095 feet high. From this a view of the Eastem Kucn 
Luen peaks was obtained, 90 miles away, the course of the river 
was traced and positions proved. A new pass, called the Yangi 
Pass, over the Kuen Luen, was observed, and described as prac- 
ticable for horses, and easily made practicable for carriages, and 
even for guns. It is at present exposed to the depredations of 
robbers from Hunza Nagyr, which render it insecure and little 
used. Twenty days were spent in this exploration, and 300 
miles of mountain districts explored. One peak rising to 
25,278 feet, was observed from a spur of Kuen Luen Mountains. 
The source of the Yarkand River, in lat. 35° 37’ 34” N., long. 
7750’ E., was reached on December 8th, At a height of 
16,654 feet above the sea, the cold experienced was intense. The 
thermometer the following morning showed the mercury to haye 
sunk to a level with the bulb, or 18° below zero. Having returned 
to Shadula, he found that permission had come for his advance 
to Yarkand, and started on December 18th to reach that place 
by the Sanju Pass. Mr, Hayward described the Khirgizes, the 
Bedouins of Turkestan, from whom he experienced kindness 
and hospitality, as throughout the country seems to have been 
the case. From Shadula yaks were provided, on which the 
travellers crossed the Sanju Pass. The first village entered was 
Kibriz. The Turhi villages present a comfortable appearance. 
The country is well cultivated, and the people well to do. The 
dress, &c., of the different classes was carefully described. Slaves 
are still owned by some ; but the former slave trade at Yarkand 
has been suppressed by Yakoob Kushbegi. Between Sanju and 
Yarkand a sandy steppe was crossed, the commencement of a 
desert called Tahla Makan Desert, stretching to the east, towards 
the Gobi Desert. Strange legends of former cities, now buried 
in the sand, were related by the Panja Bashi. WVarkand was 
entered on December 27th. It is described as a parallelogram 
of 2 miles by 14, containing 40,000 houses, 120 mosques, and 
120,000 inhabitants. It is defended by mud walls 45 feet high, 
with bastions, and an outlying fort. The ruler of Yarkand, 
Muhammed Yakoob (Kushbegie), ‘‘ Atalih Ghazee” of Eastern 
Turkestan, was at his camp near Kashkar. The governor of the 
city, ‘‘a well-informed, pleasant, well-read man,” received Mr. 
Hayward with much courtesy. A house was assigned him, and 
plentiful supplies furnished him ; but he was not allowed, except 
on visits to the governor, to leave the courtyard of his house 
during the two months he remained in Yarkand. 
February 24th, Mr. Hayward proceeded to Kashkar, which is 
a strong town of 60,000 to 70,000 people, the central point of all 
the Central Asia roads. The next day he was received by the ruler, 
who by his bravery and military talents has raised himself to the 
chief authority over Eastern Turkestan. His character and abilities 
impressed Mr. Hayward so much, that he says, were Central 
Asia undisturbed by foreign pressure, he would be another 
Zenghis Khan. He received the traveller kindly, and spoke of 
his desire for visits from Englishmen, who had been hitherto 
prevented from visiting his country by the Bokhara tragedy. He 
also alluded to the death of Adolph Schlagintweit, but did not 
mention that he had himself killed Hullee Khan, the murderer of 
Schlagintweit, two years ago. Mr. Hayward remained a month 
in Kashkar, vainly hoping to get permission to proceed to the 
Pamir Steppe, but was obliged to abandon the attempt. The 
position of Kashkar was fixed by him at 
City 39° 
INE bp 9 66 One) SP 
and 76° 10’ E, long., at an elevation of 4,165 feet. He concluded 
us) 37 } Ne Jat. 
22/ 
