TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS, 55 
with the more or less partial suspension (paralysis) of these vibratory movements, 
and considers that all the endless modifications in the physical and, to a certain 
extent also, chemical deportment of molecules ought mainly and exclusively to be 
referred to paralytic agency ; and by no means, as is commonly maintained on the 
part of our most distinguished experimentalists, to certain alterations in the form 
of atomic grouping. Thus, e. g., Ne Pasteur, in order to explain the phenomena of 
circular polarization, at one time assigns as the primary cause of that property the 
unsymmetrical grouping of the atoms at two opposite regions of the influencing 
molecule; at another time, when discussing the case of chlorate of soda and its 
congeners, which are optically active in the crystalline state, but entirely neutral 
when in solution, he assigns a primary cause very different and even specifically dis- 
tinct from the former, namely, the spiral form of aggregation, which form, being 
destroyed in the act of solution, leaves the individual molecules optically, because 
constitutionally, inactive. The author thinks it unphilosophical to attempt an 
explanation of this class of phenomena, and which are in every respect so identical, 
by means of two first causes, so essentially distinct both in their form and in their 
mode of action (the one being purely mechanical, and the other purely dynamical), 
and believes that circular polarization ought, on the contrary, to be referred, not to 
the existence of chemical, but of physical dissymmetry, and that the reason why 
chlorate of soda loses its optical energy in the act of solution must be sought in the 
varying temperature and the altered state of aggregation, which cooperate in re- 
storing the physical symmetry, while the process of crystallization tends to produce 
the opposite etfect. 
In conclusion, the author states that for the last twelve years he has been en- 
gaged in composing a catalogue of the specific gravities of liquid and solid sub- 
stances; but he regrets to find that, with the most ample resources at his disposal, 
the collection still amounts to so small a fraction, in comparison.with the immense 
number of non-determined substances, that he feels himself justified in urging upon 
the British Association the adoption of some practical measure. 
On Titanium in Iron. By Dr. Ritey. 
This metal, the author observed, appeared in small cubical crystals, and had 
long been observed in blast furnaces used for making the best grey iron. Titanium 
ought no longer to be considered one of the rarer elements, as it occurs very gene- 
rally, and is a constituent of clay. Stourbridge bricks contained at least 1:05 per 
cent. of it. In mining-shales as much as 3 or 4 per cent. have been traced. The 
object of the paper was to show that, under certain conditions, it formed a con- 
stituent part of pig iron, and its presence appeared to have some beneficial effects 
in the manufacture of iron and steel, as it acted somewhat similarly to manganese. 
On Glass*. By R. W. Swuxsourne. 
The paper treated at length on plate, crown, sheet, flint, and bottle glass. It is 
worthy of remark that ordinary window glass was first used in Great Britain for 
architectural purposes at the great monasteries at Monkwearmouth, on the river 
Wear, and at Jarrow, on the Tyne. The venerable Bede, our first ecclesiastical his- 
torian, who flourished at the former place in the seventh century, relates that his 
cotemporary, the Abbot Benedict, sent for artists beyond seas to glaze the Monastery 
of Wearmouth. Such was the change made in their churches by the use of glass 
instead of other and more obscure substances for windows, that the unlettered 
people avowed a belief, which was handed down as a tradition for many genera- 
tions, “that it was never dark in old Jarrow Church.” By a singular comeidence, 
the first manufactory of window or crown glass in Great Britain was established 
at Newcastle-upon-Tyne within a few miles of these monastic establishments. In 
the year 1616, Admiral Sir Robert Maunsell erected glass-works at the Ouseburn, 
Newcastle, which were carried on without interruption till nearly the middle of 
the present century. Crown window glass is no longer made on the Tyne, and as 
an art it is declining everywhere; but the manufacture of sheet glass has of late 
years been most largely increased, and is carried on to a great extent in the ad- 
* This paper was drawn up by the author at the request of the Local Committee. 
