TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 



31 



Its homologous variation produces the different members of each series ; thus in 

 the acetic series we have — 



Its heterologous variation, on the other hand, gives rise to the different series of 

 acids, of which the acetic, lactic, and acrylic series are examples. In the acetic 

 series the basylous constituent is always either methyl or an alcohol radical, derived 

 from methyl (except in formic acid, where it is hydrogen). In the lactic series it 

 is an alcohol radical, derived from methyl, in which one of the typical atoms of 

 hydrogen is replaced by hydroxyl (OH) ; whilst in the acrylic series it is a similar 

 alcohol radical, in which two of the typical atoms of hydrogen are replaced by a 

 diatomic member of the olefiant gas family. The relations of these three series of 

 acids to each other and to methyl maj^ therefore be thus simply expressed: — 



cA 



H 



II 

 H 



II 

 H 

 II 



Methyl. 



Acetic series. Lactic series. Acrylic series. 







H 

 H 



:h 



o 



OH 



0, 



H 



II 



OH 







OH 



J 



II 



OIL 



a l o~ 



I OH 



Acetic acid. Glyeollic acid. Acrylic acid. 



On the Sanitary and Economical Aspects of the Sewage Question. 

 By Dr. Hill [Borough Analyst, Birmingham?) 



The author stated that his attention had been drawn to this subject by examina- 

 tions he had made of the well- and river-water of Birmingham, and the immediate 

 neighbourhood. After many examinations, he considered that the water in ques- 

 tion was generally contaminated with foreign matter, frequently organic matter, 

 and resulted, as he believed, from the present system of sewage removal. Samples 

 of water of the town yielded various quantities of solid matter, varying, in fact, 

 from 12 grains per gallon to 30, 40. or even in one instance, to 260 grains per gal- 

 lon. The principal constituents of the solid matter were salts of lime, magnesia, 

 and soda, together with organic matter. He had not used the permanganate test 

 for organic matter, but adopted the usual process of incineration, and found that 

 his results showed in some instances the presence of 65 grains of organic matter 

 and volatile salts per gallon. In the course of the process large quantities of nitrous 

 funics were evolved. With respect to rivers, he had examined the waters of two 

 rivers near whore they united. Sewage matter entered one of them near their 

 junction : and he was enabled to ascertain the effect of sewage matter upon the 

 water. Before the entrance of the sewage, he found 1*3 grain per gallon of organic 

 ma1 ter, and after admixture he found 12 grs. of organic matter. The author argued 

 that the present water-closet system was entirely wrong, and that we ought to 

 resort to the old method of cesspools, and then have the solid matters removed 

 direct to the land. 



On the Results of Agricultural Experiments made in 1864. 

 By Dr. Stevexsox Macadam, F.B.S.E., F.C.S. 

 The experiments referred to were undertaken at the author's suggestion by agricul- 

 turists in Roxburghshire, and form one of the first series of field experiments carried 

 on in a systematic manner in Scotland. Twelve different mammal mixtures were 

 used in the trials, and formed a set of experiments, whilst ten farmers made arrange- 

 ments for carrying out the experiments in the field. The nianurial mixtures em- 

 ployed consisted of Peruvian guano, phosphatic guano, phospho-guano, bone-ash, 



