TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION li. 



581 



hydrolysis of glucosidcs are also capable of act-ng roveisibly in concentrateiJ 

 solutions of the glucoses ; the disaccharides Avhich are thus produced, however, 

 are isomeric, not identical with those noriuaily hydrolysed by the enzymes, and in 

 this respect, therefore, the condensing action of enzymes is comparable with that 

 of concentrated solutions of mineral acids. 



7. The Telhiric Distrihiifion of the Elements in Helntion to their ^^tornir. 

 Weif/ltts.^ /li/'WlLUAM ACKROYD, F.I,C, 



In the (Midf'fivour to arrive at new fac^s respecting the distribution of the 

 elements, the purchasing power of a given sum is taken as an indication of plenty 

 or rarity. Tims four guineas will buv 1 ounc»^ of gold, i- ounces of silver, and 

 t',-'8() ounces of copper ; 188 ounces of sodium, 2() ounces of potassium, 0-065 ounce 

 of rubidium, and 0'029 ounce of ca?sium. In each of these natural groups the 

 rarity of the element, as indicated by such distribution figures, increases with 

 atomic weight, The limitations of the method arc dealt with. 8ome forty -live 

 examples are calculated and tabulated. 



The results of calculations of the absolute telluric distribution of chlorine, 

 bromine, and iodine are also given, as follows: — 



The inverse relation of distribution to atomic mass here is pointed out, and 

 (ilso the remarkable fact that as bromine is intermediate in ma.'s, so also is it 

 intermediate in absolute telluric distribution in this group. 



The cosmical importance of the subject is shown in dealing with the excep- 

 tions — some of the lightest non-metals and the heaviest of metals. The general 

 conclusion is drawn that in the genesis of the elements from protyle less and less 

 atoms of highest mass were evolved, and that the universe became pervaded by 

 ^he greatest quantity of those atoms which have the lowest masses, 



SATURDAT, SEPTEMBflR \:\. 

 The Section did not meet. 



MOXDAY, SEPTEMBEI} 13. 



The following Papers and Ileports were read : — 



1. Oiiv Present Knowledge of Aromatic I)iaf:o-comjwiin(Js\ 

 r>y QiLpKBT Thpmas Morgan, D.Sc, F.I.C.—S^q lleports, p. ISl, 



• Published ip full in the C7iemi:a,l Kctvs, vol. l^xsyi. p. 187, 



