TBANSACTIONS OF SECTION B. 607 



only very rarely in the case of certain ores it is slightly contaminated with iron. 

 Its density is equal to that of ordinary sheet nickel. Its mechanical properties 

 still await investigation. 



As the nickel is deposited in perfectly coherent films upon heated surfaces 

 exposed to the gas containing the nickel carbon oxide, the author finds it possible 

 to produce direct from such gas articles of solid nickel or goods plated with nickel 

 resembling in every way those obtained by galvanic deposition of metals, and 

 reproducing with the same exactitude and fineness any design upon such articles. 



This result can also be obtained by immersing heated articles in a solution 

 of nickel carbon oxide in such solvents as benzole, petroleum, tar oils, &c., or by 

 applying such solution to the heated articles with a brush or otherwise. 



These processes open up a wide perspective of useful application, considering 

 the many valuable properties of nickel, especially its power of resisting atmospheric 

 and other chemical influences. 



4. On the Electrical Evaporation of Metals and Alloys.^ 

 By W. Ckookes, F.B.S. 



5. On the Cause of ImiJerfections in the Surface of Boiled Copper Alloys. 

 By T. TuENER, A.B.S.M. 



In those rolled copper alloys which are of a yellow colour it is common to find 

 surface stains of a copper colour. These stains render the rolled metal unfit for 

 many purposes. The cause of these stains has been much discussed, but no 

 definite eddence as to their origin has been forthcoming. Among the supposed 

 causes have been overheating during annealing, sulphur in the fuel used, the 

 presence of soot or ashes, irregularity in the alloy, and the use of an iron stirring- 

 rod. The author has conducted a number of experiments, and concludes that none 

 of these causes is responsible for the production of the stains observed, but that 

 the stains are merely on the surface, and are produced by dirt in some form or 

 other. ^ The use of wash-water containing chlorides, after pickling, is in the 

 author's opinion the chief cause of the imperfections (see 'Trans. Birmingham 

 PhH. Soc.,' May 1891). 



SATURDAY, AUGUST 22. 

 The Section did not meet. 



3I0NI)AY, AUGUST 24. 



The following Papers were read : — 



1. Certain Pyrometric Measurements and Methods of Becording them. 

 By Professor W. C. Roberts-Austen, C.B., F.B.8. 



2. On the Existence of a Compound in Alloys of Gold and Tin. 

 By A. P. Laurie, M.A. 



The alloys are prepared by melting the metals in a clay ])ipe and drawing iiito 

 the stem. They are then used in place of zinc in a voltaic cell, consisting of 



' See Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1891. 



