1888. ] Recalescence of Steel, and allied Phenomena. 179 
When solidification does take place, there is a rise in tempera- 
ture and as the point of solidification is above red heat, the button 
reglows or flashes, as it is called. The explanation is obvious, 
though it is not clear why a trace of lead should make such 
marked differences. 
The chances for explanation of the recalescence of steel by 
reference to surfusion are as little promising as those by reference 
to chemical action. 
(2) On the Method of Measuring Surface Tension by observa- 
tions of the form of liquid drops. By H. L. CALLenpar, B.A, 
Trinity College. 
(3) On the arrangement of electrified cylinders when attracted 
by an electrified sphere. By JAMES MoncKMAN, (D.Sc. London), 
Downing College. 
At the suggestion of Professor Thomson I have endeavoured 
to solve experimentally the question of distribution of a number 
of electrified cylinders parallel to each other when acted upon by 
an electrified sphere placed above them. 
The simplest thing would be to place a metallic cylinder such 
as a wire, or knitting needle, through a flat piece of cork or wood, 
and leaving one portion sufficiently long to cause the other to 
rise vertically out of the water. This plan however does not 
succeed. Firstly because there is sufficient attraction between 
water and cork to draw the floats into sets of two or more and to 
hold them together, when once they approach nearer than a 
certain point; secondly they move too slowly through the water; 
thirdly, whenever any considerable portion of the float is above 
the water, the electricity upon it causes serious disturbances, and 
when the portion giving buoyancy is a central mass with a 
cylinder of high specific gravity passing through it, we find that 
it is almost impossible to regulate the weight so as to sink the 
float without sending the whole to the bottom of the water. 
Finding that this was so, I decided that the portion below 
the water should be of metal, the portion out of the water as 
light as possible, and the float globular and of glass. After several 
attempts an article has been made (fig. a) which acts fairly 
well. It consists of a shawl-pin about two inches long pushed 
through a small disc of lead, then through a thin globular glass 
bead of about half an inch diameter. This is made water-tight 
by means of wax. The pin is then pushed through a second 
smaller bead and waxed, the point projecting about a quarter of 
an inch. Upon this is fixed the stick of a match previously 
