[ 1*2 ] 



X. 



AWARD OF THE BOTT.E MEDAL TO PROFESSOR JOHN JOLY, 

 M.A, ScD., F.R.S., 1911.1 



In recommending tlie award of the Boyle Medal to Professor John Joly, tlie 

 Science Committee direct attention to the very wide range of subjects covered 

 by Dr. Joly's researches, as well as to the general excellence of liis work. 

 His researches deal with various branches of Physics, Geology, Mineralogj', 

 Botany, and Biological Theory ; and in several of these widely different 

 subjects be has enriclied our laboratories with accurate instruments of 

 research. 



In 1886 Joly published tlie method of condensation in calorimefry, and 

 applied it by means of his steam calorimeter to the investigation of the 

 specific heats of [minerals, attaining an accuracy previously impossible. By 

 means of the same method he was shortly afterwards enabled to determine 

 the specific heats of gases at constant volume, and so solved by experiment a 

 problem of tlie liighest importance in molecular tlieory. 



By means of another instrument, the meldometer, also invented by himself, 

 Joly determined tlie fusion points of a large series of minerals, and showed 

 how the same instrument was of value in carrying out the reactions of pyro- 

 chemistry at known temperatures with greater certainty and delicacy than by 

 the use of the blowpipe. By an original metliod he determined the volume 

 change of certain rocks and minerals on fusion, and so contributed accurate 

 knowledge of importance in geological physics. His invention of the 

 incandescent electric furnace has also provided an instrument of much 

 usefulness, having many applications in physical and geological investigation. 



In a paper on the origin of the Canals of Mars, Joly advanced a phj'sical 

 theory accounting for the linear markings on the planet, referring them to 

 the gravitational effects of satellites moving close to its surface. 



By the application of the theories of colour-vision in 1896, he invented 

 and elaborated a method of colouv-pliotography by which he rendered it 



' The presentation was made at the Scientiho Meeting of the Royal Dublin Sooietj', held on the 

 25th April, 1911, when the medal was handed to Professor Joly by the chairman (Sir Howard Grubb, 

 p,K.s.). 



