44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



exactly defined conditions ; and the examination which. I have made 

 justifies me in saying that with the same fat, under constant condi- 

 tions, the quantity of volatile acid distilling over is constant within 

 3 to 4 tenths of 1 c.c. deci-normal for each gran) of fat used, provided 

 that not less than 2 or more than 4 grams be taken. 



I may add that the work described was done in January of this 

 year (1886) ; since which time I have had an opportunity of ex- 

 amining several commercial butters by the process, carried out as in 

 Series IV. ; and I have found no sample examined to give more 

 than 4.5 c.c. deci-normal per gram. 



Dr. Ellis read a paper on " Determination of Tannin in 

 Spices, particularly Cloves and Allspice." For this paper see 

 page 214, vol. IV., ante. 



FIFTH MEETING. 



Fifth Meeting, 4th December, 1886, the President in the 

 Chair. 



Exchanges since last meeting, 33. 



D. A O'Sullivan, D.C.L., read the following paper on " The 

 Jurisprudence of Insanity." 



To the law of the land is entrusted the protection of the lives and 

 property of all entitled to seek that protection. It professes to be 

 no respecter of persons, but it is obliged, nevertheless, to take notice 

 of certain states and conditions which may be regarded as exceptions 

 to the general rule. The first and second childishness, the reason 

 impaired by abuse or defective from natural causes, and the various 

 forms of mental unsoundness, exact a share of the law's protection 

 under the exceptional class of cases referred to. When we consider 

 that one person in every three or four hundred is unfit to take care 

 of himself or his property, it becomes evident that the law frequently 

 finds itself confronted by a very large class of cases requiring a dis- 

 play of the nicest discrimination, while each case unfortunately is 

 almost always useless as a guide for the next instance that may pre- 

 sent itself. When in every day life, as we are assured, very many 



