28 British Association for the Advancement of Science. 



be substituted in the pier for wood. He believed that this was 

 the only plan, for wherever wood was exposed to the gentle ac- 

 tion of salt water, these crustaceous animals attacked it. They 

 never attacked wood exposed to the more violent action of the 

 wax'-es of the sea. 



The Rev. F. W. Hope stated, that a memoir had been publish- 

 ed on this subject, in the last volmne of the Transactions of the 

 Entomological Society. He had recommended gas tar to be ap- 

 plied over the wood, but as this would require renewing, it would 

 in the end be as expensive as covering the wood with, iron, he 

 should therefore prefer the latter plan. He had heard, that Kya- 

 nized wood was not attacked by white ants, and he thought it 

 might be applied to prevent the attacks of these terebrating ani- 

 mals. These remarks led to a general conversation on the sub- 

 ject of preserving wood from the attacks of insects and Crustacea, 

 as well as the bottoms of vessels from the adhesion of plants. 

 The President observed, that he had seen vessels with tons of 

 algae, polypiferae, and other plants and animals, attached to their 

 bottoms. Experiments were related, and observations made by 

 Messrs. Francis, Hope, and Gray, and Prof. Henslow ; and Mr. 

 Francis was requested by the President to draw up a paper on this 

 important subject, to present to the Association at their next an- 

 nual meeting. Mr. Francis stated, that sap-wood, exposed to the 

 action of chloride of mercury, became as durable and fit for use 

 as the heart- wood. 



Respiration. — Dr. Holland replied, that he had made repeated 

 experiments, and had invariably found that a series of deep inspi- 

 rations did always bring to the lungs a larger quantity of blood 

 than previously existed. The pulse, which before had only been 

 seventy or seventy-five, became eighty-five, and in some cases 

 ninety, and was proportionably debilitated. Setting aside all the- 

 ory, two effects followed — change in the rapidity of the pulse, and 

 in its force. He brought forward a theory to account for these 

 effects. But, letting his own theory alone, it was quite clear that 

 inspiration must have an effect on the circulation. Dr. Carson 

 had also stated that air passed directly into the blood. He had 

 never heard this opinion before. All they were acquainted with 

 was, that air was so inspired that a certain change was effected 

 by it in the blood. By chemical investigation they found that 

 the carbonic acid gas, which was exhaled, existed as carbon pro- 



