Wellington Philosophical Society. 435 
able if cyanide of potassium could ever be profitably substituted for sodium 
as a preventive to the flouring of mercury. Even if there did not seem to 
exist this affinity of cyanogen for metallic mercury, there is this also to be 
eonsidered—that the sodium puts the mercury in an electro-positive state, 
thus increasing its affinity for gold; while the effects of cyanide of potas- 
sium appear to be entirely confined to its property of keeping the surface of 
mercury bright. - 
Copies of the following papers, which had been forwarded by Mr. Skey 
for publication in the London Chemical News, were laid on the table :— 
On the Solubility of Amorphous Silica in Ammonia. 
On the Production of a fragrant volatile Substance from Resins 
by Oxydation, &c. 
On the Absorption of Arsenic, Arsenious and Tungstic Acids, 
from Solution, by Charcoal. 
On the Coagulation and Precipitation of Clay from Water by 
neutral Salts generally. 
On the Formation of a Series of double Sulphocyanides of certain 
of the Alkaloids with the Metals Tin, Zine, Mereury, Molyb- 
denum, Iron, Platinum, and Gold. 
Mr. Crawford read the following papers, which had been transmitted by 
Dr. Hector :— 
Report on the Geology of the Country between the Lower Clutha 
and Mataura Rivers, by John Buchanan, of the Geological 
Survey Department. (See Geological Survey Reports, 1868.) 
Report on the Geology of the Great Barrier Island, by Captain 
F. W. Hutton. (See Geologieal Survey Reports, 1868.) 
Seconp Mrerine. 7th April, 1868. 
The Bishop of Wellington, Vice-President, in the chair. 
The Chairman explained the course that would have to be adopted to 
obtain the incorporation of the Society, under the rules adopted by the 
Governors of the New Zealand Institute; and read the by-law passed by 
the Council. due 
Resolved, * That the name of the Society be changed, and that it be 
called henceforth ‘The Wellington Philosophical Society.’ " 
Resolved, “That the Society be incorporated with the New Zealand 
Institute." 
Resolved, “ That the Chairman of this meeting and the Secretary of the 
Society be authorized to sign and forward to the Governors of the Institute 
the certificate required under Rules Nos. 1 and 2," 
