Wellington 'Pliilosopliical Society. 435 



able if cyanide of potassium could ever be profitably substituted for sodium 

 as a preventive to tlie flouring of mercury. Even if there did not seem to 

 'exist tbis affinity of cyanogen for metallic mercury, there is this also to be 

 considered — 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 Neivs, were laid on the table : — 



On the Solubility of Amorphous Silica in Ammonia. 



On the Production of a fragrant volatile Substance from Eesins 

 by Oxydatiou, &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 Pormation of a Series of double Sulphocyanides of certain 

 of the Alkaloids with the Metals Tin, Zinc, Mercury, Molyb- 

 denum, Iron, Platinum, and Grold. 



Mr. Crawford read the following papers, which had been transmitted by 

 Dr. Hector: — 



Eeport on the G-eology of the Country between the Lower Clutha 

 and Mataura Elvers, by John Buchanan, of the Greological 

 Survey Department. (See Greological Survey Eeports, 1868.) 

 Eeport on the G-eology of the Grreat Barrier Island, by Captain 

 F. "W. Hutton. (See G-eological Survey Eeports, 1868.) 



Second Meeting. Itli April, 1868. 

 The Bishop of "Wellington, Yiee-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 

 Grovernors of the New Zealand Institute ; and read the by-law passed by 

 the Council. 



Eesolved, " That the name of the Society be changed, and that it be 

 called henceforth ' The "Wellington Philosophical Society.' " 



Eesolved, "That the Society be incorporated with the New Zealand 

 Institute." 



Eesolved, " 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 Bules Is'os. 1 and 2," 



