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that an enormous saying might be effected in the present consumption of 
pipe water; so that the spring-well water of the several St. Patrick’s 
well districts, as well as that of other ancient well districts in Dublin, 
might become a great supply of water in aid of that now derived from the 
Dodder and the Grand and Royal Canals; and the present demand for 
good drinking water, and water for other purposes, in a great measure, 
locally, if not generally, met, simply and economically, by the public uti- 
lization of the spring-well water of Dublin. 
Lord Talbot de Malahide exhibited a peculiarly shaped stone hammer, 
found at Glencoy, county of Antrim. 
Mr. W. R. Wilde exhibited two drawings, representing celts with 
handles, taken from sculptures on stones near Vannes, Britany. 
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1860. 
James Henruorn Topp, D. D., President, in the Chair. 
Joun Kets Ineram, LL. D., was elected Secretary to the Council, in 
the room of the Rev. J. H. Jellett, resigned ; and James Haughton, Esq., 
was elected a Member of the Academy. 
Dr. Rosert M‘Donne tt read a paper— 
ON THE FORMATION OF SUGAR AND AMYLOID SUBSTANCE IN THE ANIMAL 
ECONOMY. 
Ar the meeting of the Academie des Sciences held on the 23rd of March, 
1857, Professor Bernard read a memoir upon the physiological mecha- 
nism of the formation of sugar in the liver. In this communication he 
announced the discovery of a particular substance formed by the liver, 
readily changed into sugar in the presence of certain ferments, and 
hence named by him ‘‘ glucogenic matter.’ He asserted that in ani- 
mals fed exclusively on meat, the liver, to the exclusion of all other or- 
gans in the body, possessed the power of making this substance, a non- 
azotised compound, analogous to starch, and, like it, convertible into 
sugar. ; 
Hensen, somewhat prior to Bernard, and quite independently of him, 
had isolated this substance, the discovery of which, without doubt, con- 
stitutes one of the most important facts of animal physiology. Its dis- 
covery excited a very lively interest in the scientific world ; and physio- 
logists have since very warmly discussed the following questions regard- 
ing it :— 
1st. Has the liver the power of forming it from azotized compounds ? 
2nd. Is the liver endowed with the function of converting it into 
sugar during life and health? 
8rd. Has the liver the exclusive privilege of forming it, or is it met 
with in other tissues and organs? 
R. I. A. PROC.—VOL, VII. 2B 
