1865.] Chemical Science. 737 



which offered the greatest attractions for the chemist, may be par- 

 ticularly mentioned the Glass and Chemical Works of Messrs. Chance, 

 the Phosphorus Works of Messrs. Allbright & Wilson, the Electro- 

 plating Factory of Messrs. Elkington, Mason, & Co., the Birmingham 

 Gas Works, and the Iron and Engineering. Works of Messrs. Lloyds, 

 Fosters, & Co., of Wednesbury, where the process of converting cast- 

 iron into Bessemer-steel was practically demonstrated. The excursion 

 programmes provided ready means of visiting the objects of interest 

 in the surrounding districts, such as the Burton Breweries, Worcester 

 Porcelain Works, and the Potteries and Blast Furnaces of Colebrook 

 Dale and South Staffordshire. Some special points of great interest 

 in connection with the metallurgy of copper were shown at the 

 Stephenson Metal Tube Works, Birmingham, and the effects of heat 

 and pressure upon a variety of mineral substances were well illus- 

 trated in the " Patent Jet " and " Eock Jewellery " Works of Messrs. 

 Dain, Watts, & Manton. The process of effecting the electro- 

 deposition of brass, copper, tin, and other metals were likewise 

 thrown open to inspection. These were, indeed, deemed of sufficient 

 importance to be taken cognizance of by the President in his in- 

 augural discourse, in the course of which, after alluding to the signs 

 of progress manifested in the further development of the metallurgy 

 of magnesium, thallium, lithium, indium, and other rare metals, they 

 were pretty fully described. The exposition of the latest views 

 regarding the chemical theory and nomenclature, and the progress 

 made during the past year in several branches of organic research 

 formed the burden of Dr. Miller's introductory statement. 



The sectional proceedings commenced with the exhibition of a 

 " New Form of Spectrum Apparatus as applied to the Microscope." 

 Mr. H. C. Sorby described the instrument, and proved that by its aid 

 suspected blood-stains on linen fabrics, &c, could be recognized by 

 the production of dark bands occupying positions in the spectrum 

 identical with those furnished by blood itself, seen by indirect vision 

 at the same time in the field of the miscroscope. 



Professor F. A. Abel read a paper, entitled " Notes on the Com- 

 pounds of Copper and Phosphorus," in which he described certain 

 definite combinations of these elements, but particularly referred to 

 the beneficial effects of adding small proportions of phosphorus to 

 melted copper or bronze ; which metals, when so treated and cast 

 in iron moulds, or "chills," offered very great resistance to tensile 

 strain, and seemed applicable to the manufacture of heavy ordnance. 

 Copper alloyed with ' 5 per cent, of phosphorus, supported 38,380 lbs. 

 per square inch, whilst metal in which the proportion of phosphorus 

 was augmented to 1*4 per cent., did not break until the weight 

 amounted to 4.7,000 lbs. on the same area : this result being nearly 

 double that representing the strength of the purest variety of com- 

 mercial copper. In the course of discussion it was stated that the 

 employment of phosphorus in the manufacture of wire for telegraphic 

 cables could not be recommended, since the existence of the merest 

 traces of the phosphide injuriously affected the electric conducting 



