British Association. 291 
classes, no first-class goods being made here. The principal markets, in 
addition to the local trade, are the Danish, Norwegian, German, Mediter- 
ranean, and London, for exportation to the colonies.. The trade to the 
United States being so very small from here, the American war has affected 
this district less than any other. 
‘“‘ On the Presence of a Salt of Baryta in Colliery Water.”? By Dr T. 
RicHARDSON. 
“ On the Oxidation of (@) Hexylie Alcohol.” By Professor Wanxuyn. 
“ On some Results of Experiments on Lucifer Matches and others 
ignited by Friction,” By Professor ApeL.—Having mentioned the com- 
ponents, which chiefly consisted of ordinary phosphorus and gum or glue 
as a binding material, he went on to notice the possible causes of accident 
in the transport of matches. The result of experiments proved that no 
degree of heat to which, under all ordinary circumstances, matches were 
likely to be exposed in their transport or otherwise, would suffice to lead 
to their spontaneous ignition. It was quite within the range of possibility, 
however, that on board ship continuous concussion, combined with a 
degree of heat, might bring about accidental ignition of matches, while it 
might be granted that the accidental ignition of one or two boxes in 
securely-closed cases might frequently occur almost without a possibility 
of fear of it spreading to other boxes. A knowledge of the causes of the 
accidental ignition of gunpowder and other explosives rendered it advisable 
that such precautionary measures as were obvious and easily observed 
should be attended to in the shipment of matches, with the view of reduc- 
ing such occurrences to the minimum extent. Some of those steps he 
specified. The first was the appropriation of a place for the reception 
of such packages, distinct from all other merchandise. Secondly, The 
efficient ventilation of that part of the vessel in which matches were 
stowed. Thirdly, The enforcement of rules to prevent fire being brought 
by sailors within the vicinity of the matches. Fourthly, The carefully 
packing of the match-boxes into cases, so as to prevent any independent 
motion. And, jifthly, The bestowal of more uniform attention on the pro- 
duction of stout and sufficiently stable match-boxes. 
Dr Pauvt believed a considerable proportion of the matches now used 
were dipped with parafine—a substitute for the sulphur that was origi- 
nally used, and the resinous coating that had been applied tothem. The 
effect was very advantageous. Parafine matches ignited readily. There 
was no smell from them, and they were otherwise preferable. 
** On a New.Gas Furnace for Scientific and Practical Purposes.” By 
Mr G, Gore. 
‘¢ On Disinfectants.” By Mr H. B. Conny. 
“ Report of the Committee on Gun-Cotton.”—Dr Guapstonr read the 
chemical portion of the report. It stated that during the year the com- 
mittee had been put in possession of the fullest information on the 
subject, by Baron William Von Leuk, Major-General of the Austrian 
Artillery, who was the inventor of the system by which gun-cotton was 
made available for warlike purposes; and Professor Abel, chemist of 
the War Department, by permission of the Secretary of State for War, 
had communicated to them the information given by the Austrian 
Government to the Government of this country. The committee had 
made no experiments themselves. The subject might naturally be di- 
vided into two conditions—the chemical and mechanical. Taking the 
chemical first, that department included the manufacture of the gun- 
cotton itself, its liability or non-liability to spontaneous combustion, and 
