Royal Society of Hdinburgh. 137 
property is again illustrated by the conversion of the latter body 
into bicyanide of amylen, 
C,) Hy, Cy, +5Aq; 
by the action of cyanide of potassium in alcoholic solution, the 
nitrite of potash or nitroxide of potassium KNO, being formed at 
the same time. The five equivalents of water are feebly combined. 
An experiment to procure the pimelate of potash from the bicyanide 
of amylen by the action of caustic potash was without result. 
By the action of nitric acid upon the bisulphochloride of amylen 
the nitroxisulphide of nitroxamylen is formed, 
H 
. Gr. NO, SNO,, 
together with a conjugate sulphur acid. 
Finally, when zinc-ethyl and bisulphochloride of amylen are 
brought together in ethereal solution, the chlorine of the latter body 
is replaced by ethyl, and a body formed having the constitution and 
properties of the bisulphide of cenanthyl— 
C,, H,, 8, C, H,; Bisulphethide of amylen, 
or C,, H ) Sg, Bisulphide of cenanthyl, 
A list is given of the compounds hitherto obtained by the action 
of certain compound halogens upon the olefines ethylen and amylen. 
The use of the terms Recomposition, Isotype, Idiotype, are ex- 
plained, and a method given for determining the specific gravity of 
small quantities of liquids, which are heavier than and insoluble in 
water. 
Monday, 1st April 1861—Dr CHRISTISON, 
Vice-President, in the Chair. 
The following Communications were read :— 
1. On the Molecular Theory of Organization. By Professor 
Bennett, M.D., F.R.S.E., &. 
Parodying the celebrated expression of Harvey, viz., Omne animal 
ex ovo, it has been attempted to formularise the law of development 
by the expression omnis cellula e cellula, and to maintain “ that we 
must not transfer the seat of real action to any point beyond the 
cell.’* In the attempts which have been made to support this ex- 
clusive doctrine, and to give all the tissues and all vital properties 
a cell origin, the great importance of the molecular element, it 
seemed to the author, had been strangely overlooked. It becomes 
important, therefore, to show that real action, both physical and 
* Virchow, Eng. Trans. p. 3. 
NEW SERIES.—-VOL. XIV, NO. 1.—JuULY 1861. S 
