511 



illustrate the absorbing power of a stream of fluid, whether issuing 

 from the open orifice of a reservoir, or flowing through rigid tubes. 

 The eff'ects of this power are seen in the position of the fluid con- 

 tained in a vertical tube open at both ends, placed within the reser- 

 voir, and of which one end is brought within the influence of the 

 eflBuent stream ; and also, when one end of a bent tube is brought 

 into the stream issuing from the open orifice of a reservoir, while 

 the other end is immersed in a coloured fluid. The author accounts 

 for the intermitting or pulsatory character of the jet issuing from an 

 open horizontal pipe, having a small hole on the upper side, by the 

 introduction of air, which, accumulating from time to time, forms a 

 bubble, which when it has attained a certain size, occasions an 

 obstruction to the free passage of the liquid, until the obstacle is 

 overcome by increased pressure from behind, and the jet then re- 

 sumes its former velocity. These changes occurring periodically, 

 give rise to the appearance of pulsation which is observed in these 

 circumstances. 



May 23, 1844. 

 ROBERT BROWN, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 



1. "Meteorological Register kept at the Master Attendant's 

 Oflfice, Trincomalee, between the 1st of September, 1843, and the 

 29th of February, 1844." By Joseph Higgs, Master Attendant. 

 Communicated by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 



2. " On the supposed Properties of the Electric and Magnetic 

 Fluids." By W. F. Stevenson, Esq., F.R.S. 



The author is of opinion that electricity is a single undecom- 

 posable fluid, and that the distinction usually made into vitreous 

 and resinous, or positive and negative electricities, is derived alto- 

 gether from the direction of its motion and the circumstances under 

 which it is presented ; and, according as it is found on a conducting 

 or non-conducting body, it is positive in the former case and nega- 

 tive in the latter. The quality of the electricity is, according to the 

 author, modified by the form of the conducting body, which, when 

 globular, opposes its escape ; but, Avhen pointed, facilitates its pas- 

 sage in a current. He considers the magnetic fluid as obeying the 

 same law as the electric fluid, that is, moving in a current, which 

 when aided, and not interrupted, will always be found positive, or 

 having a north pole, at that end of the conductor or magnet where 

 the fluid is escaping ; and negative, or with a southern polarity, at the 

 opposite extremity. 



3. " De I'Education des Animaux ; faisant suite a I'ouvrage publie 

 en 1842, et qui a pour titre Es-ai sur I'Education des Animaux." 

 Par St. Leonard de Lille, Membre de diverses Societes scientifiques, 

 et de I'Athenee des Arts de Paris, et son Employe des Finances. 

 Premiere partie de ITnstitut et de ITntelligence, Education et Civi- 

 lisation. Communicated by J. F. Daniell, Esq., For. Sec. R.S. 



