476 



which he took to obtain some of the water for the purpose of 

 bringing it home to England and submitting it to a chemical test. 



" The sea was covered with so brilliant a surface of silver light 

 that we could see to read, and the shadows of ropes, &c. were 

 strongly marked. We sailed through it for about four hours. In 

 one place it had an edge ; and we sailed out of it for nearly half an 

 hour, when we again entered it as abruptly, and finally left it, when 

 the edge of the illuminated part M'as strongly defined. The water 

 was taken up in a clean bucket and put into a carefully cleaned 

 bottle ; about 10° north latitude." 



' As Captain Wilmot's time in England was limited, he left the 

 bottle of sea water with me, and I took the first opportunity of show- 

 ing it to Dr. Faraday, who took it to London with him, and wrote 

 me a note, of which the following is a copy. 



"Royal Institution, September 25th, 1843. 



''Dear Sie, — I have examined the water, and it is peculiar in 

 some points. It contained much sulphuretted hydrogen, and also a 

 portion of solid deposit, which was about one half sulphur and the 

 other half organic matter. There has no doubt been considerable 

 change in the contents of the water, and I cannot now recognise 

 organic forms ; but the presence of the animal matter, the sulphur, 

 and the sulphuretted hydrogen, all agree with the idea that the water, 

 when taken up, was rich in animals or animalcule. 



" I am, Sir, yours very truly, 



" Lieut. Dixo7i, B.N., " M. P'araday." 



&c., 



I remain. Sir, yours very truly, 



Professor Christie, W. Manley Dixon. 



Hoydl Military Academy, Woolwich. 



November SO, 184S. 

 At the Anniversary Meeting, 

 The MARQUIS OF NORTHAMPTON, President, in the Chair. 



Dr. Robert Lee, on the part of the Auditors of the Treasurer's 

 Accounts, reported, that the total receipts during the last year, in- 

 elusive of a balance of 1143/. Ss. 5d., carried from the account of 

 the preceding year, amounted to 4:4^54^1. 1 5s. lOd. ; and that the total 

 payments in the same period amounted to 2460/. 8s. 9d., leaving a 

 balance in the hands of the Treasurer of 1994/. T^. Id. 



The thanks of the Meeting were given to the Auditors for the 

 trouble they have taken in examining the Treasurer's Accounts. 



The thanks of the Meeting were given to the Treasurer. 



The Secretary then read the following lists of deceased Fellows 



