784^ 



The two series of experiments are brought into relation by one wire 

 being immersed in hydrogen and the other in water, by which it 

 appears that the cooling effect of the hydrogen nearly equals that of 

 water. 



Further experiments are then given, in order to ascertain, if possi- 

 ble, to what chemical or physical peculiarity these cooling effects are 

 due ; and from them it appears that they are not due to the specific 

 gravity, specific heat, or to any conducting power of the gases for 

 electricity ; and that they do not follow the same law as that by which 

 gases escape from minute apertures. They apparently depend upon 

 some molecular character of the gases, by which either the inter- 

 change of hot and cold particles is facilitated, or a superficial action 

 takes place, the surface of the hydrogenous gases presenting a more 

 ready escape to the heat, similarly to that which has been long ob- 

 served with regard to the different molecular constitutions of solid 

 bodies, such for instance as the more rapid radiation or absorption 

 of heat by black than by white surfaces, in the present case the 

 epipolic action being dependent on the surface of the aeriform me- 

 dium, and not on that of the solid substances. 



December 21, 1848. 

 The DEAN OF WESTMINSTER, Vice-President, in the Chair. 



A paper was in part read, entitled, Contributions to the Physio- 

 logy of the Alimentary Canal." By W. Brinton, Esq., M.B. Com- 

 municated by R. Bentley Todd, M.D., F.R.S. 



The Society then adjourned over the Christmas recess, to meet 

 again on the 11th of January next. 



January 11, 1849. 



The MARQUIS OF NORTHAMPTON, V.P., in the Chair. 



The reading of a paper, entitled, "Contributions to the Physio- 

 logy of the Alimentary Canal." By W. Brinton, Esq., M.B. Com- 

 municated by R. Bentley Todd, M.D., F.R.S. , -was resumed and 

 concluded. 



The paper consists of two parts, having a real relation to each 

 other, though apparently little connected. 



I. 0/^ the Movements of the Stomach, — The anatomy of its nms- 

 cular coat is first briefly mentioned, and the so-called oblique fibres 

 of some authors stated to be really transverse, i. e. at right angles to 

 the altered direction of the canal. 



The muscular actions of the digesting stomach are then con- 

 sidered. 



