989 



differences existing between them in certain properties, the disco* 

 very and investigation of which is of the last importance for the 

 theory of liquid diffusion. 



HydrocTilorates of Morphine and Strychnine. — Time of diffusion 

 11'43 days. The quantity diffused was determined from the chlo- 

 rine, which was precipitated as chloride of silver in an acid solution. 



These two analogous salts appear to approach very closely in dif- 

 fusibility. 



Diffusion from 2 per cent, solutions at (S^^'X ; two cells: — 



Hydrochlorate of morphine 11*60 100 



Hydrochlorate of strychnine .... 11 "49 99'05 



The diffusion of these salts of organic bases in 11*43 days, is ex- 

 ceeded by the diffusion of chloride of ammonium or potassium in 

 5*71 days, or half the former time. The vegeto-alkalies appear 

 thus to be divided from ammonia and potash. 



12. " On the Mutual Relations of the Vital and Physical Forces." 

 By William B. Carpenter, M.D., F.R.S. &c. 



The purpose of the author in this communication is to show that 

 the same kinds of "Correlation" as has been pointed out by Prof. 

 Grove to exist among the physical forces. — light, heat, electricity, 

 magnetism, chemical affinity, and mechanical motion, — exists also 

 between these forces and those which operate in the development of 

 living beings, and in the production of all their vital actions. 



1. In some introductory remarks, the author briefly recapitulates 

 the leading ideas which have been entertained by physiologists with 

 respect to the relations between the physical and vital forces ; and 

 states it to be the doctrine at present in vogue, that vital forces are 

 the manifestations of the dormant properties of organized structures, 

 called into activity by the physical forces which operate as stimuli. 



2. He then examines into the mutual relations of the several vital 

 forces ; and adduces facts and arguments to prove that the forces of 

 assimilation, organization, chemico-vital transformation, and histo- 

 logical transformation, which are concerned in the development and 

 maintenance of living organisms, are so many modes of one and the 

 same vital force, whose most general operation is seen in cell-forma- 

 tion. And he then goes on to show that the production of the ner- 

 vous and muscular forces, and of ciliary movement, are due to the 

 same agency. Lastly, he points out that the nervous force, origi- 

 nating in one act of cell-formation, can in its turn influence other 

 acts of the same kind, and can thus modify every other kind of vital 

 operation. Whence he concludes that all these vital forces are 

 " correlated." 



3. The author then investigates the relations of the vital and 

 physical forces to each other. Taking the nervous force as the most 

 characteristic example of the former, he shows that it is correlated 

 to electricity, heat, light, chemical affinity, and mechanical motion. 

 He then endeavours to prove that the same correlation exists be- 

 tween heat and the organizing forces ; so that the latter may be con- 



