5S 



This plate carries the divisions, which are fine dots upon gold discs 

 let into the brass; the scale is divided into inches, and there is one 

 inch to the left of zero, which is subdivided into tenths. The scale 

 is the work of Mr. Uollond. The paper is concluded by an account 

 of the precautions which were taken to ensure the accuracy of the 

 plane surface on which the bar rested, while the comparisons were 

 made with the microscopic apparatus described in the Philosophical 

 Transactions for 1821. The results are given in a table. 



A paper was read, entitled, " An Experimental Examination of 

 the Blood found in the Vena Portse." By James Thackeray, M.D. 

 Communicated by Sir Astley Cooper, Bart. V.P.R.S. 



The author, in the course of an inquiry into the properties of the 

 blood, was led to notice some peculiarities in the contents of the 

 vena portae, and to investigate this subject more minutely. The 

 results of the experiments which he made for this purpose are 

 chiefly the following. The blood contained in the vena portae is 

 darker than that of the other veins, inclining more to a ruddy hue 

 than to the Modena red. Being less homogeneous, it has the ap- 

 pearance of being less perfectly elaborated. Its specific gravity was 

 found to be very variable, but it is in general less than ordinary 

 venous blood. It coagulates much more quickly, and contains a 

 larger proportion of serum, but a much smaller proportion of al- 

 bumen, than blood taken from other veins. The serum obtained 

 from it is redder than common serum, in consequence of its retain- 

 ing much of the colouring matter of the blood : it has also a greater 

 specific gravity, and yields, on exsiccation, a greater weight of solid 

 matter. On the application of heat, it concretes more quickly, but 

 much less completely, than blood from the jugular vein ; which pe- 

 culiarities are attributed by the author to the different state and 

 imperfect formation of the albumen contained in it. The crassa- 

 mentum of the blood from the vena portee does not expel its serum 

 so fully as blood from other vessels; but it remains a soft mass, 

 unless artificial means be employed, and it yields a considerably 

 smaller quantity of fibrin. 



The Ballot for William Snow Harris, Esq., which should have 

 been taken at this Meeting, was postponed to the next Meeting, in 

 consequence of there not being twenty-one Members present. 



The Society then adjourned over Whitsuntide to the 2nd of 

 June. 



June 2. 



Sir ASTLEY COOPER, Bart. V.P., in the Chair. 



William Snow Harris, Esq., and William Wilkins, Esq. R.A., 

 were elected Fellows of the Society. 



The following Presents were received, and thanks ordered for 

 them : — 



