6 



in dropsical affections, as has hitherto been the practice, the patient 

 is subjected to the narcotic influence of the sparteine, as well as to 

 the diuretic effects of the scoparine, a result which in general is not 

 likely to be desirable. The author does not, however, think it is at 

 all necessary to employ chemically pure scoparine for medical pur- 

 poses. If a decoction of broom be evaporated to dryness on the 

 water-bath, then treated with a little dilute hydrochloric acid, the 

 mixture thrown upon a filter and washed with a small quantity of 

 cold water, almost the whole of the sparteine will be removed, and 

 the dark green gelatinous mass remaining on the filter will be found 

 to possess the diuretic without the narcotic properties of the plant. 



December 19, 1850. 

 SIR BENJAMIN C. BRODIE, Bart., Vice-President, in the Chair. 

 Captain Lefroy, R.A., was admitted into the Society. 



The following communication received from Professor Hermann 

 Schlagintweit was read : — 



" Results of Observations on the Distribution of Temperature in 

 the Alps." 



1. The greatest irregularities and the most considerable local in- 

 flexions of isothermals are observed at the lower heights. 



2. Generally speaking, the depression of temperature is also very 

 sensible at stations in the Alps when proceeding from south to north ; 

 and the eastern parts are colder than the western. One degree of 

 latitude produces in the plain of Lombardy a difference of tem- 

 perature amounting to 0°*7 C. In the interior parts of the Alps the 

 difference is 0°'5 to 0°-6 C. 



3. If we consider the isothermal lines on a longitudinal profile of 

 the Alps, we find that their forms show some connexion with the 

 mean elevation of the different parts of the Alps. The isothermals 

 rise where the mean elevation is greater ; they sink at the borders 

 and on smaller groups. This convexity of the isothermal lines in the 

 centre of the Alps is still more considerable if we represent by them 

 the temperature of the earth, since the latter is still more intimately 

 connected with the mass of the mountains, with the insulation and 

 radiation of the rocky substance ; whilst for the temperature of the 

 air, differences of that kind are more eliminated by its mobility. 



4<. The vertical distances of two isothermals are the greatest near 

 the base of the Alps, attain afterwards a minimum, and become in 

 the higher parts again a little greater. The position of the minimum 

 takes place in the Northern Alps and the group of the St. Gothard 

 at nearly 6000 French feet ; in the central parts at nearly 7000 ; for 

 the group of Mont Blanc it seems to be at a still greater elevation. 



5. The height corresponding to a depression of temperature of 



