172 



Fossil Reptilia. Metallurgy of Bismuth. [Nov. 24, 



II. " Researches on the Structure, Organisation, and Classifica- 

 tion of the Fossil Reptilia. Part III. On Parts of the 

 Skeleton of a Mammal from Triassic Rocks of Klipfontein, 

 Fraserberg, South Africa (Tlieriodesmus phylarchus, Seeley), 

 illustrating the Reptilian Inheritance in the Mammalian 

 Hand." By H. G. Seeley, F.R.S., Professor of Geography 

 in King's College, London. Received October 24, 1887. 



(Abstract.) 



The author describes a slab showing impressions of the fore-limb 

 and some other bones of the skeleton, which indicate a plantigrade 

 animal as large as a wolverine. Its general affinities are with flesh- 

 eating types. The humerus approximates to that of Thylacinus. The 

 ulna and radius at their proximal ends are like those of Lemuroids 

 and Carnivores, but the forms of the distal articulations are different. 

 The carpus appears to include three central bones. Part of one of 

 the digits appears to have V»een lost and renewed. The animal is 

 regarded as a primitive type which cannot be placed in any ordinal 

 group which has been defined. 



III. " Further Contributions to the Metallurgy of Bismuth." By 

 Edward Matthey, F.S.A., F.C.S., Assoc. Roy. Sch. Mines. 

 Communicated by Professor G. G. Stokes, P.R.S. Re- 

 ceived October 20, 1887. 



§ 3. Bismuth : its Separation from Copper. — In the paper upon this 

 interesting metal, which I had the honour of bringing under tbe 

 notice of the Royal Society in February last, I referred to the diffi- 

 culties with which the treatment of bismuth is surrounded when 

 associated with other metals — by any very rapid or comprehensive 

 process. 



During the conduct of my operations in the reduction of bismuth 

 from its ores, and its subsequent refining, I have frequently found 

 this metal to contain a small proportion of copper, an element most 

 detrimental even in small traces, and hitherto I believe, only elimi- 

 nated by a wet process, costly in practice and tedious in operation. 

 It is necessary by such method to dissolve up the whole of the alloy 

 and precipitate the bismuth in the usual manner — a bulky operation, 

 and one requiring a considerable amount of time. It became therefore 

 advisable, in order to treat cupreous bismuth rapidly and upon a 

 commercial scale, to effect this separation, if possible, by means of 

 a dry process. 



In this I have succeeded. 



