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Mr. J. A. Phillips on the Composition and [Jan. 30, 



timing within the reach of ordinary musicians ; for this purpose the 

 theory and practice are reduced to their simplest forms. 



A notation is described, adapted to use with ordinary written music, 

 by which the notes to be performed are clearly distinguished. 



The design of a key-board is described, by which any system of tuning, 

 except the ordinary equal temperament, can be controlled, if only the 

 fifths of the system be all equal. The design is on a symmetrical 

 principle, so that all passages and combinations of notes are performed 

 with the same handling, in whatever key they occur. 



The theory of the construction of scales is then developed, and a 

 diagram is given, from which the characteristics of any required system 

 can be ascertained by inspection. 



An account is then given of the application of such systems to the new 

 key-board, and particularly of an harmonium which has been constructed 

 and contains at present the division of the octave into fifty-three equal 

 intervals in a complete form. Rules for tuning are given. 



Finally, the application of the system of fifty-three to the violin is 

 discussed. 



Throughout the work of former labourers in the same field is re- 

 viewed : the obligations of the writer are due to Helmholtz, the late 

 General T. Perronet Thompson, F.R.S., and others. 



III. " On the Composition and Origin of the Waters of a Salt Spring 

 in Hnel Seton Mine, with a Chemical and Microscopical 

 examination of certain Rocks in its vicinity." By J. Arthur 

 Phillips, Mem. Inst. C.E. Communicated by Professor 

 Ramsay, F.R.S. Received December 12, 1872. 



(Abstract.) 



Huel Seton Copper-Mine is situated about one mile north-east of the 

 town of Camborne, Cornwall, and is distant from the sea, on the north 

 coast, a little more than three miles. 



The workings of Huel Seton are entirely in " killas," or clay-slate, and 

 the saline waters issue at the rate of 50 gallons per minute, and at a 

 temperature of 92° P., from the eastern fore breast of the 160-fathom 

 level. This has intersected a fault, or cross course, which may be traced 

 in a northerly direction to the sea. The temperature of the level from 

 the end of which the water issues, like that of the water itself, is 92° P. 

 The following results, in grammes per litre and grains per gallon, were 

 obtained by analysis. Sp. gr. 1-0123. Total solid contents 14-3658 

 grammes per litre, or 1005-61 grains per gallon. 



