1877.] Forms assumed by Drops of Liquids. 501 



Fig. 7. Fig. 8. 



Set 1 of the drawings represents the forms most usually assumed by a drop of mer- 

 cury 3 "76 millims. in diameter falling on a clean glass plate from a height of 

 78 millims. 

 I will speak of variations afterwards. 



Fig. 1. Eays, too numerous to allow of an estimate of their number, shootout from the 

 point of contact. The inner ends of these join, forming a continuous sheet 

 of liquid, in which the upper part of the drop may be seen reflected. 



Fig. 2. The liquid flows from above, over the rays, which shoot out still further. 



Fig. 3. Main rays are seen, apparently symmetrically disposed about the centre, and 

 connected by a thinner sheet of either continuous liquid or very fine rays. 

 Very often drops split ofi" from the ends of the main rays, and were left on 

 the plate in a more or less complete circle. The number of these seemed to 

 have been in most cases 24. Often there was no doubt of this, and some- 

 times there may have been 21 and 28. I have accordingly drawn the figure 

 with 24 rays. 



Fig. 4. The rays, having reached their maximum spread, are overtaken by the liquid, 



which rises in a convex ring and overflows them. 

 Fig. 5 shows the beginning of a transition from 24 rays to 12 arms. The liquid flows 



up and joins the rays in pairs. 

 Fig. 6 shows a later stage of the transition. 

 Fig. 7 shows the drop with 12 arms just beginning. 

 Fig. 8. The liquid begins to contract and feed the arms. 



The stages later than this were described in my previous paper. 



Fig. 1. 



Set 2. 



Fig. 2. 



