313 



2. By exposing oxygen to the repeated discharges from 

 an electrical battery. 



3. Slow combustion (as of phosphorus) furnishes ozone. 



4. Light develops ozone in certain liquids. 



Prof. Barker then explained the effects of ozone on the 

 mucous membranes ; as a bleaching agent ; as a disinfectant ; 

 its effects are exceedingly powerful and active. 



He then showed the tests for detecting its presence in 

 the air, by which the minutest traces may be discovered. 



Many mysterious phenomena may perhaps be explained 

 by the presence or absence of this agent. In times of 

 cholera, a deficiency in this element has been observed ; 

 influenza, a painful affection of the mucous membrane, may 

 be accounted for by its superabundance; the souring of 

 milk by a thunder storm is doubtless due to the action of the 

 ozone which has been developed ; the bleaching of cloth by 

 exposure to the air, is due to the same agent. 



Dr. Barker's statements were fully and beautifully illus- 

 trated with experiments. He closed his communication by 

 a reference to a new theory, very recently advanced, to 

 account for the phenomena of ozone, a theory which had 

 not as yet received a complete demonstration. 



On motion, the Institute then adjourned. 



May 19, 1863. 



The president, Mr. Pruyn, presided. 



The following donations were announced : 



Historical Collections of the Essex Institute, Feb., 1863. 



40th Annual Report of the Mercantile Library Associa- 

 tion, Philadelphia, 1863. 



Transactions of the St. Louis Academy of Sciences. 



The paper for the evening was read by Prof. Bradish of 

 the Michigan University, on Landscape Gardening as one 

 of the Fine Arts. 



After giving some account of the development of gar- 

 dening as an art in different countries, and of the different 

 schools of the art, Prof. Bradish proceeded to develop 

 some of the principles which are applicable to it. 



