126 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
der Kraft') published in 1847, has extended most ingeniously the 
application of the principle of “ conservation ” through the whole 
range of physics, bringing out, from the principles already stated 
in this discourse, the explanation of electrodynamic induction, &c., 
besides various laws of transformation of energy, already empirically 
determined from experiment. 
[The lecturer then performed an extensive series of experiments, 
involving transformations of various forms of energy, pointing out in 
each case the separate portions into which the original energy was 
broken up. It is not necessary to describe these experiments here.] 
It will be seen that in all these experiments heat has been 
pointed out as the ultimate form taken by the original energy. 
This is a general law of nature, — All energy ultimately becomes heat. 
Also heat, by conduction, radiation, or convection, tends ultimatel}" 
to be uniformly diffused through the matter in the universe ; and 
when uniformly diffused, cannot be made available for the produc- 
tion of any other form of energy, since, for the transformation of 
heat into any other form of energy, bodies of different temperatures 
are required. Uniformly diffused heat, then, as far as we can see 
at present, is the inevitable ultimate transformation of all the 
energy, potential or kinetic, in the universe. 
[The lecturer went on to consider at some length the gravitation 
theory of the origin of the sun’s energy, and various connected 
subjects, which are to a certain extent already popularised.] 
2. On Fagnani’s Theorem. By H. F. Talbot, LL.D. 
3. On the Theory of Parallel Lines. By H. F. Talbot, LL.D. 
The following Address to His Eoyal Highness the Prince 
of Wales was adopted, and ordered to be forwarded to the 
Duke of Argyle for presentation 
TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES. 
May it please your Royal Highness , — 
We, the President and Fellows of the Eoyal Society of Edin- 
burgh, desire humbly to approach your Eoyal Highness with the 
expression of our dutiful and heartfelt congratulations on your 
Eoyal Highness’s marriage. 
