106 Proceedings of the 
the first surface AB. There is a double film of “ viscid water” 
isolated between two ice surfaces colder than itself. The former 
equilibrium is now destroyed. The films AB6a and A'B'&V were 
kept in a liquid or semi-liquid state by the heat communicated to 
them by the perfect water beyond. That is now removed*, and the 
film in question has ice colder than itself on both sides. Part of 
the sensible heat it possesses is given to the neighbouring strata 
which have less heat than itself, and the intercepted film of water in 
the transition state becomes more or less perfect ice. 
£S Even if the second surface be not of ice, provided it be a bad con- 
ductor, the effect is practically the same. For the film of water is 
robbed of its heat on one hand by the colder ice, and the other badly- 
conducting surface cannot afford warmth enough to keep the water 
liquid. 
“ This effect is well seen by the instant freezing of a piece of ice to 
a worsted glove even when on a warm hand. But metals may act 
so, provided they are prevented from conveying heat by surrounding 
them with ice. Thus, as has been shown, metals adhere to melting 
ice.” 
Edinburgh, 19th April 1858. 
The following Donations to the Library were announced 
Monthly Return of the Births, Deaths, and Marriages, registered 
in the eight principal towns of Scotland, with the causes of 
Death, at four periods of Life, March 1858. — From the 
Registrar- General. 
Supplement to the Monthly Returns of Births, Deaths, and 
Marriages. Year 1857. — From the Registrar-General. 
Monatsbericht der Kbniglichen Preuss Akademie der Wissenschaften 
zu Berlin. Sept., Oct., Nov., Dec. 1857. 8vo. — From the 
Berlin Academy. 
The American Journal of Science and Art. March 1858, 8vo. — 
From the Editors. 
of a temperature which may slightly exceed 32°. By similar reasoning, a 
small body of ice, inclosed in a large mass of water, will preserve its proper 
internal temperature below 32°; but, instead of regelation taking place, the 
surface is being gradually thawed. This is the case contemplated in the pa- 
ragraph of the text to which this note refers.]” 
N.B . — The words in brackets were added to this note during printing. 13 th 
Mag 1858. J. D. F. 
