QUEENSLAND 
PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 
(From the Queensland Guardian, November 13, 1865.) 
The following interesting Paper on the above 
iubject was r^ad by Hr. Waugh at the last 
meeting of the Queensland Philosophical 
Society : — 
A ray of common white (solar) light, when 
broken up by transmission through a prism, 
presents to the naked eye nothing more than the 
rain-bow of colors, with which all are familiar ; 
but if, by means, of a telescope arranged as in the 
instrument shown, this spectrum be closely 
examined, certain dark hues, of various 
breadth and intensity, are seen extending 
across it always in the same position. Theso 
were first .observed, or at least described, by 
Wollaston and by Fraunhofer of Munich, in 
1814, and the principal ones noted by the 
latter, as A, B, C, &c., to the number of seven. 
These hues were, at 1 hat time, estimat d to 
amount to about 600, but since then have been 
observed in much greater numbers. They are 
generally known as “ Fraunhofer’s lines.” 
My object, in the few remarks I propose to 
make this evening, is to call attention io what, 
though now no novelty, still possesses an ever- 
increasing interest, especially for those engaged 
in analytical researches. The fact to which I 
allude is, that if, in place of the solar 
spectrum, we examine that of any flame, 
we find, that, for the dark lines above- 
mentioned, are substituted bright, colored 
band-j, varying in color, position, and intensity, 
according to the substance introduced into the 
flame. It has long been known that flames 
colored by the introduction of different sub- 
stances, are modiSed when viewed through 
glass of different hues. 
Thus soda gives to flame on orange-yellow 
color, which, though visible through green 
glass, is invisible through blue. Lithia gives to 
fiune a carmine red color, which viewed 
through violet glass, apnears, violet, through 
blue glass red, invisible through green. 
Baryta gives a yellowi-h green color, which 
appears blue-green through green glass. 
Strontia, giving a purple colour, appears rose- 
coloured through blue glass. 
But this method is very rough in comparison 
with the more recent method, I am about to 
describe — which indeed is so delicate that all 
others at present known, are coarse in com- 
pari>on — that is, for purposes of qualitative 
analysis within its scope. The ease with which 
it may be applied, and the rapidity 
with which certain substances may be 
detected, will always recommend it. If a 
