8 
according 1 to these observations the wind did not blow from 
the areas of greater pressure. 
Mr. Baxendell called attention to certain phenomena of 
solar spots recently observed by him, and stated that in 
cases in which projections of the penumbra into the nucleus 
occurred, the penumbra is generally increased in breadth in 
that part of its circumference, and it often happens that 
striations observed in the penumbra are curved, and terminate 
in the points of projection into the nucleus. 
A Paper was read by Thomas Caruick, “ On the Atomic 
Constitution of Water and Ice.” 
After briefly alluding to the nature of his own views on 
the ultimate atomic constitution of terrestrial matter, and its 
relations to cosmical force, the Author — guided by considera- 
tions derived therefrom — proceeded to discuss the question of 
the relative specific gravities of water and ice, and arrived at 
a specilic gravity for ice differing by only rdrth part, from 
the moat recent and correct results of experiments. 
The prominent characteristics of water and ice were also 
shown to be the natural result of the disposition and relations 
of the ultimate atoms. 
MICROSCOPICAL SECTION. 
September 17th, 1860. 
A specimen of envelopes was exhibited by the Secretary, 
such as were proposed to be sent to captains of vessels, in 
which to preserve soundings they obtain in different parts 
of the world, for this Section. The envelopes were much 
approved of, and were thought likely to be productive of 
future interest to the Section, and to microscopists in general. 
