107 
April 2nd, 1861. — “ Remarks on the Temperature of the Earth’s 
Crust, as Exhibited by Thermometrica! Observations, obtained during 
the Sinking of the Deep Mine at Dukinfield,” by William Fairbairn, 
LL.D., F.R.S., &c. 
“Brief Notes on the Nature and Action of Steam in Relation 
to Boiler Explosions,” by J. C. Dyer, Esq. 
April 2nd, 1861 “ On Meteorological Observations and Ob- 
servations of the Temperature of the Atlantic Ocean, made on runs 
from Liverpool to Gibraltar, and from Gibraltar to Liverpool, in 
September, I860,” by Thomas Heelis, F.R.A.S. 
“ On the Irregular Oscillations of the Barometer at Lisbon,” by 
G. V. Vernon, F.R.A.S. 
April 1 6th, 1861. — “ Theorems on Groups,” by the Rev. T. P. 
Kirkman, M.A., F.R.S. 
“ On the Production of Graphite by the Decomposition of 
Cyanogen Compounds,” by Dr. P. Pauli. Communicated by Pro- 
fessor Roscoe. 
Several of these have been ordered to be printed, and will 
be published in the forthcoming Volume of Memoirs, which 
will also contain several Papers read before various Sections. 
The most important event, bearing on the interests of the 
Society, which has taken place during the past year, is the 
abolition of the old set of rules, which had been in force since 
the year 1852, and the enactment of an entirely new code. At 
the close of last Session, a Committee was appointed by the 
Council, with the approval of the Society, for the purpose of 
revising the old rules. This Committee met several times, 
and after lengthened discussion, agreed to a draft, which was 
presented to the Council and discussed by them. Another 
draft, embodying most of the alterations suggested by the 
Committee, was soon afterwards laid before the Council by 
two of its members. Both in regard to its form and many of 
its provisions, the latter was considered to be so far superior 
to the previous one, that it was resolved to take it into con- 
sideration at once, and lay the other aside. After being dis- 
