45 
ALLOYS 
ttAVlNQ A HIGHER 
ALLOYS AND 
AMALGAMS HAVING 
SPECIFIC GKAVITY. 
LESS SPECIFIC 
GRAVITY. 
Copper 
and Tin. 
Mercury and Tin. 
Ditto 
„ Zinc. 
Ditto 
5? 
Zinc. 
Ditto 
,, Bismuth. 
Ditto 
Bismuth. 
Ditto 
,, Antimony. 
Bismuth 
55 
Zinc. 
Zinc 
„ Tin. 
Ditto 
55 
Antimony. 
Lead 
59 
Tin. 
Ditto 
55 
Antimony. 
These researehes reveal two important facts ; first, that 
there is one metal the alloys of which always contract, viz., 
those of Copper, whilst all the amalgams expand or have a 
less specific gravity ; secondly, that the maximum expansion 
or contraction of alloys and amalgams always occurs in those 
which are composed of one equivalent of each metal, the only 
exception being those of Tin and Zinc. But the authors are 
able to account for these facts. All the alloys with the excep- 
tion of the latter are compounds and not mixtures. Their 
researches on the conductibility of heat by metals and alloys 
recently presented to the Royal Society have established this 
conclusion. 
A paper was read “On the Meteorology of Manchester for 
1857,” by G. V. Vernon, F.R.A.S. 
The observations contained in this communication are part 
of a series, commenced in 1849, which have been regularly 
contributed to the returns of the Registrar General. 
Dr. Joule having taken the chair, a paper was read by the 
President, W. Fairbairn, F.R.S., &c., “ On the Compara- 
tive Temperature of the Climates of England and some parts 
of Italy.” — There is perhaps no country in Europe, which can 
boast of a more agreeable or more salubrious climate than 
Italy, and there is probably none in which so great a range of 
temperature exists. Along the front of the Apennines from 
the mouths of the Rhone to the Southern extremity of the 
