145 
Davy, he established tlie Literary and Philosophical Society 
of that town. Returning to this city, he spent the last few 
years of his life among his relatives and intimate friends, 
dying highly respected in his ninety-eighth year. 
The President reviewed the past history of the Society, 
pointing out what had been accomplished by the members, 
and the path still open for successful scientific research. He 
adverted to the great advances made in recent times in all the 
departments of knowledge. By the organization of the 
British Association, and the improved systems which were 
beginning to obtain in our Universities, greater facilities 
were at present offered to the cultivators of science than at 
any previous period. In conclusion he congratulated the 
Society on its prosperous state, and expressed the fullest 
confidence that the members would, by their contributions 
to literature and science during the present session, fully 
maintain its reputation. 
On the motion of Mr. Dyer, seconded by Mr. Hopkins, 
the thanks of the Society were voted to Mr. Fairbairn for 
his excellent address. 
Dr. F. Grace Calvert presented, on the part of Mr. 
Arnaudon, of Turin, a Paper containing “ Researches on 
several Organic Coloring Matters.” 
The most remarkable of these researches is one concerning 
nine different species of wood, termed by the Author, 
collectively, hois d' am.arante (and one of which is known in 
England under the name of purple heart), on account of their 
containing a peculiar colorless principle capable of being trans- 
formed into a substance of fine purple color by the action of 
light, heat, and acids. Oxygen is unnecessary to this trans- 
formation, as it takes place equally in an atmosphere of 
hydrogen or in vacuo. A solution of the colorless principle 
exposed to the action of air during several years, in a dark 
j)lace, remained perfectly unaltered. 
