1 879 .] Proceedings of Societies. 819 
logous paraffins, in which, however, the normal hydrocarbons 
preponderate. 
“On the Solubility of Solids in Gases,” by J. B. Hannay, 
F.R.S.E., F.C.S., and James Hogarth. The authors show the 
phenomenon of a solid with no measurable gaseous pressure, 
dissolving in a gas, and not being affedted by the passage of its 
menstruum through the critical point to the liquid state, showing 
it to be a true case of gaseous solution of a solid. 
“ The Geometric Mean, in Vital and Social Statistics,” by 
Francis Galton, F.R.S. Mr. Galton’s purpose is to show that 
an assumption which lies at the basis of the well-known law of 
“ Frequency of Error ” (commonly expressed by the formula 
y=e~ h2x2 ), is incorredt in many groups of vital and social pheno- 
mena, although that law has been applied to them by statisti- 
cians with partial success and corresponding convenience. Next 
he points out the correct hypothesis upon which a Law of Error 
suitable to these cases ought to be calculated. Mr. Galton also 
communicated a memoir by Mr. Donald McAlister, who, at his 
suggestion, has mathematically investigated the subjedt. 
Royal Geographical Society, Nov. 24. — The Earl of North- 
brook, President, in the chair. 
“ The Ardtic Campaign of 1879 in the Barents Sea,” by Capt. 
A. H. Markham, R.N. The year 1879, the author said, would 
always be regarded as a very remarkable one in the annals of 
Ardtic exploration, for during the last few months two important 
geographical problems had been successfully solved : The 
Swedish ship Vega, under the leadership of that persevering 
and energetic explorer, Nordenskjold, had completed her voyage 
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, by rounding the northern out- 
skirts of the old world — a voyage which, even if it should not 
prove important in a commercial sense, would always rank as 
one of the greatest geographical feats of the present century ; 
secondly, a small sailing schooner had reached the hitherto 
inaccessible shores of Franz-Josef Land. The vessel which 
accomplished this feat was the Dutch exploring schooner Willem 
Barents. Three hundred years ago the Dutch flag was a for- 
midable rival of the English in the van of Ardtic discovery, and 
English discoverers were delighted that Holland had again 
entered the lists and obtained a great success. The importance 
of the achievement of the Willem Barents could not be too 
highly rated, for the achievement tided over the only difficulty 
which, in the opinion of a great many Ardtic authorities, pre- 
sented itself with respedt to the route for exploration. Early in 
the present year the author accepted an invitation from Sir 
Henry Gore Booth to accompany him on a sporting trip to 
Novaya Zemiya, with the understanding that they should after- 
wards examine the ice in the Barents Sea and other localities, 
