Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinhurg^i. S71 
ORDINARY MEMBERS. 
Francis Chantry, Esq. F. R. S. Lond., &c, William Bonar, Esq, 
Edward Troughton, Esq. F. R. S. Lond. Colin Mackenzie, Esq. 
James Smith, Esq. of Jordanhill. Rev. H. Parr Hamilton. 
A paper by Dr Brewster was read, containing an account of 
a “ New Species of Double Refraction^ 
A paper by Dr Dyce of Aberdeen, containing an account of 
a singular case of Uterine Irritation, and its effect upon the 
mind, was laid before the society. Dr Dewar was requested to 
draw up a Report on this communication. 
Jan, 21. — Sir George Mackenzie read a paper On the for- 
mation (f Calcedonyf which he illustrated by the exhibition of 
his fine collection of specimens from Iceland and Faroe. 
Feb, 4. — Mr P. F. Tytler read a paper, entitled Biogra- 
phical Sketches of some of the earliest of our Scottish Lawyers, 
preceded by a view of the political condition of Scotland du- 
ring the latter part of the sixteenth century.” 
On the same evening the following gentlemen were elected 
ORDINARY MEMBERS. 
Captain J. D. Boswall, R. N. James Graham, Esq. 
Dr John Aitken. George Walker Arnott, Esq. 
Feb. 18. — A paper by Mr Haycraft was read, “ On the 
Specific Heat of the Gases.'’’’ From the experiments detailed in 
this paper, it appears, that the specific heat of all the gases enu- 
merated, is the same when they are freed from moisture ; and 
that when they are combined with water, they have their capa- 
cities affected in certain regularly ascending ratios, as 1, 2, 8, 
and 4, dependent, it would appear, on the proportions of water 
with which they are combined. 
On the same evening Dr Dewai' read his report on Dr Dyces‘’s 
paper. 
March 4.- — The following gentlemen were elected Members ; 
FOREIGN. 
Professor Mohs of Frey berg. 
ORDINARY. 
Rev. John Lee, M. D. Richard Saumarez, Esq. 
John Ay ton, Esq. of Inchdarnie. 
On the. same evening, Dr Borthwick read a Notice relative 
to some Stirgical Disirumenis found at Pompeii,^'’ 
