DR. JACOB’S REPLY TO THE ZOOLOGICAL COMMITTEE. 
523 
to abbreviate, so far as is consistent 
with perspicuity, the mode of Notation 
last described. But although most che- 
mists may find it convenient to employ 
some of these abbreviated forms of ex- 
pression, it seems doubtful whether any 
particular amount of them can be re- 
commended for general adoption, since 
the necessity for it will vary according 
to the habits of the individual, the na- 
ture of his inquiries, and the objects for 
which his notes are designed. 
A chemist, for example, the character 
of whose mind enables him quickly to 
perceive, and clearly to recollect minute 
distinctions, may find a much more ab- 
breviated style of Notation convenient, 
than would be at all advisable to others; 
one who is engaged m the analysis of 
organic compounds will be more sensi- 
ble of the utility of such symbols, than 
another who is conversant chiefly with a 
less complicated class of combinations: 
and one who notes down the results of 
his experiments for the benefit of private 
reference, and not with any immediate 
view to others, may indulge in a more 
concise and complex system of Notation, 
than would be convenient, where either 
of the latter objects were contemplated. 
As the shortest road is proverbially 
not always the most expeditious, so 
in Chemical Notation more time may 
often be lost in correcting our own 
blunders and those of the compositor, 
where dots and commas of many sorts 
are introduced in the place of initial 
letters to express certain elements, than 
was gained by the more compendious 
method of expression employed. Add 
to which, in the preference given to one 
set of dots over another, or in the parti- 
cular collocation of them, above, below 
or at the side of the symbol to which 
they are referred, we have no fixed 
principle to guide us, and can therefore 
only be determined by the greater or 
less frequent adoption of one method 
than of another. 
Perhaps, therefore, all that can be 
hoped from a Committe of British 
Chemists would be, to set forward the 
the various uses of some system of Che- 
mical Notation, the purposes for which 
each of those broughtbefore them seems 
chiefly applicable, and the degree of pre- 
valence which one has obtained over the 
rest. 
If I may be allowed to offer my own 
humble opinion on a point which has 
been so much debated amongst British 
chemists, I should remark that for the 
purpose of rendering more intelligible to 
beginners the mode in which various bo- 
dies are supposed to combine, the Dalto- 
nian method of Notation may still be of 
use, just as pictorial representation often 
comes in aid of verbal description to 
convey the idea of a complex object. But 
that where the design is to state in the 
clearest, and least hypothetical terms, 
the nature of a series of combinations, a 
mode of Notation as closely as possible 
approaching to that adopted in algebra 
seems preferable — remembering always 
that as in algebra we omit certain signs 
for the sake of greater brevity, so it may 
be allowable to do in applying its princi- 
ples to Chemistry, these abbreviations 
being of course the most advisable in 
cases where by reason ofthe greater num- 
ber of elements involved, the expression 
of them at whole length would occupy 
so much space as to })revent the whole 
from being comprehended at a glance. 
The above remarks will not, I believe, 
be found inconsistent with the spirit of 
the brief report which Dr. Turner has 
communicated, and which is to the fol- 
lowing effect : — 
1st. That the majority of the Commit- 
tee concur in apjrroving of the employ- 
ment of that system of Notation which is 
already in general use on the Continent, 
though there exist among them some 
difference of opinion on points of detail. 
2ndly. That they think it desirable not 
to deviate in the mannerof Notation from 
algebraic usage, except so far as conve- 
nience requires. 
And 3dly. That it would save much 
confusion if every chemist would state 
explicitly the exact quantities which he 
intends to represent by his symbols. 
But I must hasten on to those few 
other Reports which the present volume 
contains, but on which I shall have the 
less to say, as they relate to subjects con- 
nected with Anatomy and Physiology, of 
less general interest to a mixed audi- 
ence. 
Dr. Jacob has replied to a query pro- 
posed by the Zoological Committee at a 
former meeting with respect to the uses 
ofthe infra-orbital cavites in Deers and 
Antelopes, and has pronounced them to 
be designed as the receptacles of a pecu- 
liar odoriferous secretion. 
