LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
425 
Professor Graham, the Master of the Mint. The diffusion of liquids was not only ob¬ 
servable when two solutions were placed in different positions in the same jar, and 
when a vial, containing a solution of a salt was introduced into a larger vessel contain¬ 
ing water, but also when the material was introduced into a sieve, and allowed to diffuse 
through a diaphragm or septum of bladder, or, still better, of parchment paper. Many 
substances of a crystalline nature were thus diaphragm-analysed or dialysed with con¬ 
siderable rapidity, whilst other bodies of a non-crystalline nature were very tardy in being 
diffused through the diaphragm or septum. The diffusion of gases had recently engaged 
much attention. The rapidity with which gases can be forced through a porous dia¬ 
phragm, such as that of stucco, varies according to the gas, but is apparently irrespec¬ 
tive of density, and the rate of movement differs from that with which the gases will, 
without pressure, voluntarily pass through diaphragms of a less porous nature. When 
a diaphragm or septum is taken, which is not porous in the ordinary acceptation of the 
term, as may be illustrated by a thin sheet or film of indiarubber, the gases pass through 
such at a new and different rate. Indeed, the process may be likened to that of filtra¬ 
tion, for when the ordinary atmospheric air containing 21 of oxygen and 79 of nitrogen 
by volume is transmitted through the caoutchouc diaphragm, it passes through as 40 of 
oxygen and 60 of nitrogen ; in other words, the oxygen filters through 2^ times 
quicker than the nitrogen, and an atmosphere is obtained which contains two-fifths of 
its volume of oxygen, instead of ouly one-fifth, as in ordinary air. It is quite possible 
that this mode of filtering air, and obtaining an atmosphere with an increased amount 
of oxygen, might be had recourse to as a means of supplying readily a gaseous admix¬ 
ture containing more of the life-sustaining element than is present in ordinary air. 
"Were an apartment constructed with certain of the panels of the doors, and of the panes 
of the windows, of a porous nature covered with a film of indiarubber, then the air which 
entered the room would contain an increased amount of oxygen. An ordinary fire 
would cause sufficient draught in the room to promote a current of the outer air into the 
interior; and, considering the reviving influence of oxygen gas in the processes of com¬ 
bustion and respiration, there is reason for the proposal that for certain ailments our 
hydropathic or water-cure establishments might beneficially annex an air-cure apart¬ 
ment. Dr. Macadam also noticed the diffusion of gases through ignited platinum, etc.; 
and concluded by referring to the great physiological value of all Professor Graham’s 
researches on the diffusion of liquids and gases. At the close of the communication, 
cordial vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Kemp, of Portobello, and seconded by Mr- 
Raimes, was carried with acclamation, and the meeting thereafter adjourned. 
PROVINCIAL TRANSACTIONS. 
LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
Eighth General Meeting, held at the Royal Institution, January 30th, 1868, Mr. 
Abraham in the chair. 
Dr. William Carter, M.B., B.Sc., F.R.C.S.L., etc. and Mr. Thomas Ockleshaw were 
unanimously elected members. 
The following donations to the Library were announced and thanks voted to the 
donors:—New York Druggists’ Circular, from Mr. Mercer; New Edinburgh Dis¬ 
pensatory, by Mr. Charles Jones. 
Mr. Robinson exhibited a sample of crab oil from Surinam, said to be extracted from 
the land crab, and to be valuable for promoting the growth of hair. 
Mr. Shaw, the Treasurer, urged members to facilitate the collection of subscriptions. 
There being no further miscellaneous business, Mr. A. N. Tate was called upon to 
read a paper on “The Life and Discoveries of Faraday.” 
Mr. Abraham said that Mr. Tate had given an elegant and scholarly account of this 
distinguished man, which he hoped would be issued in a more permanent form. He 
compared Faraday with Davy as possessing similar genius and indomitable energy in the 
pursuit of truth. 
Mr. Sharp spoke of Faraday as possessing the greatest scientific genius, combined 
