466 LEEDS chemists’ association. 
tests for recognizing glucose, especially in diabetic urine, were dwelt on at considerable 
length. 
The application of centrifugal force to the manufacture of starch in a process recently 
patented was explained, and other applications of this means of separating substances 
suggested. 
The last subject treated was the cause of the fall of leaves. Various theories pro¬ 
pounded were given, that proposed by Mr. Symes being that deposition of various sub¬ 
stances in the cells when the plant had attained maturity, combined with the check to 
the flow of sap caused by cold, prevented the supply of nutrition to the leaf, and pro¬ 
duced an irritation which at length destroyed vitality, and thus caused the separation of 
the leaf from the stem. 
Mr. Tate proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Symes. He said that centrifugal force 
had been tried to effect the separation of paraffine from coal oil, but had not been suc¬ 
cessful, owing to the paraffine caking together and forming an impermeable mass. 
Dr. Carter eulogized the ability and ingenuity of the theories proposed, whilst he 
took exception to some of them. He seconded the vote of thanks. 
The President made some remarks as to the use of glucose in brewing, and asked 
whether the excise authorities permitted it, as it would have a tendency to diminish the 
consumption of malt. 
Mr. Symes was unable to answer the question, but he knew that it was used. 
Mr. Sharp and the Secretary offered some observations on the various subjects, and, 
after the vote of thanks had been unanimously passed, the meeting closed. 
LEEDS CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The Fifth Meeting of the session was held in the Library of the Philosophical Society, 
on the evening of February 12,1868 ; the President, Mr. Reynolds, in the chair. 
Mr. J. C. Wilson, F.C.S., was elected a Corresponding Member, and Mr. Hinscliffe 
was elected an Associate. 
Mr. George Ward, F.C.S., read the paper of the evening upon “ Carbolic Acid,” 
illustrating the subject by a fine series of specimens kindly sent by the makers, 
Messrs. F. C. Calvert and Co., of Manchester. The history, chemical relations, prepa¬ 
ration, and properties of carbolic acid were described, and the manufacture of some of 
its tinctorial products shown experimentally. The disinfectant properties of the acid 
were prominently brought forward, whilst the use of its derivatives—picric acid as a 
cheap febrifuge, and that of picrate of potassium as an explosive charge for shells— 
were also alluded to. Mr. Ward said that he had seen cases of the substitution of car¬ 
bolic acid for wood-creasote, but a cold day had caused the samples to solidify, and he 
thought this property would prevent such substitution being successfully practised, 
although, in the cases of mixtures of the two substances, he could not say what the 
result would be. 
After a discussion, the thanks of the meeting were voted to the author of the paper, 
on the motion of Mr. Stead, seconded by Mr. Wilson (Associate). 
The Sixth Meeting was held in the Lecture Theatre of the School of Medicine, the 
use of which was kindly granted by the Council of the School, on March 11th; the 
President in the chair. 
Mr. Greenwood was elected an Associate. Mr. Arkle resigned the office of Librarian, 
in consequence of leaving town, and Mr. Wordsworth was elected to that office. The 
valuable services rendered by Mr. Arkle towards setting on foot, and carrying out, the 
scheme for a cabinet of Materia Medica specimens, were acknowledged by a hearty vote 
of thanks, moved by Mr. Jefferson, and seconded by Mr. Horsfield. 
Thomas Scattergood, Esq., M.R.C.S., Lecturer on Chemistry in the Leeds School of 
Medicine, read a very interesting paper on “The Secretions of the Alimentary Canal.” 
He commenced by defining the terms used in the title of the paper, then described the 
conditions essential to secretion, and the structure of the various secreting organs. 
The lecture was copiously illustrated, and a number of interesting experiments were 
introduced ; as, for instance, one showing the rapid action of saliva in converting starch 
