556 
MISCELLANEA. 
again the alloys corresponding in composition to those of the turning point of the con¬ 
ducting power curves are the most elastic. 
From what has been said, and from the experiments described, the conclusion may be 
drawn that the chemical composition of the practically-used two metal alloys correspond 
to those situated at the turning points of the heat and electric conducting power curves, 
and that if a two-metal alloy of a special physical property be required, it would be as 
well to try that alloy, the composition of which would correspond to the turning point 
of the curve representing the electric conducting power of the alloys of the two metals. 
THE EIGHTS OF MEDICAL PRACTITIONEKS. 
The meeting of the Executive Committee of the General Medical Council, held on 
Wednesday, February 10, was merely of a formal character, mainly for the purpose of 
auditing accounts, and authorizing the publication of the medical and student registers. 
The opinion of the Council was also formally submitted to the Committee, to the effect 
that the Medical Act suffices to preserve those rights of medical practitioners which 
were supposed to be interfered with by the Pharmacy Act. All the counsel consulted 
concur in the view that the latter cannot override the Medical Act.— Lancet , Feb. 13. 
PROPOSED INVITATION TO THE BRITISH PHARMACEUTICAL 
CONFERENCE. 
A meeting of the Chemists of Torquay took place on Thursday evening, Feb. 4, at the 
Victoria Club, to consider a proposal to invite the members of the British Pharmaceutical 
Conference, visiting Exeter in August next, in conjunction with the British Association, 
to pay a visit to Torquay for a day ; and to decide upon the means to carry out the pro¬ 
ject in a manner becoming the dignity of the pharmaceutical profession in Torquay. 
Mr. W. Hearder was unanimously voted to the chair, and succinctly explained the 
objects of the meeting. 
Messrs. Guyer, Smith, Narracott and Millar having addressed the meeting, and 
expressed their warm approval of its object, the following resolution was carried:—“ That 
this meeting considers it desirable that an invitation be sent to the Executive Committee 
of the Pharmaceutical Conference, and members from a distance, to visit Torquay during 
the meeting of the Conference at Exeter in August next.” 
It was also proposed and resolved,—“ That the Chemists of Paignton and St. Mary- 
Church be invited to unite with those of Torquay in carrying out the objects of this 
meeting.” 
The following gentlemen were chosen as a committee, with power to add to their 
number:—Mr. W. Hearder, Treasurer; Mr. D. Watson, Secretary ; Mr. Guyer, Mr. 
Smith, Mr. Glanfield, Mr. Millar, Mr. Narracott. 
A subscription list having been opened and liberally responded to, the Chairman ex¬ 
pressed the pleasure \ had afforded him to preside over a meeting characterized by such 
a mutual feeling of goodwill, and his trust that the same friendly feeling would always 
animate them in their intercourse with each other. 
The meeting then separated. 
MISCELLANEA. 
Spontaneous Ignition of Fireworks.—Mr. R. Trevor Clarke, in a communi¬ 
cation to the ‘ Times ’ on the frequency of fires in pyrotechnical manufactories, which 
he thinks may, in many cases, be attributed to the spontaneous combustion of that 
class of fireworks called coloured fires. He observes,—“That these compositions, the 
active agent in which is chlorate of potash, occasionally ‘ go off of themselves,’has 
long been known, but, I believe, no definite information on a subject so important has 
ever been laid before the public. Herewith I send you what I know of my own know¬ 
ledge in the matter :—Firstly, mixtures of chlorate of potash, sulphur, and black oxide 
