LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
403 
T, a maximum thermometer,—it has a brass tube protecting the bulb of the thermometer 
from injury, and enabling the thermometer to be easily placed in its position,—sliding 
into the tube E, in the lid. F, a tube passing through the bottom of the box, and ter¬ 
minating with a collar, G, which slides into the neck of the small lamp, L. The work¬ 
ing of this test is as follows :—Place the oil to be tested in the box, A, up to the 
peg, P; put on the lid, and place the thermometer in the tube E, with the needle in 
contact with the mercury. Light the wicks 1 and 2, so as to have a flame about the 
size of a pea. The light 1 will cause a current of air up the little chimney, C, drawing 
air through the box down the opening D; and as soon as the oil rises to a sufficient 
temperature to give off vapour freely (the oil being warmed by the bottom light, 2), the 
vapour mixes with the air rising up the chimney, C, when it comes in contact with 
the light, and a little explosion or puff is produced, which blows out both the lights. 
The needle on the thermometer will give the temperature of the oil at which it gave 
off the vapour at any future time, as of course the moment the lights are extinguished 
the oil cannot get any hotter. 
The whole apparatus fits into a wood box, six inches square. The box is so constructed 
that the front falls down, and allows of the testing being conducted in the box, a cir¬ 
cumstance of no slight importance, for the testing being frequently conducted in draughty 
situations, the lights would be liable to be blown out if the apparatus were not in the 
box, the box acting as a screen. The thermometer fits in the corner of the box, in 
such a manner as to prevent its getting injured by carrying about. 
' N.B.—The apparatus is constructed so that it gives the exact point at which the oil 
would commence to burn in an open vessel, which is technically called the “ igniting- 
point.” 
An animated and interesting discussion followed. 
A vote of thanks to Dr. Edwards and Mr. Bird closed the proceedings. 
The Seventh General Meeting was held at the Royal Institution, January 28th; the 
President in the chair. 
The following gentlemen were duly elected Members:— 
Messrs. E. Davies, B. Marsden, and W. A. Meadows. 
A copy of the British Pharmacopoeia was presented to the Library by the President. 
Mr. N. Mercer referred in feeling terms to the death of Dr. Brett, who, in the early 
years of the Society had so ably and actively interested himself in its proceedings. Dr. 
Lodge and Mr. Abraham also bore testimony to Dr. Brett’s eminent abilities, and ex¬ 
pressed the great regret they felt in hearing of his death. 
The paper of the evening was on “ Sugar,” but Mr. Outram, the author, kindly inti¬ 
mating his ■willingness to postpone the reading until a future evening, the evening 
was occupied by a discussion upon the British Pharmacopoeia. 
The Eighth General Meeting held at the Royal Institution, February 11th, 1SC4 ; the 
President in the chair. 
The following gentlemen w r ere duly elected Members :— 
Messrs. Hatcher, A. FI. Mason, Richard Challis, and S. Alefounder. 
Several donations to the Library and Museum were announced. 
Dr. Edwards stated he had received a printed copy of a requisition from the United 
Society of Chemists and Druggists, urging the necessity to incorporate their body with 
the Pharmaceutical Society, and to obtain an extension of the powers of the Pharmacy 
Act. He considered the United Society just twenty years behind the age, and in ex¬ 
periencing the difficulties the Pharmaceutical Society had encountered twenty years ago, 
he was not surprised to hear of the desire of their requisition, especially as the influence 
of the Pharmaceutical Society was now being felt of so great value, that scores of old 
members whose membership had lapsed through non-payment of their subscriptions, 
were coming forward to pay up their arrears even of nineteed years’ standing. He con¬ 
cluded by urging all young men to prepare themselves now to pass the examinations of 
the Society, which eventually they would probably be compelled to submit to, to enable 
them to take a creditable position in their profession. 
Mr. N. Mercer asked Dr. Edwards, as Local Secretary to the Pharmaceutical Society, 
if he was taking any steps to make known to the young men in the trade in Liverpool, 
the probability of the Council in London arranging for the holding of local examina¬ 
tions ? He thought that young men ought to be accurately informed on the subject, 
