584 
LIVERPOOL chemists’ association. 
remarking, that, spectrum analysis performed for the chemist the function at once of the 
microscope and the telescope—determining the composition not only of the minutest 
substances on our own planet, but also the materials to be found in the most distant of 
the visible orbs. 
At the close of the lecture, a cordial vote of thanks was, on the motion of Dr, Smith, 
President of the College of Physicians, awarded to Dr. Stevenson Macadam for his very 
interesting and successful communication, which was carried amid much applause. 
Professor Balfour also moved a vote of thanks to the Department of Science and Art, 
and to Professor Archer, for kindly allowing the Pharmaceutical Society the use of the 
Museum, which was seconded by the Master of the Merchant Company, and carried with 
acclamation. 
By the kind permission of Colonel Payn and the officers of the 72nd Highlanders, the 
Kegimental Band was in attendance, and played in the course of the evening, with great 
skill and taste, selections from operas and other favourite music, which added much to 
the pleasure of the whole proceedings. 
PROVINCIAL TRANSACTIONS. 
LIVEEPOOL CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
Eighth General Meeting, held at the Royal Institution, on February 14th, 1867; 
the President in the chair. 
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and passed. 
The Secretary announced the following donations to the Library ;—The Pharma¬ 
ceutical Journal for February. The Proceedings of the Liverpool Architectural Society. 
The Proceedings of the Liverpool Polytechnic Society. The New York Druggists’ Cir¬ 
cular, from Mr. Mercer. 
The President read a letter from Mr. Mercer, in which he expressed his gratification 
on being elected an Honorary Member, and promised to send the New York Circular 
every month. The thanks of the meeting were voted to Mr. Mercer and the other 
donors. 
jMr. Robinson presented a sample of “ Rena Bark,” which had lately arrived in this 
country. , 
■Mr. Redford informed the members that the new edition of the British Pharmaco¬ 
poeia would be issued shortly, and mentioned a number of alterations in the contents and 
arrangement which he considered improvements. 
Mr. R. Evans exhibited a water barometer, and offered to furnish members with 
them. 
A paper on the “ Chemical and Physiological Structure of the Teeth ” was then read 
by Mr. H. Waite, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Liverpool. 
The rapid extension of diseases of the teeth has furnished an incentive to a minute 
study of their structure, on the principle that the foundation of all curative treatment of 
disease must be laid in an intelligent acquaintance with the condition of the parts when 
in health. The comparative anatomy of the teeth of man and animals discovers to the 
student many beautiful and wonderful provisions. Some of these, illustrated in the 
Radiata, Mollusca, Articulata, and Vertebrata, were described, and the suitability of the 
various dental contrivances to the peculiar habits of the creature pointed out. Among 
the Vertebrata, the jaws form part of the bony skeleton, and are sometimes furnished 
with solid teeth, while in others, as birds and tortoises, they are enveloped in a horny 
covering, the beak. Of those which are armed with solid teeth, there are varieties ac¬ 
cording to the habits and food of the animals. Carnivora, for example, are chiefly sup¬ 
plied with pointed teeth, suitable for seizing and holding their prey; while Herbivora 
are devoid of this class of teeth, but have instead cutting and grinding teeth. The 
mouth of man offers to us a type of both of these classes, containing as it does three 
classes of teeth,—incisors, or cutting teeth; cuspid, or pointed teeth; and molars, or 
grinding teeth. The numbers, the names, the forms, the position, and the functions of 
the several kinds of human teeth were enumerated. 
