665 
of Edinburgh, Session 1871-72. 
which is an excessively deliquescent salt, was employed in the 
form of an aqueous solution of known strength. We found that 
the action of the two salts was identical, the difference of dose 
being nearly proportional to the chemical equivalent. In the case 
of warm-blooded animals the symptoms observed were—increas¬ 
ing weakness of the voluntary muscles ending with fatal doses in 
asphyxia, considerable contraction of the pupils, and profuse sali¬ 
vation. 
In the case of frogs complete paralysis of the voluntary muscles 
was produced, along with a remarkable stiffness of the muscles of 
the anterior part of the body. By experiments conducted exactly 
as described in former papers read before the Society, we proved 
that the paralysis of the voluntary muscles was caused by the 
destruction of the function of the motor end-organs, the nerve 
trunks and the muscular fibres being still active. In fact, the 
action of these salts is almost identical with that of the salts of 
tetramethyl-ammonium, as formerly described by us. 
We intend to continue these investigations, and to extend them 
to the corresponding compounds of selenium and tellurium and 
to the remarkable series of salts derived from Se(CH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 and 
Te(CH 3 ) 2 Cl 2 , such as Se(CH 3 ) 2 0HN0 3 , &c. 
2. On the Mean Monthly Eainfall of Scotland. By 
Alexander Buchan. 
So far as regards the annual amounts of the rainfall of Scotland, 
deduced from observations made at 296 different places, the chief 
point brought out is the enormous difference between the rainfall 
of the west and that of the east; the stations along the west coast 
showing such figures as 40, 45, and 54 inches, as compared with 
24, 27, and 30 inches at stations on the east coast, not situated in 
the immediate neighbourhood of hills. When it is considered that 
the source of the rainfall is the prevailing south-westerly winds, it 
is evident that the comparative dryness of such districts as the 
south shore of the Firth of Forth is due to high land lying to the 
south-west, which drains the winds of a large portion of their mois¬ 
ture in their passage across them. On the other hand, in the West 
Highlands, where arms of the sea open in upon the land in all direc- 
