MEMORANDA FOR MAY. I MONDAY-London Institution: Mr. Proctor's Eighth and last Lecture On Astronomy at 4; Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Royal Institution at 2: Anniversary.-Asiatic Soc. at 3.-Entomological Society at 7.-Institute of British Architects at 8: Anniversary.-Medical Society at 8: Annual_Óration.-Victoria Institute at 8: Rev. J. H. Titcomb On Ethnic Testimonies to the Pentateuch.-Society of Arts at 8: Dr. Cobbold.-Anthropological Institute at 8. 2 TUESDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Mr. Pengelly On the Geology of Devonshire.-Civil Engineers at 8.-Pathological Society at 8.-Zoological Society at 9. 3 WEDNESDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Royal Society of Literature at 4.15.-Society of Arts at 8.-Obstetrical Society at 8. 4 THURSDAY-London Institution: Prof. Bentley's Sixth Lecture On Economic Botany, with reference to Vegetable Substances used for Food, at 7.30.-Royal Institution at 3: Prof. Tyndall On Sound.-Linnean Society at 8.-Chemical Society at 8.-Artists and Amateurs at 8.-Royal Society at 8.30.-Antiquaries at 8.30. 5 FRIDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Archæological Institute at 4.-Geological Association at 8.-Philological Society at 8.15.-Royal Institution at 9. 6 SATURDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Mr. Lockyer On Instruments used in Astronomy. 8 MONDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Society of Arts at 8: Dr. Cobbold.-Royal Geographical Society at 8.30. 9 TUESDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Mr. C. Brooke On Force and Energy.-Civil Engineers at 8.-Photographic Society at 8.-Medical and Chirurgical Society at 8.30. IO WEDNESDAY-London Institution: Audit Committee at 2; Board of Management at 2.30; Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Royal Literary Fund at 3.-Archæological Association at 4.30: Anniversary.-Society of Arts at 8.-Geological Society at 8.Microscopical Society at 8. II THURSDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Prof. Tyndall On Sound.-Mathematical Society at 8.-Royal Society at 8. 30.-Antiquaries at 8.30. 12 FRIDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Astronomical Society at 8.-Quekett Club at 8.-Royal Institution at 9. 13 SATURDAY-Royal Institution: Mr. Lockyer On Astronomical Instruments.-Royal Botanic Society at 3.45.. 15 MONDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Asiatic Society at 3: Anniversary.-Society of Arts at 8: Dr. Cobbold.-Anthropological Institute at 8. 16 TUESDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Mr. C. Brooke On Force and Energy.-Statistical Soc. at 7.45.--Civil Engineers at 8.-Pathological Soc. at 8.-Zoological Soc. at 9. 17 WEDNESDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Pharmaceutical Society at 11: Anniversary.-Society of Arts at 8.-Royal Society of Literature at 8.30. 18 THURSDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Prof. Tyndall On Sound..-Numismatic Society at 7.-Chemical Society at 8.-Antiquaries at 8.30. 19 FRIDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.—Philological Society at 8: Anniversary.-Royal Institution at 9. 20 SATURDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Mr. Lockyer On Astronomical Instruments. 22 MONDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Royal Geographical Society at 1: Anniversary.-British Architects at 8. 23 TUESDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Rev. Prof. Houghton On Animal Mechanics.-Civil Engineers at 8.-Medical and Chirurgical Society at 8.30. 24 WEDNESDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Linnean Society at 3: Anniversary.-Victoria Institute at 4: Anniversary.-Society of Arts at 8. -Geological Society at 8.-Archæological Association at 8. 25 THURSDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Prof. Tyndall On Sound.-Royal Society at 8.30.Antiquaries at 8.30. 26 FRIDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6.-Quekett Club at 8.-Royal Institution at 9. 27 SATURDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Mr. Lockyer On Astronomical Instruments.—Royal Botanic Society at 3.45. 29 MONDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6. 30 TUESDAY-Royal Institution at 3: Rev. Prof. Houghton On Animal Mechanics.-Civil Engineers at 8. 31 WEDNESDAY-London Institution: Class for Analytical Chemistry at 6 (finishing the Course). Society of Arts at 8. Secretaries of Learned Bodies are requested to communicate the subjects of promised Papers or Lectures, with any other information that may be profitably employed in the compilation of our "Memoranda." To Correspondents.-Communications intended for publication in the Journal, Queries, Books for review, etc., should be addressed to the Principal Librarian. A Catalogue of the Books acquired for the Permanent Circulating Library, to the end of 1871, was printed in No. 1, page 8. UNWIN BROTHERS, MAGAZINE AND GENERAL PRINTERS, OXFORD COURT, CANNON STREET,E.C. of the London Enstitution A Programme and Record of Proceedings. No. 6. THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 1871. VOL. I. MEETINGS FOR JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST. Board of Management.-Wednesdays, June 14, July 12, August 9, at Half-past Two o'clock. o'clock. Distribution of Prizes and Certificates.—Wednesday, June 7, at Two Visitors.-Tuesday, June 27, at One o'clock. OB EDUCATIONAL LECTURES. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AND CERTIFICATES. Wednesday next, June 7, at Two o'clock, the President, THOMAS BARING, Esq., M.P., F.R.S., will distribute, in the Theatre of the Institution, the Prizes awarded and Certificates granted to Students who have passed examinations on the Educational Lectures of the past Session. The Theatre will be open to all who attended the Lectures, and to the Friends and Guardians of the successful Students. First Prizes. Chemistry.-FREDERICK GARRETT (1). Second Prizes. Chemistry.-A. J. RICHARDSON (2). Biology.-{ Miss F. L. TOLMÉ (3). Miss ANNIE H. PIPER (2). Certificates. Chemistry.-W. S. R. WOODFOrde (3). J. E. A. STEGGALL (5). Biology. THE A. J. WALLACE (4). Miss E. E. ELLIS (5). Miss ANNIE A. CAPPEL (9). Miss HELEN R. BRYCE (16). Astronomy.-A. J. RICHARDSON (4). Miss ELEANOR SHERRING (5). Miss HELEN R. BRYCE (7). EXAMINATION IN ASTRONOMY. HE following Questions were furnished for the Examination on Mr. PROCTOR'S Course of lectures in Elementary Astronomy : I. Describe the seeming motions of the sun, moon, and stars. 2. Mention some proofs of the fact that the earth is a globe. 3. In what way do the planets seem to move among the stars? 4. Mention the chief points of the theories of Ptolemy, Copernicus, and Tycho Brahé. 5. Describe Kepler's work in dealing with the theory of Copernicus, and state "Kepler's laws." 6. State the distance of the sun from the earth, his diameter, volume, and mass. Compare the attraction he exerts on bodies near his surface, with terrestrial gravity. State how much heat he emits in comparison with some recognised source of heat. 7. Describe the spots on the sun, and give a brief account of what has been learned about the solar prominences. 8. Describe the planet Mars, mentioning his distance from the sun, his diameter, volume, mass, axial inclination, and principal physical features. 9. State Bode's law of the planetary distances, and compare the actual distances of the planets with those given by Bode's law. 10. Describe the planet Jupiter with reference to all the details named in Question 8. II. Give a brief account of some one (only one) of the following comets : (i.) Newton's, (ii.) Halley's, (iii.) Biela's, (iv.) Donati's. In what sense are meteors and comets associated ? 12. Explain what is meant by the "equation of time;" and mention on what days it has its greatest values, and on what days it disappears. Is it when the equation of time disappears that the solar day and the clock day are exactly equal in length? (State the reasons on which you found your answer to this question.) 13. Describe the Julian and Gregorian Calendars. Explain why all dates had to be advanced when the latter calendar was adopted. If Russia should adopt the Gregorian calendar before 1900, what change would have to be mide by her, and what change if she delayed until after the year 2000? 14. How do we know that the stars are very far off? State how long light takes in reaching us from the three nearest stars. Why does 15. Describe the evidence we have that the stars are moving, and mention in what direction our sun is moving, and at what probable rate. he not leave his family of planets behind him? 16. Mention the chief orders of nebulæ, giving a brief account of each. REPORT OF EXAMINER. Ten candidates presented themselves for examination on the morning of Tuesday, May 9. Three hours were allowed for answering questions, and answers were required to eight questions at least to secure a pass certificate. After a careful examination of the papers I find that the following candidates have passed : Marks. 245 First Prize. 195 Second Prize (Ladies). 139 127 III The number of marks attainable was 320, and in consideration of the nature of the subject matter I decided on making so low a proportion as one-fourth of the total number of marks suffice for securing a pass certificate. On the whole, I have been well pleased with the results of the examination, some of the papers being of exceptional merit. Three candidates failed to pass. RICHARD ANTHONY PROCTOR, B.A. (Cambridge), F.R.A.S. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING. T the Annual General Meeting of the proprietors of the London Institution, Aheld on Wednesday, April 26, WARREN DE LA RUE, Esq,, D. C.L., F.R.S., Vice-President, in the chair: The Advertisement in the Morning Papers was read. The Minutes of the Annual Meeting, held April 27, 1870, were read and confirmed. The Report of the Auditors was read. The Report of the Managers, as printed in the Journal (No. 5, pp. 65-70) was read. Resolved "That the Reports of the Managers and Auditors be received and adopted." Moved by Captain SHARPE, seconded by Mr. ADAMS : "That it be a recommendation to the Committee of Management to utilise the Theatre of the Institution by offering facilities for the reading of papers and discussing the same. Resolved "That the best thanks of this Meeting be presented to ALFRED SMEE, Esq., for his kindness in coming forward with a Lecture of considerable interest, when the sudden indisposition of Professor HUXLEY prevented his fulfilling his engagement on Monday, January 30." Resolved "That the Proprietors of the London Institution, appreciating very highly the services rendered by Professor TYNDALL in delivering his Lecture 'On Dust and Disease,' at their Conversazione on Wednesday, January 25, take the opportunity afforded by their Annual Meeting of gratefully acknowledging his kindness and liberality." Resolved"That the best thanks of the Proprietors be given to the Board of Management for their conduct of the affairs of the Institution during the past year.' Mr. THOMAS ADAMS and Mr. WILLIAM SHEAN were appointed Scrutineers. The Ballot for the Election of Officers was then opened, and continued open for the proper time, at the expiration of which, the Scrutineers reported that the following gentlemen were duly elected : President.-THOMAS BARING, Esq., M.P., F.R.S. Vice-President.-Sir WILLIAM TITE, C. B., M.P., F.R.S. Managers.-ALFRED Smee, F.R.S.; ROBERT HUDSON, F.R.S.; HENRY WILLIAM FIELD, F.C.S., M. A.P.S.; JAMES RISDON BENNETT, M.D.; R. W. CRAWFORD, M.P., Esquires (Retiring by rotation): DANIEL HANBURY, Esq., F.R.S. (In the room of S. J. Fletcher, Esq., resigned.) Honorary Secretary.-THOMAS PIPER, Esq. Visitors.-J. H. BASS, F.G.S.; S. GIBBON, M.D.; S. H. Ward, M.D., Esquires. (Retiring by rotation): CRAWFORD BURKITT (In the room of W. H. Sawyer, Esq., deceased). SIDNEY CHATER, Esq., M.R.C.S. (In the room of Daniel Hanbury, Esq., F.R.S.) Auditors.-J. A. FRANKLIN; THOMAS ADAMS; THOMAS BRAND, F.R.M.S.; JOHN Symonds; Gerard Ralston, Esquires. Treasurer.-HENRY CHRISTOPHER ROBERTS, Esq. The Thanks of the Meeting were then voted to the Chairman. ABSTRACTS OF LECTURES. ON THE ACTION, NATURE, AND DETECTION OF POISONS. BY MR. F. S. BARFF, M.A., F.C.S. WH Assistant-Professor of Chemistry at University College, London. [Four Lectures delivered January 26, February 2, 9, 23, 1871.] LECTURE I. AT is a poison? Difficulty of giving a precise definition. A poison may be said to be that substance which, taken in any way into the body, interferes with the healthy action of the tissues of the body; in proportion to the extent of its interference the poison is more or less dangerous. Poisons act in two ways: they act on a part, causing special injury to it, or they act through the system, and this action is termed secondary. Sulphuric acid may cause almost instantaneous death by its action on the throat, producing suffocation; or it may set up a remote action, which after a lapse of time may cause death. Some poisons act on the mucous membrane, and others on the blood; arsenic is an example of the first class, and opium, prussic acid, and the narcotic poisons generally are examples of the second. Poisons are divided generally into three classes, according to their action on the body :-(1) Irritants-metallic, non-metallic, and animal. (2) Narcotics, which are all organic poisons. (The most important poisonous gases-carbonic acid, carbonic oxide, sulphuretted hydrogen and coal gas-are from their effects classed with narcotics.) (3) Narcotico-irritants, which are organic irritants, causing irritation or inflammation. Their effects are local at first, but they also produce remote effects. ARSENIC is a good type of irritant poisons. When taken into the stomach it acts locally; it does the same when inserted under the skin, or when it is applied to an open wound. |