ADVERTISEMENT. The present publication is one of a series devoted to the discussion and more precise determination of various "Constants of Nature;" and forms the Fifth contribution to that subject published by this Institution. The First number of the series, embracing tables of "Specific Gravities" and of Melting and Boiling Points of Bodies, prepared by the same author, Prof. F. W. Clarke, was published in 1873. The Fourth part of the series, comprising a complete digest of the various "Atomic Weight" determinations of the chemical elements published since 1814, commencing with the well-known "Table of Equivalents" by Wollaston, (given in the Philosophical Transactions for that year,) compiled by Mr. George F. Becker, was published by the Institution in 1880. The present work which may be regarded as practically supplementary to that digest, (or perhaps rather as the memoir to which that digest is introductory,) comprises a very full discussion and re-calculation of the "Atomic Weights" from all the existing data, and the assignment of the most probable value to each of the elements. The manuscript of the work was presented to the Institution in its completed form by Prof. F. W. Clarke, the cost of publication only being at the expense of the Smithsonian fund. SPENCER F. BAIRD, Secretary of Smithsonian Institution. WASHINGTON, January, 1882. |