2. On the Parallel Roads of Lochaber; with Remarks on the change of relative Levels of Sea and Land in Scotland, and on the Detrital Deposits in that Country. Part II. By David Milne, Esq.

The author proceeded to shew that the lake theory of the Lochaber shelves was not inconsistent with any established geological truths, but was on the contrary supported by them.

He alluded to the occurrence in the Lochaber district, as well as in other parts of Scotland, in valleys far from the sea, not only of lakes at high level, but of beach lines on hill-sides precisely analogous to those of Glen Roy, and shewing depressions of water to nearly the same extent. One of the localities referred to is a valley near Inverournan, where three parallel roads are to be seen shewing a depression first, of about 197 feet, secondly, of 94 feet, and lastly, of 184 feet. The blockage required for this ancient lake, and of which a small remnant still exists, was nearly as extensive as that required for Glen Roy.

Other localities were pointed out where parallel roads on hillsides, similar to those of Lochaber, were to be seen.

In corroboration of the existence of lakes at high levels which no longer exist, reference was made to the existence of River Haughs at considerable heights above the present course of the rivers.

The author proceeded next to shew, that when the rivers ran in these higher channels, the sea stood at a higher level than at present. He, in proof of the former submergence of the land beneath the waters of the ocean, and its gradual emergence from it, referred, 1st, to the occurrence of marine remains at considerable heights above highwater mark; 2d, to the existence of extensive sand-banks which could have been formed only at the bottom of a deep sea; and, 3d, to lines of ancient sea-cliffs and terraces along the coast.

The author alluded next to the nature of the deposits formed, when the land was covered by the sea, and endeavoured to shew, that during this period the boulder-clay had been transported by some great oceanic movement whereby the valleys were filled with detritus. He shewed that the detritus had come from the westward, and, therefore, that valleys situate, like those of Lochaber, on the east side of lofty mountains, would be especially liable to be blocked up by detritus.

Reference was made to a number of boulders resting on beds of

sand and fine gravel in the counties of Nairn and Moray, which appeared to have been floated by ice, at a later period, and as the land was emerging from the sea.

An account was given of a number of phenomena, which apparently were due to the emergence of the land from beneath the waters of the ocean. In particular, an account was given of beds of gravel lying over beds of sand and mud, contrary to the law of specific gravity; of long ridges of gravel and sand generally parallel to the lines of coast, or the direction of valleys, and of old sea-cliffs and sea-terraces at various heights above the sea.

In reference to this last point, the author observed, that there were reasons why geologists should not reject as unworthy of notice, the possibility, that the land may, in some cases, not have been the moving body, but that owing to elevations and depressions in the bed of the ocean, the waters may have advanced or receded, and thus formed the lines of ancient sea-cliffs.

3. Verbal Communication on Fossils of the Lias Formation, from South Africa. By Dr Fleming.

The following Donations to the Library were announced:Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, 1846. No. 170.—By the Society.

Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Vol. XVI.,
Part 2.-By the Society.

Memoirs of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester.
Vol. VII., Part 2.-By the Society.
Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy.
Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy.

Nos. 48 to 53. 8vo.

Vol. XXI., Part 1.—

By the Academy. Monographie Generale de la Famille des Plantaginées, par F. M. Barneoud. 4to.

Monographie des Crucifères du Chili, par F. M. Barneoud. 8vo. Memoire sur le Developpement de l'Ovule, de l'Embryon et des Corolles Anomales, dans les Renonculacées et les Violariées, par F. M. Barneoud. 8vo.

Memoire sur le Developpement de l'Ovule et de l'Embryon dans le Schizopetalon Walkeri, par F. M. Barneoud. 8vo.--By the Author.

Kongl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar, for Ar. 1844. 8vo. Arsberättelse om Framstegen i Kemi och Mineralogi af Jac. Berzelius. 8vo.

Ofversigt af Kongl. Vetenskap-Akademiens Forhandlingar, 1845. 8vo. By the Academy.

Memoiries de l'Academe Royale des Sciences de l'Institut de France. Tome XIX. 4to.

Memoires presentés par divers savants à l'Academie Royale des Sciences de l'Institut de France. Tome IX.-By the Institute.

Observations Météorologiques faites à Nijne-Taquilsk. Année 1845.

8vo.

Voyage dans la Russie Meridionale et la Crimée, par la Hongrie, la Valachie et la Moldavie, executé en 1837, sous la direction de M. Anatole de Demidoff. Planches; Liv. 12, fol.-By the Author.

Proposed Bridge across the River Clyde for the Glasgow, Paisley, Kilmarnock, and Ayr Railway.

Monday, 19th April 1847.

DR CHRISTISON, V.P., in the Chair.

The following Communications were read:-1. On Certain Products of Decomposition of the Fixed Oils in Contact with Sulphur. By Dr T. Anderson.

The investigations contained in this paper were undertaken with the view of ascertaining the nature of the action of sulphur in the free state on organic substances. The author endeavoured, in the first instance, to examine the action of that agent upon some of the simpler organic compounds, but without obtaining any definite results; and finally confined his experiments entirely to the fixed oils.

The distillation of oil of almonds with sulphur, which is attended by the violent evolution of sulphuretted hydrogen, afforded a peculiar nauseous oil, and a crystalline product deposited on cooling from the latter portions of the oil. In order to ascertain the source of these products, comparative experiments were made with pure stearic and oleic acids. It was thus found, that stearic acid, when distilled with sulphur, gave products identical with those obtained by its sim

ple distillation, but that oleic acid gave an oily fluid and crystals similar to those produced from the crude oil.

The crystalline matter obtained from oleic acid, was an acid, and possessed all the properties of margaric acid; but being formed in very small quantity, the author, in obtaining it for analysis, made use of almond oil, expressed at a low temperature, which, by a comparative experiment, was found to yield no margaric acid when distilled alone. The analysis of this acid gave the following results, which correspond with those of margaric acid :

The silver-salt gave 28.53 and 28.70 per cent. of silver, the calculated results being 28.65, and the analysis of its ether was likewise found to correspond to margaric ether.

The oil which distilled along with this substance, and which possessed a most disgusting odour, was rectified; the product collected in separate portions, and analysed; but without affording concordant results. It was found, however, to contain a substance capable of giving precipitates with corrosive sublimate and bichloride of platinum.

The precipitate obtained by corrosive sublimate was purified by washing with ether and solution in boiling alcohol, from which it is deposited on cooling. It then forms a white pearly powder, which, under the microscope, presents the appearance of tabular crystals. It is insoluble in water and ether, sparingly soluble in alcohol, and rather more so in coal-naphtha. It gave to analysis the following results, corresponding to the formula C16 H16 S5 Hg, Cl2.

The author, from the similarity of the properties of this substance to those of the mercury compound of allyl, considered it to possess an analogous constitution, and to be derived from a substance having the formula Cg Hg S, existing in the oil. According to which view its rational formula may be represented by

(Cs H8 S2+ Hg2 Cl2) + (C3 Hg S2 + Hg2 S.)

2

When treated with sulphuretted hydrogen it became black, and an oil was separated, having a peculiar odour, and giving precipitates with corrosive sublimate and chloride of platinum. This the author considers to be the compound C, H, S2; but he was unable to obtain enough for analysis.

8 -8

The precipitate with bichloride of platinum is yellow, insoluble in water, and sparingly soluble in alcohol and ether. By hydrosulphuret of ammonia it is converted into a brown powder.

The oil from which these substances were separated likewise contained sulphur; but the author had not yet proceeded with its investigation.

2. On the structural relation of Oil and Albumen in the Animal Economy. By Dr J. H. Bennett.

Nitrogenised principles of food are subservient to the formation of albumen, whilst the non-nitrogenised are mostly converted into fat or oil. The fact, that a union of these is essential to nutrition, is explained, according to the chemist, by supposing that albumen constitutes the basis of the tissues, and that oil furnishes the elements of respiration and animal heat. This theory, however, does not explain the origin and maintenance of all growth, which is so essential to the vital functions. The author considered that the necessity of oil and albumen was accounted for by their being both necessary to the formation of the tissues, and he endeavoured to shew that there is no elementary cell into which these principles do not enter as constituent parts.

Dr Ascherson of Berlin shewed, in 1838, that oil could not come in contact with fluid albumen, without the formation of a membrane, and that, on producing an emulsion by rubbing them together, cells were formed composed of an albuminous membrane inclosing oil, which were identical with those found in milk. That the milk globules