these notions were erroneous, and to point out the means by which a more uniform success might be ensured. The early meetings having been held before the Society had the requisite accommodation, were not official in their character, but had been transferred to the house of the Society as soon as the rooms were ready, and he as well as those who had individually assisted him in the management, had gradually resigned this responsibility into the hands of the Council and officers of the Society, and endeavoured to identify the proceedings more completely with the Members at large. Nevertheless, it was a source of complaint that the meetings were too much under the direction of a few individuals, that they were not sufficiently official, and that the Members would not contribute to the support of proceedings in which one of their number occupied too prominent a place to the exclusion of others. At the commencement of the session before last it was intimated to him that a different arrangement would be more satisfactory, that the meetings should be superintended by a Committee officially appointed by the Council, and that all papers should be communicated through Mr. Redwood, as the scientific officer of the Society. This was the most favourable symptom which had manifested itself. It denoted a general disposition to come forward in support of the scientific character of the Society, and he considered it the greatest triumph which could have occurred, because it proved that the meetings had been the means of drawing out the Members and enlisting them in the work. In compliance with the intimation referred to, he had retired to the back benches and watched with much satisfaction the zeal and spirit with which the meetings were conducted. During that session, Mr. Ince, the President, took the lead, the Committee were active, the Secretary indefatigable, papers abundant, and the meetings well attended. The session terminated as it had commenced, leaving an impression that the scientific meetings were completely established, the Members of the Society inoculated with zeal in the cause, and that the ensuing session would be equally satisfactory. During the recess, however, some Members of the Society complained that Mr. Redwood had taken too prominent a part in the meetings-that the management was not sufficiently official; and it was resolved that the Committee should in future have the direct and entire control. On the opening of the next session (in 1851) the day for the first meeting arrived. The Committee had done nothing, no preparations were made, no papers were in hand, and no meeting announced. The Council inquired of him (Mr. Bell) the cause of this oversight, and he referred to the Committee who had released first himself, and then Mr. Redwood, from the responsibility, and who had omitted to make the needful arrangements. At the request of the Council, he and Mr. Redwood assisted the Committee in preparing for the subsequent meetings, but the spirit of the Members appeared to have flagged, and the session was not nearly so satisfactory as the previous one. It had been alleged that the Pharmaceutical Journal had absorbed the papers which ought to have been supplied to the meetings, and to this circumstance was attributed the dearth of materials for discussion. He had, however, disproved this allegation, and shown that the reverse was the fact, as he had invariably handed over to the Committee any papers sent to him for publication which were suitable for the meetings, whenever the authors would give their consent, which was not always the case, and one of the parties who had refused, was now one of the chief promulgators of the allegation before mentioned. Another circumstance which had tended to depress the meetings, was the falling off in the attendance of medical men and other scientific visitors, and this was attributable in part to a regulation which had been adopted by the Council with regard to the admission of visitors. He was ashamed to state the cause of this regulation, but being in force, and being in his opinion pernicious in its tendency, he could not omit to mention it. It had been alleged that some Members of the Society had sent cards of invitation to medical men with their own business cards, for the purpose, as it was suspected, of advancing their own private interest; and it was therefore resolved, that any Member desiring to introduce a visitor, should furnish his name and address to

the Secretary, who should send the card in the name of the Council. The existence of such a suspicion, and the regulation founded on it, he considered to be a disgrace to a scientific Society, and he sincerely hoped that the regulation would be rescinded. He should be glad to see every Member who attended these meetings introduce a professional friend. Nothing had conduced more to retard the progress of the Society than jealousy among its Members. Before the Society had been founded, jealousy had been a bar to union and to every kind of improvement. Great exertions had been made to combat this evil, and with considerable success; but more remained to be done; and if the Chemists ever intended to hold up their heads as a scientific and enlightened body, they must dispel from their minds those feelings of distrust and suspicion of each other, which were degrading even to an ordinary tradesman. The position of the Chemists had been changed. They were now recognized by Act of Parliament, and they ought to cultivate a more worthy and liberal spirit, and to take a broad professional view of the responsibility of their calling, and their duty to the public. Each Member of the Society, instead of carping at the exertions of others, seeking for causes of complaint, and suspecting of some sinister motives, those who took an active part in the affairs of the Society, should come forward and assist, waving minor differences, and keeping steadily in view the objects for which the Society was founded, and the advantages of union, education, and the advancement of science. If any Member objected that any other Members, by their exertions on behalf of the Society, had become too prominent, he should do likewise, and he would share the distinction. Each Member should feel himself identified with all the proceedings of the Society, and take advantage of any opportunity which might occur to promote its progress and prosperity. In the ordinary course of business, subjects continually presented themselves relating to new medicinal agents, new or improved preparations, &c., which might be introduced with advantage at the Pharmaceutical meetings, and it could not be supposed for a moment that there was any difficulty in providing ample materials for six or eight meetings in the course of the year. Ten years ago there might have been some grounds for an excuse; the Members were unaccustomed to proceedings of that kind; they were not prepared to carry them out efficiently, and depended on the contributions of professional friends. But it had been proved in the session before last that they were now competent to support scientific meetings with credit and advantage. Some of the early Students of the Society, now established in business, had enjoyed the advantage of an improved scientific education, and several of them had already entered the lists as contributors. The meetings had partially relapsed last year because the zeal of the Members had flagged; the regulation to which he had referred had tended to diminish the number of visitors; the attendance of Members had fallen off; and each appeared to be wondering what was to be done, and why more was not done, instead of doing something himself. The whole labour and responsibility had fallen on to two or three individuals, who were taken to task by those who had done nothing, and who attributed to selfish motives those individual exertions by which the meetings had been kept up at all. These words might sound harsh and grating to the ears, but the facts could not be disputed. It was better to speak out boldly and probe the under-currents to their source. Once for all, it should be understood that candour and good-fellowship among the Members was the mainstay of the Society. If any were dissatisfied let them speak without reserve, and let all differences and distrust be banished. The commencement of a session was a proper time for arriving at a mutual understanding as to the course to be pursued, and if all would unite harmoniously in the proceedings, a renewal of strength would be the result. Authors would not write papers for empty benches, and neither Members nor visitors would continue to attend meetings at which they found neither entertainment nor instruction. But if Members would attend, authors would write, and the

prospect of good papers would also attract Members and Visitors. These two requisites for a good meeting must proceed pari passu, and a good beginning would influence the whole session. Understanding that there were several papers on hand, he would not trespass longer on the meeting, and hoped the remarks he had made would be received as they were intended. It was his earnest desire to see the meetings conducted officially by the Council, and it was his object to encourage the Members generally to come forward, and by their presence and contributions to sustain the character of the Society, which, being now sanctioned by Act of Parliament, would be expected by the profession and the public to take the lead in the advancement of Pharmaceutical chemistry.

ON DISEASED WHEAT. (Vibrio tritici.)

MR. HENRY DEANE made a verbal communication on this subject, which was illustrated with the microscope. He had been induced, he said, to bring the subject under the notice of the meeting (although it had no very direct relation to Pharmacy) on account of its general interest, affecting, as it does, the purity and wholesomeness of an important article of diet, and because it seemed calculated to afford an excellent illustration of the value of the microscope as an instrument of research. It was not until this instrument, with the wonderful powers which modern improvements have given to it, was applied to the investigation of the diseases of wheat, that they were at all well understood, and much still remained to be done in this direction by the Chemist as well as the Naturalist. The Pharmaceutist, if he took his right position, should be a botanist and naturalist as well as a Chemist, and he would, if properly qualified, be appealed to in cases such as that under notice for advice and assistance. This would especially be the case in agricultural districts, where facilities were afforded for the cultivation of those branches of knowledge-botany especially -which would give to the Pharmaceutical Chemist a scientific character, and gain for him a higher position in society.

His attention having been recently directed to the disease in wheat, commonly called ear-cockle, or purples, called also in Suffolk pepper-corn, and in Hampshire burnt wheat or burnt corn, he had been much interested in the investigation of the subject. This disease is caused by a minute animal, the Vibrio tritici, which when examined by the microscope presents some very remarkable phenomena. It appears to have been first described more than a hundred years ago by Turbervil Needham in a paper published in the Philosophical Transactions for 1744. The most complete and interesting description of it, however, is given by Mr. Bauer in the Philosophical Transactions for 1823. The Vibrio tritici is a minute worm, multitudes of which are found in cavities in the diseased grain, resembling, when viewed by the naked eye, a mass of white fibrous substance. If this be put into water it becomes diffused through the liquid, and, if it be now examined with a microscope, hundreds of extremely minute worms will be discovered, which become active after being immersed for about a quarter of an hour. No evidence of vitality is observed in these little animals so long as they are in the dry state, as found in the grain, but the presence of moisture soon brings them into activity, and in some instances they have been known to remain torpid for five or six years, and yet to be capable during this time of having their latent vitality made sensible at any period by immersing them for a few minutes in water.

The wheat in certain localities being frequently attacked with this disease, while in others it is entirely unknown, it has been thought that it probably originates in the soil; but no light has yet been thrown upon the conditions favourable to its development, or the means best suited for its prevention. These are questions deserving the attention of those whose opportunities for observation, and whose scientific knowledge may enable them to undertake such an investigation.

PROVINCIAL TRANSACTIONS.

PHARMACEUTICAL MEETING IN EDINBURGH.

A PHARMACEUTICAL Meeting was held in the rooms, 72, Princes Street, Edinburgh, on Monday Evening, the 25th of October, at Eight o'clock,

J. F. MACFARLAN, Esq., Vice-President of the Scottish Branch, in the Chair. The following communications had been previously announced :

1. An Address to the Members and Associates of the Society, by Dr. Christison, F.R.S.E., Professor of Materia Medica in the Edinburgh University, and Honorary Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

2. A Paper on some of the more important Disinfectants, by Dr. G. Wilson, F.R.S.E., Lecturer on Chemistry, and Honorary Member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

3. Some Remarks upon the preparation of Syrupus Papaveris, by Messrs. T. and H. Smith, Chemists, Edinburgh. Edinburgh, 13th Oct., 1852.

JOHN MACKAY, Sec.

[The report of the meeting had not arrived at the time of publication.-ED.]

LIVERPOOL CHEMISTS' ASSOCIATION.
Pharmaceutical Meeting, 24th September, 1852.

MR. SUMNER, PRESIDENT, IN THE CHAIR.

MR. N. MERCER delivered a lecture on the "Chemistry of Gold." He observed that Liverpool, being one of the principal ports for emigration to the gold fields of Australia, information is frequently required there as to the best and simplest method of estimating the value of native gold, and of distinguishing it from all other substances which might, under any circumstances, be mistaken for it; therefore, in bringing this subject before the Chemists' Association, it was more particularly with reference to information valuable to Australian emigrants.

The lecturer commenced with a rapid sketch of the geological formation and distribution of mineral veins and deposits; and mentioned that though the presence of gold in Australia was only made known last year, it had been predicted three years previously by Sir R. Murchison, whose extensive knowledge of the gold fields of the Uralian mountains enabled him with the greatest confidence to speculate upon its presence among the mountain chains of Australia. This prediction was based on the great similarity which existed between the mountains and rocks in the two countries; gold, according to our present knowledge, always being found in unstratified, primary, or metamorphic rocks, or in alluvial deposits from the same. The conditions under which gold was usually found, and the means by which it was separated from its original matrix, or other substances with which it might be contaminated, were explained, and illustrated by models of the cradles employed at the "diggings."

Gold is always found in the metallic state, and never as a sulphide, as iron and copper are frequently met with, but generally alloyed with some other metal, such as silver, iron, copper, and platina. Amongst all its characteristics, the one which has the greatest recommendation for simplicity and ease of application, is the determinining its specific gravity, which, when pure, is 19.3-a specific gravity much higher than any other substance likely to be mistaken for it. The method of taking specific gravities was illustrated by experiment on a nugget in which the gold was interspersed with quartz, and which had a specific gravity of 13.5. Gold is not dissolved by any acid with the exception of aqua regia, and in this its solution is entirely owing to the liberation of chlorine, which, acting upon the gold, forms terchloride, Au Cl2. NO,+3 HCl+Au=Au Cl2+3 HO+NO2. That chlorine was the solvent was shown by treating bleaching powder with hydrochloric acid, when gold leaf was immediately dissolved; also in a mixture of common salt, saltpetre, and sulphuric acid; and again, merely by the addition of water to "Collins's Disinfecting Powder," when sufficient chlorine was evolved to dissolve the gold. When in solution the reactions of gold are so decisive and characteristic as to detect it in the presence of all other metals; and its behaviour with different reagents, as also that of silver, platina, iron, and copper, was illustrated by experiments. The most important reactions of a gold solution are those with

protochloride of tin, protosulphate of iron, and oxalic acid. Protochloride of tin throws down from a strong solution a brown pulverulent gold-tin, and from dilute ones the purple of Cassius, exhibiting, when very dilute, a most brilliant purple colour. Protosulphate of iron precipitates metallic gold as a brown powder, which gives to the liquid a brown appearance by reflected light; but by transmitted light it appears blue. This test is so delicate that a solution of Au Cl, even more dilute than one part of gold in 40,000 parts of liquid, gives this reaction. Oxalic acid, and several other organic acids, precipitate metallic gold; and, according to Mr. R. Phillips, tartrate of soda will produce the same effect, so that, if oxalic acid is not at hand, a seidlitz powder may be used.

Copper pyrites, Cu S, iron pyrites, Fe S, and yellow mica, are the substances most commonly mistaken for gold, and to the eye of the inexperienced there is a great resemblance, but a few simple experiments at once dispel the illusion.

In the first place try the specific gravity, and it will be found that the heaviest of them, copper pyrites, does not exceed 5.0. A penknife will also detect the difference, for both copper and iron pyrites are brittle, while gold will cut like lead. This is an important distinction to bear in mind, as it is easily and readily applied to any suspected specimen. And as they are both sulphides, if a little is crushed and held on a bright shilling over a spirit-lamp, the silver will be immediately tarnished. When dissolved in acids they both exhibit their usual well-known reactions. Mica may at once be detected by its specific gravity, which is only three, and by its inertness with any of the reagents mentioned. Though the detection of these substances is most simple, and many will think it almost impossible to mistake any of them for gold, yet experience proves such is not the case, many persons having had to pay dearly for learning that "all is not gold that glitters."

Mr. Mercer concluded with a rapid sketch of the metallurgy of gold, merely to give an idea of the nature of the processes employed, explaining that they all required the greatest care and attention, and were only to be prosecuted with any chance of success by persons who had had considerable practical experience.

Dr. EDWARDS was informed that cinnabar had lately been brought from Australia. He showed some binoxalate of potash which he found to contain nitric acid, apparently from carelessness in the manufacture. The effect was, that when mixed with cream of tartar for removing iron moulds it became in a short time useless. He showed one of the new magnets made at Haarlem, which had excited much attention on account of their great power. This, which weighed about a pound, would sustain a weight of twelve pounds. He also showed one of the stereoscopes of Professor Wheatstone.

The SECRETARY called attention to the classes about to be formed for the study of Chemistry.

[Mr. C. H. Shaw, of No. 2, Russell Street, Liverpool, having accepted the office of local Secretary for that town and neighbourhood, requests the Members and Associates of the Pharmaceutical Society resident in that locality to apply to him for the current Journals on the fourth or fifth of each month.]

MEETING OF CHEMISTS AND DRUGGISTS AT BIRMINGHAM*. ON Tuesday, the 12th October, a Meeting of the Chemists and Druggists of the counties of Warwick, Worcester, Stafford, and Salop, was held in the Theatre of the Philosophical Institution, Cannon Street, Birmingham, for the purpose of considering the details of the Pharmacy Act, passed during the last session of Parliament, and to resolve upon some plan in which they could unite for bringing it into full operation, and extending its benefits to all those who are entitled to share them. The Meeting was well attended by the Chemists of Birmingham and the surrounding districts, and a considerable number of Assistants.

The Chair was occupied by Mr. WM. SOUTHALL, jun., President of the Birmingham Pharmaceutical Institution. Having opened the business of the Meeting, the Chairman read letters of apology from the following gentlemen, expressing regret that engagements of a pressing nature prevented their being present :-Mr. Hollier (Dudley), Mr. Perrins (Worcester), Mr. Baly (Warwick), Mr. Charles Loggin (Stratford-on-Avon), Mr. Wilkes (Upton-on-Severn), Mr. Fleeming (Wolverhampton), Mr. Wingrave (Coventry), Mr. Huxley (Bromsgrove), Mr. John Parker (Newtown Row, Birmingham), and Mr. Roberts (Islington, Birmingham).

* A more detailed Report of the Meeting may be had of Mr. Churchill, Princes Street, Leicester Square.