The spark was taken in air between two magnesium poles, so separated that the magnesium spectrum did not extend from pole to pole, but was visible only for a little distance, indicated by the atmosphere of magnesium vapour round each pole.
The disappearance of the b lines was then examined, and it was found that they behaved exactly as they do on the sun. Of the three lines, the most refrangible was the shortest; and shorter than this were other lines, which Mr. Loclyer has not detected in the spectrum of the chrontosphere.
This preliminary experiment, therefore, quite justified the assumption, and must be regarded as strengthening the theory on which the assumption was based, namely, that the bulk of the absorption takes place in the photosphere, and that it and the chromosphere form the true atmosphere of the sun. In fact, had the experiment been made in hydrogen instead of in air, the phenomena indicated by the telescope would have been almost perfectly reproduced; for each increase in the temperature of the spark caused the magnesium vapour to extend further from the pole, and where the lines disappeared a band was observed surmounting them, which is possibly connected with one which at times is observed in the spectrum of the chromosphere itself when the magnesium lines are not visible.
Professor Williamson communicated a paper "On the successive Action of Sodium and Iodide of Ethyl on Acetic Ether," by J. Alfred Wanklyn, K. C. S. The author referred to a paper by Frankland and Duppa, describing the products obtained on treatment with iodide of ethyl of the yellow wax-like mass given by the action of sodium on acetic ether. Besides the description of the compounds, Frankland and Duppa gave four equations expressive of their view of the origin of the wax-like mass: each one of these four equations affirmed the evolution of an equivalent of hydrogen by every equivalent of sodium employed; but according to Mr. Wanklyn neither acetic ether nor any other ether ever evolves hydrogen by reaction with the alkali metals.All equations which assume evolution of hydrogen in these reactions are therefore inadmissible. In the present paper Mr. Wanklyn offers an explanation of Franklaml and Duppa's products, which does not involve the assumption of evolution of hydrogen. On reference to Frankland and Duppa's paper just cited, it will be found that the products described by them as obtained from the "wax-like mass" and iodide of ethyl are the following:—
{{table missing{{ A. C8 H14 O3, liquid boiling at 195° C., B. C10 H18 O3, liquid boiling at 210° C. to 212° C.,
butyric ether, caproic ether, and also some unacted-upon acetic ether, and a considerable quantity of common ethylic ether. Mr. Wanklyn has already shown that the direct products of the action of sodium on acetic ether are ethylate of sodium and sodium-triacetyl. Nothing else seems to be produced directly. But the excess of acetic ether, which is necessarily taken, acts on some of the ethylate of sodium, producing alcohol and acetate of ethylene-sodium, the extent to which this secondary action takes place being determined by the exact circumstances of the experiment. We have, therefore, in the w ax-like mass got by prolonging the action of sodium on acetic ether:—
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Ethylate of sodium C2 H2 NaO
Sodium-triacetyl C6 H9 O3 Na
Acetate of ethylene-sodium C4 H7 Na O2
Alcohol C2 H6 O,
On the first three Iodide of ethyl acts, giving iodide of sodium and organic liquids. From the ethylate of sodium comes the common ether. From the sodium-triacetyl comes ethyl-triacetyl, which is A = C8 H14 O3, having been got by Geuther from the pure sodium-triacetyl. From isolated acetate of ethylene-sodium and iodide of ethylene Mr. Wanklyn has recentlyobtained liquid B, C10 H18 O3. This liquid boiled at 212° C. and gave carbonate of baryta with baryta-water, and was identical with Frankland and Duppa's liquid B. By the action of liquid A upon ethylate of sodium Geuther has recently shown that butyric ether is produced together with acetate of ethylene-sodium, and Mr. Wanklyn predicts that liquid B will give caproic ether by a similar reaction.
Royal Geographical Society, December 13, Sir R. Murchison in the chair. The President made some comments on the recent letter from Dr. Livingstone, whose return would, he thought, very probably be delayed by the exploration of the waters, which might prove the head waters of the Congo. The paper of the evening was Mr. Hayward's account of his visit to Eastern Turkestan; a large map constructed by Captain George, fromthe maps and observations sent home by Mr. Hayward, and two views, enlarged from sketches taken by him on the spot, illustrated the paper. Dr. Leitner's collection of Yarkandi manufactures was also exhibited, and the presence of Niaz Muhammed, the native of Varkand, excited much interest. Mr. Hayward has carefully fixed all the positions in the maps sent home by him, and also sent itineraries, list of names, and plans of towns. He mentioned the valuable pocket artificial horizon invented by Captain George, which enabled him to escape suspicion. Mr. Hajward left Leh Sept. 29, and proceeded by the Chang Chennoo Pass, 18,839 feet high, to Shadula, in lat. N. 36° 21′ 11″, long. E. 78° 18′, 360 miles from Leh, the frontier fort of Eastern Turkestan, 14,745 feet high, which is divided from the dominions of the Maharajah of Kashmir by the Karakorum range. Mr. Shaw had, unknown to Mr. Hayward, arrived a few days before. The travellers were detained while a messenger was sent forward to obtain permission for them to enter the country. The opportunity was taken to explore the sources of the Varkand Daria, beyond the Khirgiz Pass, 17,095 feet high. From this a view of the Eastern Kuen Luen peaks was obtained, 90 miles away, the course of the river was traced and positions proved. A new pass, called the Yanrgi Pass, over the Kuen Luen, was observed, and described as practicable for horses, and easily made practicable for carriages, and even for guns. It is at present exposed to the depredations of robbers from Hunza Nagyr, which render it insecure and little used. Twenty days were spent in this exploration, and 300 miles of mountain districts explored. One peak rising to 28,278 feet, was observed from a spur of Kuen Luen Mountains. The source of the Yarkand River, in lat. 35° 37′ 34″ N., long. 77° 50′ E., was reached on December 8th. At a height of 16,654 feet above the sea, the cold experienced was intense. The thermometer the following morning showed the mercury to have sunk to a level with the bulb, or 18° below zero. Having returned to Shadula, he found that permission had come for his advance to Yarkand, and started on December 18th to reach that place by the Sanju Pass. Mr. Hayward described the Khirgizes, the Bedouins of Turkestan, from whom he experienced kindness and hospitality, as throughout the country seems to have been the case. From Shadula yaks were provided, on which the travellers crossed the Sanju Pass. The first village entered was Kibriz. The Turhi villages present a comfortable appearance. The country is well cultivated, and the people well to do. The dress, &c., of the different classes was carefully described. Slaves are still owned by some but the former slave trade at Yarkand has been suppressed by Yakoob Kushbegi. Between Sanju and Yarkand a sandy steppe was crossed, the commencement of a desert called Tahla Makan Desert, stretching to the east, towards the Gobi Desert. Strange legends of former cities, now buried in the sand, were related by the Panja Bashi. Yarkand was entered on December 27th. It is described as a parallelogram of 2 miles by 1½, containing 40,000 houses, 120 mosques, and 120,000 inhabitants. It is defended by mud walls 45 feet high, with bastions, and an outlying fort. The ruler of Yarkand, Muhammed Yakoob (Kushbegie), "Atalih Ghazee" of Eastern Turkestan, was at his camp near Kashkar. The governor of the city, "a well-informed, pleasant, well-read man," received Mr. Hayward with much courtesy. A house was assigned him, and plentiful supplies furnished him but he was not allowed, except on visits to the governor, to leave the courtyard of his house during the two months he remained in Yarkand.
February 24th, Mr. Hayward proceeded to Kashkar, which is a strong town of 60,000 to 70,000 people, the central point of all the Central Asia roads. The next day he was received by the ruler, who by his bravery and military talents has raised himself to the chief authority over Eastern Turkestan. His character and abilities impressed Mr. Hayward so much, that he says, were Central Asia undisturbed by foreign pressure, he would be another Zenghis Khan. He received the traveller kindly, and spoke of his desire for visits from Englishmen, who had been hitherto prevented from visiting his country by the Bokhara tragedy. He also alluded to the death of Adolph Schlagintweit, but did not mention that he had himself killed Hullee Khan, the murderer of Schlagintweit, two years ago. Mr. Hayward remained a month in Kashkar, vainly hoping to get permission to proceed to the Pamir Steppe, but was obliged to abandon the attempt. The position of Kashkar was fixed by him at
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City 39° 19′ 37″
N. lat.
Fort 39° 23′ 9″
and 76° 10′ E. long., at an elevation of 4,165 feet. He concluded
