of their choice are, and will continue to be, the import e and sin. gularity of the subjects, or the advantageous manner of treating them; without pretending to answer for the certainty of the facts, or propriety of the reasonings, contained in the several papers so published, which must still rest on the credit or judgment of their respective authors. It is likewise necessary on this occasion to remark, that it is an established rule of the Society, to which they will always adhere, never to give their opinion, as a Body, upon any subject, either of Nature or Art, that comes before them. And therefore the thanks which are frequently proposed from the Chair, to be given to the authors of such papers as are read at their accustomed meetings, or to the persons through whose hands they receive them, are to be considered in no other light than as a matter of civility, in return for the respect shewn to the Society by those communications. The like also is to be said with regard to the several projects, inventions, and curiosities of various kinds, which are often exhibited to the Society; the authors whereof, or those who exhibit them, frequently take the liberty to report, and even to certify in the public news-papers, that they have met `with the highest applause and approbation. And therefore it is hoped, that no regard will hereafter be paid to such reports and public notices; which in some instances have been too lightly credited, to the dishonour of the Society. CONTENTS. I. THE Bakerian Lecture. Observations on the Quantity of borizontal Refraction; with a Method of measuring the Dip at Sea. By William Hyde Wollaston, M. D. F. R. S. page 1 II. A chemical Analysis of some Calamines. By James Smithson, III. Experiments on the Quantity of Gases absorbed by Water, at different Temperatures, and under different Pressures. By Mr. William Henry. Communicated by the Right Hon. Sir IV. Experiments and Observations on the various Alloys, on the specific Gravity, and on the comparative Wear of Gold. Being the Substance of a Report made to the Right Honourable the Lords of the Committee of Privy Council, appointed to take into Consideration the State of the Coins of this Kingdom, and the present Establishment and Constitution of his Majesty's Mint. By Charles Hatchett, Esq. F. R. S. V. Observations on the chemical Nature of the Humours of the Eye. By Richard Chenevix, Esq. F. R. S. and M. R. I. A. VI. An Account of some Stones said to have fallen on the Earth in France; and of a Lump of native Iron, said to have fallen in India. By the Right Hon. Charles Greville, F. R. S. p. 200 VII. Observations on the Structure of the Tongue, illustrated by Cases, in which a Portion of that Organ has been removed by Ligature. By Everard Home, Esq. F. R. S. VIII. Observations of the Transit of Mercury over the Disk of the Sun; to which is added, an Investigation of the Causes which IX. An Account of some Experiments and Observations on the constituent Parts of certain astringent Vegetables; and on their Operation in Tanning. By Humphry Davy, Esq. Professor of Chemistry in the Royal Institution. Communicated by the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B. P. R. S. X. Appendix to Mr. William Henry's Paper, on the Quantity of Gases absorbed by Water, at different Temperatures, and under THE PRESIDENT and COUNCIL of the ROYAL SOCIETY adjudged, for the year 1802, the Medal on Sir GODFREY COPLEY'S Donation, to WILLIAM HYDE WOLLASTON, M. D. for his various Papers printed in the Philosophical Transactions. And they adjudged the Gold and Silver Medals on the Donation of BENJAMIN COUNT OF RUMFORD, to COUNT RUMFORD himself, for his various Discoveries respecting Heat and Light. |