On the water barometer erected in the hall of the Royal Society

1837 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 134-136
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Present Situation ◽  
Atmospheric Tides ◽  
Steam Boiler ◽  
Periodic Oscillations ◽  
French Academy ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
History Of ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The author having long considered that a good series of observa­tions with a water barometer would be of great value as throwing light upon the theory of atmospheric tides, of the horary and other periodic oscillations of the barometer, and of the tension of vapourat different temperatures, was desirous of learning whether any such series of observations had ever been made. But he could meet with none having any pretensions to accuracy ; for neither those of Otto Guericke, in whose hands the water barometer was merely a philo­sophical toy, nor the cursory notices of the experiments of Mariotte upon this subject contained in the History of the French Academy of Sciences, can be considered as having any such claim. The difficul­ties which opposed the construction of a perfect instrument of this kind long appeared to be insurmountable; but the author at length proposed a plan for this purpose, which, having been approved of by the late Meteorological Committee of the Royal Society, was ordered by the President and Council to be carried into execution. The author then enters fully into the details of the methods he em­ployed for constructing the whole of the apparatus, and for placing in its present situation in the centre of the winding staircase con­ducting to the apartments of the Royal Society. The tube was very skilfully made by Messrs. Pellattand Co. at the Falcon Glass-house. It was 40 feet long, and one inch in diameter at its lower end; and so nearly cylindrical, throughout its whole extent, as to diminish only by two tenths of an inch at its upper end. A second tube of the same dimensions was also made as a provision in reserve against any accident happening to the first. These tubes were both securely lodged in a square case by means of proper supports. A small ther­mometer with a platina scale, was introduced into the upper end of the tube. An external collar of glass was united to that end by heat­ing it. This was done with a view of giving it additional support, and of preventing it from slipping. This end of the tube was then drawn out into a fine tube ready for sealing with the blowpipe; and a small stopcock was fitted on to it. The cistern of the barometer was formed by a small copper steam boiler, 18 inches long, 11 wide, and 10 deep, capable of being closed by a cock, and having at the bottom a small receptacle for holding the lower end of the tube, so as to allow of the water in the cistern being withdrawn, without dis­ turbing that contained in the tube.

XXIII. On the water-barometer erected in the hall of the Royal Society

1832 ◽  
Vol 122 ◽  
pp. 539-574 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Physical Science ◽  
The Other ◽  
Metallic Tube ◽  
French Academy ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Common ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Made In

I have for some time entertained an opinion, in common with some others who have turned their attention tot he subject, that a good series of observations with a Water-Barometer, accurately constructed, might throw some light upon several important points of physical science: amongst others, upon the tides of the atmosphere; the horary oscillations of the counterpoising column; the ascending and descending rate of its greater oscillations; and the tension of vapour at different atmospheric temperatures. I have sought in vain in various scientific works, and in the Transactions of Philosophical Societies, for the record of any such observations, or for a description of an instrument calculated to afford the required information with anything approaching to precision. In the first volume of the History of the French Academy of Sciences, a cursory reference is made, in the following words, to some experiments of M. Mariotte upon the subject, of which no particulars appear to have been preserved. “Le même M. Mariotte fit aussi à l’observatoire des experiences sur le baromètre ordinaire à mercure comparé au baromètre à eau. Dans l’un le mercure s’eléva à 28 polices, et dans Fautre l’eau fut a 31 pieds Cequi donne le rapport du mercure à l’eau de 13½ à 1.” Histoire de I'Acadérmie, tom. i. p. 234. It also appears that Otto Guricke constructed a philosophical toy for the amusement of himself and friends, upon the principle of the water-barometer; but the column of water probably in this, as in all the other instances which I have met with, was raised by the imperfect rarefaction of the air in the tube above it, or by filling with water a metallic tube, of sufficient length, cemented to a glass one at its upper extremity, and fitted with a stop-cock at each end; so that when full the upper one might be closed and the lower opened, when the water would fall till it afforded an equipoise to the pressure of the atmo­sphere. The imperfections of such an instrument, it is quite clear, would render it totally unfit for the delicate investigations required in the present state of science; as, to render the observations of any value, it is absolutely necessary that the water should be thoroughly purged of air, by boiling, and its insinuation or reabsorption effectually guarded against. I was convinced that the only chance of securing these two necessary ends, was to form the whole length of tube of one piece of glass, and to boil the water in it, as is done with mercury in the common barometer. The practical difficulties which opposed themselves to such a construction long appeared to me insurmount­able; but I at length contrived a plan for the purpose, which, having been honoured with the approval of the late Meteorological Committee of this Society, was ordered to be carried into execution by the President and Council.

scholarly journals On the meteorological observations made at the apartments of the Royal Society, during the year 1827, 1828, and 1829

1837 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 42-43
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Limited Range ◽  
Diurnal Variations ◽  
The Moon ◽  
French Academy ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Meteorological Observations ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

The author first inquires into the annual and diurnal variations of the barometer and thermometer, for the determination of which he takes the mean of the observations in each month made at the Apartments of the Royal Society, during the years 1827,1828, and 1829; and also that deduced from Mr. Bouvard’s observations, published in the Memoirs of the French Academy of Sciences. From the table given it would appear that the annual variations are independent of the diurnal variations. A much greater number of observations than we possess at present, made frequently and at stated times each day, are requisite before any very satisfactory conclusion can be deduced as to the influence of the moon on the fluctuations of the barometer. The author, however, has attempted the inquiry, as far as the limited range of the present records will allow, by classifying all the observed heights, corresponding to a particular age of the moon, as defined by her transit taking place within a given half hour of the day; and thence deducing mean results, which are exhibited in tables. The results afforded by the observations at Somerset House differ widely from those obtained from corresponding observations made at the Paris Observatory. According to the former, the barometer is highest at new and full moons, and lowest at the quadratures the extent of the fluctuations being 0.08 of an inch: according to the lottery the controly is the esse, and the extent is only 0.05 of an inch.

Bibliography of recent books and articles dealing with the history of the Royal Society or its fellows

1954 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-110
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Company Limited ◽  
History Of ◽  
Royal Netherlands Academy ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

A brief Account of Bryan Donkin, F.R.S. and the Company he Founded 150 Years Ago [privately published by the Bryan Donkin Company Limited, Chesterfield]. Leeuwenhoek, Antoni van. The Collected Letters of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek . Volume IV. [Edited, illustrated and annotated by a Committee of Dutch Scientists published by Swets & Zeitlinger, Amsterdam, for the Leeuwenhoek-Commissie of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences.]

scholarly journals The Origin and Initial Development of Chinese Documentaries (1905-1931)

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-175
Author(s):  
Xiaoxin Han ◽  
Feng Sun
Keyword(s):  
Early Development ◽  
Silent Film ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
French Academy ◽  
The World ◽  
History Of ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Production Organization ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Foreign Entrepreneurs

This article discusses the origins and early development of Chinese documentaries. Cinematography in almost all countries began with documentaries, because from the very beginning cinema existed as a means of recording. Chinese documentaries, which appeared in 1905, are no exception either. Documentaries reveal the history of Chinese cinematography. The first film produced by the Chinese was a piece from the Beijing Opera. The development of science and technology, especially photography, created necessary preconditions for the invention of cinema. In 1839, a photography emerged. In 1840, a reduction in exposure time was invented. In 1851, a photograph with moving person and an animal was taken. In 1851, the first photograph was taken. In 1878, a camera roll was invented. In 1888, the French physiologist Dules Marey presented the French Academy of Sciences with the world’s first film camera. In 1888, the film was invented. In 1892, Mr. Marei’s assistant showed moving photographs on the screen. On 28 December 1895, the Frenchman Louis Lumière in one of the cafes of Paris officially showed his films: «The doors of the factory», «The arrival of the train» etc. It is believed that in different countries of the world that this show started the era of cinematography. In early 1896, Lumière hired more than 20 people as assistants, and sent them around the world to show his film. At this time, China, India and Japan had their first film screenings. In addition, Lumière had sent many cameramen around the world to shoot the film, including to China. Therefore, the earliest films about China were not made by the Chinese themselves, but by foreign entrepreneurs. Under the influence of «Western Shadow Theatre» the Chinese also began their attempts in film production organization. In 1905, the Chinese made their first silent film in Beijing.

IX. Description of the corundum stone, and its varieties, commonly known by the names of oriental ruby, sapphire, &c.; with observations on some other mineral substances

1802 ◽  
Vol 92 ◽  
pp. 233-326 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Chemical Investigation ◽  
Mineral Substances ◽  
Long Time ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Additional Support ◽  
Crystalline Forms ◽  
General Opinion ◽  
Precious Stones

When, in the year 1798, I presented to the Royal Society, in conjunction with Mr. Greville, a Paper on the Corundum Stone, I gave some hints of an opinion which l,as well as Mr. Greville, had already formed, namely, that the said stone was absolutely of the same nature with those stones or gems which mineralogists, following the example of the jewellers, had hitherto distinguished by the epithet oriental . This opinion was founded upon circumstances which appeared to me perfectly satisfactory; but these circumstances had not yet been sufficiently examined, nor were they sufficiently striking, to obviate every possible objection; and, consequently, my opinion was not yet in a state fit to be presented to the Royal Society, as an established truth. Since that time, I have never lost sight of this object, nor have I neglected any means in my. power, which could conduce to the end I had in view; and I may say, that my success has far surpassed my expectations. The spe­cimens of corundum that have been lately sent from India, joined to the very considerable collection of oriental gems, in their perfect crystalline forms, which I have been able to pro­cure, have afforded me the most satisfactory demonstration that a mineralogist can wish for; and nothing was now wanting to fix, in a complete and decisive manner, the general opinion respecting this stone, except to give it that additional support which is furnished by chemical investigation. Mr, Klaproth indeed had already published an analysis of the corundum stone, and of the sapphire; but he had not submitted to the same scrutiny, the perfect red corundum or oriental ruby; it is possible also, that the specimens of corundum he made use of in his analysis, which had been taken from among the first specimens of this stone sent from India, were not so pure as might have been wished, and that this impurity was the cause of the difference, (which however was very trifling,) between the result of their analysis and that of the sapphire. I there­ fore chose, from among the specimens of corundum which had been sent from China, from the kingdom of Ava, from the Carnatic, and from the coast of Malabar, such pieces as ap­peared to me the most pure; and, after having added to them a quantity of oriental rubies and sapphires, sufficient for many repeated analyses, I requested Mr. Ch e n e v ix, whose chemical labours are so useful to mineralogy, by his constant application of them to that science, to have the kindness to join with me in the investigation I had undertaken. The Royal Society will perceive, in the detail given by Mr. Chenevix himself, of the analyses which he has made, not only of the different varieties, of corundum, but also of the substances which accompany this stone in its matrix, how very satisfactory to science are the results of those analyses; insomuch, that I can now offer to the Society, as one of the best established truths, what, in the year 1798, I mentioned merely as a suspicion which had great pro­bability in its favour; and can also, in consequence of the particular study I have made of all the varieties of stones that I have here joined together, under the general denomi­nation of corundum, present to the Society a collection of facts, for the most part unknown, which, altogether, may be considered as forming a mineralogical history of this substance. Although the epithet oriental has been for a long time used by the lapidaries, to express, in gems or precious stones, a degree of hardness superior to that of other stones, (the diamond excepted,) which made them capable of taking a more brilliant polish; and although, following the example of the lapidaries, naturalists had employed the same term by way of distinguishing them, there still remained a great uncer­tainty, respecting the nature of the analogy which really existed between the various stones to which the above epithet was applied.

XXIII.—Notes on a Correspondence between the French Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of Edinburgh regarding the Invention of the Pilot Cable (Câble Guide)

1923 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 348-351
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
French Academy ◽  
Académie Des Sciences ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

During 1921 the Academy of Sciences of France awarded a medal and prize to M. W. A. Loth for various important devices having special application to navigation. Among these was mentioned the system of the Câble Guide, which is essentially the system of Pilot Cable invented by Mr C. A. Stevenson, C.E., and described by him in 1893 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In a communication to the Académie des Sciences the Council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh called attention to this fact and to the further fact that apparently no recognition had been given of the pioneer work of Mr Stevenson.

scholarly journals Félix Vicq d'Azyr: Anatomy, Medicine and Revolution

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Parent
Keyword(s):  
French Revolution ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
Comparative Anatomy ◽  
Successful Management ◽  
French Academy ◽  
Anatomy And Physiology ◽  
Constituent Assembly ◽  
Marie Antoinette ◽  
Animal Anatomy ◽  
Academy Of Sciences

ABSTRACT:Félix Vicq d'Azyr was born in 1748 in the small town of Valognes, Normandy. He studied medicine in Paris but he was particularly impressed by the lectures given at the Jardin du Roi by the comparative anatomist Louis Daubenton and the surgeon Antoine Petit. In 1773, Vicq d'Azyr initiated a series of successful lectures on human and animal anatomy at the Paris Medical School, from which he received his medical degree in 1774. He was elected the same year at the Academy of Sciences at age 26, thanks to his outstanding contributions to comparative anatomy. Vicq d'Azyr became widely known after his successful management of a severe cattle plague that occurred in the southern part of France in 1774, an event that led to the foundation of the Royal Society of Medicine in 1778. As Permanent Secretary of this society, Vicq d'Azyr wrote several eulogies that were models of eloquence and erudition and worth him a seat at the French Academy in 1788. Vicq d'Azyr published in 1786 a remarkable anatomy and physiology treatise: a large in-folio that contained original descriptions illustrated by means of nature-sized, colored, human brain figures of a quality and exactitude never attained before. In 1789, Vicq d'Azyr was appointed physician to the Queen Marie-Antoinette and, in 1790, he presented to the Constituent Assembly a decisive plan to reform the teaching of medicine in France. Unfortunately, Vicq d'Azyr did not survive the turmoil of the French Revolution; he died at age 46 on June 20, 1794.

scholarly journals Review of: The Reformation in Sweden: events, figures, documents. Moscow; St. Petersburg: Center for Humanitarian Initiatives, 2017. 384 p. (MEDIAEVALIA). ISBN 978-5-98712-770-4

2021 ◽  
pp. 320-327
Author(s):  
Евгений Шилов
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Royal Society ◽  
World History ◽  
16Th Century ◽  
Scholarly Work ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
The Reformation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Foreign Member

Андрей Джолинардович Щеглов - ведущий научный сотрудник Института всемирной истории РАН, историк-скандинавист, известный научными работами и переводами со шведского языка. Автор более сотни научных публикаций, иностранный член Шведского королевского общества по изданию рукописей, относящихся к скандинавской истории, переводчик классической шведской и финляндской поэзии (Карин Бойе, Гуннара Экелёфа, Юхана Людвига Рунберга). В 2002 г. им был опубликован в серии «Памятники исторической мысли» комментированный перевод рифмованной «Хроники Энгельбректа»1. В 2007 г. он явился одним из авторов коллективной монографии «Швеция и шведы в средневековых источниках»2, содержащей переводы и исследования памятников шведского средневековья и XVI в. В 2008 г. вышла в свет монография А. Д. Щеглова «Вестеросский риксдаг 1527 года и начало Реформации в Швеции»3. В 2012 г. был опубликован подготовленный А. Д. Щегловым комментированный перевод «Шведской хроники», написанной в XVI в. реформатором и историком Олаусом Петри4, а в 2016 г. вышли в свет переведённые и откомментированные «Шведские средневековые законы»5. В 2015 г. А. Д. Щеглов защитил докторскую диссертацию, на основе которой и была создана монография «Реформация в Швеции: события, деятели, документы». Andrey Jolinardovich Scheglov is a leading researcher at the Institute of World History of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a Scandinavian historian known for his scholarly work and translations from Swedish. He is the author of more than a hundred scientific publications, a foreign member of the Swedish Royal Society for the publication of manuscripts relating to Scandinavian history, translator of classical Swedish and Finnish poetry (Karin Boye, Gunnar Ekelöf, Johan Ludvig Runberg). In 2002 he published a commentary translation of Engelbreckt's 1 Rhyming Chronicle in the 'Monuments of Historical Thought' series. In 2007 he became one of the authors of the collective monograph "Sweden and the Swedes in medieval sources, "2 containing translations and research monuments of the Swedish Middle Ages and the XVI century. In 2008, he published a monograph by AD Scheglov "Riksdag of Västerås in 1527 and the beginning of the Reformation in Sweden "3 . In 2012 A. D. Shcheglov published a commentary translation of the Swedish Chronicle written in the 16th century by the reformer and historian Olaus Petri4, and in 2016 the translated and commented Swedish Medieval Laws5 was published. In 2015. The Reformation in Sweden: Events, Actors, Documents.

scholarly journals On Electric Equilibrium between Uranium and an Insulated Metal in its Neighbourhood

1899 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 131-133
Author(s):  
Lord Kelvin ◽  
J. Carruthers Beattie ◽  
M. Smoluchowski de Smolan
Keyword(s):  
Royal Society ◽  
Great Pleasure ◽  
French Academy ◽  
Charged Body ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Simple Proportion ◽  
Half Minute ◽  
Interesting Account

The wonderful fact that uranium held in the neighbourhood of an electrified body diselectrifies it was first discovered by H. Becquerel. Through the kindness of Prof. Moissan we have had a disc of this metal, about 5 cm. diameter and ½ cm. thickness, placed at our disposal.We made a few preliminary observations on its diselectrifying property. We observed first the rate of discharge when a body was charged to different potentials. We found that the quantity lost per half-minute was very far from increasing in simple proportion to the voltage, from 5 volts up to 2100 volts; the electrified body being at a distance of about 2 cm. from the uranium disc. [Added March 9, 1897.—We have to-day seen Prof. Becquerel's paper in Comptes Rendus for March 1. It gives us great pleasure to find that the results we have obtained on discharge by uranium at different voltages have been obtained in another way by the discoverer of the effect. A very interesting account will be found in Prof. Becquerel's paper, which was read to the French Academy of Sciences on the same evening, curiously enough, as ours was read before the Royal Society of Edinburgh.]These first experiments were made with no screen placed between the uranium and the charged body. We afterwards found that there was also a discharging effect, though much slower, when the uranium was wrapped in tinfoil. The effect was still observable when an aluminium screen was placed between the uranium, wrapped in tinfoil, and the charged body.

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