III. On the density of solid mercury

Abstract

I have lately taken advantage of a heavy fall of very cold and finely pulverulent snow, well adapted to the preparation of freezing-mixtures, to redetermine, with accuracy I believe, the density of mercury in the solid state and at a definite temperature. Such redetermination was not superfluous, as appeared from a collation of the statements to be found in various standard works. In the tables of specific gravities compiled by Prof. F. W. Clarke, and published by the Smithsonian Institution, there are four authorities quoted, with the numbers given by these, as follows:—