II. On the motions of camphor on the surface of water

Abstract

The object of this paper is to show that the phenomenon in question is a much more general one than is commonly supposed; that the explanations hitherto given of it have been insufficient or erroneous. The author endeavours to explain the real nature of the phenomenon in a series of experiments and observations, and to establish the following propositions:— I. That the camphors, or stearoptens of the volatile oils, present phenomena of rotation and progression when thrown on the surface of clean water in a chemically clean vessel.