Irish Convocation (Vol. vi., p. 317.).—I am unable to answer W. Fraser's Queries as to when the Irish Convocation last met, and where their deliberations are recorded; but that gentleman will find some account of its nature and constitution in a recently published pamphlet, entitled The Jerusalem Chamber, by the Rev. H. Caswall, M.A., pp. 39, 40.
J. C. B.
Spontaneous Combustion (Vol. vii., p. 286.).—Is there such a thing; meaning, I presume, of the human body? One of the latest and best authenticated cases is given in The Abstainer's Journal (Glasgow), No. III., March, 1853, p. 54. In the narrative is included the official medical report from the Journal of Medical Science, Dec. 1852.
W. C. Trevelyan.
Do the Sun's Rays put out the Fire? (Vol. vii., p. 285.).—
"Why does the sun, shining, on a fire, make it dull, and often put it out?
"1st. Because the air (being rarefied by the sunshine) flows more slowly to the fire; and
"2ndly. The chemical action of the sun's rays is detrimental to combustion.
"The sun's rays are composed of three parts; lighting, heating, and actinic or chemical rays. These latter interfere with the process of combustion."
The above is an extract from Rev. Dr. Brewer's Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar, 6th edition, p. 50., which may perhaps prove interesting to C. W. B. At p. 58. of the same book, H. A. B. will find, I think, an answer in the affirmative to his Query (Vol. vii., p. 286.): "Is there such a thing as spontaneous combustion?"
C—— S. T. P.
W—— Rectory.
Dover Castle (Vol. vii., p. 254.).—The "j cenovectorum cum j rota ferro ligata" was a wheel-barrow. In the Promptorum Parvulorum occurs (p. 25.) "barowe cenovectorum."