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motions, evidently aiming at him, and to be discussed at the next meeting, were given; they were to the effect that no honorary servant of the Society do cause the Institution any expense (alluding to Mr. Sabine's residence at the inn at Kingston, on his visits to the farm); and the other, that it is expedient to relinquish the farm. The Marquess of Douro, and several others, were elected Fellows; after which, Mr. Vigors read a very satisfactory report for the last month, which showed a considerable balance in favour of the Society. Lord Lansdowne, Lord Stanley, the Earl of Jersey, &c. made donations to the Society: amongst these were rare specimens of the simia tribe.

Asiatic Society-Sir G. Staunton, Bart. in the chair. A variety of donations in natural history, literature, and art, were laid on the table; amongst which were a collection of fragments of human bones, military weapons, vases, &c., taken out of a tumulus near Hydrabad, with a plan and section of the tumulus, presented by Col. Hopkinson. This cemetery formed one of a number noticed by Col. Hopkinson near Hydrabad, having the appearance of a long low hill, composed of many circles, each about eighteen feet in diameter; at the bottom of one of which were found the remains now presented: they appear to have been a sword, a spear, two large vases, and several smaller relics, besides the bones: the metal fabrications, it is stated, seemed to be quite perfect when uncovered, but crumbled to pieces on being touched. The bones have evidently been burnt; and it is therefore imagined that the tumulus must have been the burial-place of a Hindu. The sword and spear are very similar to those still in use in India; but the other articles are of a shape now unknown. The Pasha of Egypt was elected an honorary member of the Society. Among the papers read were a few original letters of the late Sir William Jones; in one of the earliest of which is a remark upon the advantage of writing Sanscrit words in Roman characters, instead of according to the sound; the word pacsha he instances as being pronounced in different provinces pokyo, puch'h and puck.

Royal Society.-A letter from the Rev. James Farquharson, containing the sequel of his observations on the Aurora Borealis, was lately read. Another communication was also read; it was a statement of the principal circumstances respecting the united Siamese Twins, now exhibiting in London; by George Berkley Bolton, Esq.: the youths were brought to the meeting by their guardian, the better to illustrate Mr. Bolton's paper. On

the table were placed a variety of important donations. Mr. Coddington exhibited his improved microscope, and explained its peculiarities; Mr. Ritchie his new and exceedingly delicate torsion balance and galvanometer, in both of which glass threads are employed: the balance is an invention of great interest, and is intended to show extremely minute weights; as small as even to indicate the millionth part of a grain! Capt. Fleming brought his very ingenions mechanical invention, meant to be employed on board ship for several useful purposes. At a late sitting a paper was read, entitled, "On the Twelfth Axiom of the First Book of Euclid;" by Philip Henry Viscount Mahon, F.R.S., of which we give the following extract:-The axiom states, that "if a straight line meets two straight lines, so as to make the two interior angles on the same side of it, taken together, less than two right angles, these two straight lines, being continually produced, shall, at length, meet upon that side on which are the angles that are less than two right angles." This proposition, the author remarks, is improperly placed among the axioms, as it is far from self-evident. Dr. Jenison has accordingly undertaken to prove it by an elaborate process of reasoning, employing for that purpose no fewer than two definitions, one axiom, and five propositions. The object of the author in this communication is to furnish the same proof in a single proposition. For this end he proceeds on the self-evident position, that if the lines do not meet on the side stated in the enunciation of the axiom, they must either be parallel, or they must meet on the other side. He then proves, by a reductio ad absurdum, that they are not parallel; and next, by a more direct demonstration, that they cannot possibly meet on the other side. It follows, therefore, that they meet on that side on which are the angles that are less than two right angles.

Royal Society of Literature.-At a special meeting of the Council, lately, to determine upon the appropriation of the two gold medals placed annually by his Majesty at their disposal, to be awarded to authors distinguished by works honourable to themselves and to literature: the medals of the present year were voted to Washington Irving and Henry Hallam, Esqs. This decision, however justly due to Mr. Irving's talents, will be equally agreeable to the United States and to England, as an example of that right and kind feeling which ought never to be interrupted between two such nations. The medals will, of course, be presented at the general anniversary on the 29th.

Society of Antiquaries, April 1.—— Hamilton, Esq. V. P. in the chair. Mr. Kempe exhibited to the Society some highly-curious ancient paintings on panel, discovered at Hayes, near Bromley, in Kent, which had been described by him in a former communication to the Society. A paper was read, being the substance of a pamphlet preserved in the British Museum, showing the dread entertained in the reigns of Elizabeth and James at the increase of buildings in London, which, as it was supposed, became a harbour for an influx of lewd and disorderly people; and recommending the appointment of a committee to watch and direct all new buildings, and to prevent the erection of cottages or small houses.

Percussion Cannon.-It seems unknown in England that percussion locks were introduced into the artillery of the Austrian marine two years ago, on board of the Guerriera frigate and Ussaro brig and the success which has attended the experiment has determined the government of Austria to employ these locks generally throughout their marine artillery.

Proceedings of the Medico-Botanical Society. It affords us much gratification to observe the improved and improving state of this very useful society. Its object is to extend and improve the knowledge of the sanative properties of vegetables, and thereby increase our therapeutical agents. Its members are dispersed throughout the civilized world, and the continual discoveries which they communicate to the Society, deserve, and cannot fail to obtain, encouragement. Of our numerous medical societies, this alone is devoted to the improvement of materia medica. The causes which prevented the cordial co-operation of the medical profession, with its beneficial exertions, have ceased to exist; and, of late, we have observed, at its meetings, some of our most eminent physicians, Sir Henry Halford, Sir James M Grigor, Dr. Paris, Dr. Bree, Dr. Roupell, &c. Since our last report the anniversary address was delivered by its noble and scientific President, Earl Stanhope, before an auditory composed of some of the first literary and scientific characters. His lordship took a view of the progress and prosperity of the Society during the last year, announced the accession of many sovereigns, "who, by their gracious protection, as well as by the influence of their example, have eminently promoted our designs and encouraged our exertions." He next, with great feeling, commemorated the merits and services of the members deceased since the last anniversary, enumerated their contributions to the Society, as well

as to science in general. Here we must observe that the noble President displayed a perfect acquaintance with the rapid progress of science in this and other countries. The deceased members were Dr. Dunlap and Fleming, who had sent communications relative to the Materia Medica of the East Indies; Chevalier Marck, and M. Vauquelin of the French Institute, and the favourite son of science, Sir H. Davy. Having disposed of this part of his duty, his Lordship enumerated the donations received during the last year, among which were collections of indigenous plants from their Majesties, the Kings of Wirtemberg and Naples; the magnificent work of Redonte, on the Liliacées, from the Duke of Northumberland; a collection of rare Brazilian seeds from the Viscount Strangford; collections of Guiana plants from Mr. Lambert, of rare Alpine plants from Mr. Fischer, of Berne, of Norwegian plants from Mr. Blythe, of seeds from Mr. Otto of Berlin, and Dr. Fischer of St. Peterburgh, and specimens of the Javanese materia medica, from the Royal Asiatic Society. His Lordship, with much modesty and deference to the distinguished members of the medical profession who surrounded him, reviewed the numerous papers transmitted to the Society, and evinced an intimate acquaintance with the sciences of botany and materia medica. His critical remarks on the papers of Cavaliere Tenore, Professor of Botany at Naples ; of Dr. Bertholet, of Teneriffe, on the medicinal plants of the Canary Islands; of M. Cottereau, of Paris, on the several species of esquisetum, &c. &c. were acute and scientific. His Lordship's address was delivered with the most correct emphasis, and was heard with profound attention. On its conclusion, Sir Henry Halford spoke in the highest terms of its excellence, and proposed a motion, which was seconded by Sir James M'Grigor, and received with unanimous applause, “that ́ the cordial thanks of the Society be offered to the Right Honourable the Noble President, Earl Stanhope, for his very valuable and very useful address to the Society, and that his Lordship be requested to allow the same to be printed for distribution among the members of the Society.

The proceedings at the two subsequent meetings consisted of the reading of a paper from Mr. Twining, of Calcutta, on a species of Asclepias, common in Hindostan, where it is vernacularly styled Madar. This paper was of great length, read by Dr. Sigmond. The author had employed the powder of the inner bark in chronic ulcers, caries, cutaneous diseases, and nodes, with success, when the usual

remedies were of no avail. It is used by the natives in chronic rheumatism, anasarca, and ascites arising from debility. Several causes of the former diseases were detailed, but, in our opinion, by no means afforded sufficient evidence to warrant the author's eulogium of the medicine. Another paper was read, from Dr. Geiger, a German physician, on the Calendula officinalis, with a view to restore it to materia medica. A paper was read, translated by Dr. Sigmond, from the Journal de Pharmacie, of Paris, the production of M. Souberanne, confirmatory of Dr. Hanwell's opinions on the preparations of sarsaparilla; and at the last meeting of the Society, Dr. Whiting, Professor of Materia Medica, delivered an introductory lecture on that branch of medicine. The last meeting was held on the 13th instant, at which Mr. Houlton was elected Professor of Botany.

Eclectic Society, March 30.. Mr. Burt read a paper, accompanied by a diagram, in which he attempted to show the motion of the solar system through space, and the phenomena consequent thereon; assuming as his postulata, that the motion is curvilinear, and that the diameter of the

sun's orbit is sensible at the distance of the nearest fixed star. Dr. Walker read a paper on (vulgo) the lightening before death, and instanced a remarkable case of a woman, who for a long period had been perfectly unconscious of passing events, and even of the presence of her nearest relatives, being suddenly aroused to recollection by the preparations for the funeral of her son she died shortly after. A paper was read from the Chevalier Aldini, on his method of resisting fire; also, on the application of Galvanism in cases of suspended animation. Mr. Usher read a paraphrase of the 28th chapter of Job, from the original; the subject, Wisdom. A letter was read from the Duke of Graf ton, announcing his Grace's acceptance of the office of President of the Society. M. A. Shee, Esq. President of the Royal Academy, Dr. Bowring, and Charles Rowland, Esq. were severally elected members. Among the visitors, were the Rev. Sir Robert Peat, Hon. Capt. Vernon, Capt. Perceval, Mr. Fitzroy, Dr. Irving, &c. On the table were several presents to the library, and some beautiful botanical specimens, particularly of the date palm, &c.

FRANCE.

FOREIGN VARIETIES.

Paris Academy of Sciences.-M. Jaume St. Hilaire presented a paper read by him in February last to the Society of Agriculture, on the soils more or less adapted to the spontaneous production of vegetables. After a careful analyzation of specimens, taken from the Bois de Meudon, the Plain des Sablons, the Bois de Boulogne, &c. he had come to the conclusion, that all the soils were composed of silex, magnesia, chalk, &c. in various proportions, in addition to a vegeto animal matter, more or less abundant as the soils are more or less adapted to the production of plants; 2dly, That plants growing on soils, the constituent parts and relative proportions of which are most favourable to their own particular nature, do not exhaust the ground; and lastly, That a course of observations on the various species of plants which grow spontaneously and perpetuate themselves on certain soils, with a chemical analysis of those soils would be attended with great practical utility to the science of agriculture.

Medals. At the sitting of the Geographical Society of Paris, on the 5th of March, a letter was read from M. Caillé, presenting a copy of his Travels in Central Africa, and expressing a hope that they would be viewed with favour by the

Society. A gold medal, of 500fr. value, was subsequently voted to this gentleman; and another to the widow of the enterprising and unfortunate Major Laing, his precursor in that arduous field of discovery. Honourable mention was also made of the exertions of Captain d'Urville.

French Universal Statistic Society.-At the sitting on the 25th of March, 156 new members were enrolled, and a great number of works, charts, &c. were presented to the Society. A committee of twenty members was nominated to decide on the subjects of the prize essays, and the value of the prizes to be given by the Society, &c. The Dukes of Orleans and Chartres sent letters of excuse, regretting their being unable to attend.

Election.-General Count Philip de Segur was elected to the place in the Academy vacant by the death of the Duke de Levis, by thirty-one votes out of thirtytwo; and M. Bussy to that of Professor to the School of Medicine. Walking Skeleton. There is at this moment at Douai a man thirty years of age, known by the appellation of the Walking Skeleton. He has the faculty, although sufficiently embonpoint, of contracting his muscles and reducing his flesh, leaving his bones protruding, so as to give himself the appearance of a skele

ton.

With this he combines other surprising feats. He swallows with impunity all sorts of poisons, arsenic, sulphuric acid, corrosive sublimate, and devours live coals. He can also free himself from chains and manacles of every description. The most expert of the gendarmerie have in vain applied thumbscrews, handcuffs, irons of all sorts, to secure him; he rids himself of them in an instant. A triple chain, by way of experiment, was fastened round his body and secured with screws; by one or two movements, of which he alone possesses the secret, they fell at his feet. The name of this juggler is Jean Pierre Decure, a native (as he says himself) of Africa.

The population, of the French colonics, in 1826 and 1827 was as follows:

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Bees. A new manual, for the proprietors of bees, has been published at Paris by a M. Martin. It treats successively of the natural history of bees, of their maladies, of their different forms of government, and of the construction of their hives. It collects the most striking observations that bave been made upon these industrious republics by preceding writers, and finishes by a summary of the principles of education which M. Martin lays down, and by a bibliography of bees! Annexed is an abridged treatise on the culture of sainfoin and buck wheat, which M. Manuel considers to be the two plants most favourable to the production of honey.

Caduceus.-A bronze caduceus, in perfect preservation, has been discovered at Chambery. It is supposed to belong to a statue of Mercury, which there are hopes of finding.

French Electors.-M. C. Dupin, who is well known by his numerous works, published lately an article on the state and distribution of the Electoral Franchise, which presents some curious results. He divides the French departments into three classes, as follows:-The First Class includes fifty-one departments, which return Constitutional, or liberal members. It contains 45,000 electors, and pays in

taxes.

105,700,000 fr. of Contribution Fonciere. 19,800,000 fr. Personal and Moveable Tax. 15,000,000 fr. of duty on Patents. 11,000,000 fr. of other direct taxes.

151,500,000.

The Second Class includes forty-three departments which return Absolutists or Ministerialists. These contain 31,900 electors, and pay in taxes

1830.

Foreign Varieties.-France-Spain-Italy-Russia.

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From tables published by the Minister of Marine, it appears that on an average of the eighty years ending 1823, the number of men employed in the merchant vessels at Bourdeaux and Marseilles was one for every nine tons (French measure). But it is now only one for every fifteen tons. Bourdeaux had, in 1824 and 1825, two hundred and fifty-two vessels (armemens), whose average burden was one hundred and ninety-nine tons French. Marseilles had four hundred and six vessels of the average burden of one hundred and fortythree tons.

Vaccination.-M. Robert, a physician at the Marseilles Lazaretto, has made a number of experiments, from which he concludes that the vaccine eruption had no other origin than the accidental transmission of the variolous virus of man to the udder of a cow, and its consequent mitigation. He thinks that this discovery will diminish the number of the opponents of vaccination; as it will show that the vaccine virus does not proceed from any impure and disgusting animal malady, but is simply a mild and local small-pox. Quentovie.-Much doubt has long prevailed among archæologists with respect to the exact position of the ancient port of Quentovicus, or Quentovic; which was sacked and destroyed by the Normans, in the year 822 or 824. The result of inquiries into the subject, communicated to the French Academy by M. Boacher, of Abbeville, seems to prove that it was situated at the mouth of the Canche, a river of France, in the department of the Pasde-Calais, which falls into the English Channel near Etaples.

May.-VOL. XXX. NO. CXIII.

209

Corn in France.-It is stated in a recent French work on the comparative quantity of corn produced in France and in this country, that by dividing France into three portions, each a little larger than England and Wales, it will be found that one of these portions produces less by one half, the second an equal quantity, and the other a third more.

SPAIN.

Atmospheric Phenomenon.-The "Bulletin des Sciences Agricoles" quotes from the "Gaceta de Boyona" a curious account of the destruction of the vines at Villanueva del Campo, in Spain, in September last, and of a strange atmospheric phenomenon which preceded it. Ôn the 20th of September, at alf-past four o'clock in the afternoon, before which time the atmosphere was perfectly serene, the sun was suddenly obscured by a white cloud, and in a short time afterwards there were perceived round the sun two concentric circles, exhibiting all the colours of the rainbow. At the end of six minutes they disappeared; and in the evening a cold came on as severe as is usually felt in January. The vines were frozen, and the leaves and stems had the appearance of having been burnt.

Artesian Wells.-M. Raphael Garrette, a merchant of Madrid, has proposed to the Spanish government to form a company to establish Artesian wells for the irrigation of the country, and the supply of water to the towns. According to his statement, few of the towns in Spain, including Madrid, have a supply of more than two-thirds of the quantity of water. really necessary.

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