striking nature, especially in the form of the tail, which cannot be too closely watched. Allowances must, however, be made for the fluctuating state of the atmosphere, whose influence will be peculiarly detrimental to observations of so delicate a nature. It need hardly be added, that many of the above suggestions may be expected to prove fruitless upon the present occasion, especially as the Comet is not in the most favourable position for observation. They will, however, not be considered entirely useless, by those who wish to see the present state of our information with regard to the con struction of these very interesting, but most imperfectly understood, bodies.

PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES.

MEETING OF THE

PROVINCIAL MEDICAL AND SURGICAL ASSOCIATION, AT Oxford.

THE members of this admirable Institution, which was founded at Worcester, in the year 1832, held their general meeting, for the present year, within the walls of the University of Oxford. The council of the Association met on the 22nd of July, at the Anatomy School, to make the necessary arrangements for the general meeting appointed for the next day, in which they derived every assistance from the exertions of their President, Dr. Kidd, the regius professor of medicine in the University. Previous to the general meeting, many of the members of the Association availed themselves of the opportunities afforded them, by the kindness and liberality of the authorities, to visit the Botanic Garden, the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library, the Picture Gallery, all of which were thrown open to them upon the occasion. At the Botanic Garden, a public breakfast was given by Professor Daubeny; immediately after which Dr. Buckland, the professor of geology, invited the members to his museum, and gave a most interesting demonstration of some of his fossil remains, especially pointing out to the attention of his gratified auditors, the peculiarities of structure of the megalotherium, of the saurians, and other extinct animals, and deducing therefrom their natural habits and mode of life. After the conclusion of Dr. Buckland's demonstration, Mr. Costello performed the operation of lithotrity, before a large assembly of the members. The Anatomical Theatre having been found incapable of holding all the members of the Association who were anxious to see the operation, application was made to the Mayor, who kindly gave the use of the Town Hall for the purpose.

The general meeting took place in the Radcliffe Library, at halfpast one o'clock, and by the hour appointed, upwards of three hundred persons had assembled, including, among other eminent individuals, Dr. Gilbert, principal of Brazen Nose College, Dr. Ingram, president of Trinity College, Dr. Macbride, principal of Magdalen Hall, Professors Buckland, Cooke, Daubeny, Faussett, Kidd, Ogle,

Baden, Powell, Wilson, Sir Charles Throckmorton, Bart., Sir Charles Bell, Drs. Barlow, Baron, Billing, Carrick, James, Clarke, Conolly, Forbes, Hastings, Hodgkin, Holme, John Johnstone, Prichard, Robertson, Sims, Somerville, &c., Messrs. Costello, Crosse, Griffiths, Hebb, Hetting, Tuchwell, &c., &c.

Dr. Kidd, the President, having been called to the chair, delivered an eloquent address, in which he expressed his gratification at receiving the Association within the walls of so majestic a monument to the munificence of an individual belonging to the medical profession, as the Radcliffe Library. After a well-merited compliment to the skill, enterprise, and talent of provincial practitioners, and an appeal to the literary works of the illustrious dead, as well as of the no less illustrious living, with which the shelves of the edifice were loaded, as an evidence of its truth,-he ably pointed out the claims which the profession has upon public estimation and gratitude, by their unwearied and gratuitous exertions in the cause of philanthropy, by their self-devotion to the duties of their calling, though often rewarded with neglect,--and by the high standard of moral excellence and intellectual ability to which, as a body, they have attained. "Such" observed the learned Professor, in concluding his address, "Such are the claims of those two members of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association, on whom this University has lately conferred the highest honour which it has the power of conferring. Long may those individuals enjoy an honour, to the possession of which I know they attach a due value; and in the mean time may Oxford meet with further opportunities of enrolling among its members, by means of similar honours, names as distin. guished as those of Abercrombie and of Prichard. Gentlemen,It would now become my duty immediately to propose that Dr. Hastings should be requested to read the report of the Council; but before doing so, I have a most pleasing duty to perform, the pleasure arising from which would have been doubled, had both the individuals been present to whom I refer. Dr. Abercrombie would most willingly have attended the meeting of the Association, had it been in his power; but when we consider that he resides at the distance which divides Edinburgh from Oxford, and when it is considered, also, what his duties are, I could neither ask nor expect it. But I have it in my power to present to Dr. Prichard, which I do with unfeigned pleasure, that testimonial of his merit which the University has conferred upon him.-[The diploma was now presented to Dr. Prichard, who on receiving it was greatly applauded.] Gentlemen, though I do not wish to over-rate an honour which has been conferred by a body to which I have the honour to belong, yet, at the same time, I naturally wish that it should not be underrated; and as many persons may not be aware of the extent of the honour thus conferred, I will state that it gives to the individual to whom it is presented, not only all the privileges which he would acquire by the strictest compliance with the rules of the University, by a residence of many years, and by passing through several de

grees, but it gives him that honour immediately, and without any condition. A member of the University who has acquired the honour in the regular course, could not exercise the right of voting immediately; but when it is conferred by diploma, as in this case, the individual to whom it is presented acquires an immediate right to

vote."

The report of the council was then called for and read by Dr. Hastings, after which Dr. John Johnstone, of Birmingham, said,— "The report which has now been read is so satisfactory a document, and goes so fully into the subject, both of the progress of our Institution, and of the means recommended for the furtherance of its object, that I shall not enter into any remarks upon that detail. If I were to enter into it, it would be upon that part which recommends to your consideration the subject of the poor in relation to medical attendance; but as that subject would require a long discussion, I think it would be much better that the recommendation made in the report should be adopted, namely, that every gentleman concerned with the poor, and who is employed as a medical practitioner for their relief, should make his own report to this Association, so that we might have a general understanding on the subject. But on the present auspicious occasion, surrounded, as we are, by the great body of enlightened practitioners in this country, assembled, too, in undiminished numbers, and with increased zeal, in this,-the very seat of the Muses, and the resort of sages for so many centuries past -this sanctuary of learning, revered and honoured by all civilized nations, and endeared, especially to some of us, by recollections and associations which bind us to it by millions of ties of almost filial duty and affection—it is impossible for us not to exult at our present position, and not to believe that our views are correctly estimated, and that it is known we are met together, not for any selfish purposes but, by enlarging the volume of science, to diminish the mass of human misery. It cannot be forgotten in our annals, too, that by the bounty of this University, and by the kindness of our learned president, we are assembled under this dome, reared and dedicated by medical munificence, for the purposes enumerated in the report. Under this dome, if I may dare to use the image, the Genius loci, the spirit of medicine itself, looks down with complacency upon us and breathes a benediction upon our labours." Dr. Johnstone concluded by moving that the report of the council be received and adopted by this meeting, which was seconded by Dr. Carrick and carried unanimously.

Dr. Prichard, at the request of the president, then read the Retrospective Address, which, on its conclusion, was universally applauded.

Sir Charles Bell moved that the thanks of the meeting be given to Dr. Prichard, for his able and eloquent address; and that he be requested to print the same in the fourth volume of the Transactions of the Association :-seconded by Dr. Daubeny.

Mr. Tudor (of Bath) moved-that the Anniversary Meeting, for

the year 1836, be held at Manchester; and that Dr. Holme be requested to accept the office of President-elect, which was carried unanimously.

Dr. Barlow (of Bath) proposed-that the thanks of the meeting be given to Dr. John Johnstone, the late President of the Association; and that he be appointed a permanent Vice-President. This resolution was seconded by Dr. Bevan (of Monmouth) and carried unanimously.

Dr. Conolly (of Warwick) said, that if he had had the choosing of the resolution he was about to propose, he could not have selected one which would have given him greater pleasure. The purport of the resolution was- —that the thanks of the meeting be given to Dr. Hastings and Mr. Sheppard, the Secretaries of the Association; and that they be requested to continue their services. It was impossible for any one, who, like himself, had had the pleasure of attending all the meetings of the Association, to submit the present motion without at the same time recalling the very great degree of pleasure which he, in common, he believed, with all other members of the Association, had derived from meeting his professional brethren. Such opportunities as these were almost the only means that medical men had of seeing gathered together much that was estimable in their profession, and enjoying that intercourse of those means of communication from which, under ordinary circumstances, they were debarred. He felt how deeply the Association was indebted to the gentlemen who were named in the resolution, and he trusted that their valuable services would not be withdrawn. Mr. Hetling (of Bristol) seconded the resolution, which was carried unanimously.

Several other resolutions, relating to the affairs of the Association, were severally moved and seconded by Dr. Booth, Dr. Symonds, Mr. Wingfield, Dr. Streeten, Dr. Bompass, Dr. Holme, Dr. Scott, Mr. Wickenden, Mr. Griffiths, Dr. Fox, Mr. Wickham, Dr. Robertson, Mr. Morris, Dr. W. Connolly, and Mr. T. Griffiths.

In the course of the morning Dr. Scott read the Report of the Committee, appointed at Birmingham, in 1834, to consider the practicability of establishing a Benevolent Society, in connection with the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association.

The report of the committee was unanimously adopted, and its recommendations ordered to be carried into effect.

Mr. Wickenden read the report of the library committee appointed last year, and Mr. Hebb an interesting report respecting the state of medicine in Holland, from Dr. Nieuwenhuys, of Amsterdam.— Several communications were also made by Mr. Smith, of Southam, Mr. Rumsey, and other gentlemen, shewing the oppressive nature of the new Poor Law Act, with respect to the attendance of medical practitioners upon the poor; and a committee was appointed to report thereon at the next anniversary meeting of the Association. The business of the day having been brought to a satisfactory conclusion, Dr. Johnstone took the chair, and, upon the motion of Dr. Hastings, seconded by Mr. Addison, a most cordial vote of

thanks was accorded to the president, Dr. Kidd. The meeting then broke up, and in the afternoon the members and their friends, amounting to nearly two hundred, dined together at the Star Hotel. Dr. Kidd presided at the dinner table, as chairman, and several distinguished members of the University, as well as many eminent individuals belonging to the profession, were present.

That each succeeding anniversary of the Association shall be equally distinguished with that which has so lately been held in the halls of this ancient and revered seat of learning, is scarcely to be anticipated; but no reflecting mind can witness these cheering scenes, without wishing all prosperity and success to an institution of such unquestionable merit. The main end and object of this society is the amelioration of the condition of our fellow men; for, whoever has felt the ills attendant upon the frailty that suffering mortality is heir to, will hail with gratitude and delight these works of benevolence, by which the knowledge of that divine science of medicine is extended far and wide, and the influence of its cultivators-ever exerted for good-increased. Let, therefore, the members of the medical profession continue their exertions in the cause of their science. The reward they will obtain is not lightly to be esteemed. It is the consciousness of having in their day, and to their power, done what they can towards improving the condition of suffering humanity—and though the civic crown may be for a time withheld the unfading wreath of honor, which adorns many an elevated name shall still be his who devotes his time and his best energies to the alleviation of pain and disease.

BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.

FIRST ANNIVERSARY MEETING.

THURSDAY, the 27th of August, being the day appointed for holding the Anniversary Meeting of this institution, a great number of patrons and friends assembled at the Museum, in Paradise-street, having been previously entertained at breakfast, at Dee's Royal Hotel, by Mr. Sands Cox, the founder of the School. The party then adjourned to the School of Medicine, at which Dr. Edward Johnstone presided; and the report, which was a most satisfactory document, was read by Dr. John Johnstone, the Vice-President. This report, of course, embraced every variety of information connected with the establishment, and was amply conclusive of the rapid advancement to perfection of all its departments. It appears that there are now ninety students inscribed on the register of the School, being an increase of more than thirty on any former year,