and numerous accession of members, and states their present number to amount to 174, including persons the most eminent in rank and distinguished in science and literature in these counties. The council next proceed to a summary enumeration of the donations which have been presented to the museum, and a review of the present state and prospect of its several departments. The chief value of the geological collection is stated to consist, at present, in the specimens of fossil plants from the coal-measures of different districts of England, particularly of Shropshire, presented by Dr. Du Gard, and several other donors. The mineralogical department is next noticed, and a wish expressed for more ample contributions of the rare and beautiful minerals afforded by the mining districts of this neighbourhood. The botanical collection is stated to have already made great progress, through the large and valuable donations of W. A. Leighton, Esq., Dr. Wilson, and others; and through the further contributions promised to it, especially by C. C. Babington, Esq., of Cambridge, and J. E. Bowman, Esq., of Gresford (both distinguished botanists), its speedy attainment to a high degree of completeness is confidently predicted by the council. In the department of zoology, some beautiful skeletons of quadrupeds and reptiles (the gift of T. C. Eyton, Esq., and Mr. T. B. Barrett), are the subject of high commendation, both on account of the talent and industry displayed in their preparation, and the great utility of such specimens to zoological science. Other specimens of vertebrated animals are alluded to; and, after pointing out the desirableness of acquiring a complete collection of British birds, and alluding to the zeal and ability of the curator of ornithology (T. C. Eyton, Esq.), the council add their confident hope that his efforts will be seconded by all who have the opportunity; and, in particular, that gentlemen will kindly appropriate to the museum any rare birds which they may meet with in their shooting excursions, and will give similar directions to their gamekeepers; by which means the society's cabinets would be speedily stored with the birds of the neighbouring districts, at no cost, and little trouble to the donors. The donations to the cabinet of entomology are next referred to; and the council point out the certainty derived from the well-known ability and devotion of the curators (the Rev. F. W. Hope, and W. W. Watkins, Esq.) to this pursuit, that all donations to this department will be made most available for the illustration of this fascinating and popular branch of natural history. The beginning of a cabinet of conchology is next noticed, with a request for further donations in that department.

In that of antiquities, the munificent and most valuable donation, by Archdeacon Butler, of an Egyptian mummy, in its two cases, in fine preservation, and enriched with hieroglyphics, is noticed as demanding the society's warmest gratitude,-not only from its great intrinsic value, and the deeply-interesting historical associations connected with it, but also as a lasting and splendid memorial of the attachment of the donor to the interests of the society.

The council refer, also, to the library, and, after acknowledging the donations of books which have been received, especially a very interesting and beautiful MS. on Druidical Antiquities, by T. F. Dukes, Esq., F S. A. (one of the antiquarian curators), point out the formation of a scientific library of reference, as a most essential object of the society, and one without which the most richly-stored museum would be comparatively unavailable for the purposes of science. But it is observed that, for the present, even this essential consideration must be postponed to the urgent necessity of devoting the society's funds to fitting up the museum with the cabinets which are indispensably required for the safe custody and due arrangement of the donations entrusted to the museum. Towards this important object, which, at the present moment, presses heavily on the society's resources, the liberal donation of five pounds each by R. A. Slaney, Esq. and Colonel Wingfield, and of one guinea by Mrs. Sutton, were gratefully announced.

The general state of the society's finances is next adverted to, and the members individually are earnestly recommended to exert their influence in obtaining an accession of new subscribers, as a present aid and permanent benefit to the society.

The council, lastly, advert to their having it in contemplation to commence periodical meetings of the members of the society, for the purpose of scientific intercourse, and the reading of communications; and also, as soon as possible, to organize a series of popular lectures on subjects of natural science: and they conclude by expressing their confident hope that the endeavours of the society to promote the cause of science, will continue to be cordially seconded by the public; and that, when called upon to present the next annual report of their proceedings, they will be enabled to congratulate their fellow members and the public on the steady and progressive advancement of the institution, in its career of public favour and acknowledged usefulness.

On the conclusion of the reading of the Report the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :

That the title of the Society, for the future, shall be THE SHROPSHIRE and North WALES NATURAL HISTORY AND ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.

That the following Gentlemen be elected Honorary Members:Roderick Impey Murchison, Esq., F. R. and G. S.; Rev. Adam Sedgwick, M. A., F. R. and G. S., Woodwardian Professor of Geology in the University of Cambridge; Rev. William Buckland, D. D., F. R. and G. S., Professor of Geology in the University of Oxford; Rev. John Stevens Henslow, M. A., F. L. S. and G. S., Regius Professor of Botany, in the University of Cambridge; John Phillips, Esq., F. R. and G. S., Professor of Geology, King's College, London; Charles Cardale Babington, Esq. M. A, F. L. S., of St. John's College, Cambridge; Joshua Trimmer, Esq., F. G. S., Secretary of the Caernarvonshire Natural History Society; Rev. William Whewell, M. A. of Trinity College, Cambridge.

That the following gentlemen be requested to continue their duties as officers of the Society until the next General Meeting: President-The Venerable Archdeacon Butler, D. D., F. R. S., &c. &c.: Vice Presidents-Thomas Du Gard, Esq., M. D., F. G. S.; Rev. Francis Knyvett Leighton, M. A.; Robert Aglionby Slaney, Esq.; John Wingfield, Esq.: Treasurer-Thomas Eyton, Esq.: Secretaries-Henry Johnson, Esq., M. D.; William Allport Leighton, Esq., B. A.: Council-Mr. John Carline; W. James Clement, Esq.; Rev. Charles Drury, M. A.; Thomas Farmer Dukes, Esq., F. S. A.; Thomas Campbell Eyton, Esq.; Richard Ford, Esq, ; George Goldie, Esq. M. D.; James Loxdale, Esq.; Mr. Henry Pidgeon; Thomas Sutton, Esq.; Rev. J. M. Wakefield, M. A.; and Mr. James Whitney.

After the usual votes of thanks to the officers and donors, the meeting separated.

So brilliant an effect was produced by the venerable President's luminous and animated address, and so powerful a spirit of good fellowship and co-operation pervaded the breast of every individual present at the meeting, that the number of subscribers has since been augmented to 184, and donations of specimens exceeding prior ones in interest and value, and a contribution of money towards the fitting up of the museum, have been most liberally forwarded by friends of the institution in various portions of the district.

We are also happy in being enabled to announce that the Council have determined to hold evening meetings of the members of the Society, for the purpose of reading scientific communications on the various branches of Natural History, on the first Tuesday in each month, and that the first meeting is fixed for Tuesday, the 5th of January next.

BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.

SINCE the last quarterly meeting of this institution, the following donations and subscriptions have been recorded :

Sir F. Goodriche, Bart. M. P., £10.; T. Woods, Esq., Coleshill, £10.; J. E. Piercy, Esq., Birmingham, £10. 10s.; Rev. Mr. Peglar, £2. 2s.; Mr. Goddard, £2. 2s. Annual,—Mr. J. Shore, £1. 1s.; Mr. Guest, £1. 1s.; Mr. Smith, £1. 1s.; Mr. Powell, £1. 1s.; Mr. R. Harris, £1. 1s.; Mr. J. E. Piercy, £1. 1s.; Mr. Ruberry, £1. ls.; Mr. James James, £1. 1s.; Mr. W. Bourne, £1. 1s.; Mr. C. Brewin, f2. 2s.

The museum of comparative anatomy has been enriched by specimens of the Felis onca, Armadillo Novemcinctus, and Viverra nasua, from the collection of Mr. Wombwell. The Earl of Mountnorris

has presented a remarkably fine skin of the Boa constrictor, shot whilst swiming across a creek, with a deer in its mouth, by Captain Macleod. Mr. Hunter has contributed the rare skull of the red Ourang Outang of Borneo, sister of the living specimen now exhibiting in the Zoological Gardens, London. That flourishing Society has transmitted to the honorary secretary of the School, the following liberal resolution, viz.,-" that the Society, with pleasure, are willing to present to the museum of the Birmingham School of Medicine, the bodies of animals dying in the Society's menagerie and not required for their own purpose."

The attention of the profession is called to some beautiful wax models, executed by Mr. Hardy, of Gloucester, especially to the case of osteo-sarcoma, presented by Mr. J. Fowke, of Wolverhamp

ton.

The following gentlemen form the officers for the ensuing year: Committee of Management,-The Rev. Chancellor Law; Rev. Egerton Bagot; James Taylor, Esq.; Edward Johnstone, M. D.; John Johnstone, M. D., F. R. S.; Mr. Armfield; Mr. E. T. Cox ; Mr. B Guest; Mr. J. E. Piercy; Mr. H. Smith; Mr. J. G. Reeves; Mr. J. W. Unett.

Auditors of Accounts,-Mr. Armfield; Mr. J. G. Reeves.

Visitors,—Mr. G. Attwood; Mr. E. T. Cox; Mr. J. E. Piercy; Mr. Charles Shaw.

BIRMINGHAM PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTION.

"On

THE lectures announced in the last annual report to be delivered at this institution during the autumn of 1835, were, a course Mental Phenomena connected with the exercise of the Imagination," by Mr. L. Parker, and one " On the early English Opera," by Mr. Edward Taylor. Of the former, the three first lectures only were given, the delivery of the remaining two lectures being unavoidably postponed for some time. Mr. Parker's first lecture will be seen in another part of the present number. In place of the fourth and fifth lectures of Mr. Parker, lectures were delivered on the 9th and 16th of November, by Mr. Russell, "On the discovery of a Toad found alive imbedded in a solid mass of new red Sand-stone," the depositions relating to which circumstance were given in the last number of The Analyst; and by Dr. Corrie, "On the flowing of Sand under pressure.' Of this latter lecture, which was prepared and delivered to the members at a very short notice, the following is a brief and imperfect outline :

"

The lecturer first adverted to some of the ordinary phenomena which are observed in fluids, both when in motion and at rest ;

shewing that when a fluid, as mercury, is poured into one leg of an inverted syphon, it will ascend to the same level in both legs, provided the pressure in both be the same; and that if water be allowed to escape from a vessel filled with it, through an aperture in or near the bottom, the rapidity with which the water flows out will not be uniform, but will diminish in proportion as the height of the column of water in the vessel diminishes: in other words, the quantity that flows out will be unequal in equal times. Such, however, is not the case with sand, as was first shewn, a few years since, by M. Bernard, of Geneva, in describing, to the Philosophical Society of that city, an anemometer, or measurer of the wind, which he had so constructed that the force and direction of the wind were measured by the quantity of sand which escaped from an aperture variable in its size. For this instrument to give accurate results, it was essential that, whatever might be the pressure, equal quantities of sand should flow through the same aperture in equal times; and, to prove that such is the case, Mons. Bernard instituted a set of experiments on the subject, which led to the knowledge of some very curious and interesting facts. Many of M. Bernard's experiments were repeated during the lecture, by Dr. Corrie. The sand to be used should be well sifted, dry, and not too fine; that which will pass through a sieve containing thirty-eight wires per inch in one direction, and forty-five or forty-six in the other, flows very readily but the aperture through which the sand is to flow must not be less than ,079 of an inch in diameter. Part of the apparatus used for exhibiting the experiments was a tin box, open at the top, and provided with an aperture that could be widened or lengthened at pleasure, and the sand that passed out was estimated by measure. It was seen that the quantity of sand that flowed in a given time through a given aperture, was the same, whatever was the weight, the volume, or the height of the sand in the box above. The height of the sand was sometimes increased very considerably, and heavy weights were added to increase the pressure, but without producing any change.* Sand being poured into one leg of an inverted syphon did not ascend in the other, but extended only a very little way into the horizontal part. Whatever pressure may be given to the upper surface of the sand, it exerts no influence on the issue below. An inverted syphon had some mercury poured in until both the limbs were partly filled; and the sand was then poured in on the one side upon the mercury, but no elevation of the mercury in the other leg took place. If pressure be added to the weight of the sand, still the mercury will remain unmoved. A wafer was pressed against the

* It was remarked by M. Bernard that there is, perhaps, no other natural force on the earth which produces, by itself, a perfectly uniform movement, and which is not altered, either by gravitation, or friction, or the resistance of the air for the height of the column of sand has no influence; friction, in place of being an obstacle, is the regulating cause; and the resistance of the air within the column must be so feeble as to be altogether insensible as a disturbing force.

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