lute places of all stars which have been used by those gentlemen in differential measurements; the want of some establishment to which private observers might send for the determination of their stars of reference, having long been a matter of regret.

In conclusion, the author alludes to the various foreign observatories, whose subjects of observation will, he thinks, by no means interfere with that selected for Edinburgh; and he congratulates himself that having made his election entirely on independent physical considerations, he has at last arrived at the same point to which his predecessor seemed to be drawing nearer and nearer every year. 2. Observations of Terrestrial Temperature made at Trevandrum Observatory, from May 1842 to December 1845. By John Caldecott, Esq. Communicated by Professor Forbes.

This paper is a continuation of the Register of Observations already recorded at page 29 of this volume of the "Proceedings." The following table contains the mean corrected results of the observations at 3, 6, and 12 French feet, and of the temperature of the air for 1843, 1844, and 1845 taken together :—

3. On the Temperature of Wells and Springs at Trevandrum in India (Lat. 8° 31', Long. 5h 8m.) By Major-General Cullen, Madras Artillery. Communicated in a Letter to Professor Forbes.

The tables accompanying this letter include daily observations of three wells and one spring for the greater part of 1842 and 1843. The following is an abstract :

Abstract of the Depth and Temperature of Wells at Trevandrum for the years 1842-43.

The following remarks in Major-General Cullen's letter illustrate some particulars of the observation.

"In a dry season the spring sometimes ceases altogether, but it is very singular, that on its reappearance after a few days' rain, its temperature continues the same nearly as before.

"I had supposed that the temperature of such a spring, as that shewn by Mr Caldecott's ground-thermometers, would have been nearly the mean annual temperature of the atmosphere at the place of observation, but I perceived that his mean annual temperature for Trevandrum is only about 80°; but Colonel Sabine has already pointed out some peculiarities in the meteorology of Trevandrum which may have a wider application than has hitherto been suspected. The early sea breezes which affect the barometer, &c., may not extend their effect below the surface of the ground.

"Even the temperature of the wells is remarkably uniform, though lower than that of the spring. In none does the monthly temperature differ above 1° from the annual. The kitchen and village well are upon the top of a swell, while the garden-well is on a considerably lower level, down a slope half-way down to the spring, and the average depth of water of the garden-well is also greater than the other two. May these differences account for the higher temperature of the garden-well? The depth from the surface of the ground of all the wells was nearly alike, 40, 48, and 36 feet."

4. Chemical Notices. By Professor Gregory.

(1.) On a Fatty Substance derived from Animal Matter. This substance, derived from a pig buried for fifteen years on the side of a hill, was found to consist of free fatty acids, with a mere trace of animal matter, and no appreciable trace of phosphate of lime. The bone earth appears to have been dissolved by the water percolating through the soil.

(2.) On a Black Powder which appeared on the Surface of Lock Dochart, on the morning of 23d November 1846.

This powder was found to have the composition of humus in a very advanced state of decay, and was probably derived from peat. It contained 77 per cent. of carbon; and left, when burned, hardly a trace of ashes.

(3.) On the Preparation of Hippuric Acid.

The author, after describing this acid, and the interest attached to it, gave an improved, easy, and productive method of preparing it, and exhibited specimens of the acid so prepared.

The process consists in boiling the urine of the horse with lime, and then rapidly boiling down the filtered solution, after which the addition of hydrochloric acid causes a deposit of impure hippuric acid. This is easily purified by a repetition of the process of boiling with lime, &c.

The following Donations to the Library were announced:The American Journal of Science and Arts. By Professors Silliman and Dana. Second Series, No. 6, 8vo.-By the Editors. The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 9, 8vo.-By the Society.

The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. No. 17, Part II., 8vo. -By the Society.

Resultate des Magnetischen Observatoriums in München während 1843-4-5. Von Dr J. Lamont. 4to.-By the Author. Travaux de la Commission pour fixer les Mésures et les Poids de l'Empire de Russie, redigés par A. Th. Kupffer. 2 vols 4to, 1 vol. folio. By the Author.

Memoires de la Société Géologique de France. Deuxième Serie. Tome II., première Partie.-By the Society.

Annuaire Magnétique et Météorologique du Corps des Ingénieurs des Mines de Russie, par A. T. Kupffer. Année 1843, Nos. 1 and 2, 4to.—By the Russian Government.

Carte Climatologique de Varsovie, par Albert Jastrzebowski.
Sheet. By the Author.

Monday, 5th April 1847.

SIR THOMAS MAKDOUGALL BRISBANE, Bart., President, in the Chair.

The following Communications were read :

1. Remarks on the Hypothesis of Progressive Development in the Organic Creation. By Sir G. S. Mackenzie, Bart. This paper the author considered as nothing else than an abstract of the thoughts he entertained on the subject. His object was to shew there was no analogy in nature, rendering a prospective law

of progressive development from lower to higher types probable; and he brought forward various examples to prove that, in all cases in which variation took place among domestic animals and vegetable productions, the varieties, though they might be regarded as improved or new, were not permanent, but required selection and care to preserve them; so that new forms and qualities appearing, could not confirm the progressive hypothesis.

Referring to what may have been the original condition of things on their being created, that condition, in respect to many, may not have altered, either in improvement or deterioration. It is apparent, however, that special constitutions must have been given originally to those animals and vegetables, more particularly intended for the use of man, which admitted of natural or artificial, but not permanent, variation. Man himself possesses the constitution giving a tendency to vary, so that every individual may be deemed a variety; but no natural progress towards a higher type is apparent. In this case, as well as in portions of inferior creation, though we can compare one being with another, and perceive improvement or deterioration, we have no standard to appeal to for the purpose of examining the extent of variation, one way or the other, from the period of creation downwards to our time. Man, in his best condition, can only aspire to see his race possessed of what he esteems desirable in moral, intellectual, and physical qualities; and may, to no inconsiderable extent, succeed in his endeavour to advance, if he make an effort. Unless, however, it be a sustained one, he will fall back in the scale of humanity, instead of advancing, as daily experience proves. Whoever will look carefully at what is called the progress of civilization, may be convinced that the honoured word is applied too exclusively to the progress of wealth, power, and luxury, rather than to the promotion of the qualities that properly distinguish humanity, and which are found wanting wherever an effort has not been made to elevate the human character by education and moral training. The very idea of education indicates a tendency to deterioration, and the necessity of an effort to counteract it. On the whole, it does not appear that any natural analogy can be found to support the idea of progressive development from lower to higher types. We see no new races appearing, and we find only varieties. The stronger, because cultivated (not newly developed), intellect and energy of Europe are subduing or extirpating the inferior and weaker races in other parts of the world; but the substitution of a better race in this manner is not progressive development.