British Mineralogical Society. 83 



Jast experiment the cloths were wetted in a strc/ng solution 

 of muriate of ammonia; so that I am of opinion there is at 

 present some defect either in the arrangement or construc- 

 tion of galvanic troughs. 



Lam, dear sir, 

 Fo'nncUtreet, Solx>, Your very humhle servant, 



June 21, 1804. John Cuthbertson. 



XVIII. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



BRITISH MINERALOGICAL SOCIETY*. 



t. our years have now nearly elapsed since the establish- 

 ment of this society, a review of their labours during which 

 period will, it is thought, not be displeasing to their mem- 

 bers. It is a satisfactioirto the minds of persons engaged 

 in philosophical pursuits, that they have added some truths 

 to a science like mineralogy, where the researches of eyery 

 one help to remove the veil in which nature is enveloped. 



In the first formation of this society its in sti tutors were 

 guided by motives of regard for their country, possessing 

 mines and subterranean riches little inferior to the proudest 

 empire on the continent, but without any college or school 

 of scientific mineralogy. In their public declaration they 

 were not arrogating to themselves the entire possession of all 

 mineralogical knowledge ; but, as far as their abilities as 

 philosophical chemists enabled them, they wished to assist 

 both the miner and the mine-owner in the analysis and,.re- 

 duction of substances, either of a new or unknown nature, 

 or in a state of peculiar mineralization. 



Time, and their labours, it is also hoped, will add one 

 more great pillar to British mineralogy, in furnishing spe- 

 cimens, with their provincial names, as well as their scien- 

 tific, of each county in this kingdom, arranged in cabinets 

 which will be of easy access to the mineralogist. 



To our corresponding members we shall consider our- 

 selves much indebted in forwarding this branch of inquiry; 

 and, at the same time, we must take this opportunity to 

 •thank several of them for their valuable communications 

 and specimens. 



The first analysis undertaken by the society was an ore of 

 iron from Shetland, found equal with the level of the sea ? 

 on the south-west side of the island. > The surface is a 

 smooth, black mendic, of a metallic appearance, hard to 



* Communicated by the Secretary. 



F 3 penetrate > 



