Revival of the Meteorological Society of London. 479 



great an artificial heat as might change the nature of their 

 oily juices, they can scarcely, as several cultivators have as- 

 sured me, be kept in too warm a place." {Smith, in his Intro- 

 duction to Physiological and Systematical Botany, 6th ed., 

 p. 81.) 



Art. X. A Notice respecting the Revival of" The Meteorological 

 Society of London," which was established in October, 1823; but 

 which has been in a State of Inactivity for several Years. By 

 Mr. W. H. White. 



I feel persuaded that not only the contributors of meteoro- 

 logical papers to this Magazine, but every one who is friendly 

 to meteorological science, will read this announcement with 

 much pleasure, particularly when I state that I am instructed 

 by the president, Dr. Birkbeck, to say, that M The Meteor- 

 ological Society of London has not been dissolved ; but has 

 only sunk into a state of rest, not from the want of pecuniary 

 means to effect the objects of the Society, as some have ima- 

 gined, but, apparently, from a want of zeal in some of the 

 members to carry into effect various important objects." 



About three years ago, a meeting was called, at the request 

 of the treasurer, for the purpose of determining what should 

 be done with the balance then in his hands. Several mem- 

 bers were present ; and it was unanimously decided, that the 

 money produced by the treasurer should be invested, and 

 that 751. stock, the amount which it would purchase, should 

 be applied to the promotion of meteorological science, in the 

 form of two prizes, of 501. and 251. (stock), for the best and 

 second essay, on subjects connected with meteorology, after- 

 wards to be determined. The money was accordingly in- 

 vested in the three per cent consols. ; and six half-yearly 

 dividends have been received ; so that there is now an accu- 

 mulating fund for the advancement of meteorological science. 



At the meeting above mentioned, a committee was also 

 appointed to prepare a question of the most comprehensive 

 nature, for competition, and to make the necessary arrange- 

 ments for presenting it to the scientific world. No such 

 question or arrangements have yet been promulgated ; and 

 the committee, I believe, would feel obliged by questions 

 suitable for discussion being sent, free of expense, to the pre- 

 sident of the Society, Dr. Birkbeck, Finsbury Square, for 

 their assistance in making a suitable selection ; to whom, also, 

 those meteorologists who are desirous of becoming members 

 are hereby requested to signify their wishes without delay. 

 This may be expected to lead to an early meeting of the 



