Academy of Sciences at Haarlem. 441 



resembles S. nasalis, but is much less in size. Whether it 

 may ultimately prove to be that species in an immature state 

 is yet to be determined. The specimen from which Mr. Vi- 

 gors and Dr. Horsfield took their description, is certainly that 

 of an animal not yet adult. We confess that we doubt much 

 its claim to the place of a distinct species ; until, however, 

 we possess a series of specimens, this point cannot be deter- 

 mined with certainty, and therefore we allow it to stand. 



SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 



The Academy of Sciences at Haarlem held its eighty-sixth 

 annual sitting on the 19th of May, 1838. 



The President, M. W. P. Barnaard Van Bergen opened the 

 meeting by an address, in which he paid a j list tribute of praise 

 to the memory of the late illustrious Dr. M. Van Marum, who 

 had, through a long series of years, used every effort to raise 

 the Society to the high position in the scientific world, which 

 it at present occupies. 



The Society has received, First, some additions to the re- 

 ply to the following question, previously forwarded. "Can 

 there be shown, in the fossil remains of organized bodies 

 which have existed in the different eras, from the earliest to 

 the latest times, a progressive developement in organization, 

 becoming more and more complex, and approaching to per- 

 fection ? " A reply, written in French, was sent to the presi- 

 dent in 1837, too late to be then brought under consideration. 

 The additions having been received this year in time, have 

 been examined with the memoirs. The Society found great 

 merit in this paper ; and considers that it is rich in interest- 

 ing facts, and that it bears proof of the extent of the author's 

 knowledge ; but the Society has decided, that the question is 

 not resolved in a manner sufficiently conclusive to allow of 

 the paper being crowned. The Society repeats the question, 

 in order that it may be replied to before the 1st January, 1840. 



Secondly, a paper written in Dutch, upon the following 

 question. "What is the formation of wood ? Does it origi- 

 nate immediately from the sap or cambium under the bark, or 

 is it formed by vessels which descend from the buds and leaves, 

 as the observations of Du Petit Thouars and of Buzareignes 

 seem to prove ? And how can an exact knowledge of the 

 formation of wood be applied in the culture of useful trees ? " 

 The Society acknowledges that the author's experiments are 

 full of interest, and have great merit; it is judged, neverthe- 



ss2 



