Dr. R. D. Thomson's Examination of the Cowdie Pine Resin. 123 



As it is only the amount of parties buried, and not the amount of 

 parties who die within the limits of these towns, that we obtain from 

 our present Registers, we can therefore only come to a knowledge of 

 the comparative sanatory conditions of these towns by attending to the 

 ages at which death takes place. 



The important results obtained from a comparison of the mortality 

 of these towns, are well wortliy of consideration, and in connection 

 with the other facts brought forward, strongly prove that it is more 

 from the prevention of disease than from the curing of it, that we are 

 to expect the greatest advantage to the well-being of our town popula- 

 tion. And it is to our municipal authorities, as well as to the legisla- 

 ture, that we are to look for carrying out such sanatory improvements 

 as may promote the health, and consequently, the general happiness of 

 the people. 



Professor Gordon made some observations on the causes of acci- 

 dents in coal mines, and on the proper means of ventilating the latter. 



A committee, consisting of Professor Andrew Buchanan, Mr. Watt, 

 and R. D. Thomson, M.D., were appointed to report on the means of 

 improving the state of Vital Statistics in Scotland, and the condition 

 of the people in reference to disease. 



\6th March, 1843, — The Vice-President in the Chair. 



Messrs. William Keddie, John M* Andrew, and Andrew J. Duncan, 

 were admitted as members. 



Mr. James Thomson, C.E., made a communication on the atmos- 

 pherical railway. 



The following paper was read : — 



XXXIII. — Examination of the Cowdie Pine Besin, 

 By Robert D. Thomson, M.D. 



The Cowdie Resin has been known for some years to those botanists 

 who are familiar with the vegetation of New Zealand. Mr. Robert 

 Brown informs me that he possesses a very large and elegant specimen 

 of this substance ; but it does not appear to have hitherto attracted the 

 attention of chemists. I have been acquainted with its external pro- 

 perties for some years, from a specimen in our private chemical 

 museum in the college, but it was only in the course of last spring 

 that my attention was particularly called to its examination, in conse- 

 quence of having large and beautiful specimens presented to me, by 

 my friend. Dr. Ernst Dieflfenbach, formerly of Giessen, and lately 

 naturalist to the New Zealand Company, who, by his laborious and 

 indefatigable exertions, while resident in New Zealand, has contri- 



