186 Proceedings of the British Association for [Sept. 



and that when the impression begins to assume the negative 

 state, constitutes what is understood by the persistance of 

 the impressions of the retina, and the negative phases of the 

 impression, form the phenomenon of accidental colours. 



Article III. 



Proceedings of the British Association for the 

 Advancement of Science, 



This fine Natural Institution continues to prosper far beyond 

 anticipation. The Fifth Annual Meeting, which commenced 

 at Dublin on the 10th and terminated on the 15th of August, 

 as much surpassed the Edinburgh meeting, both in the 

 interest of the proceedings and in the numbers of indivi- 

 duals who flocked to take a share in the daily business, as 

 the latter meeting exceeded that which preceded it. It 

 is pleasing to be able to prove this assertion, by a statement 

 of facts: The receipts in Edinburgh were £1,626, while 

 those in Dublin were £1,750. The number of subscribers 

 in Edinburgh was little above a thousand : in Dublin, it 

 amounted to 1 ,228 ; and, it is quite certain that it would 

 have been much greater, if it had not been that the arrange- 

 ments of the Local Committee were either not generally 

 known, or not attended to in time by many residents, whose 

 applications could not be received after the commencement 

 of business, in consequence of the great influx of strangers."^ 

 That the capital of Ireland was chosen as the place of con- 



* It is easy to complain and find fault, but while we approve highly of the 

 general arrangements of the Dublin local committee, we cannot refrain from 

 submitting for the consideration of the Bristol committee, the importance of adopt- 

 ing a method of giving out Tickets and receiving subscriptions, which shall dis- 

 pense with the crowding, and fighting we might almost term it, which is unavoid- 

 able by the mode at present pursued, and which seems to paralyze those engaged 

 in the troublesome task. It would be proper also that persons should be employed 

 in these preliminary arrangements, who are acquainted with the names of those 

 engaged in prosecuting science. It is ridiculous to hear such a question as, " Have 

 you written any papers?" addressed to men holding the highest place in science. 



A great error committed in Dubhn was, in having the gardens attached to the 

 Rotunda, open during the evening meetings. One of the most curious and 

 interesting Lectures delivered during the week, viz. that of Mr. Wheatstone, on 

 Saturday, was not heard by the greater proportion assembled in the room, in con- 

 sequence of interruption; from persons going to the gardens and returning to the 

 worn. 



