312 Scientific Intelligence. [Oct. 



the surface, and some portions which seemed to have been charred 

 when they fell. 



Dr. Jacob read a paper on the infra-orbital cavities existing in the 

 deer and antelope. 



Wednesdaifj \2th, — Mr. Nicol read a communication on the 

 structure of the horizon al branches of the coniferae. 



Dr. Neil described some facts in relation to a landrail in Orkney, 

 which appear to favour the idea of hybernation ; when exposed to 

 the heat of a fire it was restored, but soon afterwards died. 



Dr. Daubeny made some observations on the exhalation of mois- 

 ture from the leaves of plants ; on the combined influence of heat 

 and light ; and on the effect of heat without light. 



Mr. Marshal read a communication on the Zoology of Rathlin. 



Professor AUman described a natural arrangements of plants. 



Thursdat/, \3th. — Mr Sturge detailed the discovery of a toad 

 in a fragment of sandstone at Park-gardens, Coventry, (see Records, 

 vol. ii. p. 235.) Mr. Mackay stated that the toad existed at Killar- 

 ney, in the county of Kerry. 



Dr. Barry gave an account of some observations on the apparent 

 colours of the sky. 



Mr. Mackay noticed the great age of the yew, and produced a 

 section, which proved that the tree from whence it was taken was 

 above five hundred years old. The variety called Flourincourt, he 

 stated, is a native of Ireland. He read a list of plants peculiar to 

 Ireland, amounting to about thirty in number. 



A method was mentioned by a member, of preserving the spines of 

 the echinus, viz., by immersion in a solution of muriate of lime. 



Statistics. — Monday, lOth Aus;ust. — Dr. Maunsell read a paper 

 on the Foundling Hospital of Dublin. The number of children 

 received between 1798 and 1831 was 51,523; of these 700 were 

 immediately restored to their parents, and 12,153 died on being 

 taken into the nursery, whose deaths must be attributed to expo- 

 sure ; of the remaining 38,670, there died before reaching their 

 ninth year 16,976, but 8,278 were lost sight of between their 1st 

 and 14th year ; 1050 were retained from affection by their nurses. 

 The total number alive at the 9th year was 12,832. In 1822 the 

 restrictions placed on the admission of foundlings were very favoura- 

 ^ ble to life ; of 2,339, 14 were claimed by their parents, and 131 

 retained from affection by their nurses; the deaths were 1030, and 

 the survivors at the 9th year 1295. 



Tuesday, Mth. — Mr. Langton read a report on the state of 

 education at Manchester. The number of scholars in that borough 

 is 43,304: of whom 10,108 attend day and evening schools only ; 

 10,011 attend both day and Sunday schools; 23,185 attend Sunday 

 schools only. The population of the town is above 200,000 : hence 

 the number receiving instruction is 21*65 per cent., and of those 

 attending day and evening schools about 10 per cent. The whole 

 number of children between 5 and 15 years is 55,000 (5 of the 

 whole population). Now, 43,000 are receiving instruction, but 

 10,000 of these may be above 15 and below 5 ; therefore there are 

 only 33,000 out of 50,000 receiving instruction. He stated that 

 the parliamentary returns were very inaccurate, and he gave a most 



