158 Proceedings of Scientific Institutions. 



The communication read at this meeting was on a Geological subject. It was 

 from the pen of W. Ainsworth, Esq., and related to the indications of a conside- 

 rable diminution which has taken place in the level of the sea in the north of 

 France. From the present aspect of the country, as well as from historical records 

 and popular traditions, it would appear that the German ocean formerly covered 

 tlie sites of many flourishing French and Flemish towns now considerably removed 

 from its waters. To the north of the straits of Calais and Dover its bed extended 

 inland farther south than St. Omer, which seems to be partly built on a shingly 

 headland that anciently projected into the sea. 



Some remarks were made on the paper connecting the facts detailed in it with 

 the appearances in the north of Scotland, of an ancient shore line considerably 

 elevated above the present level of the Moray Firth. 



'■ FOREIGN. 



y. 



''Academy of Sciences. — \st February 1830. — M. Jaume St. Hilaire presente4 

 a Memoir on the Composition of Soils, which, without cultivation or manure, 

 are best fitted for the growth of plants. 



Mr. Henri Cassini made, in his name and that of Mr. Desfontaines, a very fa- 

 vourable report on a Memoir of Mr. Adrien Jussieu, relative to the group of 

 Meliaceae. (Vide Journal, Vol. I. p. 463.) 



Mr. Larrey read a Report on the Physiology of Mr. Isidore Bourdon. 

 • Mr. Adolphe Brongniart read a Memoir on the Structure of Leaves, and on 

 its relation to the respiration of vegetables in air and in water. 



Feb, 8. Messrs. Jacobi and Herschell were named Corresponding Members of 



the Academy. 



Mr, Navier read a Memoir of M. Duhamel on the formation of ice at the bot- 

 tom of running waters. (Vide Journal, Vol. II. p. 55.) 



General Rogniat made a very favourable report on a work of Colonel Nisas, 

 entitled. Essay on the General History of Military Art. 



Colonel Raucourt read a Memoir on the rapidity of the Neva at St. Peters- 

 burgh, and on the means of appreciating it in the different parts of its course. 



Mr. Robert addressed a letter, in which he considered cow-pox as a local 

 small-pox. 



Mr. ViUerme read a letter from Professor Quetelet of Bruxelles, in which he 

 deduced, from observation, that the mean height of men was constantly greater 

 in towns than in the country. 



Mr. Magendie presented, in the name of an American surgeon. Dr. Ogden, 

 the description and model of an instrument to cure the deformities and lateral 

 distortions of the spine. 



Mr. Sylvestre made a very favourable verbal report on the Annals of the Hor- 

 ticultural Institution of Fromont. 



Mr. Chevreul read a note on the colouring principal of the woad. 



Dr. Lambert read a Memoir on the principle of motion in animals. 



MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE. 



GEOGRAPHICAI. SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



We did not anticipate when we commenced our labours, about eight 

 months ago, that we should so soon have the pleasure of announcing the in- 

 tended formation of a Geographical Society in London, yet such is the case ; for 

 an institution of this character is about to be founded, under the auspices of men 

 versed in the subject, and enthusiastic in its cause. We have dwelt upon the 



