78 Proceedings <yf Scientific Institution^. 



PROVINCIAL, . 



Natural- History Society of Newcastle.^-The sixth meeting of this Society 

 was held on Tuesday evening, 16th February, Mr. Gibsone in the chair, when a 

 paper by Dr Johnston was read on the locomotion of molluscous animals ; also 

 observations and a scientific description of a new species of swan, by P. J. Selby, 

 Esq. one of the vice-presidents of the society. This swan was discovered by Mr 

 A. R. Wingate of Newcastle, from a specimen sent to him to be preserved for the 

 TMuseum, and was described by him in a paper read to the Society in October 

 last ; it has been called Cygnus Bewickii, in compliment to the memory of their 

 late talented townsman, whose name, as Mr Selby observes, " will for ever 

 be associated with British Ornithology." To illustrate this paper, there were 

 several beautiful drawings made by Mr Selby, and it was understood at the 

 meeting, that he had also offered to engrave them himself for the forthcoming 

 part of the transactions of the society. A notice by Mr M. Dunn, of the Kil- 

 kenny 4-foot coal-scam was read. Also an extract from a memoir by Dr Dun» 

 can, describing the remarkable appearances exhibited upon the laminae of a free» 

 stone quarry at Corn Cockle Muir, in Dumfries-shire, supposed to represent the 

 impressions of the feet of different animals which had walked upon it, when the 

 stone was an unconsolidated paste. Casts of these very curious impressions were 

 presented to the society by Henry Witham, Esq. who also presented a valuable 

 collection of crystallized carbonates and sulphates of lead from Lead HiUs. Mt 

 John Taylor, of West Boldon, presented some beautiful insects and minerals 

 from New South Wales ; and it was reported that 70 birds had been presented 

 since the last meeting by different gentlemen, to all of whom a vote of thanks was 



At the seventh montlily meeting of this Society, letters were read from the 

 York Philosophical Society, from Mr John Taylor of London, from an agent of 

 the Earl of Lonsdale, and other gentlemen. 



Mr Robinson presented a piece of Magnesian Limestone, with the impression 

 of a fish, and a few remaining scales. 



A paper was read from Mr Michael Forster, containing observations on a Ba^ 

 saltic Dyke found at Cockfield, and the effects produced by it on two seams of 

 coal in the neighbourhood. 



A catalogue of land and fresh-water shell animals, found in the neighbourhood 

 of Newcastle, (45 land and 26 fresh-water,) with remarks by Mr Joshua Alder, 

 was also read. 



The Earl of Lonsdale was elected a vice-president of the Society. 



FOREIGN. 



Academy of Scietices Meeting of December 28. Mr SeruUas was elected to 



the seat, vacant by the death of Mr Vauquelin. 



The professorship of Chemistry being also vacant, in the Garden of Plants, 

 by the death of the same person, Mr Chevreul was elected. 



Mr Durand addressed, through Geoffroy St Hilaire, a memoir on a bicephalous 

 child, born in the department of the Pyrenees. 



Mr Cordier presented a memoir of ]\Ir Marcel de Serres, relative to a discovery 

 of several Fossil Bones found in the cavern of Faujan. 



Mr Heron de Villefosse presented a work of Major Muller's, on the inunda- 

 tions which occurred in the commencement of 1825 on the coasts of the Northern 

 Sea, as well as on the banks of rivers, which empty themselves into it. 



Mr Geoffroy St Hilaire reported verbally on a work of Mr Bourdon, entitled, 

 lictters to Camille on Physiology. 



Ja7i. 4. Mr Dumeril was nominated Vice-President of the Academy. 



Mr Thenard reported in his name, and in that of Mr D'Arcet, on the procedure 

 ^employed by Mr Chevalier to remove the black crust on old buildings. It con- 

 sists in wasiiing them, alternately with a very weak solution . of muriatic acid and 

 water. 



