7U Proceedings of Fhtlosopliical Societies. [Jan. 



coarse, and not to bo praised, but still they answer pretty well 

 the purpose for vvliich they were intended, and give satisfaction 

 to those unacquainted with better. The smiths use a composi- 

 tion as a hone in sharpening knives, and cutting-instruments, 

 that is worth noticino . It is made of the capitia resin and of 

 corundum. The corundum, in a state of impalpable powder, is 

 mixed with the resin rendered liquid by heat, and well incorpo- 

 x«(ted. The mixture is poured into a wooden mould, and its 

 surface levelled and smoothed while it is hot ; for when cold, it 

 is extremely hard. It is much valued by the natives, and pre- 

 ferred by them to the best of our hones. 



In concluding our extracts from this volume, it would be 

 injustice to the author not to remark,^ that it is written in a 

 plain and clear style, and embraces many topics of general 

 information. It is embellished with maps, numerous engravings, 

 and cuts, which serve well to illustrate the entertaining par- 

 ticulars contained in the text. 



Article XV. 



Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. 



ROYAL SOCIETY. 



Nov. 8. — The first meeting of the Society took place this day, 

 when the Croonian lecture, on the ** Adjustment of the Eye,'' 

 hy Sir E. Home, Bart, was commenced. 



Nov. 15. — The above lecture was continued and concluded. 



Nov. 22.— A paper was read, entitled, '' Experiments to deter- 

 mine the Amount of the Dip of the Magnetic Needle in London^ 

 in August, 1821." By Capt. E. Sabine. 



Nov. 30. — This being St. Andrew's Day, the Society held 

 their annual meeting, when the following gentlemen were elected 

 oflficers for the year ensuing : 



President. — Sir Humphry Davy, Bart. 



Treasurer. — Da^'ies Gilbert, Esq. MP. 



Secretaries. — William Thomas Brande, Esq. and Taylor 

 Combe, Esq. 



Council. — Bishop of Carhsle ; C. Hatchett, Esq.; J. F. W. 

 Herschel, Esq. ; Sir E. Home, Bart. ; John Pond, Esq. ; W. H. 

 Wollaston, ]\1D ; Thomas Young, MD.; Earl of Aberdeen; 

 Matthew Baillie, MD.; John Barrow, Esq.; B.C. Brodie, Esq.; 

 William Hamilton, Esq. ; James Ivory, Esq. ; Marquis of Luns- 

 dovvnc ; Alexander Marcet, MD. ; Thomas Murdoch, Esq. ; 

 Sir Robert Seppings, Knt. 



Sir H. Davy, the President, delivered a discourse on presenting 

 two Copley medals, to J. W. Herschel, Esq. and Capt. Edward 

 Sabine, RA. In the limits to which we are necessarily restricted. 



