1822.] Royal Society. 75 



by a very doubtful twilight ; and such was the intensity of the 

 cold, that the artificial horizon of mercury became frozen during 

 an observation, and yet, continued the President, Capt. vSabine's 

 experiments seem to have been conducted, with as much care 

 and precision as if he had possessed the conveniences of an 

 Observatory, and the advantages of the happiest climate. 



The President stated, that three papers by Capt. Sabine had 

 been published in the Philosophical Transactions, the two first 

 relating to magnetic phenomena, and the last containing an 

 account of experiments on the acceleration of the vibrations of 

 the pendulum in different latitudes. 



The President then entered into some details on the subject 

 of Capt. Sabine's last paper, and stated the results of his experi- 

 ments, and he observed, that he was now gone to complete his 

 investigation even to the line ; ^' having braved the long night, 

 and almost perpetual winter, of the polar regions, he is gone 

 with the laudable object to expose himself to the burning sun 

 and constant summer of the equator." 



Capt. Sabine, not being present for the reason already stated, 

 the President dehvered the medal to his brother, requesting that 

 in apprising him of what has taken place, he would state to him 

 the deep sense entertained of his merits. His knowledge of the 

 expression of the opinion of the Royal Society may, perhaps, 

 said the President, animate him during the difficult enterprize 

 he has undertaken, as he had ah'eady shown how highly he 

 values the praise of the Royal Society, which, with the good 

 opinion of his countrymen, had been hitherto the only reward of 

 his labours. ^' Assure him," said the President, *'how strongly 

 we feel his disinterestedness and genuine love of science, and 

 that our ardent wishes are expressed for his safe return, and for 

 the successful accomplishment of all the objects of his voyage, 

 which will ensure to him additional claims upon the gratitude of 

 all lovers of science." 



Dec. 23. — On some Alvine Concretions found in the Colon of 

 a young Man, in Lancashire after Death, by J. G. Children, 

 Esq. FKS. &c. 



It appears from the statements contained in this communica- 

 tion, that the young man, whose case it relates, had eaten at 

 various times a large quantity of plums, and generally swallowed 

 the stones. After some time, a hard circumscribed tumour was 

 discovered on one side of the abdomen, which was distinctly felt 

 to be an alvine concrc'tion. The usual remedies were applied in 

 vain for removing; it, and after bavins; been attended for about 

 three months by a medical man he died. 



On opening the body, three closely compacted concretions 

 were found rather high upon the left side, and a fourth consider- 

 ably lower. This last was sawn asunder by the medical gentle- 

 man who opened the body, and was found to contain a plum 

 stone in the centre. 



