74 



NOTICES AND PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC 

 SOCIETIES. 



Meeting of German Naturalists. — The Annual Meeting of German Natural- 

 ists and Physicians commenced on Saturday, the 21st of September last, Ham- 

 burgh being the seat of the assembly. It does not appear to have been so suc- 

 cessful as those of former years, although several interesting subjects were intro- 

 duced by the members. Amongst others, Professor Wendt of Breslau explained, 

 in detail, his theory of animal magnetism ; Professor Willbrandt of Giessen op- 

 posed the generally -received opinion that the flux and reflux of the sea depend 

 upon lunar influence ; and Professor Pfaff'read a memoir on the nature and uses 

 of Coffee, in which he stated that he had found a pure bitter principle, and 

 an aromatic acid in the berry, specimens of which he laid before the meeting. 



The Emperor of Austria having expressed a wish that the next meeting should 

 be held in Vienna, it was so determined. The President appointed for the next 

 year is Jacquin, Professor of Chemistry and Botany in that university, assisted 

 by M. Littrow, Director of the Imperial Observatory, as Secretary. 



On Wednesday the members made an excursion to Heligoland, in a steam- 

 boat hired for the purpose. 



The public sittings terminated on Saturday the 28th ; and on the following 

 day, upwards of 400 members explored the banks of the Elbe, and paid a visit 

 to the beautiful nursery. grounds of Messrs. Booth, at Flottbeck. 



Of our countrymen who were present, we have only as yet heard of Dr. Traill of 

 Liverpool, and our collaborateur, Mr. Johnston, from whose pen we hope to 

 give some interesting details in our next.* Dr. Brewster was often asked for, 

 as well as Drs. Duncan and Greville. Agardh was there, and Fischer from Peters- 

 burgh ; Lichtenstein, Oersted, Berzelius, Magnus, and Mitscherlich. The un- 

 settled state of various parts of Germany kept many away, though even from the 

 centre of the disturbances there were Marx of Brunswick, and Moll of Utrecht. 

 Numberless zoologists and physicians were also present. On the table lay books 

 in almost all languages, even to a Polish work on Zoology, which nobody could 

 read but the two Warsaw men who brought it. 



Banff Institution for Science, Literature, and the Arts, ^c We regret that 



our limited space will not permit us to avail ourselves of the interesting remarks 

 on this Institution, contributed by a correspondent on whose communications we 

 shall always place the highest value. The Banff" Institution (formed in 1828) is 

 of an original and most praiseworthy character, as may gathered from the follow- 

 ing extract from the regulations of the society : — 



^' Law XXII. For the Discovery and Encouragement of Native Genius and 

 Talent — It shall be the endeavour of the Institution to discover and encourage 

 Native Genius and Talent, particularly within the County of Banff", but not ex- 

 clusively ; as it shall be in the power of any Resident Member to propose to the 

 favourable notice of the Institution any individual so distinguished belonging to 

 his district. In all cases, where the encouragement of the Institution is desired, 

 which may be notified in a written application to any Member, the Council, to 

 whom the application must be transmitted, shall, in the first place, examine the 

 Applicant, and report the result thereof to the next General Meeting. The Can- 

 didate shall then appear, (if tlie report be favourable,) in order that the Members 

 may have an opportunity of satisfying themselves regarding his particular genius 

 and talent. If the case be considered deserving of attention, the Council shall 

 then order a certificate and recommendation, under the seal of the Institution, to 



* There was great disappointment expressed at so few of the scientific men of Edin- 

 burgh being present at the meeting ; the proximity of Hamburgh to this city having 

 l>eeu expected to form a great inducement to their joining the assembly. 



