330 



NOTICES AND PROCEEDINGS OF SCIENTIFIC 

 SOCIETIES. 



EDINBURGH. 



Royal Societp. -^ April 4. Professor Hope in the chair. A paper was 

 read by Mr Witham, containing an account of the farther exposure of the 

 fossil tree, described in our last number. The author stated, that several 

 radicles had been laid bare, apparently broke off abruptly; which, with 

 other appearances, warranted the conclusion, that the tree had been carried 

 along by a current of sand and water, and left in the present position as the 

 strata consolidated. Mr Witham stated, that a branch had been found in 

 another part of the quarry, shewing, when sliced, concentric rings, and a 

 very large pith. 



A paper was then read by J. D. Forbes, Esq. F.R.S.E. on the horary 

 oscillations of the barometer near Edinburgh, deduced from 4415 observa- 

 tions made in the years 1827-28-29-30, with remarks on the present state 

 of knowledge connected with this phenomenon. 



Wernerian Society April. A paper was read by the Rev. Dr Scott of 



Corstorphine, on the carob tree of the Scriptures. A verbal communication 

 was made by Professor Jameson on the bone caves of Australia ; and, also, 

 a notice of the position of fossil trees recently discovered in this part of the 

 country, which the Professor still thinks are not in situ. 



[Our reports of the liondon societies are necessarily delayed till next 

 Number.] 



GREAT SCIENTIFIC MEETING AT YORK. 



In our last Number, we announced an intended meeting, similar to that of 

 the German naturalists, to be held at York at the latter end of July, or 

 beginning of August next. We earnestly request the attention and support 

 of /Scientific men to this felicitous proposal. No part of the united empire 

 could have been fixed upon more suitable in every respect for the first of a 

 series of national meetings for the purposes of science. Central in its situa- 

 tion, great amongst cities, and classical in the history of the country, York 

 is the precise spot which would have been fixed upon, had the scientific 

 men of Great Britain simultaneously wished to transport themselves out of 

 the smoky, execrable haunts of the money-changers, and meet together in 

 another region, where all is calculated to promote enthusiasm, and to lead 

 the mind from the traffic of the world to the contemplation of the sublimities 

 of science, and the interchange of truth with kindred minds. 



The sittings will continue for a week ; and the authorities of the city have 

 offered their willing aid. In short, every thing is ready, and the only thing 

 requisite will be the presence of the philosophers of Great Britain. Lest 

 there should be found any well-meaning persons who do not at once see 



