Statistics. 955 



a letter from Dr Spittal, of Edinburgh, stating, that in consequence 

 of the death of Professor Turner, and the absence of one of the 

 members on the Continent, the Committee had not been able to 

 prepare a report. After that a paper was read, " On the Gyration 

 of the Heart," by F. A. Greeves, Esq. 



The President then read a communication from Dr Brewster, en- 

 titled, " A singular development of Polarizing Power on the Crys- 

 talline Lens, after Death," and also a letter from the same, *' On 

 Cataract, or a disease resembling Cataract," which, if resisted in its 

 earlier stages, the Doctor believed, frofn personal experience, might 

 be overcome. For detecting this disease, which generally manifested 

 itself between forty and sixty, the Doctor gave instructions, and 

 further stated, that by attention to diet and regimen, and taking care 

 not to study by night, he had been cured in about eight months. If 

 the affection had not been checked in time, he entertained no doubt 

 it would have ended in cataract. 



Dr Carson then communicated some " Observations on Absorption.*' 



Section F. — Statistics. 



A paper on Statistical Desiderata, by W. R. Greg, Esq., of Man- 

 chester, was presented by the Rev. E. G. Stanley. 



Mr John Taylor, Treasurer to the Association, read a paper ou 

 the Comparative Value of the Mineral Productions of Great Bri- 

 tain and the rest of Europe. A calculation, he said, was made by 

 Mr C. F. Schmidt, in 1829, of the value of the mineral productions 

 of Europe, at Continental prices ; and, from the accuracy of the 

 statements coming within Mr Taylor's own knowledge, he was dis- 

 posed to believe in the others. It should be borne in mind that the 

 continental prices diifered greatly from those in England, and, 

 consequently, that the amounts were comparative, and not absolute 

 value. The value of the mineral products of Europe, including 

 Asiatic Russia, were, — gold and silver, 1,943,000; other metals, 

 28,315,000; salts, 7,640,000; combustibles, 18,050,000; making 

 in round numbers a total of about 56 millions, exclusive of man- 

 ganese. Now to this amount Great Britain contributed conside- 

 rably more than one-half, viz. 29 millions, in the following propor- 

 tions :— Silver, 28,500; copper, 1,369,000; lead, 769,000; iron, 

 11,292,000; tin, 536,000; salts, 756,250; vitriol, 33,000; alum, 

 33,000 ; coal, 13,900,000. He then gave a sketch of the history 

 of mining in Great Britain, dwelling strongly ou its vast iucreasf 

 since the introductiou of the steam-engine. 



