4 PROCEEDINGS OF SOC1KTIKS. 



regular statistical statement of the actual number of times that the lending volumes 

 in the library have been lent out, because the figures would give you no adequate 

 idea of tho state of matters in this respect. During the past year there has been 

 much irregularity, in consequence of members detaining some of our very best 

 books longer than the time allowed by the Society, and continuing to detain them 

 after having been noticed to return them. Although this state of things has caused 

 many complaints, I am happy to be able to inform you that a decided improvement 

 has taken place during the last two or three months, and the books are now being 

 circulated more regularly among the members. 



At the close of the year 1853, the number of persons taking out books from the 

 library was 62 ; at the close of the present year, the number is 98, showing an in- 

 crease of 36. 



Several volumes have been added to the library during the past year. In the 

 year ending October, 1853, there were 273 volumes in the library ; in the year just 

 ended, there are 325 volumes being an increase of 52 volumes. 



BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL 

 SOCIETY. 



NOVEMBER 1, 1854. 

 Dr. ANDREWS, President, in the Chair. 



Dr. Dickie read a notice on specimens of the axolotl, from the Lake of Mexico, 

 where it is abundant, and is highly prized as an article of food. It belongs to the 

 perenni-branchiate reptiles, so called from the persistence of gills which co-exist 

 with the usual pulmonary or air-breathing apparatus. The axolotl in general 

 appearance resembles the tadpole of the common water salamander, but is much 

 larger being, when fully grown, eight or nine inches long. Cuvier examined two 

 young individuals procured by Humboldt, and came to the conclusion that it might 

 be the immature or tadpole state of a gigantic salamander. This idea he subse- 

 quently abandoned ; the view in question is still, however, held by some zoologists. 

 Dr. Dickie entered into details regarding the organization of the axolotl, and of 

 the perenni-branchiates generally. 



Mr. Mac Adam exhibited specimens of sandstone from Scrabo, having upon them 

 ripple marks similar to what may be observed at the present time on sandy beaches, 

 and which were evidently produced by the action of sea water many thousand years 

 ago. 



Dr. Dickie stated that he had observed in the east of Scotland similar markings 

 on recent dry sand at some distance from the sea, and which had been caused by 

 the action of the wind. 



NOVEMBER 15, 1854. 

 Dr. STEVELLY, V.P., in the Chair. 



The President of the Society, Dr. Andrews, read a paper on the Art of Photo- 

 graphy. After alluding to the early attempts of Wedgwood and Davy to copy the 

 fleeting picture of the camera, by receiving it on a sensitive chemical surface, which, 

 although attended with partial success, led to no practical result, from the impos- 

 sibility of subsequently fixing the picture, the author gave a short historical account 

 of the more recent discoveries of St. Victor, Daguerre, and Talbot the two latter 

 of whom especially may be considered as the founders of the present art of photo- 

 graphy. The processes now chiefly in use for obtaining light pictures were then 

 briefly described, and the chemical actions which accompany them explained. The 

 causes of the imperfections in photographic representations of natural objects were 

 fully considered one of the most important of which arises from the circumstance 



