Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 371 



cart, in which the driver assists the horse in steep ascents, by a piece of me- 

 chanism. 



Mr Colin Maclenan exliibited and explained the model of a horse to 

 be put in progressive motion by its rider. 



There was exhibited a very ingenious revolving protracting table, for 

 laying down surveys, and also a portable levelling rod, invented by Mr 

 Buchanan, civil engineer. 



April 17. — There was read a memoir of the life of M. Fraunhofer, an 

 honorary member of the Society, by Dr Brewster. See last Number 

 p.l. 



Mr Claud Russell exhibited and described a hydrostatic lamp, which 

 he had used for many years. 



Mr MoNTEATH of Closcbum, exhibited a model of a machine for polish- 

 ing stone pavement erected at Closeburn. 



The room was lighted by a gas lamp, suspended by the patent gas chain 

 made by Messrs Swan and Neill; Mr Simpson the patentee, described 

 the chain to the Society. 



May 8. — A dissertation was read on the natural history of the herring, 

 considered in connexion with its resort to the Scottish coast, by Mr John 

 Mitchill Junior Leith, being one of the essays sent in competition for 

 the honorary medal offered by the Society. 



A method of making a cheap soda liquor without crystallizing, for the 

 use of turkey-red dyers, by Mr Charles Cameron, Glasgow, was also 

 read. 



There was likewise read an account of a proces for making screwed 

 tools and screwed work, by Mr Alexander Nicol, Monikie. 

 Distribution of Medals. 



May 26.— At a general meeting held this day, the following medals 

 v{pxQ delivered by Lord Newton, viz. 



yrl. The gold medal to Mr Whitelaw for his improved clock. 

 I 2. A gold medal to Professor Wallace, for his eidograph. 

 ^•3. A silver medal to Mr Shiells, for his triangle for directing the jets 

 Qf fire engines. 



4. A silver medal to Mr William Warden, for his safety gas burner. 



5. A silver medal to Mr John Mitchell Junior Leith, for his paper 

 on the natural history of the herring. 



3. — Proceedings oj the Royal Irish Academy. 



May 22,1826. — Robert BR0WN,Esq. F.R. S. &c. &c. unanimously elect- 

 ed an Honorary Member. 



Read a Paper by the President, "Appendix to a former paper on 

 the Quantity of the Precession of the Equinoxes, as determined by certain 

 Stars that appear to have no proper Motion." 



June 5. — The subjects for prize essays were chosen, and are as 

 follow : — 



1. A premium not exceeding Thirty Guineas to the author of the best 

 essay in answer to the following queries, *' What are the general indica- 



