362 Proceedings of Societies. 



now become more distinct, and are supplied with several anastomosing 

 branches. 



" During the latter part of the day on which the drawing was taken, 

 the rudiments of the legs of the perfect insect might be seen, folded 

 within that part which appears to be the head of the pupa ; and several of 

 the globules had vanished, those remaining longest that were situated 

 nearest the head. It may be necessary to observe, that the head of the 

 pupa floats just under the surface of the water; and the insect, in this 

 state, is nearly upright in that fluid, while the larva rests its belly or 

 sides at the bottom of the pond or vessel in which it is kept. 



" The circuitous manner in which the Creator appears to form this species 

 of gnat, and many other of His smaller productions, is truly wonderful. 

 Other creatures are formed directly either from the egg or the maternal 

 womb. As, however, the Deity does nothing in vain, it may be presumed 

 that He must have had in view some important object in the preliminary 

 steps through which these beings have to pass, as from the egg to the 

 larva, chrysalis, and perfect insect ; and, however low these minutiae of na- 

 ture may be held in the estimation of the unthinking mass of mankind, 

 this most elaborate proceeding renders it not improbable that they may be 

 deemed by Him the choicest and most exquisite of His productions. These 

 mysterious creative operations of nature, as detected and unravelled by mi- 

 croscopes, are surely grand and capital subjects for observations. I should 

 pity the spirit of the man who scorned to be amused by inspecting these 

 marvellous metamorphoses, and disdained to be informed of the manner 

 in which they are effected." 



From this specimen of Mr Pritchard's description, which is here seen 

 to great disadvantage from the want of the figures, the reader will form an 

 idea of the manner in which this part of the work will be executed. 



Art. XXVHI.— proceedings OF SOCIETIES. 

 1. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 



December 15, 1828. — The following communication was read : " Ob- 

 servations on the Movements of the Molecules of Organized Bodies. By 

 Dr Brewster, F. R. SS. L. and E. 



January 5, 1829. — The following Gentlemen were admitted ordinary 

 Members : — 



Andrew Skene, Esq. 



R. C. CoLYAR, Esq. 



The following communications were read : — 



1. Biographical notice of the late Sir J, E. Smith, P. L. S. with an es- 

 timate of the character and influence of his botanical labours, by the Rev. 

 E. B. Ramsay, B. A. F. R. S. E. and F. A. S. Scot. 



- 2. Account of a great luminous arch as seen at Plymouth. By G. Har- 

 vey, Esq. F. R. SS. L. and E. 



3. A letter from Dr Thomson describing a spontaneous emission of in- 

 flammable gas at Redly, seven miles N. E. of Glasgow. 



i 



