Itoyal Society. 



These figures speak for themselves. I may remark that the re- 

 turns for 1842 are incomplete, as I was absent from home during 

 March and April of that year. In 1848 I was also absent for some 

 months, but from the number of aurorse which I have noted during 

 that year, I am satisfied that a maximum then occurred, both as re- 

 gards the number and the intensity of auroral displays. This pre- 

 sent winter has been very barren in auroral phenomena. 



Of crimson auroras I find I have noted two in 1837, one in 1839, 

 one in 1846, three in 1847, and no less than six in 1848. 



A discussion of the aurorse seen in North America and the North 

 of Europe during a series of years would be interesting with re- 

 ference to the points in question. 



Apologizing for troubling you, 



I am, dear Sir, 

 With the greatest respect, yours faithfully, 

 Wm. Stevenson. 



The following communication was likewise read : — " On the Re- 

 production of the Toad and Frog without the intermediate stage of 

 Tadpole." By Edward Joseph Lowe, Esq., F.G.S., F.R.A.S. 

 Communicated by J. Lee, LL.D., F.R.S. &c. 



The following brief remarks on the Toad (Bufo vulgaris) and the 

 Frog (Rana temporaria) may perhaps be received with some degree 

 of interest, as they are, I believe, contrary to the generally received 

 notion of the procreation of these reptiles. Ray, and most natural- 

 ists, at least, consider toads and frogs as oviparous animals, yet it 

 is apparent that they are viviparous as well, or if they do not bring 

 forth their young alive, have the power of reproduction in a diflfer- 

 ent manner to the ova and subsequent tadpole. 



Mr. J. Higginbottom of Nottingham, who has paid great atten- 

 tion to this subject, has clearly proved the development of the tad- 

 pole to the perfect toad in situations wholly deprived of light, as I 

 have through his kindness several times witnessed. My present re- 

 marks are intended to show that occasionally frogs and toads are 

 reproduced in localities where it would be impossible for the inte^ 

 medis^te stage of tadpole to have any existence. 



