74 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



birds. He also alluded briefly to the " Porphyrio Melanotus," a cognate species of 

 which a specimen was exhibited. 



After the conversation which the paper elicited had terminated, the President, 

 Mr. Patterson, laid before the meeting a specimen of the sea-loche, " Motella 

 tricirrata," which had been captured in Strangford Lough, and forwarded im- 

 mediately to the Museum through the kindness of Mr. B. Meenan, to whom the 

 thanks of the Society were desired to be offered for his attention. 



JANUARY 25, 1854. 



Dr. Andrews, V.P., in the chair. 



Dr. Stevelly delivered a lecture on the "Electric Telegraph," detailing its 

 history and present mode of operation, illustrated by numerous diagrams and 

 apparatus. 



FEBRUARY 1, 1854. 



Dr. Dickie, V.P., in the chair. 



Mr. R. Patterson read a paper on the u Instincts of Animals." After some in- 

 troductory remarks, an extract was read from Paley, and one from Kirby and 

 Spence, to show the meaning attached to the term u instinct" by those writers. It 

 was then remarked that, up to the present time, we had not any really philosophical 

 treatise on the subject, and that the humble inquirer of the truth could do little 

 more at the present time than classify the observed facts under distinct heads. 

 Acting on this idea, Mr. Patterson brought forward examples of instincts for the 

 propagation and support of offspring; and, next, of instincts for the well-beim* of 

 the individual. After these had been dwelt upon at some length, instincts which 

 were originally acquired, and had in time become hereditary, were referred to, and 

 the common but erroneous opinion that all the actions of the lower animals are to 

 be attributed to instinct, and those of man to reason, was noticed, and the views on 

 this subject entertained by Archbishop Whately were brought forward. After 

 showing that, among animals, we have instances of this conforming to circum- 

 stances, and adapting means to an end, examples were adduced of their manifesting 

 emotions and passions similar to those of man, and the question discussed, of how 

 are actions which are properly the result of reason, to be distinguished from those 

 which are instinctive ? The remarks of Archdeacon Paley, of Lord Brougham, Dr. 

 Rcid, were referred to on this subject, and illustrative examples given from the 

 writings of White, Darwin, and other naturalists. An animated and protracted 

 discussion took place at the concluston of the lecture, in which Professors Stevelly, 

 Dickie, M l Cosh, and other members took part. 



MARCH 1, 1854. 

 Robert Mac Adam, Esq., in the chair. 



Mr. Patterson read some notes on " Chinese Mirrors." 



When Sir James E. Tennent was last in Ireland, he entrusted to Mr. Patterson's 

 care a Chinese mirror, in order that the members of the society might have an op- 

 portunity of examining it, and expressing their opinions as to its construction. Sir 

 James, it will be remembered, had been a member of this society many years ago, 

 and has always manifested the warmest interest in its progress. During his resi- 

 dence at Ceylon, he collected various specimens of great interest and value, many 

 of which were presented, on his return, to the Belfast Museum. 



The Chinese mirror consists of a thin disc of yellowish- white metal, slightly convex 

 on one side, and slightly concave on the other. The convex side is highly polished, 

 so that it may be used as an ordinary mirror ; the other is ornamented with figures 



