138 PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 



strike off nearly at right angles, and, running out into the sea, form the Peninsulas 

 of Spain, Italy, Greece, Arabia, Hindostan, and Further India. He then men- 

 tioned the great Mountain Chains running east and west, and the deserts of Central 

 Asia, as forming a natural barrier between the wandering tribes of Northern Asia 

 and the civilized nations of the south ; in our times, between the Russian Empire 

 and British India; and concluded by observing that Russia, notwithstanding its 

 barbarian character in relation to the south and west, is doing good service to the 

 cause of civilization in Northern Asia. 



APRIL 5, 1854. 



George C. Hyndman, Esq., in the chair. 



Mr. Patterson read a paper on the " Uses of Animals to Man." The paper 

 commenced with a brief extract from Smith's " Wealth of Nations," in which it 

 was pointed out that man, in a savage state, was a being absolutely dependant for 

 his existence on the inferior animals. This dependance continued, in a greater or 

 less degree, as he advanced in civilization, and still continues to a very considerable 

 extent, although, in many cases, the animals may be regarded more as objects of 

 luxury than of necessity. The use of animals, as furnishing food to man, was 

 illustrated by numerous examples from the vertebrate and invertebrate kingdoms 

 in nature ; also their furnishing raiment, either in the shape of furs and skins, or 

 in that of wool and silk, to be afterwards spun and woven. For various arts they 

 supply us with feathers, hair, horns, teeth, oil, and tallow, as well as with many 

 substances for medicinal purposes— several important branches of trade depend 

 entirely upon such supplies. In agriculture, their importance is most manifest ; not 

 only are they indispensable to the farmer when living, but their dead bodies are 

 valuable in their flesh and bones for manuring the land. As objects of luxury they 

 furnish delight to the sportsman, in hunting, fowling, and fishing ; as sanitary police, 

 from one kind preying on another, the accumulation of noxious creatures is pre- 

 vented. They add beauty to the landscape, which would be very tame, indeed, 

 without the addition of animal life; and the contemplation of such a variety of living 

 beings, all fulfilling the intentions of the great Author of Good in each department 

 of animal nature, has the effect of improving the moral nature of the observer, and 

 of developing a pious feeling. 



APRIL 12, 1854. 



Robert Patterson, Esq., President, in the chair. 



Mr. William Millen read a paper on u The Rare Plants found in the neighbour- 

 hood of Belfast." The following is a list: — Anacharis alsinastrum, cystopteris 

 fragilis, triticum junceum, lysimachia nummularia, rubus saxatilis, epilobium 

 angustifolium, orobanche rubra, ruppia rostellata, potamogeton pectinatus, pota- 

 mogeton gramineus, equisetum Mackaii, equisetum Drummondi, equisetum hye- 

 male, artemisia campestris, carduus acanthoides, erodium cicutarium, radiola 

 millegrana, peplis portula, listera nidus avis, erodium moschatum, hippuris vul- 

 garis, chara hispida, chara translucens, myriophyllum spicatum, statice spathulata, 

 statice armeria, carduus tenuiflorus, medicago falcata, lathyrus aphaca, senecio 

 viscosus, silene noctiflora, sinapis tenuifolia, vicia bithynia. 



DUBLIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



APRIL 7, 1854. 

 Robert Caldwell, Esq., M.R.I.A., in the chair. 



The minutes being confirmed, 



Mr. Andrews presented to the Society a copy of Ralfs beautiful work on the 

 British Desmidiae, and by Mr. Williams, from Mr. Edward Dombrain, four speci- 



