392 Scientific Intelligence — Miscellaneom. 



English, principally those of Bristol, go with their merchandize to 

 this island, which is as large as England. When I was there the 

 sea was not frozen, and the tides were so great, as to rise and fall 

 twenty six fathoms.'* The island thus mentioned as Thule, is 

 generally supposed to have been Iceland, which is far to the west of 

 the Ultima Thule of the ancients, as laid down in the map of 

 Ptolemy. Nothing'more is known of this voyage, in which we dis- 

 cern indications of that ardent and impatient desire to break away 

 from the limits of the Old World, and launch into the unknown 

 regions of the ocean." 



12. Ethnological Societi/, — We are happy to announce the forma- 

 tion in London of a society, which promises much for an impoi-tant 

 but hitherto much neglected branch of knowledge. The following 

 was communicated to us by the Secretary : — 



" It is submitted, that among the numerous Literary and Scien- 

 tific Societies established in the British Metropolis, one is still want- 

 in"- to complete the circle of Scientific Institutions, whose sole ob- 

 ject should be the promotion and diffusion of the most important 

 and interesting branch of knowledge, that of man, viz. Ethnology. 



— " That a new and useful Society might therefore be formed, 

 under the name of ' The Ethnological Society.' 



— " That the interest excited by this department of science is 

 increasingly felt ; — that its advantages are of the first importance 

 to mankind in general, and paramount to the welfare of a mari- 

 time nation like Great Britain, with its numerous and extensive 

 Colonies and Foreign Possessions. 



— " That although there is a great amount of Ethnological in- 

 formation existing in Great Britain, yet it is so scattered and dis- 

 persed, either in large books that are not generally accessible, or in 

 the bureaux of the public departments, or in the possession of pri- 

 v.')te individuals, as to be nearly unavailable to the public. 



" The objects, then, of such a Society as is now suggested would 

 be — 



" 1. To collect, register, and digest, and to print for the use of the 

 members and the public at large, in a cheap form, and at certain 

 intervals, such new, interesting and useful facts as the Society may 

 have in its possession, and may from time to time acquire. 



* Hist, del Almirante, c. 4. 



