TRANSACTIONS OP THE SECTIONS. 10*3! 



several ancient Sanscrit works, the author detailed theii* medical qualities 

 according to the opinion of the Hindus ; and enumerated the religious 

 ceremonies and ideas with which the plants and their products were asso- 

 ciated. He found the Annona, Anacardium, and Carica in universal 

 cultivation, although they are supposed to he natives of the Western 

 world. He described what he considered to be the original of the Citrus 

 family, as abounding in the wild state as a good-sized tree along the 

 Western Ghauts of the Deccan ; and he stated the wild nutmeg to be 

 a noble forest tree at the source of the Beema river. Colonel Sykes 

 gave, also, the names of various fruits in the Mahratta, Sanscrit, and 

 Hindustanee languages ; and noticed that, wherever a Sanscrit name 

 was wanting, the probability was that the fruit was not indigenous. 



It appeared there were three kinds of nnJberry, the species of one 

 of which was unknown ; and it was suggested that the Deccan aiForded 

 a fine field for their cultivation, and the profitable production of sUk. 



On Sugar, Malt, and an Ardent Spirit extracted from Mangel Wurzel. 

 By S. RooTSEY, M.D. 



On the Formation of Peat. By Mr. Phelps. {Illustrated by Specimens.) 



On Imbibition of Prussiate of Potash by Plants. By Dr. Corbet. 



Many specimens illustrative of particular subjects in Natural History 

 were presented by Mr. Hope, Mr. Bowman, Mr. Hewitson, Mr. Ball, 

 Dr. Riley, Mr. Yates, Dr. Tyarck, Mr. Mackay, &c. &Cc 



MEDICAL SCIENCE. 

 On the Treatment of some Diseases of the Brain. By Dr. J. C. Prichard. 



After a general view of the state of knowledge as to the efficacy and 

 modus operandi of the remedies and methods of treatment usually em- 

 ployed in these diseases, the author gave the following account of a 

 process adopted in the Bristol Infirmary. 



As the means which are within our reach for treating disorders of 

 the encephalon are so circumscribed, it appears so much the more ne- 

 cessary to endeavour to apply in the most efficacious manner such re- 

 sources as we possess. I am not disposed to believe that any material 

 improvement can be made in the ordinary rules for the use of evacuants 

 or measures of depletion, but I have no doubt that an important ad- 

 vantage may be gained by directing, in a particular manner, the mode 

 of counter-irritation, and it is chiefly with the view of recommending 

 this attempt that I have premised the foregoing remarks. Long ex- 



