150 



path described by an average muscular effort at a given angular 

 ascent in a given time, and which, multiplied by the sine of that 

 angle, will give the vertical height gained. 



Direct experiments are quoted, to shew the uniformity of verti- 

 cal ascent within the usual limits, viz. between 12' and 25°. From 

 the known results of tread-mill experiments, it is supposed that the 

 diminution of effective action at a vertical ascent is not very consi- 

 derable, but may yet amount to about 1100 feet per hour ; whilst 

 about 20', the effective action, will be nearly 1500 feet per hour. 

 The horizontal action is estimated at about four miles per hour. 

 The following formula suflBciently represents extensive experiments 

 at various angles of ascent, h = height ascended in English feet in 

 an hour, at an angle a : — 



'' = \sin.(« + 5=) — 800 sm, X J>sm. «. 



2. Observations on some New Species of British Fishes. By 

 Dr Parnell. 



The author stated that a species of stui'geon, for which he has pro- 

 posed the name of Acipenser latirostris, as characteristic of the spe- 

 cies, is occasionally met with in the Frith of Forth, in the Scdway 

 Frith and in the Tay. It is called by the fishermen the Broad-nosed 

 Sturgeon, to distinguish it from the Acipenser sturio, or sharp-nosed 

 species. Tlie length, in general, seven feet ; weight, about eight 

 stone. The colour of the head, back, and sides, is of an olive-grey ; 

 the belly dirty white. The body is armed with five rows of osseous 

 shields, extending from the head to the tail. The first row runs 

 down the central ridge of the back. The two next rows arise one 

 on each side of the former, and immediately on the lower margin of 

 the pectorals the other two rows commence. The dorsal shields 

 are but very slightly carinated, the fifth being the highest in the 

 series. 



The nose is broad and depressed, the point of which is larger 

 than the diameter of the mouth. On the under surface of the snout 

 are four cirri, situated much nearer the tip of the snout than to the 

 upper lip. The central plates on the summit of the head are beau- 

 tifully radiated, and of a fibrous appearance. The whole skin is 

 rough, with a number of small angular osseous plates intermixed 

 with very minute spicula. The position of the pectoral fins is the 

 same as in other sturgeons. 



