160 
of a log-line, and sight the two shining points alluded to from 
the ship’s taffrail. Chuck the line and the thing is done; for 
on hauling the plank alongside and examining its compass 
(which, it is needless to remark, is impervious to water), the 
difference between the plank’s head and stern and the ship’s 
head and stern, as taken by observation and the position of 
their cards at the same moment, indicates, as in the previous 
experiment, the precise amount of derangement caused to the 
ship’s needle by local attraction. 
“In concluding these observations, will you permit me to 
state that I am not satisfied with Dr. Scoresby’s theory? at the 
same time I cannot presume to deny it as yet, at least. You 
will notice that my plan is a mechanical test for determining 
the error of a ship’s compass, whether that error arises from 
imperfect compensation originally, shifting of guns, &c., acci- 
dental presence of iron or steel in the immediate neighbour- 
hood of the instrument, or from the percussion and straining of 
the waters, as Dr. Scoresby has ascertained.” 
W.R. Wilde, Esq., on the part of George O'Flaherty, 
Esq., of Lemonfield, presented a curious oval wooden bowl 
or vessel with handles, and carved out of timber, found in the 
turf-bog near the old church in the Demesne of Lemonfield, and 
about four and a half feet from the surface. Two others were 
found at the same time, but in the haste of the workmen to 
examine their contents they were broken and lost; the one 
presented was saved by a gentleman who happened to pass at 
the time of the discovery. The three vessels contained neither 
coins nor other antiquities. Mr. Wilde also presented an iron 
spear-head, a dagger, and swivel gun constructed with a 
chambered breech, found in 1853 by George Warder, at 
Inishdauwee, an island in Lough Corrib, near Oughterard. 
These articles were discovered in consequence of attention 
being drawn to the spot by a fragment of iron projecting above 
the*surface. 
