19 
he expressed his belief that the species was still to be de- 
termined. 
The author concluded by stating his belief in the ex- 
istence of a fourth seal (probably P. Barbata) on the 
southern coasts of Ireland, which he had occasionally seen, 
but never had opportunity of closely inspecting ; and finally 
exhibited a number of sketches illustrative of his paper, 
showing generic and specific distinctions of external forms, 
skulls, teeth, caeca, and of the great sinuses of the hepatic 
veins. 
Professor Kane laid before the Academy, specimens of the 
salts of a new acid, called by him “ Xanthomethilic Acid.” 
The same gentleman stated some conclusions to which 
he had recently arrived, from the examination of pyroacetic 
spirit, which he considered to be a new alcohol. 
DONATIONS. 
Discours sur quelques Progrés des Sciences Mathematiques 
en France, depuis 1830. Par le Baron Charles Dupin, 
President de Académie. Presented by the Author. 
Researches on Heat. (Second Series.) By James D. 
Forbes, Esq. F.R.SS.L.& E., F.G.S. Presented by the 
Author. 
January 9, 1837. 
Rev. B. LLOYD, D. D., Provost, T.C.D., President, 
in the Chair. 
Matthew Barrington. Esq., Arthur E. Gayer, Esq., Sir 
John Kingston James, Bart., Francis Barker, M.D., Wil- 
liam Gregory M. D., F.R. 8S. E., Edward A. Clarke, Esq., 
Charles Lambert, Esq., and Thomas Williams, Esq., were 
elected Members of the Academy. 
c2 
