Proceedings of Learned Societies. 125 



A portion of very recent human brain, merely steeped in dis-» 

 tilled water, was examined by Mr. Bauer, who perceived in it rows 

 of globules proceeding in straight lines from the cortical into the 

 medullary part. A comparison was instituted of the human brain 

 with the same organ in fishes, insects, and worms. In the Tench^ 

 the brain has a central cavity, and its basis is nodulated. In the 

 Bee, that organ is larger in proportion than in the other insects 

 which have been examined ; it is also large in the Moth and in the 

 Caterpillar. 



The reading was commenced, likewise, of Some Observations on 

 the Migration of Birds ; by the late Dr. EdwAud Jenner, F.R.S. ; 

 communicated by his nephew, Mr. W. H. Jenner. 



Nov. 27. — The reading of Dr. Jenner's paper was concluded. 



Dr. Jenner had intended to present this paper to the Royal So- 

 ciety himself, but was prevented from fully completing it, as to 

 arrangement, by his extensive correspondence on the subject of 

 vaccination. It commenced with some general observations on 

 the Migration of Birds, and particularly wish respect to their ca- 

 pability of taking such great flights as migration must require, and 

 which some writers have questioned. Dr. Jenner brought forward 

 various facts, to show that there were no grounds for such doubt ; 

 among which were the following : a Hobby-hawk was seen in a 

 vessel near Newfoundland ; and an Owl, seemingly the common 

 brown owl, flying above the Atlantic wave, with as much agility 

 as if pursuing a mouse in the fields ; Cuckoos, Snipes, and other 

 birds, have likewise been seen in the Atlantic ; a flock of birds 

 resembling Linnets settled on the rigging of a ship, remained awhile 

 chirrupping in concert, and then flew away; Geese have been 

 caught in Newfoundland with their crops full of maize, a species 

 of corn which is not grown but at an immense distance from that 

 island. The discussion of this branch of the subject was suceeeded 

 by some remarks on the faculties of discrimination and guidance 

 which must be exercised by birds, in the long flights thus taken, 

 and which, Dr. J. conceived, must be of some peculiar and un- 

 known nature ; Pigeons, it was observed, which have been taken 

 several hundred miles, completely secluded from the light, by 

 being shut up in a box, will, when set at liberty, immediately 

 return to the place whence they were taken. The periodical dis- 



