21 



the species being found hi the interior of solid bodies ; of 

 amphibious reptiles retaining a latent vitality, even when 

 enveloped in ice in the higher latitudes, remarking that the 

 gradual transition from animation to torpidity was not gene- 

 rally effected by sudden changes of temperature, but by 

 slow degrees, which prevented destruction. He observed 

 that the insect tribe periodically undergoes the phenomenon 

 of hibernation; but its influence and operation on creatures 

 so minute almost eluded the study of the most ardent natu- 

 ralist. The suspended animation of animalculae was then 

 noticed, and their return from the hibernating state. The 

 former was conceived to be effected by the simple operation 

 of cold, and the suspension of the animal functions ; which 

 even if protracted by artificial means beyond the natural 

 period, was not destructive of the vital principle. Analogy 

 was relied on for conclusions in this department of the 

 subject. He next offered some remarks on the piscatory 

 race, a subject, it was observed, surrounded with difficulty 

 and dissatisfaction, their habits of hibernation being but im- 

 perfectly ascertained. The lecturer then gave some ge- 

 neral observations on the profound torpidity of animals, as 

 arising from temperature, constitution, construction, or 

 choice, the chief circumstance and consequence of which 

 arise from the temperature of animals themselves ; — on its 

 varying according to the difference of species ; — on the 

 experiments which others had made on torpid animals, and 

 their results as to the difference of temperature in an active 

 or torpid state ; — on their abstinence, and the alternate sus- 

 pension and renewal of respiration; — on the comparison of 

 their weight ; — on their circulation, susceptibility, and irri- 

 tability ; — and on their temporary intervals of renewed 

 animation. 



June 16. — Mr. Read delivered his third Lecture on the 

 History and Manners of the Turks. He stated the extent 

 of the empire, and observed that his previous lectures ap- 

 plied generally to those states where the mass of the people 

 were followers of Mohamed. He then proposed to describe 

 successively the several larger provinces of the empire, and 

 by an epitome of their ancient history, a view of their pre- 

 sent state, and an inquiry into their resources, to estimate 

 iheir importance to the general confederation, in order to 

 judge what changes might be beneficial to the people, and 

 how civilization and good government might be extended 

 to them. The precedence in this inquiry was given to 

 Ejjypl, of interest alike to the anti«iuarian, the geographer, 



