195 



The Rev. H. H. Higgins exhibited a fossil, resembling 

 a Calamite, from Huyton Quarry, and added some stations 

 to the local flora. 



The following paper was then read : — 



EGYPT AND NUBIA: 



THEIR CLIMATE, CHARACTER, AND MERITS AS 



A WINTER RESIDENCE FOR INVALIDS. 



By JOSEPH DICKINSON, M.A., M.D., F.E.S., &o. 



Compelled by illness to withdraw for a time from the 

 active duties of an arduous profession, I endeavoured to 

 regain health in a climate, brighter, dryer, and milder 

 than our own, and visited in its search many of the most 

 frequented and favoured places of resort both in England 

 and on the continent of Europe, but in vain. I was then 

 induced to try what the climate of Egypt and Nubia 

 could accomplish, and here I found that which I had so 

 long sought for. Having paid considerable attention to 

 the character of this climate and its effect on myself and 

 others, I propose briefly, though I fear very inadequately, 

 to describe them, under the conviction that every trust- 

 worthy contribution, however small, will be considered 

 by the scientific inquirer as tending to render more pre- 

 cise and accurate our knowledge of questions of great 

 practical importance, and concerning which many erro- 

 neous views and false impressions prevail even among 

 medical men. 



The observations made in Egypt and Nubia were con- 

 ducted by myself and my friend, Frederick Hubbard, Esq., 

 C.E., conjointly. The instruments used were two self- 

 registering and two ordinary thermometers. One of the 

 first was placed outside the boat at the stern, and so 

 situated as to be protected equally from the direct and 

 the reflected rays of the sun, and from currents of air. 



