226 



objects, as the panorama glides slowly aud pleasingly 

 by — these and similar pursuits, cause the day to pass 

 away so quietly and agreeably, that at the end of the 

 voyage one is sui-prised to find that so much time has for 

 ever fled. 



" What dire necessities on every Land, 

 Our art, our strength, our fortitude require ! 

 Of foes intestine what a numerous band 

 Against this litlle throb of life conspire ! 

 Yet science can elude theii- fatal ire 

 Awhile, and turn aside death's level'd dart, 

 And brace the nerves once more, f.nd cheer the heart, 

 And yet a few soft nights and balmy days impart." — Beattie. 



FIFTEENTH ORDINARY MEETING. 



Royal Institution, 31st May, 1858. 

 Dr. INMAN, President, in the Chair. 



C. CoLLiNGWOOD, Esq., A.M., M.B,, was elected an 

 Ordinary Member. 



The Secretary gave notice of a motion to alter the 

 period of the Society's meetings, by advancing the 

 session slightly, filling itp the gap in passion week, and 

 cutting ofi" the May meetings. 



Mr. W. Danson forwarded for exhibition several speci- 

 mens of cotton, — one called " Barraguda," and the other, 

 the produce of the poplar tree ; also a silky fibre of 

 extreme tenuity, the production of an Australian insect, 

 the habits of which were as yet but imperfectly known. 



Mr. Whitehead exhibited some large specimens of the 

 Mytilus edulis, from the Bristol Chaixiiel. 



