101 



February 5, 1849. 

 J. B. YATES, Esq., in the Chair. 



Mr. Sansom exhibited a species of Moss from the Island of 

 Caripee, on the Amazon, which he considered was nearly 

 allied to the Octoblepharum Albidum. 



Mr. Yates exhibited an Indulgence from Pope Innocent 

 VIIL, bearing date in the year 1497. It was printed in 

 Gothic type, having blanks, to be filled up with the names 

 of any parties to whom the Indulgence might be granted. 

 The seal and the stereotyped signature of the Apostolic 

 Notary were attached. These Indulgences were sold as low as 

 the twentieth part of a ducat, the proceeds to go to the build- 

 ing of the Cathedral of St. Jago de Compostella. This Indul- 

 gence purported to be for the benefit of the donor or his 

 relatives and friends who had departed this Kfe, aud to ensure 

 their release from purgatory as soon as the money was paid. 

 Mr. Yates had found two sheets of these documents in the 

 binding of a book, which was printed and bound in the 

 fifteenth century. 



Mr. J. P. G. Smith exhibited two undescribed specimens 

 of Perns from the Amazon; the one was an Adiantum, the 

 other an Oleandra. 



Mr. Nisbet then read a paper entitled Sanitary Reflections, 

 especially on the Ventilation of the Chimney, of which the 

 following is an abstract : — 



While the subject of Ventilation has engaged much of the 

 public mind of late years, that of the Chimney in dwelling-houses 

 has been almost neglected, and yet on its efficiency the com- 

 fort of the fireside and the health of the family chiefly depend. 



o 



