56 



along the bottom of the ocean,) would lead us to infer that the African 

 continent had at one time extended as far west as the last-named 

 islands, in accordance with an opinion very ably supported by Professor 

 Edward Forbes, in his report on the connexion between the distribution 

 of the existing Fauna and Flora of the British Isles, published in the 

 memoirs of the Geographical Survey of Great Britain. Which of these 

 theories is correct, or whether they can both, with some modification, 

 be reconciled to each other, I must leave for geologists to determine. 

 The only solution which suggests itself to me is, that the shores of the 

 African continent may have extended as far west as the islands in 

 question, and that immediately on the subsidence of the land, when it 

 was barely submerged, and the conditions not yet incompatible with 

 the existence of littoral speeies of marine JMoUusca, the volcanic action 

 took place, elevating the lofty masses of which most of these islands are 

 composed, and that their peculiar land moUusca are of more recent 

 origin. 



Snch an explanation would, I believe, be consistent with established 

 geological facts, but I merely suggest it for the consideration of those 

 who are more qualified than I can pretend to be to grapple with the 

 vast subject of the history and conditions of our planet, in times anterior 

 to the present distribution of land and water. 



THIRD MEETING. 



Royal Institution. — November 14, 1853. 

 JOSEPH DICKINSON, M.D., F.L.S., &c.. President, in the Cbair. 



At an Extraordinary Meeting, held previous to the Ordinary 

 Meeting, the following resolution, passed at the last Extraordinary 

 Meeting, was read and confirmed, viz. — " That the Subscription, payable 

 by Ordinary Members, be increased to £1 Is. Od. for the present 

 session." 



It was moved by Mr. John Forshaw, and seconded by the Rev. Dr. 

 Hume: "That this Society appoint five members of Council, viz. — 

 The Treasurer and Secretary, Mr. J. P. G. Smith, Dr. W. Ihne, and 



