11 



Mr. Yates exhibited the rare " Musaeuiii Tradescantianum," by 

 John Tradescant, 1656 ; and entered into an explanation of the collec- 

 tion enumerated, noticing many curious things in it. He also referred 

 to the recent renovation of the monument erected in the churchyard of 

 Lambeth. 



Mr. Geay exhibited several drawings illustrating punishments in 

 China. 



Mr. Hunter drew attention to Seechi's Observations on Terrestrial 

 Magnetism, and gave a short sketch of the laws laid down by that 

 celebrated astronomer. 



Dr. Thomson referred to the late observations of Struve on the con- 

 tracting of Saturn's rings upon the body of the planet, and to observa- 

 tions made about a century ago ; also to Seechi's reference to the 

 drawing made by Campani in 1664. 



A communication was made to the Society by Dr. Inman, " On 

 Spontaneous Combustion, and Suggestions for Extinguishing Fire." 



This paper was subsequently published by the author. 



SEVENTH ORDINARY MEETING. 



Royal Institution. — Januaiy 22nd, 1855. 



JOSEPH BROOKS YATES, Esq., Sen. V.P., in the Chair. 



The Council was requested to revise the list of Corresponding 

 Members, and submit a corrected list to the Society. 



The following gentlemen were balloted for, and duly elected Ordinary 

 Members: — Geokge Atkin, Esq., James Hakes, Esq., and A. 

 FiNLAYsoN, Esq. 



The Chairman read several extracts from " broad sheets" printed in 

 1702, entitled, "Characters of the Royal Family, Ministers of State, 

 <tc., in the French Court, written by a French nobleman to his friend 

 in England. " 



