19 



MEETINGS HELD AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTION, 



Ou the 20th October, 1855, 

 WILLIAM IHNE, Ph.D., Vice-President, iu the Chair. 



Extraordinary Meeting. — The resolutions which had been carried 

 at the last ordinary meeting were again put to the vote and confirmed. 



Ordinary Meeting. — Mr. Daniel Mackinlay was elected an Ordi- 

 nary Member. 



Dr. Ihne exhibited a curious cinerary urn, found at Rome, remark- 

 able especially for its inscription, which was by no means in good 

 latiuity. Mr. Foard otfered to photograph the urn, and received the 

 thanks of the Society. Dr. Ihne also exhibited some rare and curious 

 coins, displaying Plotemy with a beard, and representing him as 

 Jupiter Ammon. 



The Rev. H. H. Higgins exhibited portions of the collection of local 

 insects wnich is being formed in the museum of the Royal Institution. 



Dr. Edwards exhibited two fish globes containing marine animals 

 and seaweed, which were in a healthy condition, although the water had 

 not been changed for upwards of fourteen months. Individuals had 

 died and been replaced, but others had remained alive and multiplied. 

 Fresh water had been occasionally added to supply the loss by 

 evaporation. 



The paper for the evening was — 



ON THE USEFUL PRODUCTS OF THE PALMACE^. 



By T. C. AECHEE, ESQ. 



The Natural Order Palmaceee comprises some of the most beautiful 

 plants in the world, and is not only remarkable for the majestic forms 

 of its species, and their position at the head of the Endogenous 

 division of the vegetable kingdom, but also for the great value of their 

 products to the human family. It is this last quality, and not the 

 botanical history of the order, which will form the subject of the present 

 paper. I will, however, arrange them as nearly as possible according to 

 the system proposed by the late Mr. Wm. Griffiths in his magnificent 

 work ou the Palms of British India. I would rather have followed 



