366 Proceedings of the Royal Society. 
Gael. But the author dwelt most upon the account of the Tur- 
ditani of Spain, as given by Pliny, to whom on early introduction of 
letters was ascribed, together with the use of valuable works of art 
wrought in the precious metals, resembling such as are constantly 
discovered in Ireland, which indicate the very early state of civil- 
ization in this country. The author then entered into a detailed 
description, from personal observation, of the greater or less fre- 
quency of the Gaelic type in France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales ; 
and of the causes to which its disappearance in many extensive dis- 
tricts might have been attributable. 
After these explanations, the general question was considered,— 
What race ought to be regarded as aboriginal in the British islands ? 
Llwyd had long since shewn, from the language of topography, that 
the Gauls had preceded the Cymri in the occupation of Britain. But 
it was asked,—if there might not have been a still earlier race exist- 
ing in this country than the maritime and commercial Gauls ? 
To this question an answer was given in the affirmative. Taci- 
tus, in his enumeration of British races, has suggested, that an an- 
cient Iberian stock, remarkable for a swarthy complexion and curled 
hair, might have passed over and occupied the seat of the Silures (in 
South Wales) ;—a British tribe, with whom he was disposed to iden- 
tify this primitive race of Spain. 
It was then stated, that the author had collected abundant evi- 
dence which leads to the conclusion, that an Iberian, or Aquitanian 
race, was an older one in Britain than either of the two whose pre- 
tensions he had discussed ; but that it would be in vain to establish 
their aboriginal claims, unless the history of the Cymri and the 
Gael, in reference not only to their Asiatic sojourning place, but also 
to their westerly course of migration, was well understood. He, 
lastly, expressed his hope, that, if the aboriginal claim of the Ibe- 
rian race meet with confirmation, some light would be thrown upon 
the fossil bones of the human species which are found in caves, or 
buried deep in strata of peat, occasionally associated with the remains 
of animals now extinct, which have had an existence prior even to the 
records of history. 
2. On the Knowledge of Distance given by Binocular Visions. 
By Sir David Brewster, K.H. 
Monday, 6th May 1844. 
Dr ABERCROMBIE, V.P., in the Chair. 
The following Communications were read :— 
1. On the Conversion of Relief by Inverted Vision. By Sir 
David Brewster, K.H. 
2. On the Geology of Cockburn-Law and its Neighbourhood. 
