Proceedings of the Werner Ian Society. 205 



1836, Dec. 17. — Professor Jameson, P., in the Cli;iir. Mr 

 Torrie, assistant-secretary, read Dr Paterson's account of the fos- 

 sil plants found in the coal-formation at Wardie ; while Dr Pater- 

 son exhihited to the members the illustrative specimens. 



Dr Barry then read a paper on the unity of structure in the ani- 

 mal kingdom, illustrating the same by large diagrams. (This 

 paper has since appeared in this Journal, vol. xxii. p. 116.) 



1837, Jan.2\ David Falconar, Esq. V.P., in the Chair. The 



Secretary read a note from Professor Jameson relative to a splendid 

 specimen of sun-fish, weighing 217 lb., and apparently a new species, 

 lately captured in Leith Roads, which was exhibited to the meeting. 

 — Mr William Jameson then read a notice, regarding the occur- 

 rence of the Sacred Ibis, Ibis religiosa, in New South Wales, and 

 exhibited specimens from that region. — Dr Robert Hamilton then 

 read an account of the fur-seal of commerce, found at the New 

 Shetland Islands by the late Captain Waddel, shewing that it is 

 identical with the Otaria falklandica, first described by IVfr Pen- 

 nant. 



At this meeting, James Smith, Esq. of Jordanhill, was elected a 

 member of the Society. 



Ath February. — Robert Stevenson, Esq. V. P. in the Chair. Mr 

 Torrie, assistant-secretary, read a letter from Captain Alexander, 

 the traveller, dated Doome River, 30°.40' south latitude, Africa, 

 aflFording some interesting information. Likewise a letter from 

 David Macadam, Esq. dated H. M. Ship Portland, Athens, May 

 1. 1836, giving an account of the progress, at that date, of the 

 restoration of that ancient city, accompanied with a copy of a 

 book published at Athens, containing many inscriptions not hitherto 

 published, and likely to be soon obliterated ; and also with a me- 

 teorological table of the weather on the coast of Helas. Dr Neill 

 read an account of a curious kind of monstrosity observed in the 

 comnKtn garden wall-flower ; communicated by Dr Paterson, with 

 specimens of the anomaly. Mr Torrie then read the Rev. Mr Ro- 

 bertson's account of the geology of Inverkeithing. Mr Torrie like- 

 wise read the Reverend Edward Stanley's account of the analysis 

 of the mineral waters of Rippoldsau. It was then proposed to the 

 meeting to address a memorial to the Commissioners for Northern 

 Lights, praying them to establish daily tide-level observations at 

 the different light-house stations where suitable situations might 

 present themselves for that purpose. This was unanimously agreed 

 to, and Professor Jameson, Mr Smith of Jordanhill, and the Secre- 



