398 Proceedings of the Society of Arts. 



adapting it for its amphibious mode of life were pointed out, 

 and its habits minutely described. The alleged injuries to the 

 salmon-fisheries by this species were rendered doubtful by the 

 results of the author's observations, he having never found any 

 ova or fry of fish in its stomach, which was usually found to con- 

 tain fragments of coleopterous insects and moUusca, especially 

 Lymnaea peregra and Ancylus fluviatilis. 



Dr Traill then exhibited a series of beautiful and correct 

 drawings of British quadrupeds, cetacea, birds, reptiles, and 

 fishes, executed by Mr Macgillivray, in whom, he remarked, 

 the naturalist and artist are fortunately united, and which are 

 intended for his projected great work, on the Vertebrate Ani- 

 mals of Great Britain, The Society also expressed a very fa- 

 vourable opinion of these drawings. 



, There was then read Mr NicoPs account of his examination 

 of the specimens of fossil wood from the Island of Mull, col- 

 lected by Mr Cunningham ; also of various specimens from the 

 North- African Desert and the Karoo Ground in Southern Af- 

 rica. (This interesting paper is printed in the present Num- 

 ber of this Journal, p. 339 et seq.) 



Proceedings of the Society for the Encouragement of the Useful 

 Arts in Scotland. 



The following communications were laid before the Society 

 during the months of January and February 1835 : — 



January 28. — 1. Drawing and Description of a new Reed Instru- 

 ment, called " The Caledonica." By Mr William Meikle, Townend, 

 Strathaven. — The instrument was exhibited. 



2. Drawing of his Improved Oboe and Bessoon. Bj the same.— 

 The instruments were exhibited. 



3. Petition of William Scott, wright and turner, Kinloch-Rannoch, 

 by Pitlochrie, in regard to a machine constructed by him.— The ma- 

 chine was exhibited. 



The following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members, viz. 



John S. Russell, Esq. 8 Stafford Street. 

 David Christie, Esq. 20 Forth Street. 



February 11. — 1. An Easel for Painters, on a convenient con- 

 struction. By John Robison, Esq., Sec. R. S. E., and Couns. Soc. ' 

 Arts. 



