366 Royal Society of London. 



grass. But admitting, for argument's sake, though not 

 granting, that such may be the case in some few districts, 

 it is obvious that the doctrine could not apply generally, 

 because such lands are not generally found, but the contrary. 

 The fact of such advantage may, however, be doubted on 

 any land. And unless it could be proved that strong luxuriant 

 feed cannot be so closely eaten down and consumed by a 

 larger number of small or middle-sized animals, as by a 

 smaller number of large ones, the preference of the latter to 

 the former would remain doubtful in theory ; while practice 

 carefully conducted might prove the reverse. That such 

 practice has so proved, wherever it has been fully and fairly 

 tried, is the point now contended for. From such con- 

 viction in the minds of competent men has arisen a zeal for 

 the further extension of their knowledge, founded on ex- 

 perience. To such experience of facts they have been in- 

 duced to add what has appeared to them the rationale of 

 the system they have adopted. Among such men the writer 

 of the foregoing summary observations comes forward for 

 the purpose of laying down axioms for general consideration, 

 and of course for general benefit. The respectability of his 

 name will not fail to add weight to his communication ; and 

 as such it is given to the public. — Editor of Bath Soc. Tr. 



LXIV. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 



ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



XJLPRIL 30. The right honourable the President in the chair. 

 . — Notes from Mr. Groombridge and the Astronomer Royal 

 were read, containing their observations on the planet 

 newly discovered by Dr. Olbers, on the 26th and 27th of 

 April, as stated in our last. 



The reading of Mr. Home's curious paper on the stomachs 

 of animals was then resumed. Mr. H. took an extensive 

 view of the comparative anatomy, or peculiarity of structure, 

 of the stomachs, not only of ruminating animals, but also 

 of the crop and (gizzard of birds. He traced the analogy 

 S between 



