Brifish Li^tUution. — Society of Antlqtiar'ies. 83 



and in other respects is so'iiewhat different from the figure 

 given by Rhiimphias. Not one of those shells could be pro- 

 cured perfect in itself, but their figure may be correctly 

 conceived from the different broken specimens. The body 

 of the fish consisted of a gelatinous mass. The outside of 

 the shell was white, the inside yellow, and its fracture 

 strongly resembled stalactite. 



Feb. 20. The introduction to a mathematical paper on 

 " Impossible Quantities" was read, but it is impossible that 

 we can report it. 



A physiological paper, on a particular affection of the pro- 

 state gland, was also announced, the reading of which wa? 

 deferred till next meeting. 



BRITISH INSTITUTION FOR PROMOTING THE FINE ARTS. 



The gallery belonging to this laudable institution was 

 opened on the 17th of the present month (February) for the 

 exhibition and sale of the productions of the British -artists ; 

 and will continue open every day from 10 in the morning till 

 5 in the afternoon. It is but justice to say^ that the dis- 

 play of taste, talent, and genius, which even the first open- 

 ing has exhibited, are higldy creditable to the British school. 

 Many of the pictures possess the highest excellence, and all 

 of them do honour to the individuals who have produced 

 them. 



SOCIETV OF ANTiaUARIES. 



Feb. 6. Mr. Ordc in the chair. Several curious historical 

 notices were read on the character and office of the anticnt 

 minstrels, or, as they were sometimes called, cytharists, in 

 this country; from which it appeared that several females 

 had assumed the character of wandering minstrels and 

 dancers. Their loose manner of life soon rendered them ob- 

 noxious to the laws, and they were at length suppressed as 

 common rognes and vagrants ; but their music and dancing, 

 we are happy to find, at no period, had any relation to the 

 general licentiousness of persons of the like profession in 

 evcr^' country on the continent. 



Feb. 13. The right honourable president, Earl of Leicester 



in the chair. Mr. Lysons furnished some extracts from 



F 2 the 



