{ 391 } 
LXVII. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 
ROYAL SOCIETY. 
May 2.— 1 we conclusion of Mr. Bell’s paper on the mea- 
surement of the bones of the head, particularly the skull, 
was read. It contained some observations on the relative 
dimensions of the different parts of the head, with reference 
to the mental powers of the individual, all of which tended 
to prove that some positive knowledge might be ‘attained on 
this subject, and that the figure of certain exterior organs 
does undoubtedly indicate some quality of mind or men- 
tal affections. Mr. Bell compared the facility and ad- 
vantages of his mode of measuring the skull over that 
adopted by Camper, Blumenbach, and others, as well as 
its superior accuracy. 
On the 9th a paper by Mr. Brande was read, detailing a 
series of experiments on a vegetable wax sent from the 
Brazils to Lord Grenville, and by his lordship handed to 
Sir Joseph Banks to be chemically investigated. Mr. B. 
found this vegetable substance to be as perfect wax and fit for 
every purpose as that of bees, except that he did not suc- 
ceed in his efforts to bleach it. The vegetable wax found 
by Humboldt in Peru was the product of a large tree grow- 
ing on very elevated situations ; but it contained a conside- 
rable portion of resin. The present vecetable wax is found 
on middle-sized trees in low situations in Brazil, and is per- 
ferfectly free from resin; it is as combustible and fusible 
as bees-wax, and may, be used for the same purposes. 
The natural history sof the tree, «and the quantity of wax 
which it yields, are yeas non ; but: it is designed to in- 
Ww 
vestigate these further, when it is found to be applicable to 
domestic use. At present tt is supposed to exist in such 
quantities as may render it an important article of com- 
inerce, li 
On the 16th and 23d, part of a long paper by Mr. Trae 
vers, demonstrator of anatomy in Guy’s Hospital, was read, 
on wounds in the intestines. The author related a series of 
experiments on dogs, the intestines of which were wounded 
in various manners, some of which recovered, and were af- 
terwards killed to ascertain the way in which the punctures 
or wounds had adhered ; others died of the wounds, and were 
then dissected. In general, it appears that in small wounds 
of the intestines there is no extravasation, and that the in- 
cisions heal very rapidly by adhesion. Much of this, how- 
ever, depends on the cir¢umstance whether the wound be 
b4 longi- 
