456 Royal Society. 
«A heavy responsibility presses upon those who preside or of- 
ficiate in the asylums of lunacy. Little is it known how much 
injustice is committed, and how much useless and wantonly im- 
flicted misery is endured, in those infirmaries for disordered, or 
rather cemeteries for deceased intellect. Instead of trampling 
upon we ought to cherish, and by the most delicate and anxious 
care strive to nurse into a clearer and a brighter flame the still 
glimmering embers of a nearly extinguished mind. 
“ It is by no means the object of these remarks to depreciate 
the value of institutions which, under a judicious and merciful 
superintendance, might be made essentially conducive to the pro- 
tection of lunatics themselves, as well as to that of others, who 
would else be continually exposed to their violence and caprice. 
But it is to be feared that many have been condemned to a state 
of insulation from all rational and sympathizing intercourse Be- 
fore the necessity has occurred for so severe a lot. Diseased 
members have been amputated from the trunk of society before 
they have become so incurable or unsound as absolutely to re- 
quire separation. Many of the depots for the captivity of intel- 
lectual invalids may be regarded only as nurseries for and manu- 
factories of madness; magazines or reservoirs of lunacy, from 
which is issued, from time to time, a sufficient supply for perpe- 
tuating and extending this formidable disease,—a disease which 
is not to be remedied by stripes or strait-waistcoats, by impri- 
sonment or impoverishment, but by an unwearied tenderness, 
and by an unceasing and anxious superintendance. : 
«¢ The grand council of the country ought to be aroused to a 
critical and inquisitorial scrutiny into the areana of our medical 
prisons, into our slaughter-houses for the destruction and muti- 
lation of the human mind.” 
Mr. Sowerby announces the continuation of his “ British Mi- 
neralogy.” He intends to complete it in three or four more 
numbers, and to give copious indexes to the whole work. He 
begs leave to express a hope that his friends will assist him in 
making it as complete as possible. 
XCV. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 
ROYAL SOCIETY. 
June i3—T. A. Knieur, Esq. F.R.S. in a letter to the 
President, communicated the results of some further experiments 
which he has made on the leaves of plants, tending to prove that 
the matter of timber is formed in them, and that the true sap, 
descending from the leaves to the roots, forms alburnum. He 
made 
