GO' yhiatic Socicly. 



circumfeieuce of the stem 17, but near the root is a tuiucbtcacp 

 increasing it to a larger dimcnbion. The cavity is capable of 

 containing 36 quarts. 



Colonel Harduicke further observes, that in an essay on British 

 sponges by George Montague, Es(|., puhlislied in the 2d volume 

 of the Transactions of the Wernerian Society, is described a 

 sponge, luidcr this specific denomination of Scypha, and this 

 sponge in its characters has affinity to the subject here mentioned. 

 The Indian species, however, is gigantic in all its parts, compared 

 with Spongia scypjia, and a more appropriate specific distinction 

 may perhaps be given to this, in denominating it Spongia palera. 

 The goblet sponge. 



Several articles have been selected as presents for the Edin- 

 burgh College Museum, in conformity with the resolution passed 

 at the last meeting. They will be forwarded by the Marquis of 

 Hastings*. 



Some beautiful models in ebony, of the instruments used by 

 the natives of India in manufactures and husbandry, were laid 

 before the Society. 



Colonel Fitzclarence presented, through the medium of the 

 most noble the President, his Travels through India and Egypt 

 to England. 



A copy of Recherches sur la DtCGuverte de V Essence de Rose, 

 par M. Langles, was also received. 



The Narrative of a Journey from Soobat'hoo to Shipkein Chi- 

 nese Tartary, by Lieut. A. Gerard, of the Bengal Infantry, was 

 presented by Mr. Metcalfe, at the desire of Sir David Ochterlonv. 

 The journev occupies a period from the 22d of September to the 

 22d of November 1818. 



Soobat'hoo lies in hit. 30° 58' and 77° 2', and is 4,200 feet 

 above the level of the sea. On the 2Gth September Lieut. Gerard 

 reached Gujyndee, in Nawar, a small district of Busehur, famous 

 for its numerous iron mines. It contains but few spots fit for 

 culiivation, and the inhabitants, who are miners, live chiefly by 

 their trade in iron. They work the mines only about three 

 months in the year, and commence digging them in March, after 

 the snow has sufficiently melted. 



* The collection o'^ natural curiosities at the College Museum is on the 

 increase, and ere long promises to be one of the most scientific and beauti- 

 ful in Europe. The classical zoological cabinet of Dufrcsni of Paris has been 

 purchased for a great sum by the College, and is now on its way to Edin- 

 burgh. The sale of Bullock's Museum in London was attended by a gentle- 

 man on the part of the University, and he is understood to have made pur- 

 chases to a considerable amount. Every month collections and specimens 

 ,are pouring into the Museum from different parts of the world, as donations 

 by those who feel an interest in the advancement of natural history, and in 

 the Edinburgh Museum. 



On 



