produced from an Almond. 201 



Nole ly the Secretary. 



The two peaches alluded to in this paper were of a perfectly 

 globular form, the largest exceedingseven inches in circumference. 

 The skbi, which was covered with a rather thick down, was of a 

 delica-e yellow, tinted on the sunny side with pale red, and beau- 

 tifully marbled with a deeper shade of the same colour. The 

 Jlesh was of a pleasant pale citron tint, and round the stone of 

 a verv hiiiiiant carmine red ; it was perfectly melting, sweet, and 

 very juicy, though not very high flavoured, but it \\?A suffered in 

 this quality by the injury sustained in carriage. The stone w^as 

 large m proportion to the fruit, nearly round, with a small point 

 at the top, very rugged, and had much of tlie same kind of farina 

 on its surface as is usually seen on that of the almond in its fresh 

 state; it also separated very clearly from the flesh, some short 

 filaments only adhering to it. 



XXIX. Jddress of the Aitrononikal Society of London : esta- 

 blished February 8, 1820. 



In a country like Great Britain, in which the sciences in genera! 

 are diligently cultivated, and Astronomy in particular has made 

 exten'sive progress and attracted a large share of attention, it 

 'must seem strange that no Society should exist peculiarly devoted 

 to the cultivation of this science; and that (while chemistry, 

 mineralogy, geology, natural history, and many other important 

 departments iioth of science and of art are promoted by associated 

 bodies, which direct, while they stimulate, the highest exertion 

 of individual talent) Astronomy, the sublimest branch of human 

 knowledge, has remained up to the present time unassisted by that 

 most powerful aid ; and has relied for its advancement on the la- 

 bours of insulated and independent individuals. 



It may be concened by some, that astronomy stands less in 

 neerl of assistance of this kind than any other of the sciences; 

 and that, in the state of perfection which its physical theory has 

 already reached, its ulterior progress may safely be intrusted to 

 individual zeal, and to the great national establishment exclusively 

 appropriated to celestial observations ; or, at all events, to those 

 pul)!ic institutions and academies in all civilized nations, whose 

 object is the general cultivation of the mathematical and physical 

 sciences. It may therefore be necessary to state the useful ob- 

 jects which may be accomplished, and the impediments*which 

 ni.iy lic removed, by the formation of a Society devoted solely to 

 the encouragement and prooiotion of astronomy. 



Owing; 



