—_ —— - 
[ 221 ] 
XXXVI. Proceedings of Learned Societies. 
ROYAL SOCIETY. 
Feb. 23.— A Paper was read, entitled, “An Account of a 
new reflecting curve; with its application to 
the construction of a telescope having only one reflector ;” by 
Abram Robertson, D.D. F.R.S. Savilian Professor of Astro- 
nomy, Oxford. 
Also a paper, on the constitution of the atmosphere; by 
John Dalton, Esq., F.R.S. 
Mar. 2.—T wo papers by Sir E. Home, Bart. V.P.R.S., 
were read, on the coagulation of blood by heated iron. 
Mar. 9.—A paper was read, on oil of wine; by Mr. H. 
Hennell: communicated by W. T. Brande, Esq. Sec. R.S. 
A paper was also read, on the mathematical principles of 
suspension bridges; by Davies Gilbert, Esq. M.P. V.P.R.S. 
The reading was commenced of a paper on a new method 
of determining the parallax of the fixed stars; by J. F. W. 
Herschel, Esq. Sec. R.S. 
Mar. 16.—The reading of Mr. Herschel’s paper was 
concluded ; and a paper was read, on the expression of the 
parts of machinery by signs; by C. Babbage, Esq. F.R.S. 
The Society then adjourned till April 6th. 
LINNEAN SOCIETY. 
Mar. 7.—A further portion of Dr. Hamilton’s Commen- 
tary on the Hortus Malabaricus was read. 
Mar. 21.—The following communications were read :— 
Descriptions of two new birds belonging to the family Pha- 
sianida, by Major-gen. Hardwicke, F.L.S. 
The first of these birds is a species of the genus Lophopho- 
rus of M. Temminck, which General Hardwicke proposes to 
call L. Wallichi, after Dr. Wallich, the distinguished curator 
of the Company’s botanic garden at Calcutta, through whose 
exertions, aided by the influence of the Hon. Edward Gard- 
ner, the English resident at the court of Katmandu, many in- 
teresting subjects in ornithology were procured. It is about 
the size of the Impeyan Pheasant, another species of Lopho- 
phorus, to which it does not yield in beauty. It is a native of 
the Almorah Hills on the north-eastern boundary of Bengal. 
The local name of this bird is Cheer. 
The second species belongs to Phasianus, and will together 
with P. cruentus constitute a small but well marked group of 
that interesting genus. General Hardwicke has called this 
species P. Gardneri. It is a native of the Snowy Mountains 
north of the valley of Nepal. 
Description 
