392 ■ Royal Institution of Great Britain. 



on each Wednesday, between the hours of one and five, for the pur- 

 pose of inspecting the museum. This department consists of ex- 

 tensive and instructive collections in every branch of zoolocjy ; the 

 value of which is enhanced by the consideration of their being ex- 

 clusively tlu! result of the liberality and public spirit of some of the 

 leading members. Lectures on various subjects of interest in zoo- 

 logy have also been given at 3 o'clock during these meetings. Mr. 

 vigors, the Secretary, has delivered some discourses on the Affini- 

 ties of Birds, illustrated by specimens from the Society's museum ; 

 and Mr. Brookes has commenced a series of lectures on Comi)arative 

 Anatomy, selecting the structure of the Ostrich as the subject of 

 the first lecture on Wednesday the 25th. Several valuable prepa- 

 rations from a specimen of this bird, which His Majesty was gra- 

 ciouslv pleased to present to the Society, were brouglit forward to 

 illustrate this lecture. The gardens of the Society are stated to be 

 in great forwardness, and it is expected that they will be opened 

 during the ensuing summer. 



ROYAL INSTITUTION OF GUEAT BRITAIN. 

 Feb. 23. — Dr. Harvvood read a paper from the lecture-table, On 

 the natural history of the seal. It was illustrated by numerous fine 

 specimens and preparations of the animal, from the collection of Mr. 

 Brookes and other sources, and by many specimens of the fur and 

 skin, in the state into which they are brought by the furrier. Dr. 

 Harwood particularly remarked upon the amazing expansion of the 

 olfactory nerves in the Seal, from which, and other circumstances, 

 he was induced to suggest as probable, that these animals often hunt 

 their prey upon the surface of the water by scent. He expressed 

 his surprise to, that they had not as yet been brought under sub- 

 jection to man, and made to perform the same good offices for him 

 in the water that the dog does on land. 



In the library were the contents of a Tumulus found near the Falls 

 of Niagara, Upper Canada, and of another in the back settlements o!' 

 Ohio : several Egyptian antiquities, presented by General Tolly ; 

 and new American and English publications. 



March 2. — The librarian, Mr. Singer, read a paper communi- 

 cated by a member of the Institution, On the principles of the struc- 

 ture of language. The investigations had been made upon the 

 Hebrew tongue, and were illustrated by numerous diagrams. 



The head of the Ghurial of the Ganges, with other fine specimens 

 in Natural History, and presents of books, were laid upon the li- 

 brary tables. 



March 9. — Mr. Holdsv/orth made some observations in iht lec- 

 ture-room on the structure of Shipping : they were merely intro- 

 ductory to some practical and experimental illustrations which are 

 to be submitted to the members. 



In the library was a specimen of gas for illumination, made by 

 Mr. Daniell's process from resin. Resin, tar, and numerous other 

 sources of highly carbonated combustible gases have hitherto been 

 objectionable only because during decomposition they choke the 



retorts 



