1819.] Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. 213 



be held near the fire, the characters instantly inflame, and exhibit 

 a beautiful phosphorescent appearance. 



Rationale. — This effect is nothing else than the slow combus- 

 tion of the minute abraded particles of phosphorus, effected by 

 the oxygen of the atmosphere. 



N. B" Phosphorus should always be handled with the 

 greatest caution, for serious burns have happened from careless- 

 ness in this respect to persons getting small pieces of phospho- 

 rus under their nails. It is best to place the phosphorus in a 

 quill or glass tube, that it may be removed from the hand in case 

 it should take fire : a bowl of water should also be near at hand 

 to plunge it into in case of accidents. 



* # * The above remarks apply to the first edition of the Chemi- 

 cal Amusement ; but such has been the rapid sale the work has 

 experienced, that it has already arrived at the fourth edition. 

 The author has taken advantage of this circumstance, and mate- 

 rially improved it. The number of experiments is not only 

 increased from 103 to 147, but much interesting matter connected 

 with chemistry in general has been likewise added. 



Article X. 



Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. 



LINNiEAN SOCIETY. 



May 4. — A paper, by Charles Hamilton Smith, Esq. A. L.S. 

 was read, entitled " Observations on some Animals of America, 

 allied to the Genus Antelope," accompanied by figures. 



At this meeting was also read, " Characters of a new Genus 

 of Coleopterous Insects of the Family Byrrhidae," by W. E. 

 Leach, M.D. F.L.S. 



June 1. — Was read, " Descriptions of some Shells found in 

 Canada," by the Rev. Thomas Rackett, F.L.S. 



Also " Observations on some migrating Species of Sylvia," 

 by Mr. R. Smith, F.L.S. 



June 15. — Part of a paper, by J. Murray, Esq. was read, 

 entitled " Remarks on some of the natural Phenomena around 

 Naples, and on Botany considered as an Auxiliary to the Geo- 

 logist." 



GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



May 7.— The " Description of the Valley of the Ligovca," by 

 the Hon. W. T. H. F. Strangways, was read. 



The river Ligovca, or Doodorovca, issues from the lake Doo- 

 dorof, which is about 15 miles to the south-west of Petersburgh. 

 At a short distance from this lake, it is expanded into a second, 

 and finally discharges itself into the gulph of Finland, through a 

 marsh, which is daily increasing in extent. In the upper part 

 of its course, the bed of the river is composed of the limestone, 



