226 Scientific Intelligence. [March 



M. Vicat presented experimental researches on the composi- 

 tion of mortars and cements. 



A memoir, by MM. Lacroix and Peulvay, on raising water, 

 was presented ; and, with the preceding, was referred to a com- 

 mittee. 



M. Girard, in the name of a committee, delivered a report on 

 a memoir, by M, Charles Dupin, on the theory of the track of 

 wheels on roads. 



M. Percy made a report in favour of the use of caustic in 

 diseases of the urethra, proposed by M. Petit. 



M. Bonpland was elected correspondent in the class of 

 botany. 



Major Lambton and M. Lindenau were elected correspondents 

 in the class of astronomy. 



The class of medicine and surgery presented the following list 

 of candidates for the vacant place of correspondent ; viz. Prof. 

 Gregory, of Edinburgh ; Baillie, of London ; Lauth, of Stras- 

 burg ; Mannoir, of Geneva ; and Fodere, of Strasburg. 



Dec. 22. — A memoir, of M. Puguet, on yellow fever, was 

 referred to a committee. 



A note, by M. Burckhardt, on the comet of 1816, was read. 



M. Percy delivered a report, on a memoir of M. Gondret, on 

 the use of the actual cautery : as a substitute for the cautery, 

 M. Gondret proposes the employment of a pommade, composed 

 of suet and caustic ammonia, in equal proportions. 



Prof. Gregory was elected a corresponding member in the class 

 of medicine. 



Article XII. 



SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE, AND NOTICES OF SUBJECTS 

 CONNECTED WITH SCIENCE. 



I. Fossil Wood, near Lichfield. By T. J. Darwin, M.D. 



(To Dr. Thomson.) 

 DEAR SIR, Lichfield Nov. 15, 1817. 



When I had the pleasure of seeing you at Lichfield, you ex- 

 pressed a desire to learn the nature of the situation where the 

 siliceous fossil wood is found in this neighbourhood ; I take the 

 opportunity of informing you, that I visited the spot, in my pro- 

 fessional duties, lately. 



They are found in gravel, about three feet thick, which lies a 

 foot from the surface of the meadow upon a bed of clay, in a flat 

 country, near Allesley, two miles north of Coventry. The 



f ravel is mixed with a large proportion of argillaceous earth, 

 he specimens of wood are mostly irregular, with acute angles ; 

 whilst nearly all the other stones are rounded, or worn by the 



