72 Proceedings of Philosophical Societies. [Jan. 



circumstance of the package having been missing for several 

 years owing to the disturbances which occurred at Naples, so 

 that it was given up as lost, when it happily reached its original 

 destination. 



The collection of specimens in most of the departments of 

 mineralogy is now become interesting, and being open to public 

 inspection, creates a growing attention to the subject, and has 

 led to the discovery of minerals hitherto unknown in this county, 

 and is thus accomplishing one important object of the institu- 

 tion. The series of our native metallic minerals has also been 

 augmented both by purchase and donation : but while the 

 Council gladly report its continued progress, they beg to remind 

 the members that this department of the cabinet is at once the 

 most interesting and hitherto most defective ; and recommend it 

 earnestly to the attention of its friends, particularly to those 

 whose connection with the mines afford opportunities of procur- 

 ing rare specimens. 



The library and funds have also been increased, the latter by 

 a liberal donation from John Hawkins, Esq. to whose interesting 

 communications and encouragement, the institution has been 

 from its commencement so greatly indebted. 



Flattering invitations to correspondence have been received in 

 the course of the past year from foreign institutions and men of 

 science, which shows that this Society has already attracted 

 notice, and is contemplated with interest both at home and 

 abroad. 



The Council have also the pleasure to congratulate the Society 

 on the publication of the second volume of its Transactions, as 

 ordered by the last general meeting, and they flatter themselves 

 that it will not be found unworthy of its predecessor. It was 

 judged proper to confine its contents entirely to papers relative 

 to the geology and mineralogy of Cornwall; although it occa- 

 sioned the regret of thereby omitting many valuable communi- 

 cations. A large space will be found devoted to the detail of 

 numerous facts and experiments on the much controverted sub- 

 ject, the Temperature of Mines, and also on the Phenomena of 

 Veins,, which cannot, fail to attract much attention and further 

 investigation. To the authors and editors, the Society will feel 

 much obligation, particularly to Mr. Cafne, not only for so large 

 a portion of the work itself, but also for his indefatigable atten- 

 tion to the arrangement of the papers and superintendence of 

 the press. There are likewise two other circumstances deserving 

 of notice;— that the volume was printed in this town (Penzance), 

 and that the plates were engraved by a self-taught native artist ; 

 and the execution of both reflects no small credit on the parties. 



Since the last.anniversary, a course of lectures on the elements 

 of chemistry has been delivered by the Secretary, Dr. Boase, to 

 a numerous and attentive auditory, and received with much 

 applause and merited approbation. And the Council have also 



