Linnean Society/. 277 



considered as modern in the physical history of the globe ; and 

 that their extinction is attributable rather to (he continued perse- 

 cution of their enemies, accelerated by incidental local causes, 

 than to any general catastrophe that overwhelmed the surface of 

 the globe ; — so that their remains are not of diluvial^ but of 

 post-diluvial origin. In seeking a cause for the nearly constant 

 distribution of these remains in Ireland, in swampy spots, Mr. 

 W. conjectures that the animals may have fled to the lakes, which 

 have since become bogs, as places of refuge from their enemies, 



and thus not unfrequently found a grave where they looked for 

 protection. 



June 1. — A paper entitled Microscopical Observations on the 

 Materials of the Brain, and the Ova of Animals, and the Analogy 

 that exists betzceen them, was conimunicated by Sir E. Home, 

 Bart. V.P.R.S. 



The author first detailed the results of some experiments, made 

 with a view to ascertain whether Frogs that had been completely 

 frozen, could, under any circumstances, be restored to life; 

 which he found never to be the case where the brain had been 

 entirely congealed ; the substance of which, after such a process, 

 never regains its former appearance, but is resolved into a watery 

 fluid, mixed with some gelatinous matter. In the act of freezing, 

 the human brain was found to suff'er a similar decomposition. The 

 molecule of the egg is also resolved, during the process of freez- 

 ing, into materials corresponding with those of the brain. 



Magnified drawings, executed by Mr. Bauer, of the various 

 substances described in this paper, accompanied the communica- 

 tion. 



June 16. — The Society adjourned to the 17th of November 

 next. 



LINNEAN SOCIETY. 



April 5. — Captain P. Parker King, F. R. & h. S. presented 

 specimens of the Birds and Fishes he had collected in his recent 

 Survey of the North-west Coast of New Holland. 



April 19. —The readjng uf the Kcv. Messrs. K. Sheppard's and 



