XX 



Dr. Barham mentioned that Dr. Winn (formerly of Truro) 

 had forwarded, through Mr. Chilcott, an account of the remtiins 

 of a remarkable marine monster, which he saw in Cochin China 

 during his visit to that country last year. The account was as 

 follows : 



" Whilst exploring the coast of Cochin China, I went to a spot rarely 

 visited by Europeans, where I was so fortunate as to get a sight of the re- 

 mains of a most extraordinary animal. The skeleton was in a sort of 

 temple, and appeared to be an object of worship to the natives. I could not 

 obtain a correct notion as to the length of the animal, as the head was piled 

 up on the ribs and vertebrse. The whole was surrounded by a brick wall and 

 covered with silk and matting. The natives say concerning the animal, that 

 the eyes are very large, the skin black and smooth, the tail resembling that 

 of a lobster, and the back surmounted by two pinions. The Captain and 

 Mate of the " John Bull " visited it at my request, and saw me measure the 

 skeleton. The head is 16 feet 4 inches in length to the end of the beak, 

 and 4 feet 4 inches in breadth. The socket of the eye is about 3 feet in 

 diameter. The face (all solid bone) 4 feet 6 inches in breadth. The rib 8 

 feet 9 inches in length, and 5 inches in diameter. The tusks are fiat, and 

 the extrenaities slightly curved inward." 



Dr. Barham said the animal would appear to be one of the 



cetacea ; and if, as was stated, Dr. Owen had seen the account and 

 considered that the animal was distinct from any known species, 

 much interest would attach to it. 



The President then requested attention to numerous draw- 

 ings, executed by his brother and himself, types of monumental 

 crosses discovered at Bakewell Church, Derbyshire, in 1842, in 

 the removal of the central tower and transept after they had 

 been struck by lightning. He failed to discover the spot in which 

 any of these objects had been originally placed ; but it was clear 

 that they had been built into the tower walls subsequently to their 

 being used as monumental slabs. Their dates were of the 11th, 

 12th, and 13th centuries. 



The President next invited subscriptions to the Illustration 

 Fund proposed to be established in connection with the Journal 

 of the Institution, 



On motion by the President, seconded by Dr. Barham, 

 thanks were voted to the Mayor of Truro, for his kindness in 

 granting the use of the Council Chamber for this meeting. 



On motion by Rev. T. Phillpotts, seconded by Mr. Pascoe, 

 thanks were voted to the President for the kindness and ability 

 with which he had presided over the meeting, and for the zeal 

 which he had always evinced in supporting the objects of this 

 Institution. 



