56 Meetings of the Scientific Association of Great Britain. 
in England.* This meeting commenced the twenty fourth of June, 
and continued during a week. About twelve hundred persons were 
present, and among them were most of the distinguished English 
philosophers. ‘There were very few strangers, and this circumstance 
was probably owing to the anniversary of the meeting not being late 
enough in the season to permit the greater part of the Continental 
philosophers, and especially the professors of the universities to join 
in its proceedings; no doubt the number will be rendered much more 
considerable the next year at Edinburgh, by fixing, as has been done, 
the anniversary about the beginning of September. 
Admission to the association was subject to very few restrictions. 
Any one who has communicated to a scientific society, any investi- 
gation printed among the proceedings of this society, and also per- 
sons sent as delegates from provincial scientific societies, could take a 
part in the proceedings, after having subscribed to the rules of the 
association. 
The entering of the names took place under the éuponiuieneue 
of a committee. The price of admission for members being one 
pound sterling. 
Learned strangers, introduced by some member of the association 
were admitted gratuitously. 
The meetings were general or special. 
The general meetings were held in the academical senate chamber. 
Questions of a general interest were there discussed, and there were 
made; summary reports of the proceedings of the sections, elaborate 
reports upon the progress of certain branches of science, which had 
been requested the previous year from gentlemen versed in these 
sciences, etc. é 
Special meetings, or sections, had been arranged according to the 
nature of the science, and were held simultaneously in different pla- 
ces. ‘There were five of these sections, and during the meeting, a 
sixth was formed of which I shall soon have occasion to speak. 
These five sections were arranged in the following manner : 
First section,—Of mathematics and physico-mathematics (astron- 
omy, mechanics, hydrostatics, hydraulics, light, heat, sound, meteor- 
‘ology and the mechanical arts.) 
* Prof. S—EDGWICK, a distinguished geologist, presided at this meeting; the vice- 
presidents were Messrs. Airy and Datron; the secretaries Messrs. HensLow 
and Wueweuu. The late president was the well known geologist Buckianp; and 
the president for the nextyear is Admiral Brissang, the founder of the observatory 
erected in New Holland. 
