Miscellanies. 181 



On ibe evening of Wednesday, Mr. Ritchie, of the Royal Institu- 

 tion, delivered a popular lecture on the recent discoveries in electro- 

 magnetism. Dr. Turner gratified a numerous audience by a display 

 of experiments illustrating the phenomena of chemical action. 



The morning of Thursday was set apart for the ceremony of con- 

 ferring, in full convocation, honorary degrees on four of the most dis- 

 tinguished cultivators of science, members of the association, uncon- 

 nected with the university of Oxford — namely, Sir David Brewster, 

 Mr. Brown, the well-known botanist, Mr. Faraday, and the venera- 

 ble John Dalton. At the conclusion of this ceremony, honorable 

 alike to the university and the association, Dr. Buckland proceeded, 

 with a numerous equestrian party, to "survey the geology of the neigh- 

 borhood ; while Professor Henslon, with a party of pedestrians, en- 

 joyed a botanical excursion. Sectional meetings were held in the 

 evening, in which important discussions took place. 



The reports read at the general meetings of Friday and Saturday, 

 were, " on the progress of optical science," by Sir David Brewster ; 

 " on the state and progress of mineralogical science," by the Rev. 

 Professor Whewell, of Cambridge ; " on the phenomena of heat," 

 by the Rev. Professor Powel, of Oxford ; and " on the recent pro- 

 gress of chemical science," by James F. W. Johnston, Esquire, 

 F. R. S. E. The business of the meeting concluded on Saturday 

 with an interesting lecture " on fossil remains," by Professor Buck- 

 land. 



It was agreed that the next annual meeting should be held at 

 Cambridge, and the association separated with the most lively feel- 

 ings of gratitude towards the university of Oxford for the uniform 

 attentions and hospitality bestowed upon them during this week, so 

 memorable in the annals of British science. We doubt whether 

 upon any former occasion so many distinguished ornaments of sci- 

 ence from all parts of the British dominions were ever assembled to- 

 gether. 



In consequence of the unanticipated extent of this Association, and 

 the great accumulation of matter, the meeting not being previously 

 prepared with a suitable plan of organization to meet the emergen- 

 cies, the sister sciences of medicine do not appear, at the late meet- 

 ing, to hold that place in the programme to which their importance 

 and interest entitle them. Several scientific members of the profes- 

 sion appeared at different periods of the week, and enrolled their 

 names ; but the display of animal and^^egetable physiology was 



