150 Foreign Notices. — Jamaica. 



In Beccmhcr, 182,5, Dr. Bancroft, the president, delivered some remarks 

 on objects worthy of cultivation in the island. Plants of the natural order 

 of Scitamincae, supposed to be a new variety of the C'anna indica, and bear- 

 mg tubers in profusion, were presented ; and Mr. Macfaden, the island 

 botanist, read a paper on the introduction of exotic plants into tropical 

 climates. ■ — In July, seeds of Sicilian barilla were received from Mr. 

 Bright. 



In September, 1826, Dr. Joachin Garcia Jove, a South American gentle- 

 man, presented seeds of a superior species of white beet, and the seeds 

 were distributed. 



In April, 1827, a rain-gange and collection of minerals were pre- 

 sented, and the room of the Society was granted to Mr. Macfaden, for 

 delivering his botanical lectures. [Vol. II. p. 98.] — \\\ May, Dr. Ban- 

 croft's paper on Ostracion quinquecornu, and Dr. Miller's meteorological 

 paper, were read. — In June, thanks for seeds and books were voted 

 to the Horticultural Society of London, to Captain Alexander of the 84th 

 regiment, and to Dr. Bancroft. — In June, 1827, Mr. Ackman presented the 

 natural history MSS. of the late Dr. Robinson. They consist of six MS. 

 volumes, and three large volumes and one small volume of drawings of the 

 natural history of Jamaica, made by himself, assisted by Edward and Robert 

 Long, Esqrs., and Mr. Dupont, an artist. Mr. Long writes under Dr. 

 Robinson's portrait, " I lament the want of a princely estate, that I might 

 present these objects to the world." — In July, U" HisLoire Naturelle of 

 Buffon was received from Mrs. Forsyth. — In September, a specimen of in- 

 digo made in Jamaica was presented by Mr. Reid ; and, in October, thanks 

 were returned to Mr. De la Breche for his Geology of Jamaica. It seems 

 about this time the Society attracted the attention of the philosophers of 

 more remote countries, for Dr. Buckland writes to request it will ex- 

 amine certain caverns in the Jamaica limestone, for the purpose of ascer- 

 taining whether any antediluvian bones were contained in them. Professor 

 Martins of Munich requests specimens of the flowers, fruits, and leaves of 

 the palms of Jamaica. Dr. Fischer, director of the imperial garden at Peters- 

 burgh, requests specimens, in pieces of 6 in. long, of all trees growing to 

 full size in Jamaica, which do not offer in the course of trade, as an addition 

 to a collection of woods already formed. — In November, Mr. Ackman pre- 

 sented Say's Entomology, and Dr. de Cordova presented a collection of 

 preserved insects. Mr. Nethersole presented specimens of leather tanned in 

 the island from native materials and by native workmen ; and Dr. Bancroft 

 read a paper on a species of Cassia growing wild near Port Royal, pos- 

 sessing all the medical qualities of C^assia senna, with some other advan- 

 tages, which would probably encourage attempts to cultivate it in the 

 island. — In December, the Society advertised some young olive plants for 

 distribution, just received, and voted thanks to Mr. R. Bright for them. 

 They then elected their oflicers for the ensuing year, whose names, as it is 

 most desirable that scientific men resident in the colonies should be made 

 known with distinction in the mother country, I here subjoin. 



President, G. N. Bancroft, M.D. 



Vice-Presidenls, G. Atkinson, Hon. John Mais. 



Treasurer, R. Smith. 



Secretary, J. Miller, M.D. 



Foreign Secretary, A. Bravo. 



Members of Council reelected. Dr. J. Weir, Dr. S. West, Dr. C. Mack- 

 glashan, jun.. Dr. J. Ferguson, Thomas Higson, C. S. Cockburn, J. Wills, 

 Rev. J. Mann, Rev. A. Campbell, John Blake, Rev. S. Johnson, Dr. R. 

 Chamberlaine. 



New Members of Council. J. Simpson, Hon. John Lunar, James Mac- 

 faden, J. Forsyth, jun., W. S. Stevenson, Dr. J. H. de Cordova, Dr. J. 

 Magrath, James Cockburn, Rev. J. B. Turner, Dr. D. Bain, Dr. J. Paul. 



