334 Miscellaneous. 



or cases where the external air was excluded. A greenhouse had 

 been already erected, and the experiments were commenced under 

 the superintendence of Mr Yates. Professor Henslow also pro- 

 posed that a sum of L. 25 should be placed at the disposal of a com- 

 mittee, for the purpose of ascertaining the best liquors for preserv- 

 ing specimens of animal and vegetable substances. The experi- 

 ments to be performed at Cambridge under the superintendence of 

 Professor Henslow, Dr Clark Professor of Anatomy, &c. and pro- 

 gress to be reported next meeting. 



Some subjects were also recommended as worthy of particular at- 

 tention, and different individuals and committees were named who 

 agreed to furnish reports, so far as possible, by the next meeting of the 



Association. Mr Gray and Mr Bald undertook the examination of 



the manner in which molluscous animals bore into rocks. Mr Chil- 

 dren engaged to continue his observations into the " Chemistry of En- 

 tomology, and the Geographical distribution of insects." Mr Vi- 

 gors proposed that a committee should be appointed to prepare a Fau- 

 na of Ireland, and should be requested to report progress at next 

 meeting. The gentlemen named were Captain Portloch, Mr R. Bald, 

 Mr William Thompson, Mr Vigors, Mr Halliday, and Dr Coul- 

 ter, with power to add to the number, — Mr Vigors to act as Secre- 

 tary. The Rev. T. W. Hope agreed to prepare a report upon the 



fossil insects of Great Britain and Ireland. Sir William Jardine 

 was requested to draw up a paper upon the species of the Genus 

 Salmo found in Scotland, giving their specific characters, and no- 

 ticing the changes which took place in their progress from their 

 young state to maturity. Mr Gould undertook to lay before the 

 next meeting a monograph of the Caprimulgidse, describing the 

 known species, and entering so far as possible into their habits and 

 affinities. 



It was agreed that the next meeting of the British Association 

 should take place at Newcastle, in the month of August, the parti- 

 cular day of meeting to be fixed by the Local Committee. The Duke 

 of Northumberland was proposed, and has accepted the presidency. 



British Museum. — The new buildings of the British Museum are 

 proceeding, though rather slowly to completion. We are happy to have 

 a good report to make of the part intended to be occupied by the zoolo- 

 gical department, for which the accommodation, we understand from 

 good authority, will exceed that of any museum in Europe. The 

 principal gallery is to be that now occupied by the minerals and or- 



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