9 



Society, and soon after presented a paper on the very curious 

 concretion frequently found in the hollow of bambu canes, named 

 Tabasheer. This he found to consist almost entirely of silex, exist- 

 ing in a manner similar to what Davy long afterwards discovered in 

 the epidermis of reeds and grasses. 



Mr. Smithson enriched our Transactions with seven other com- 

 munications : — A chemical analysis of some calamines. — Account 

 of a discovery of native minium.— On the composition and crystal- 

 lization of certain sulphurets from Huel Boys in Cornwall. — On the 

 composition of zeolite. — On a substance procured from the elm-tree, 

 called Ulmine. — On a saline substance from Mount Vesuvius. — 

 Facts relative to the colouring matter of vegetables. 



He was the friend of Dr. Wollaston, and at the same time his 

 rival in the manipulation and analysis of small quantities. AyaQy) $'spi$ 

 ySe pporourtv. Mr. Smithson frequently repeated an occurrence with 

 much pleasure and exultation, as exceeding anything that could be 

 brought into competition with it, — and this must apologize for my 

 introducing what might otherwise be deemed an anecdote too light 

 and trifling on such an occasion as the present. 



Mr. Smithson declared, that happening to observe a tear gliding 

 down a lady's cheek, he endeavoured to catch it on a crystal vessel: 

 that one-half of the drop escaped, but having preserved the other 

 half, he submitted it to reagents, and detected what was then called 

 microcosmic salt, with muriate of soda ; and, I think, three or four 

 more saline substances, held in solution. 



For many years past Mr. Smithson has resided abroad, principally, 

 I believe, on account of his health : but he carried with him the 

 esteem and regard of various private friends, and of a still larger 

 number of persons who appreciated and admired his acquirements. 



Of gentlemen who have not taken a direct share in the labours of 

 this Society, I would notice Mr. Henry Browne. 



No one, I believe, was ever more distinguished in the important 

 station of commanding those vessels which secure to England the 

 commerce of nations unknown to former ages ■ nor did any one 

 more largely contribute towards introducing the modern refinements 

 of nautical astronomy, which skilfully pursued, and under favourable 

 circumstances, determine the place of a ship with greater accuracy, 

 than what in the early part of the last century would have been 

 thought amply sufficient for headlands, roadsteads, or harbours of the 

 first importance. And I cannot omit this opportunity of congratu- 

 lating all those who addict themselves to astronomical pursuits, or 

 who feel an interest in the perfection of geography and navigation, 

 on the great improvements recently suggested and likely to be made 

 in our national ephemeris 3 improvements which, in part at least, I 

 hoped to have got adopted twelve years ago: but now under more 

 fortunate auspices I flatter myself that they will be carried into execu- 

 tion, and their practical advantages cannot fail of being very great. 



Retired to private life, Mr. Browne usefully amused his declining 

 years by a continuance of his favourite pursuits; and up to the latest 



