46 



But in the pulmonary organs, where the purpose to be answered is 

 that of diffusing the blood over the greatest possible extent of sur- 

 face, the arteries and the veins correspond to each other in all their 

 ramifications, and their adjacent branches generally pursue courses 

 parallel to each other. Their transition into capillaries is effected 

 with fewer subdivisions than in the case of other arteries. No dis- 

 position exists among these arteries to form anastomoses with each 

 other, or with the veins ; but the intervening spaces are uniformly 

 occupied by a close network of capillary vessels. The lung of the 

 salamander is simply vesicular ; that of the frog is cellular, as well 

 as vesicular, and consequently presents greater difficulty in follow- 

 ing with the microscope the course of the vessels as they traverse 

 membranes situated in different planes. In the lungs of the frog, 

 the larger vessels pass chiefly on the external surface ; but in the 

 toad they follow the course of the internal margins of the vertical 

 meshes. The author concludes from his observations, that the ca- 

 pillaries, properly so called, have no power to contribute to the 

 motion of the blood, and that the capillary circulation depends al- 

 together upon the action of the heart and arteries* In cases of im- 

 peded circulation, he observes, the pulsatory movement of the blood 

 may be seen, not only in the arteries, but also in the capillary ves- 

 sels, and even in the veins. 



At nine o'clock, pursuant to the Notice sent to the Fellows ac- 

 cording to the Statutes, a ballot was taken for filling three vacancies 

 in the Council occasioned by the resignation of Viscount Melville, 

 K.T., Sir George Murray, G.C.B., and Sir Robert Peel, Bart. Dr. 

 Goodenough and Sir Robert Inglis were appointed scrutators. After 

 examining the Balloting Lists, they reported that John Frederick 

 Daniell, George Dollond, and Charles Konig, Esqrs., were elected 

 Members of the Council. 



A Letter from Sir James South to the Treasurer was read, stating, 

 that the Dome of the Building intended for his large Equatorial was 

 nearly completed, and that he would be happy to show it to the Mem- 

 bers of the Society any day of the week, between the hours of one 

 and five. 



Printed by Richard Taylor, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 



