An Appendix to the preceding paper was also read, entitled, " Re« 

 marks on Mr. Snow Harris's Communication," by S. H. Christie, Esq. 

 M A. F.R.S.j in which the latter gentleman, although he admits that 

 Mr. Harris's experiments may explain some of the phenomena observed 

 by Mr. Christie, yet he does not consider them as conclusive against 

 the existence of the magnetic influence of the solar rays, and points 

 out several circumstances in support of that opinion. 



February 28, 1833. 

 MARK I SAM BARD BRUNEL, Esq., Vice-President, in the Chair. 



A paper was read, entitled, "A Relation of the case of Thomas 

 Hardy Kirman, with remarks on Corpulence." By Thomas Joseph 

 Pettigrew, Esq. F.R.S. 



The subject of this communication, T. H. Kirman, was born at 

 Barrow Mill, near Barton-upon-Humber, in Lincolnshire, on the 1 8th 

 of April 1821. His father, who is a miller, is of middle stature, but 

 inclined to corpulency j his mother tall and stout; and both per- 

 fectly healthy. Their son Thomas was not remarkable at the time of 

 his birth for any peculiarity either in size or strength. He has en- 

 joyed uniform health, excepting that when six years old he fractured 

 his thigh, and was in consequence confined for five weeks to his bed j 

 on rising from which, by an imprudent exertion, he injured his knee, 

 and was obliged to lie upon a couch for five or six weeks longer. It 

 was during this period of inactivity that he was first observed to in- 

 crease much, both in bulk and height. This increase has since been 

 progressive ; and especially rapid during the last twelve months. At 

 the present time, at which he is within two months of being twelve 

 years old, he measures five feet one inch in height, and weighs one 

 hundred and ninety- eight pounds. He measures round the chest 

 4S| inches, round the abdomen 44 inches, round the pelvis 48J 

 inches, round the thigh 27 inches, round the calf of the leg 18J 

 inches, round the upper arm J 3 inches, round the fore arm 11^ 

 inches, round the wrist 7 inches, and across the shoulders 19 inches. 



The fat deposited is of firm consistence, and the muscular frame is 

 strongly developed. His size occasions him at present but little in- 

 convenience ; his appetite and sleep are moderate j his habits and 

 sports perfectly juvenile ; and there is no appearance of puberty. He 

 has a brother and two sisters, who are all of the ordinary height and 

 size. 



This account is followed by remarks on the subject of corpulency. 

 The author observes, that this habit of body is most frequently met 

 with in marshy districts, and has an apparent relation with the hu- 

 midity of the climate. It is much more prevalent in England than in 

 France or the South of Europe. It may often be traced to hereditary 

 predisposition, and is promoted by tranquillity and cheerfulness of 

 mind, and equability of temper, by full living, the use of fermented 

 liquors, and of certain articles of diet containing much nutritious 



