HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY. 
565 
Robert Jameson, Esq. P. in the chair. — Mr W. A. Ca- I827. 
dell read a Description of the Hindoo Smiths' Bellows, with '^P^^^ 
remarks on the occurrence of a similar bellows in Europe, 
as illustrative of the Indian origin of the Gypsies. — Mr R. 
Bald, mining engineer, read Observations on the Coal-field 
and accompanying Strata in the vicinity of Dalkeith, in 
Mid-Lothian, and exhibited a section of that coal-field. — 
The Reverend Dr David Scot of Corstorphine, then read 
an Essay on the Semamith of Solomon, Prov. xxx. 25, 
commonly translated ' Spider,' but which he shewed to be 
a species of Lizard.— At this meeting, Mr James Alexander 
Vintress exhibited a new Stereometer, or instrument for 
ascertaining the specific gravity of powders, invented by 
him. 
The President in the chair. — The Secretary read an ac- April 21. 
count of interesting Works of Art lately discovered in the 
ruins of Selinus, by two Eoghsh architects, Messrs Harris 
and Angel ; communicated by Dr Traill of Liverpool. 
Likewise a notice by James Wilson, Esq. regarding a 
living specimen of the Puma, or American Lion, lately 
presented to Professor Jameson. — The Reverend Dr Scot 
then read a memoir on the Hyssop of the Sacred Writings. 
— Dr R. E. Grant exhibited several living specimens of 
the Virgularia juncea of Lamarck, from deep places in the 
Frith of Forth, and made some remarks on the Structure 
of this zoophyte. — Professor Jameson then exhibited and 
described a specimen of the Ibis sacra of Africa, brought 
home by Major Denham ; the Horns of a Wapiti Deer, 
brought from California by Captain Ferguson ; a Balsa, 
or boat or float, made of two bundles of straw or reeds, 
used in Peru for crossing rivers, or passing through the 
surf on the shore ; and a specimen of the Peccari Hog, pre* 
sented to the College Museum by Mr Shenley, 
