HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY. 
567 
Solar Compass, invented by Mark Watt, Esq., and exhibit- 
ed the instrument itself. 
G. A. W. Arnott, Esq. V. P. in the chair.— The Secre- ^^^^^7.^ 
tary read an account of a peculiar species of Porpesse (Del- 
phinus Peronii ?), which abounds off the coast of Van Die- 
men's Land ; communicated by the Rev. John Macgarvie, 
A. M. — The next paper was an account of the Climate and 
of the Geology of the Harris Islands ; by MrWilliam Mac- 
gillivray, who resided there for several years. — At the same 
meeting there was read an account of an Optical Illusion 
or Mirage, called the Fairy Islands, frequently seen off the 
north coast of Ireland, near the Skerry Islands of Antrim ; 
communicated by Mr Samuel Thomas Greig. And also, 
a notice from Lieutenant-General the Hon. Sir Charles 
Colvile, regarding a fine specimen of Hindoo Sculpture, 
presented to the University Museum by the General. The 
specimen was exhibited to the meeting. It represents the 
goddess Bhowanee, with her usual attendants. It was 
found among the ruins of a Brahminical temple in the an- 
cient city of Chandwartie, and apparently belongs to a pe- 
riod corresponding to the beginning of the twelfth century 
of our era. 
David Falconar, Esq. V. P. in the chair. — The Secretary j^^^^j ^ 
read an account of the Habits of a specimen of the Siren 
lacertina, which has been kept alive in a hothouse in his 
garden at Canonmills, near Edinburgh, for more than two 
years past. — At the same meeting was read a paper by the 
Reverend John Macgarvie, on the Habits of the large 
Brown Hornet of New South Wales, with a reference to 
instinct, and particularly illustrative of its mode of forming 
its hexagonal cells.— -Professor Jameson then exhibited some 
of the Birds collected by Capt. Parry during his last voyage 
