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unprejudiced examination of the numberless improvements, 
and alleged improvements, which have been made in the 
simple instrument of Davy. Probably even yet something 
may be effected in its arrangement that will render it more 
safe ; but before we can do so,, we must learn the defects of 
the original lamp, and test the reported defects of those which 
have been improved. 
Models of steam engines, tables of their duty and of their 
consumption of coal and water, would be very useful. 
Many other objects I have no doubt omitted, but which I 
could hardly notice in so short a list of desiderata as I have 
given you. 
It now only remains for me, in conclusion, to observe, that 
having thus declared our wants, I have every expectation that 
the call will be responded to, and I doubt not before we pay 
another visit to Halifax, (and I hope the time is not far 
distant,) when the Museum will contain a complete series of 
the fossils and minerals of this neighbourhood.* 
EVENING MEETING. 
The evening meeting took place at seven o'clock, and was 
numerously attended. 
Mr. Morton read a Paper " On the Vegetable Origin of 
Coal," in which he stated, in a clear and forcible manner, 
the usual arguments in favour of that theory. 
• Gentlemen, desirous of contributing to the Museum, are requested to 
address their donations to the Curators at the Museum of the Society, in West- 
gate, Wakefield ; — and as it is the wish of the Council that the collection should 
be greatly augmented before the Annual Meeting next autumn, it is important 
that the friends of the Society should place in the hands of the Curators the 
specimens intended for the Museum, at an early day, in order that they may be 
properly arranged prior to that meeting. 
