of Edinburgh^ Session 1864-65. 443 
Abstracts of the Proceedings of the Geological Society of London, 
Nos. 130, 131. 8vo . — From the Society. 
Journal of the Society of Arts, Weekly, for 1864-G5. London. 
8vo . — From the Society. 
Comptes Kendus Hehdomadaires des Seances de I’Academie des 
Sciences. Paris, 1864-65. 4to . — From the Academy. 
Monday^ Is;^ May 1865. 
Professor CHEISTISON, V.P., in the Chair. 
The following Communications were read 
1. Some Observations on the Cuticle in relation to Evapo- 
ration. By John Davy, M.D., F.E.S. Lond. & Edin. 
In this paper the author gives an account of many experiments 
made on the loss of weights of different animals in their fresh state, 
when suspended, exposed to the air, from evaporation ; from the 
results of which he infers, that it is comparatively greatest from 
the batrachians, not quite so great from fishes, less from mammalia, 
and least from birds. 
Physiologically considered, he infers that the function, in all but 
the fishes, is connected with the regulation of animal heat, tending, 
to keep the cool-blooded batrachians cool, and birds of a high tem- 
perature warm. 
Viewed pathologically, he shows how it tends to prevent inspis- 
sation and drying, and to preserve the blood in a healthy, and the 
tissues in a flexible, moist state. 
In addition, he gives an account of some similar trials on vege- 
tables, in which the cuticular covering performs a part in relation 
to the retarding of evaporation and the preservation of life, similar 
to that which it exercises on animals. 
He concludes with calling attention to the drying of meats and 
vegetables in an economical point of view, and with the expression 
of regret that these in their dried state — so much used in the 
United States of America, and on the Continent, and so easily 
obtained, considering the simplicity of the process, are not more 
used in Great Britain, especially by the labouring class. 
